Professional bridge players should not need motivating, but the fact is that sometimes it would appear they are sleepwalking and need a veritable kick up the backside.
Our latest Gold Cup match against my friend Jon Vos was a case in point. Jon had been less than compulsive/obsessive about informing his team of the arrangements with the result that one of the opponents was 90 minutes late, and we were awarded a 24 IMP head start. That was our high spot, and as the match wore on the IMPs drifted and drifted until, with one set to play, we found ourselves behind.
A wake-up call was needed. Apparently it is called the ‘hairdryer treatment’, but whatever name you give it, it worked. A lot of hot air was expelled by moi and in we went for the final eight boards.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in