BACKING YOUR LUCK AT BRIDGE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17451, 11 May 1922, Page 2

BACKING YOUR LUCK AT BRIDGE.

"Let us take the winning seats, partner."

How often does one hear this remar.c in the card-room. Many Bridge players have a touching credulity in the efficacy of tlhe winning seats, and I have even heard them argue that such faith is not superstition. They follow, they will tell you, "the run of tho cards," as many players at "Trente-et-Quar-nnto" at Monte Carlo are in the habit of doing. This belief in the "run of the cards"' is founded on no solid basis. Every deal, if the packs have been properly . shuffled -arid out, is a fresh transaction, and there is no reason wliy the good cards should "run" one way rather than the other.

"But," say the believers, "see how often a long run of good luck occurs in particular seats." "Yes, and i/ee how often it doea not," is the true reply. The fact is they notice tho successes and ignore the failures.

If they win they say, "I told you so. We couldn t go wrong in thesa "seats."' If they lose they say, "'Well, I suppose theso. scats are worn out at last, but they, have had a. wonderful run." Same players pin their faith to the winning cards, and are most eager to secure the pack with which the last victors have p'ayed. This idea lias no more foundation than the other. I would rather back a. player who is "in luck" than the winning seats or cards. I know, of couiv-e, that because a player has won six rubbers in succession there is no reason why he should win •sho seventh .. The theory of tho. "maturity t «»f chances," .as gamblers call it, tenches that the luck cannot continue more than a. certain time in one direction. But as no one can tell how long that "certain time" is likely to bo, the theory ia of little'--value. Against that experience does _ undoubtedly show tlhat when a man is in luck or "in the vein," tilings do com© his way. It may he that he plays bettor and with more confidence than when he is doing badly, but I think most regular card players will bear me out that there are periods when it seems as if they^"can't go.wrong." This is the time when the experienced gambler backs his luck for all lie is worth. Mr Walter Bluet, in his book, "Twenty-one Bridge Fallacies," places "backing; your luck" as the first and greatest fallacy. No doubt it is apd can be proved to be so, but it is a. superstition commonly held by, I should say, the majority of card players. Personally, I would throw in all the lucky and unlucky runs and all the gamblers' theories and superstitions, and back the good player all tho time. I know a man wno docs not play Bridge who makes a regular income by making small bets on the best players in the enrd-room. He does not bother about luck. He follows form, and he wins.—By A. E. Manning Foster in London "Daily Mail."