BRIDGE PLAYERS

Evening Star, Issue 19923, 20 July 1928, Page 1

BRIDGE PLAYERS

THOSE WHO WIK AND LOSE “ Let me play cards with a man for an hour, and I’ll tell you his character,” is a saying 1 have often heard. Who the author of this brilliant remark was I do not know, but he certainly was right, and I have a firm idea that he was a bridge player (writes Noel AYendon, in tho /Daily Mail’). Certainly there are few games in the world which bring out a person’s character and temperament as well as bridge does, It sweeps down the defensive armour and reveals the weak spots unerringly. What bridge player does not know, the. pleasant, laughing, happy opponent who condones our mistakes, and while he is winning is the epitome of good fellowship? But put him on the losing side, watch him snap at his partner’s errors, complain ot the run of the j cards, and swear that when two finesses ( go wrong the luck must lie dead j against him. Wo have all met him lots of times. ,

And by “ him ” I’m afraid I must include also “ her,” though the feminine counterpart is rarer. Unfor-

tunately, the English language lacks a combined word for “ him ” and “her,” so “him ” must suffice in this particular for both.

Notice tiie steady, rock-like play of ono player, the dashing bids of another, and tbo timidity of a third, and the consistent over-calling of- a fourth, in them you can read tho characteristics clearly, especially the innate selfishness of tho last.

What a test of temper it can bcl Tho arguments which two fierce players will have, when words flow fast. ■ 1 have seen games interrupted for whole minutes while two players wrangle over a misplay.ed card or a quibble of the rules. What mean little tricks you can sometimes see played by the unsportsmanlike player-—the hesitation in pulling out a card, by which another player is led to take a finesse, the meaning look and sighs when a wrong card is led, giving clear information as to what is wanted next lime. They are endless, these ■ tricks, but, thank heaven and the gods of- bridge, they are not common.

The perfect game should be played with little everv card played at an equal rate, fairly last. The only time a , long pause may bo allowed is after the lead of the first card,’ , when’ the' person playing the hand can map out his whole'plan of campaign from dummy. , Apart from that, it should run smoothly. There should be no inflection of tiio voice to : show disgust or joy, no angry signs. This may, sound too solemn and too strict, but conversation need, not be banned, and after a time such a game will become,' natural.