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What is bridge? Page 6
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME
After you have been playing for some time, the following suggestions may assist your desire to improve:
(a) Play rubber bridge for as high stakes as you can afford with players who are better than you. This will cost you money but the experience is invaluable for you will learn why they are better than you. You will scarcely improve, although you will undoubtedly enjoy your game, if you are better than the players with whom you are playing.
(b) Kibitz (watch) the best players in action. There are tournaments continually in progress in which top-flight players are playing. It usually costs you nothing to go along and watch experts play. Very few experts object to being watched. On the contrary it boosts their ego, and they may even explain why they made a certain bid or a certain play. To obtain the most benefit from such kibitzing you should watch one player exclusively and try to decide what you would bid and play if you had the same cards. Then you can compare your solution with what the expert does in practice. If there is a startling discrepancy, you might ask for guidance. Very few experts mind explaining to those who are seeking to learn.
(c) Read some bridge books. There are a few excellent books on bidding and quite a number on the play of the cards. Unfortunately there are also quite a few which are somewhat less than excellent. Ask an expert or a good bridge teacher for advice about what books you should be reading. At the early stages, books on card play are the better investment.
There is some controversy whether bridge players are born or are made. It used to be the case that the natural player had a considerable edge over those who found bridge hard work. However, even the natural players now have to do a fair amount of bookwork to keep up with technical advances. Flair is certainly a help but expert technique is a skill that can be acquired.
(d) Play toumament bridge as often as you are able. Play with a partner who is better than you if possible. Take particular notice of what happens when you come up against expert pairs. Pay attention to the bids they make, the leads they choose and how they play as declarer or in defence.
(e) Take advanced lessons from the best teachers available.
(f) Keep up to date with bridge magazines. There are some excellent magazines locally and overseas. Seek the advice of a top player.
What is fascinating about bridge is that it can be enjoyed at all levels but you will find that the better you play, the more you enjoy it.