Unless you’re an expert, it often pays to keep quiet at the bridge table — something I really ought to remember. It shames me to think of all the times I’ve made a mistake and then tried to justify it, invariably using flawed reasoning which makes me look even more idiotic. That’s bad enough; but far worse are the times I’ve criticised my partner only to realise that I’m talking rubbish yet again: I’ve shown myself to be not just bossy, but bossy and wrong — not a great combination. At least I’m not the only one; we bridge players are quick to blame, and I’ve been at the receiving end plenty of times.
I played at the YC with Peter Taylor last Friday. He showed me this deal from the previous week; his partner had lectured him about his poor lead, but Peter is a superb analyst and was able to give as good as he got:
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