By Valerie Rhead
DO UNTO OTHERS
In bridge, when your partner makes a dumb, stupid mistake, how do you react? Do you chastise him in a demeaning way, or do you smile gently and say “don’t worry about it partner, it’s only one hand”? At the same time, you are recalling the times that you have done something comparable and craved forgiveness. Will your partner play better if you chew him out or if you are encouraging? I think that we all know the answer to that question.
Now, what do you do if you make a dumb, stupid mistake and realize it during the course of the bidding? Do you let out an anguished cry and swear under your breath, or do you remain poker-faced and not let on to anyone at the table that you have goofed? Last year in Texas I played against opponents to which this happened and they handled it admirably. The male partner got confused and opened with a two-club bid. No one at the table realized that he had made the bid with a long club suit and eight points. Of course, we all know that there is no such thing as a weak two-club bid. He told us later that he knew what he had done as soon as the two-club bidding card hit the table. But, his face gave no hint of what thoughts were churning inside him. His partner merrily bid up to a no-trump slam. No one was aware of the kerfuffle until the dummy’s hand came down.
He hadn’t revealed any unauthorized information to his partner, which would have been unethical. She would have been tempted not to bid the slam if she had a whiff that something was wrong. Neither did he impart any authorized information to his opponents who surely would have doubled if they knew there was a problem.
How did his wife react? She was disappointed, of course, but smiled sweetly and told him not to worry about it. They are still married and still play bridge together. Make it a New Year’s resolution. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are now Tuesday afternoon 1PM for the winter Jan‑Feb‑Mar, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Call Betty 705-789-2560 [email protected] or Susan at 705-789-7156 [email protected] for information and partnerships. For the winter, the game now is held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street.
The following results are for Tuesday, Dec 29 with 3 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 2. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 4. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before game time. For information/partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The Bracebridge game will continue our regular schedule Monday Jan 4.
The Dec 28 game was cancelled for the holidays. The following results are for Monday, Dec 21 with 7 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 4. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 5. Art Insley and Don Evans; 6. Bev Parlett and Vern Foel; 7. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh
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