V N Ramamoorthy
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What, in your opinion, would be the most challenging role for a bridge player? Being declarer or a defender?
I would posit that being a Dummy is harder than either!
Basically, one has to "Use a blind- fold and a duct tape when dummy"
It's all very well to stipulate by rules and by the directors "Dummy should (must?) be silent throughout" , "Dummy cannot suggest when or how to claim" etc.
In face to face bridge, at least dummy has the rights to say to declarer "From hand / From table partner" . And of course when declarer does not join a suit, dummy can ask "No clubs partner?".
Even that is not possible when you play on-line 😢
The dummy becomes a real dummy in the true sense of the word!
You sit there blind-folded with your eyes wide open, muted with / without your mouth (and mouse) open!
Many a time, you are witness to the murder of a hand. Quite often you are a silent spectator of "Harakiri"with no recourse to legal protection 😂
Some players I know, "manoeuver" the bidding in such a way so that they are spared from seeing any gory scenes!
I know of an expert player, a wheeler- dealer, who cleverly uses a black cloth to cover the monitor/ screen when he is destained to pair with some players and they become declarers!
Sometimes you feel like taking law into your hands when you witness the "criminal" conduct of a bridge hand.
I am reminded of the title of a hand described by Alfred Sheinwold "Keep the hand-cuffs ready"!
Next time you go shopping do not forget to include a blind- fold, a duct tape and a black cloth!
Happy bridging
(even as a dummy),
VNR
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.