Post mortems have their interest and are unmistakably convincing as a rule. Don’t venture upon them unless you are certain what the scalpel is going to reveal, and above all things when the corpse is buried don’t continue to talk of the harassing details with another hand awaiting play.
Be careful how you criticize in all cases. It is not an invariable rule that he who points out the first mistake had the best reason for doing so. How about a blunder that may have been committed earlier by the critic himself, and the possible embarrassment that may follow if a complete analysis of all the cards played is insisted upon.
There are personalities in bridge that can be avoided in addition to arguments with “your partner” or public criticism of his play. The actual time saved in “claiming all the rest” will not shorten the game by two minutes. Better play all the cards out and save yourself the possible mortification of having it placed in evidence that you had not read your hand, that of “your partner” and those of your adversaries, as intelligibly as you had imagined.
Bridge knowledge is not acquired in a moment. Some persons are naturally better players than others. Intuition is an aid to some, the ability to forecast assists others, but both are powerless without a thorough grasp of all the details that are accessory to the game.
In connection with this subject it may not be out of place to observe that while the object of the game is to take tricks, the same number can be made in a great many different ways. That you did not happen to lose on a hand is no palliation for the very bad play of which you may have been guilty. Always bear in mind the fact that there is a right way and a wrong way to play, and that the acquirement of playing by the right method should be the purpose of all who devote their time to the game.
Play bridge as if a genuine pleasure, whether winner or loser, and eventually you will discover that it is far easier to win in that spirit than it was with the critical idea predominating; and, if you do lose, it is with the consciousness of good will toward your fellow man, who happens, in this case, to be “your partner.”
Endeavor to be serene under all circumstances. Keep in mind that it is a pastime for sound mental training. Never forget that a cool head is a most valuable essential, and try just as far as possible to sink all peccadilloes in play, avoid all whimsicalities and correct all personal mannerisms.
ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS
The following hands are illustrative of the principles discussed in the previous chapters, and while, to the experienced players, some of the points will appear simple, the hands all show interesting situations which merit careful study from those who wish to improve their Bridge play.