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.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
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