Bridge is a competition game. Like all competition games,
there are different levels at which one can compete, depending on knowledge,
ability and experience.
Experience comes from playing often, therefore from the
repetition of routines in bidding and play of the card. Just like in golf,
tennis and any other activity, a lot of practice, errors, defeats and victories
lead to a better fluidness in the use of the system and conventions. This cannot
be taught and depends exclusively on the time one is willing to spend playing
the game.
I would like to underline one thing regarding practice. It is best to play with
people of around one's level by preference to people of much lesser level or
people of much higher level. Playing with people of much lesser level leads to
repairing errors instead of building a "play tempo". Playing with
people or much higher level leads to frustration for not being able to follow
the "play tempo". In both cases, it slows down your playing skills
acquisition.
Knowledge comes from the straight learning of the various
systems and conventions. There are marvelous teachers all over the world who
will teach these fundamentals in depth. Being attentive and open to learning is
the key in acquiring the proper vocabulary and grammar.
Finally, and this is what I'm attempting to teach, the
ability to use the learned components of the game at the right time. This is what
makes the difference between playing levels. Once you have acquired this skill,
you will be able to:
* successfully bid
"marginal" contracts and uncommon hands,
* effectively organize and
coordinate defense with your partner and
* minimize the guessing in contract
play.
Some of the concepts are simple, others very complex and do
take time to learn depending on the individual.
If you wsh to improve you ability to play the game at a
higher level than the one you are at now, don't hesitate to contact me and let's
get to work!
My approach is totally independent of any specific system and
applies to any and all of them.
Meanwhile, remember that, statistically, you play 25% of the
boards, you are the dummy for 25% of the boards and you defend 50% of the
boards.
