V N Ramamoorthy
Ladies and Gentlemen,
" Silence can be Golden - in Bridge too! "
To speak or not to speak - is an enigma in this game 🙃 More often your silence is equal to a thousand words!
Some players think thoughtlessly (oxymoron intended) that they have enrolled and must speak at the slightest of provocation!
If it is a free game, what the heck, might as well bid. If it is a paid game then all the more reason that you have earned the right to speak 😂
The old tenet still works in Bridge: Let sleeping dogs lie. You provoke him from his slumber - and he barks and will even bite, at a place where it hurts 😵.
My two bits of advice :
If the opponents are freely bidding to a 4 / 5 level in minor, think twice before you open your mouth put your foot in it! They were just waiting for that to bid further merrily to a game or they find the right line to bring home the bacon, much to your chagrin 😭
Last evening my partner was wondering whether it is a small slam or a Biggie. And the opponent came to his rescue - he doubled my partner's transfer bid of 3H ( with 10xxxxx!). When I showed a super fit in spades, partner had no hesitation to launch key cards and gleefully bid a Grand!
Another board - my partner opened a weak 2D. I held 16 hcp with ATxx in D and jumped to 5 D. Now my RHO doubled with no control in Trump suit! My pd could make with an OT but was overjoyed and was content with 11 tricks! Still a top☺
My appeal to the Gurus - along with teaching how to bid, please also teach your wards " When not to bid " 😅
Moral of the story? Let the sleeping dogs sleep, don't provoke, lest they bark or bite!
Happy bridging ( in silence 🤐)!
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.