Humanics

PITBULLS:

This subject has been brought up time and time again . However it is so important that we will devote this e-mail to the subject . In Regina , I thought there was 14 spades in the deck and made a false claim in 3NT when I had 9 top tricks . This of course was a 12 imp loss . I was annoyed at myself , the two opponents were Vinnie & Vinnie and they gave me a rough time , the director came and gave me a rough time , Mr. Jones did not give me a rough time . Why , because partners are not allowed to do that . The Vinnies being friends & opponents are allowed to give me a rough time , the director can rule against me and thats fine , my team mates can laugh at me and thats fine too - but no words from my partner .

Bridge at a high level is tough enough so you need all the help you can get . Sarcasm , anger or pointing out mistakes by partner is so out of line that it defies description . Attacks on partners ego is damaging to the partnership and the team . To say that after all , a partner is human and if a comment slips out in the heat of the battle that is all right. No it is not ! No excuses . It is just not done . Period , end of story .

Klimo gets really intense at high level competition . He goes for a walk rather than saying something damaging at the table. As long as partner does not take that as a personal insult , then thats all right . If you must say something to partner , wait a few boards to cool things down and then ask the opponents to be excused and take a few minutes to discuss the situation . This would probably be a defensive mistake that the partnership would like to clear up so that it does not happen again . However , do it away from the table !

Opponents have a killer instinct . If you show displeasure to partner it gives them a psychological boost . Shaking partners confidence is ridiculous at any sport . Partner needs an ego to keep performing at a high level . The hands are going to be discussed later in the bar anyway so wait until then . Obnoxious manerisms or comments will not win friends or influence partners.

Rationalizations or apologies are not really necessary at the table either . If you chose a line of play that was reasonable but did not make it , I do not feel it is necessary for you to defend yourself to partner at the table . She does not think you are an idiot or she would not be playing with you in the first place ! You compete with the opponents not your partner ! A bridge partnership is not a Master/Slave relationship where one partner is the bridge "god" and only he/she is right . First of all that is a sickness if a partner thinks that way and detracts very much from the enjoyment of the game . If a partner is a superior bridge player than all the more reason to "hide that fact" from partner . She does not need you to show off your vast knowledge of the game of bridge at the table . This puts one partner in the dominant position . The word partnership means equality and the bridge table is no place to play control games . A person can sense a lack of respect , distrust or a lack of confidence . Learn from the Poker players and keep a poker face and do not show annoyance at partner . A.J Simon in his book "Why you lose at bridge" devoted many chapters on the subject which he called Humanics . The primary reason why you lose at bridge is not proper feeding and care of your partner ...

A good role model to follow in this regard is Tom Gandolfo . Study his moves at the bridge table , it will be worth it ..