Improvement

So often I hear newer players ask how they can improve their bridge skills. Jerry Helms gives good advice in the June 2018 Bridge Bulletin. His three part answer is what I use in this article.

First is Study. Read books, take lessons, read the Bridge Bulletin and do the exercises in it.

Second is Play as often as you can against better players. This is the most important, in my mind. Too many new players get bogged down at the study level and become so afraid they won’t remember their lessons in a “real” game that they don’t play. Most players don’t remember everything they’ve learned but playing allows you to develop “card sense,” helping you to adjust your play as the circumstances require. As with all study, lessons are a base line to be used in “real life,”

The Third guideline is Be a good partner. This means you need to remember that your partner is your friend, and if you want to keep your partner, treat him with kindness. Never criticize him. Most people react poorly to being “put down” in public and become less able to think and function, things not conducive to winning.

Our Friday, July 20 Evergreen game was lively and interesting. Winning N/S 1st Marie Pugh and Ruth Bowles, 2nd Wayne Pegram ans Loyd Hill, 3rd Fern Albracht and Judy Weber, 4th Mary Hennie and Shirley Jeffers, in C strat 1st Mack Brown and Marvin jones, 2nd Wade Lowder and Fred Bachl; E/W 1st Toni Iossi and Judt Hurder, 2nd Marnie and Charles Buchta, 3rd Patsy Reynolds and Pat Macon, 4th John and Myrnie McLaughlin, C strat 2nd Billie and John Nordan.

Featured is board 7 from July 20
All vulnerable, South dealer

NORTH:
S A 8 3
H A T 9 5 4 3
D A 2
C 3 2

WEST:               EAST:
S K 6 4               S J 8 7 5 2
H J                     H Q 8 2
D Q J 7              D 9 8 5
C A Q T 7 6 5    C J 9

SOUTH:
S Q T
H K 7 6
D K T 6 4 3
C K 8 4

Mary Hennie and Shirley Jeffers defeated opponents 4C* 2 tricks for the best N/S score while the McLaughlins defeated their opponents 4HN 2 tricks for best E/W
Tuesday, July 24 Women’s Club winners: N/S 1st Harold and Carol Winecoff, 2nd Becky Creekmore and Marie Pugh, 3rd Nancy Brandt and Tom Johnson 1st C strat Marvin Jones and Mack Brown; E/W 1st Margaret and Chuck Rimer, 2nd Pat Macon and Judy Hurder, 3rd Judy Gealy and Patsy Rynolds 2ndB strat Fred Bachl and Wade Lowder

Keep in mind that the Women’s Club game will move to Wednesdays at Rufty-Holmes at 1 p.m. the first week in September. We will still be at the Women’s Club until then on Tuesdays at 1 p.m.