Unis à la table : la magie du bridge en équipe
J’adore le début de l’automne, le temps ralentit et on peut profiter d’ap...
Bridge teachers including myself mainly focus on the rules of the game, bidding systems/conventions and card play techniques. One area that we sometimes neglect is the etiquette. It's an important part game, be it playing face to face or online.
Tempo influences everyones experience at the bridge table. Some people play very slowly, and others tend to rush for fear of a board being taken away if they go beyond the clock. Both of these playing characteristics can have a negative impact on the enjoyment of the game. You should take the necessary time to avoid logical mistakes and misclicks, without playing too slowly; remember, if you run out of time, the director will make the necessary adjustments. Don’t despair though if you feel that you sometimes play slowly; there are methods you can use to save time alerting and explaining. Here are a few tips that may help.
In most partnerships, there is usually a designated "system explainer". If that’s you, make sure your convention card is completed before play (on BBO go to Account and then select ‘Convention cards’). Once you’re at the table, get into the habit of giving short, concise descriptions at the start of the round; for example, "strong and 5, short club, 3 weak 2s", rather than "we play strong NT, 5 card majors, our club could be short, transfers, RKCB, Michaels, unusual NT" - the second sentence is no more helpful, but a lot more long winded. Save your short description in a Word doc, or any note taking software that you use and simply copy and paste it. You'll save your time and your opponents time as they’ll have fewer words to read. No need to explain your whole system; it might never come up in game, and if it does, you or your partner can make explanations in the alert box when needed.
When you need to alert a bid, try to keep it brief, but give full disclosure. With the exception of Transfers, Stayman, RCKB or simple Blackwood, avoid relying on the name of the conventions; your opponents might not have come across them and you'll either confuse matters or waste time having to answer subsequent questions.
For example when using the convention ‘Unusual 2NT’; 1♣ or 1♦ and an overcall of 2NT - instead of typing "unusual", you should write, "at least 5-5 in ...", specifying the suits. I've noticed that some people interpret ‘Unusual’ as always being both minors. While you may still play it as clubs and diamonds (often defending against a potentially short minor), be specific when describing in the alert box. Don't write "unusual" or even "the lowest unbid". Be specific and write, "5-5 in hearts and diamonds" over 1♣,"5-5 in hearts and clubs" over 1♦ or "5-5 in the minors" if that's what you've agreed. Your opponents might not to know what "unusual" means and be too embarrassed to ask or waste everyone's time by having to enquire more.
If using a Jacoby 2NT after your partner's opening of one of a major, you should describe it fully; for example, "4+ card support, forcing to game". This helps avoid confusion.
When making a natural skip bid, explain the strength it promises. In an auction like 1♣ or 1♦-Pass-2NT-Pass-3NT- All Pass, you'll save time by alerting "10-12" or any other strength that you've agreed to show, rather than having to answer the defenders additional questions.
Even if you've said it in the beginning, don't forget to indicate the strength of your jump overcalls or 2 level opening bids in the alert box. Your opponents might need to scroll back or look at your convention card, wasting time for both sides that could be better used for thinking through plays or defenses.
In an online game, pauses during the auction can be caused by other things than in face to face bridge. This can be frustrating, but is a fact that we all have to deal with from time to time.
Let your fellow players know if your internet is running slow, or if your attention is taken away when the door bell rings or a family member disturbs you; be open, apologise and let people know.
Another good habit to stick to is to keep your mobile phone out of the way, while playing. Breaks in tempo are often down to people getting caught up in their instagram feed, or being buried in emails and missing the fact that it’s their turn to bid or play.
Of course bidding problems can and do break the tempo though. And when this is the case and the tournament director is called, don’t worry. If a ruling is to be made, it does not matter why the break in tempo occurred, it's only a question of if the other player ignored the unauthorised information. Just say something like, "yes I was slow as I had a difficult bid to make", no need to explain what your options were.
These tips are not intended to take any of your fun away, it’s just the opposite in fact; they’ll help you have more fun and enjoyment. Understanding how to play in a conscious and courteous way will give you a clearer focus on the game, and avoid you stressing about little things that can be avoided with a bit of organisation. You’ll be able to optimise your timing at the bridge table which will give you more time consider the right bid, play or defense.
Good luck and hope to see you at the table soon!
About the author
Nevena is a bridge teacher and a multiple World and European champion, having played for Bulgaria, Great Britain and England. She teaches all levels both face to face and online.
V useful
Good advice...but just one example:the 2NT bid/raise is known for SAYC players, the German system uses the change of colour...so misunderstandings can easily arise! - And in other situations too...
Any advice on this?
Hi Jessy, thanks for that, I'll take a look. The other annoying thing with Explain boxes is that they keeps popping up when you dont want/need them. It seems virtually impossible to get rid of them. They frequently spoil games for me and I end up needing to leave the table.
Why cant we get rid of Explain boxes (as players) or simply switch them off. It can be particularly madenning when playing with robot at the table.
Cheers - Mark
Great article -also Inwould like to
agree with the comment that after years of playing the player does not under the Explain box. Neither do I abd I find it very intimidating and distracting to have to worry about it.
Would be nice when playing on-line and waiting for the next round to start .... that Convention Cards of one's next opponents are available for review - rather than the cards played in the previous round.
After years of playing I've never managed to fathom out the 'explain box' nor find anyone who knows what it's for or how to use it
Hi Mark,
'Explain box' here could be found when you're doing a bidding. When it's your turn to bid, you can see the "explain" box right after the 'Alert', it can be used to explain your bids especially the artificial ones. You need to write down the explanation before you choose/click the bid you intended. 🙂
I have noticed that some BBO players are very rude in their comments! It’s easy to be rude when you are virtual. Please, be kind to one another!
traduction approximmative, voire inexacte, et français négligé.
Thanks very much, Nevena. Very good info we all should be following.
Another tip, for online or F2F: You are allowed to think when it is not your turn to bid or play. You can use your time more efficiently by being prepared for likely possibilities. One example in bidding: You open 1NT (15-17) and have exactly 16. Decide NOW whether you will treat it as Min or Max. Then later you can Pass/Bid Game without giving the show away (and in a more timely manner). And if an invitational sequence doesn't come up, nothing is lost by being prepared. Example in play: Dummy, North, has the KJ of a suit. You, West, have the ace. Decide as early as possible based on the bidding and the play if Declarer leads low from her hand towards the KJ whether you will play low SMOOTHLY in good tempo, or take your ace. Thinking when they lead the suit is too late.
When my LHO plays a card holding it with her right hand, I can't see it. I think it should be a rule that a player must let go completely of the ca=rd being played
When alerting a bid, please tell people to give the explanation with the bid not after it. If I am the next bidder I want to know the meaning of a conventional bid before I have to make my bid.
I’m new use my real name and never understood what all the numbers on face of the app I’ve look for explanation but never found one
I love playing bridge and I joined to improve but many people are rude and just kick you off never giving a reason which would be nice to know why
I put done beginner but after playing for a while with so called experts I’m not sure after some basic mistakes as not returning a lead it would be helpful to me if there was a page explaining the app more clearly but most of all if you kick someone off you have to give a reason
Thanks your letter really helped
Can we make this article mandatory reading? The worst is opponents who have no CC and refuse to say anything about their bidding whatsoever.
A very good article. I use to blackmark those who explains their bids with a convention name, without explaining better. Suspecting them to try and not being honest.
A similar letter for the main room would be useful. Players should not become offended because someone does not alert a bid about which there is no partnership agreement, the length of 1C for example. A request to the table rather than a private message to the bidder is a better solution. No agreement should be regarded as a satisfactory reply
Players should discouraged from making comments about partner's bidding when dummy.
Players arriving mid hand, should not demand a redeal, rather, try to play it out or make a claim allowing the opponents to see the full deal,
These thoughts are unique to Main Room games, not duplicates.
jorj28
Thank you Nevena, that was extremely helpful, and I hope it is for everyone that reads it as it has been for me.
I like everything you pointed out. What irks me personally is when a defender
takes 10 to 15 seconds to follow suit holding 2 small trump, Maybe mouse problems.