2008-03-14 17:48
Hand Evaluation - Comfort Level
No
Bridge player can hope to succeed without having the ability to stick to a plan. This is decisively true
in the often surprising and dramatic world of tournament
Bridge. You can’t let your convictions be shaken, or you’ll jump from pillar to
post the moment times become difficult, and, in the end, have little to show
for it. Yet only if you’re
comfortable with what you’re doing will you be able to stick to
your plan. And comfort (peace within
and a cool head) in the
frequently volatile world of Bridge is only achieved, I believe, when you are
able to stand on the calm bedrock of common sense.
Common
sense means having a Bridge strategy
to win & sticking to your plan. Common sense means having reasonable,
achievable goals. Common sense means never trying to hit a home run, and never
berating yourself with remorse for a situation that doesn’t work out. Common
sense means spreading out your risks, but not so much that you lose control
over your game.
The
instant you deviate from a common sense approach, falling under the sway of egotism or defeatism, you’ll lose your comfort level because you’re no longer grounded in the reality of the
situation. When you lose your comfort level you become fearful, greedy, superstitious, “intuitive,” prayerful, victimized---you
enter into all the emotional states
that ultimately provoke Bridge mistakes.
You are your own
worst enemy
, when you lose your comfort level. There are 4 opponents which
obviously include you & your partner.
Inferiority complexes do not belong
with your hobby of playing Bridge. Keep a grip on your emotions so they do not become the enemy. Your sport is good
stress & your personality disorders are bad stress. Enjoy the moment &
relax so you can think properly. Stress paralyzes the brain
so it can no longer function. Let the opponents beat you ,
do not beat yourself. Playing at
high level competition makes no sense otherwise. Use humour
& other relaxing techniques like breathing properly. Do not rush & slow
things down to a crawl. Haste creates waste by
inducing errors. Concentrate to shut out thoughts that do not
belong in the game. Concentrate solely on the task at hand , which is playing good Bridge & think of losing or
winning after the match.
Honour thy
partner & be polite to the opponents are
also good stress reducers. Shut out bad thoughts that might hamper your
performance. The power of positive thinking is sometimes needed to stick to
your game plan. If you game plan is to be swingy ,
stick to it ! If your game plan is to minimize errors & not give anything
away try to stick to that plan. Do not mix the two plans. This is learning how to win.