By Valerie Rhead
A BRIDGE PLAYER’S BEST FRIEND
Last week we examined how bridge is a humbling game because of the dumb mistakes players sometimes make. The reasons are varied. Maybe they’re tired. Maybe that convention hasn’t come up for a while. Maybe they were listening to that intriguing conversation at the next table. Maybe, just as their knees aren’t working as well as they once did, their memory is no longer as sharp as it once was. Even the very best players make these dumb mistakes. It just happens less frequently with them than with us.
A dog may be man’s (or woman’s) best friend, but at the bridge table, a person’s best friend is their partner. They should cherish this relationship. This is especially important if their partner is also their significant other. The opponents provide enough stress without their partner inflicting more. No partner needs to be reminded that he played the hand like a novice. (I once heard an experienced player say this to her experienced husband.) If her partner had not figured this out for himself, the reminder will do nothing to sustain his self-confidence and maintain his enjoyment of the game. I imagine their ride home that evening was very icy.
I frequently hear players complain that they wish their spouse would play bridge with them. After all, they would have lots of opportunity to go over their hands together and discuss them–in a constructive way, of course. Also, they could play bridge in different cities and countries when they travel together. It’s a great way to meet the locals and find out about all the interesting sights you should see in the area. Also partners-in-life usually have the same schedule. Non-partners-in-life could find themselves stranded at home, without their favourite bridge partner, when he or she is off touring Roman ruins or taking in Broadway plays.
So cherish your partner whoever he or she may be. Otherwise, he may decide to give up the game, or find a more congenial partner, or your comments will simply fall on deaf ears and you will feel frustrated that you cannot grow your game. That would be a shame because bridge has the potential to help keep us mentally sharp and to provide a lot of pleasurable social stimulation. So, keep the game fun even when your partner makes one of those dumb stupid mistakes because chances are, perhaps as soon as tomorrow, you will make a similar mistake!
PLEASE NOTE that my email has changed. If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com and I will include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesdays, 7:15pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Contact Susan [email protected] for information and partnerships.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jun 21 with 11 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Bob Schives and Bruce Elliott; 2. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 3. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 4. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 5. Barb Green and Joanne Garvey; 6. Marion Bayfield and John Bayfield; 5. Beryl Clayson and Paul Clayson; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 3. Art Insley and Rod Dixon; 4. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 5. Yvonne Cox and Susan Marshall; 6. Julie Anne Guselle and Catherine MacMillan
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Jun 20 with 13 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Bob Schives and David Bryce with a magnificent 70%; 2. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 3. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 4. Beth Henderson and Tom Dyke; 5. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; 6. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 7. Yvonne Cox and Mary Whitehead; East-West 1. Sandy Retter and David Scarlett; 2. Art Insley and Don Evans; 3. Liz Barnes and Lyn Walisser; 4. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 5. Betty Franklin and Catherine McMillan; 6. Betty Rintoul and Bev Howard; 7. Kathy Kent and David Kent
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