A.N. Other’s latest is: “A glutton’s greedy sense of taste shows little sense but lots of waist.” At the bridge table (unless you are playing in a pair event, where overtricks can be valuable), a greedy player who risks his contract trying for an overtrick shows little sense and lots of waste.
Jane Goodall said, “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” A bridge player might add the word “card” after each “individual.” However, sometimes the role of a particular card may be difficult to discern.
When a declarer stumbles, making a mistake, it is the job of the defenders to make sure that he falls, unable to pick himself up and still make his contract.
Alexander Smith, a 19th-century Scottish poet, said, "Everything is sweetened by risk." Not when you are a declarer! Then, you should aim to make your contract without risk.
In the last two days, we have looked at deals in which a lot of errors were made. Let’s end the week with one where the bidding was sane and the defense excellent.
Anne Tyler said, “People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.” That is often true, but there can still be matters out of your control. Take today’s deal, for example. Look at only the North-South hands. In which contract would you choose to play?
Thomas Fuller, an English curate, author and historian who died in 1661, said, "If thou art a master, be sometimes blind; if a servant, sometimes deaf." If thou art a bridge player, be never deaf nor blind. Listen carefully to the auction and watch closely every card played.
