Monday, June 07, 2004 3:06 AM
Hand Evaluation - Why Improve Your Bridge ?
PITBULLS:
Why
improve your Bridge ? In any sport , there is a human desire to improve ones
skill. This is an ego generated human response. Losing sucks
, having other people perform better than you all the time is no fun. Therefore
, you should always be learning in Bridge . Looking for an edge to beat
the opponents is another natural human response . The partnership
aspect of the game is another re-enforcement for improving. You do not want to
let your partner or team mates down with inferior skill at
the game of Bridge.
Some
people just play Bridge as an escape mechanism so have no desire to learn.
Some people feel they are good enough already so do not have to improve.
Some people never admit their Bridge shortcomings so they will
never learn. They prefer to live in a fools
paradise where they are an expert at the game. Some people do not want to
expend the effort necessary to learn as they may forget &
learning is difficult for them. These people , by staying static at their hobby
are missing out on a positive aspect of the game of Bridge . Learning new
things & improving in Bridge is fun ! The complexity of the game allows
even experts to continue improving . Researching new ideas , trying new
conventions , all add to your overall skill as a player. You must have a
positive attitude towards improving no matter your age. There is no
reason why a player can not be better at age 70 than at age 50 unless
you let your mind rust.
Learning
should not be stressful as there is no time limit pressures.
There is no exam to write at a particular time so you learn when you feel
like it. Sometimes you play too much Bridge at the expense of
learning Bridge. In golf , you go to the driving range for the express
purpose of practicing & learning. If you just play all the
time , all you are doing is honing your mistakes. Take time to go to the
Bridge driving range where you can practice new ideas & think Bridge.
You
must keep up with your partner & team mates. Not wanting to lean or improve
is the leading cause of Bridge
divorce. A Bridge zealot/enthusiast can not comprehend a partner
or team mate who does not want to take the time to improve.
You must keep up with the Jones in Bridge. Whether that is Peter
Jones or Lloyda Jones depends on your Bridge goals & abilities.
I
have also included some quotes from the Bridge World plus a news item that says
playing Bridge might be good for stimulating your immune system !! Thinking
makes you healthier ..
Because every hand is different, the
intellectual challenge of bridge never ceases. Besides, and more importantly,
my father often noted that, "If you don't play bridge, you'll have a miserable
old age." Since that time is getting closer, this is no time for my
interest in bridge to lag or diminish.
- Rudy Boschwitz
Many games provide fun, but bridge grips
you. It exercises your mind. Your mind can rust, you know, but bridge
prevents the rust from forming.
-
Omar Sharif
-
Just
as muscles will atrophy when not used regularly, so will brain power
deteriorate when not maintained with stimulation. Most people attempt to
achieve this exercise in pleasant activities, such as reading novels or
attacking crossword puzzles. Bridge offers an exciting way to partake in mental
exercise.
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