Bridge is a complicated game, full of unique strategies and tactics. Players use memory, math, logic, and reasoning. Bridge has filled a void for me. I have found many new and diverse friendships playing this difficult but enjoyable game. I hope that this book will add confidence to your game and help introduce you to playing at a higher level!
You are probably reading this because you want to improve your game. You might even want to see what knowledge is needed to get from 5 to 500 ACBL points. Just by reading this, shows that you have set goals and want to improve. Good for you! There are always ways to improve bidding, defense, or play of the hand. No one gets better without dreaming of competing at higher levels. What would you like to learn? How fast would like to learn it?
When I first started playing bridge, I thought to myself, “What can I do to become a better player? I enjoy playing, but I want to be able to compete with better players!” How many times have you heard other players make similar statements? I believe all players at one time, had these same thoughts. Even the best players continue to look to find ways to improve.
Recently, I was talking with, Jeff Meckstroth’s father. (Jeff is one of ten people in the world who has won the “Triple Crown” of Bridge.) He told how Jeff first started playing bridge. When Jeff’s father first played with him in a tournament, his father went to get the hand record after the game. It was here where Jeff’s father first noticed something peculiar. When discussing each hand, he noticed that Jeff never looked at the hand record! He had remembered every hand, North, South, East, and West, every play, and every opening lead! Everyone will not have this ability or be able to train themselves to be as good as this. One thing that we can learn from this is, “Memory is one key to winning!”
A seamstress may need scissors, a needle, and a seam ripper in order to sew. A carpenter may need a hammer, a saw, a square, and a level to complete a job. Much like this, a bridge player also needs tools. This book is compiled with the laws, the gadgets, the systems, and conventions that can be learned to get from 5 to 500 master points. Many gadgets are mentioned in this text. Little information on these is given in detail. Brief explanations are given in an introductory level. If wanting more examples, or better detail, further reading will be required.
If wanting to become a life master, the proverbial question might be, “How many gadgets or what tools are needed? World-class players use plenty of these gadgets to make their game better, but how many will you need? Past Presidential candidate, Gary Hart was once asked about government spending. He replied, “More isn’t better; less isn’t better; only better is better.” This is also true about how many conventions are used. More may increase mistakes, less may miss opportunities, and the just right amount is better! It’s up to you to find what is best for your partnership.
You won’t know how many conventions you’ll need. Many good players use only a few common conventions. Until you start winning more, the KISS method works best. (KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid!)
A person cannot learn every gadget or device by simply reading the definitions. Every gadget has to be put into practice. Nor can this be learned all at once. One thing at a time, little by little, would be the best way to learn multiple items. Set a goal and pace your learning.
There should be “no fear of failure” when attempting these new bridge devises. Believe it or not, there are only two types of bridge contracts: those that make and those that don’t make. Even if the contract is correctly bid, it still might fail. When learning these new devices, getting things right the first time is great but the actual learning might happen quicker or set in more concretely if mistakes are made; but you must learn from these mistakes!
Someone once mentioned that in order to learn something, you must do it right seven times; but by failing just once, you will learn it faster. In the book the Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell suggests that 10,000 hours of practice is what is needed before one can become as proficient as possible. In any case, practice may make perfect. This is why, one of the first steps in becoming a better bridge player, is to simply play more.
Play more bridge with the Bridge Baron or any other computer program. Play online on Bridge Base Online. These programs are wonderful, but users beware! Playing against a computer or playing with poorer players may negatively affect your play. When playing online, try to schedule a time to meet with a player who can help your game. Don’t play with random players unless you take their advice or criticism lightly.
Play more at bridge clubs and at tournaments. Play “up” as often as possible. It’s better to play with a better partner who can mentor your game and teach or suggest new things. Later, you will find it surprising when you play down. If your game has improved, playing down will reveal how much you’ve learned. Yet, playing up will show how much more you need to learn.
Never stop learning. Keep reading! One of the best ways to keep fresh with valuable bridge information is by reading. There are magazine subscriptions available such as “Bridge World” or “Better Bridge.” There are thousands of books about every bridge topic.
Some bridge clubs offer lessons. The lessons are frequently taught by masters that have years of valuable experiences. Never stop learning!
