Show no emotions when Dummy appears whether you
like the dummy or not.
Detach yourselves completely from previous hands
and learn to concentrate properly.
Think and plan at trick one and bid and play in an
even tempo. No extra points are won by playing too fast.
Do not be intimidated by the sight of famous
opponents. Play your natural game and do not try to steal an edge over them by
trying to hoodwink them. This sort of an attitude only reflects your inferiority
complex.
Be a tough competitior.
As far as possible adhere to your system but not
be a slave of the system.
In a team game pay particular attention to
part-games. Remember the key to suceess in team's games is "Master the
part-games the games and slams will take care of themselves."
Do not try to sit down to play with an idea of
teaching the opponents a lesson.
Use only those conventions which you and your
partner feel comfortable with. Remember "conventions never turn a poor player
into a good player but too many conventions have certainly made good players into poor
players."
Develop a killer instinct. Bid aggressively
on aggressive hands but lie low on defensive hands.
Lie low on misfit hands.
Do not lose interest when holding a terrible hand.
This can help the opponents to take sucessful finesses etc.
Develop a positve mental attitude and always
strive to improve. The day a Bridge player begins to feel that there is no room left
for further improvement he should give up playing the game. Remember, the road to
perfection goes on to infinity.
Learn to analyse rationally and objectively and
not with a critical attitude. Do not be a 'result merchant'.
Develop a strong sense of Humour and learn to
laugh at your misfortunes.
Learn to evaluate your contract and be a practical
player. Develop a strong table-presence. Learn to handle your cards with the
same care and understanding as a virtuous violinist.
Always render correct information to your
opponents and make it a habit to Alert artificial bids.
Be above reproach both in bidding and play.
Never try to develop an understanding with your partner which may seem suspect.
Give as detailed information as is possible in
your convention card.
Make you bids in the same tone. Do not make
faces on the table and do not try to draw inferences by your partner's looks. Do
not show any emotion even where you are dissatisfied with your partner's lead to play.
Do not bid or play out of turn.
Learn to protect your cards.
Do not try to convey information to partner by
unnecessary and excessive thinking.
Do not try to take advantage of partner's pause
during the bidding.
Do not always strive for the 'Best possible
result'. Instead learn to strive for the 'best possible result'.
Do not double opponents if you have raised them a
level simply for the sake of doubling.
Do not try to play all hands. Defence is as
important a part of the game as offence.
Always strive to make your partner
comfortable. Learn to book sure profits.
Do not try to convey complex messages to your
partner which may be misinterpreted. Try to bid and play as naturally as possible.
Approach each match with the same seriousness and
purpose. Do not try to fool around on the table.
As captain do not try to play all the
sessions. Volunteer to sit out if not playing well or feeling indisposed.
If not playing try to get as much rest as possible
between rounds. Do not watch matches when sitting out.
Never allow opponent's to have fun at the expense
of either your partner or your team-mates.
Improve your Bridge etiquettes.