2008-05-04 19:59

Hand Evaluation - Intent to Injure

PITBULLS:

“Sticks & stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” . Everybody knows that silence is golden at the Bridge table. Humans are human though so if something is blurted that has “no attempt to injure” as they say in the sport of hockey” , let it go. If partner is just “filling the airways”, but is not angry or trying to put you down , relax & ignore them. They are usually wrong with their analysis anyway , so retaliate in the bar later. Learn from the ducks who let water slip off their backs very easily.

Everybody handles the stress of competition differently. The ideal partnership is like Meckwell who say absolutely nothing at the table. The worst partnership are those who yell & scream at each other. Your partnership falls somewhere between those two extremes. In sports like Basketball & Hockey there is “trash talk” . This is talking for the sake of talking aimed at the opponents. Their intent is to throw the opponents off their game. If partner does that to the opponents, it is unethical. Why is she doing it to you ? Who knows , but If partner has no ill will intended with the comments, just tune it out & deem it a cost of doing business. You will drive yourself crazy otherwise.

Another way of handling partners who wish to analyze verbally after far too many hands is just to laugh. Pretend they have just said a funny joke & you are laughing at the punch line. I think they will tire of making comments if the reaction is always laughter. Silence is not the way of handling such partners nor is debating the answer. Getting angry , irritated or frustrated are not good Bridge emotions either. Laughter is the best medicine.

Bob Hammon says that sometimes in the game of Bridge you get a bloody nose. You can not be too sensitive & thin skinned. Just ask yourself a question. Was the comment intended as a vindictive put down ? If no , just ignore & if yes , get another partner. It is just that simple.

My partners usually do not result hands at the table. If we screw up , we are allowed to discuss it at smoke breaks or away from the table. If partner does blurt out a comment , do not burn her at the stake. Just laugh & on to the next hand. Hopefully partner will get the message , at the table analysis is not beneficial to the partnership. If not , keep on laughing .J You will play better Bridge & live longer.