BRIDGE PLAYERS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 20

BRIDGE PLAYERS

THOSE WHO "WIN AND LOSE,

"Lot mo play cards with a man for air hour, and I'll tell you his character," is a saying 1 liavo often heard. Who tho author of this brilliant remark was I do not know, but lip certainly was right, and I liavo- a. firm idea that he was " a bridge player, writes Noel Wendon in the "Daily Mail." ' • Certainly, tlicrc'a.re few games ia" 1 ho world which.bring out a person's character and temperament as well as bridge does. It sweeps down the defensive armour and reveals tho weak spots unerringly. . ■ AVhat bridge player does not know the ploasaiit, laughing, happy opponent who condones our mistakes, and while ■ho is winning is thq epitome of good fellowship? -But.put him on thb losing side, watch him'snap at his partner's' errors, complain of the run of the cards, and swear that when two finesses go wrong the luck mußt be dead against him. Wo have all met him lots of times. • '"'■. : ■ . - -Ariel-"by '-'him"-I'm.afraid I muafc include also ■■"■ her'j " -though the feminine counterpart is rarer. Unfortunately, the' English language-lacks a combined -word for "him and "her," so "him" must suffice in this,particular, for both. • -'Notice the steady,, rock -like play of one player,' the dashing bids of an-; other, the timidity of .a third, and the consistent over-calling of a fourth. In them you can read the characteristics .'clearly, especially the innate selfishness of the last. _••■".' ... ■ What a test of temper it canibc! Tho arguments which two fierce players will have, when words flow fast. I have seen games interrupted for whole minutes whilo two players wrangle over a misplayed card, or a quibble, of the rules. What mean little tricks you can sometimes see played by the unsportsmanlike <player—the hesitation in pu'llirig out a card, by which another player is led to take a finesse, the-moaning"' looks and sighs when a wrong card is led,-giving clear information as to what is wanted next time. They are endless, these tricks, but, thank heaven, ■■and' tho gods of bridge, they, are not common. . The porf oct .game should bo played with little discussion, .every-card played at an equal rate, fairly fast. The only I time a long pause may be allowed is after the load of tho first card, when the person, playing tho hand can map out his whole plan of campaign, from dummy. Apart from that, it should, run smoothly., There should be no inflexion of ..the voice to show disgust or joy,, no angry, signs.. . This may sound too solemn, and too strict, but conversation need not bo banned, and aftev a .t'imo such a game will become natural.