As over-optimism goes this is a classic, and I’ve bid and made some shockers in my time. Even if North had a near perfect hand (e.g. K109x Axx AQx Q10x) this still needs plenty to go right (e.g. trumps and diamonds basically 3-2 for a start) and you regularly remind us of Bob Hamman’s warning about perfect hands (don’t assume I’ve got all the right cards – I haven’t!). West still erred by not playing CQ of course although East mustn’t ruff either but ditch the D as you said.
Regards,
Iain
Bobby WolffFebruary 3rd, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Hi Iain,
Yes over-optimism has plenty to recommend it, but only if it is successful. When combined with a necessary opponent error, shoulders should shrug, reason should rule, and real life kudos restrained.
Just finished last night seeing an exciting, but error filled Super Bowl football game, resulting in glory for the winner, but mixed emotion for both teams, since perfection in performance for neither team, especially the loser, was not (even close), apparent on the field.
Of course, other factors like referee error mightily contributed, but still football, somewhat like the attempted playing of high-level bridge, often needs favorable playing luck to be successful.
Today’s hand is a rabid example of that, but who is to say that, in spite of optimism knowing no limits, sometimes one needs to pick its spots and when that sort of luck guides the victory the one chosen to win by Dame Fortune, seems to be ordained, rather than earned.
However, similar to Rome not being built in a day, luck comes and goes, but fighting spirit needs to rule whenever competition occurs, and seemingly the play, players, and/or team which plays through adversity with positive zest, wins more than their share.
The above is not much of a lesson on the specifics of the game, but only what fierce competitors should always bring with them and, in today’s bridge hand, it is definitely on point.
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Hi Bobby,
As over-optimism goes this is a classic, and I’ve bid and made some shockers in my time. Even if North had a near perfect hand (e.g. K109x Axx AQx Q10x) this still needs plenty to go right (e.g. trumps and diamonds basically 3-2 for a start) and you regularly remind us of Bob Hamman’s warning about perfect hands (don’t assume I’ve got all the right cards – I haven’t!). West still erred by not playing CQ of course although East mustn’t ruff either but ditch the D as you said.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
Yes over-optimism has plenty to recommend it, but only if it is successful. When combined with a necessary opponent error, shoulders should shrug, reason should rule, and real life kudos restrained.
Just finished last night seeing an exciting, but error filled Super Bowl football game, resulting in glory for the winner, but mixed emotion for both teams, since perfection in performance for neither team, especially the loser, was not (even close), apparent on the field.
Of course, other factors like referee error mightily contributed, but still football, somewhat like the attempted playing of high-level bridge, often needs favorable playing luck to be successful.
Today’s hand is a rabid example of that, but who is to say that, in spite of optimism knowing no limits, sometimes one needs to pick its spots and when that sort of luck guides the victory the one chosen to win by Dame Fortune, seems to be ordained, rather than earned.
However, similar to Rome not being built in a day, luck comes and goes, but fighting spirit needs to rule whenever competition occurs, and seemingly the play, players, and/or team which plays through adversity with positive zest, wins more than their share.
The above is not much of a lesson on the specifics of the game, but only what fierce competitors should always bring with them and, in today’s bridge hand, it is definitely on point.