Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Saturday, July 8th, 2023


6 Comments

bobbywolffJuly 8th, 2023 at 2:34 pm

Hi Everyone,

FWIW, this relatively garden type hand, is what, at least to me, separates the sheep from the goats both as to declarer, as quickly as possible, playing low from dummy on the initial low spade lead, and, of course, on defense by third chair inserting the seven, for the reason given in dummy.

Furthermore, to those who fervently desire to progress quickly up the ladder, lapping up early arithmetical challenges, but keeping in mind, that often, especially when declaring the contract, many other factors, almost always including the thought talent of the opponents,
playing a key factor in one’s choices.

No doubt, bridge being the ultra mind game it always is, the side battles between the competing partnerships often becomes the main attraction and the ticket to that enterprise
should “goose” a willing pair to “learn as one goes” and never give up the ghost, even when disaster may strike, but charge it off as necessary to the learning experience necessary for future success.

The overall example of the above is our principle reason for including this hand to ponder and then after that, to again continue to understand how card combinations and their care and
nurture, both while looking straight at, and/or when only imagining the possibility.

No one, not even the best bridge players ever, are right every time, only proving what every top player worldwide has learned for himself or herself, do the best one can and bounce back from every time, trouble appeared. To get where anyone wants to eventually be, requires
enormous patience and, believe me, it will test one’s very soul.

And to think, even if one has enough arithmetical talent, to court a chance to be, the work and frustration required, will serve to make it all worth while, since playing top flight bridge can become downright thrilling, at least that is what they tell me.

jim2July 8th, 2023 at 3:09 pm

And the arithmetic continues on this hand after West covers the 9H with the JH, declarer wins TH, leads 4H, and East plays the 7H.

It is at THAT juncture that TOCM ™ kicks in against me. 🙁

David SJuly 8th, 2023 at 8:00 pm

As usual, another top-notch lesson!

Thank you!

bobbywolffJuly 9th, 2023 at 2:04 pm

Hi Jim2, & David,

You, Jim2, certainly, more than anyone I or anyone we know, play our game only for the pleasure of bidding, playing, competitiveness, logical thinking, society, and, most of all, likely the competitiveness, in spite of the mighty TOCM (theory of card migration) to which you suffer.

While still rise and fall with always (or almost) ultra correct percentage decisions, you are deprived of the 50% (both good and bad) luck everyone else endures. At least to me, your
mind state is strictly iron (not to be reduced) proclaiming you the only winner ever of loving
the game, more than anyone else ever and also the poster child for only giving, but not ever enjoying the thrill of winning, all others experience.

Finally consider the above from those who think they love bridge, but do not have to experience what you go through and while doing so, you can imagine the unsaid respect all of us have for your off-the-charts discipline.

bobbywolffJuly 9th, 2023 at 2:08 pm

Hi again David,

Much thanks for becoming a more-or-less charter member of our group and, of course, for your very positive comments.

David SJuly 10th, 2023 at 12:17 am

I haven’t been posting comments muct lately but I do come by every day and study the hands you lay out Bobby, and read the commentary.

Again, thank you!