Bridge & Humor: Extracted from a Victor Mollo’s Book

Source: www.vba.asn.au

Next time your partner blunders, reflect on this conversation from Victor Mollo’s immortal Menagerie series.

The speaker is the Hideous Hog, the self-proclaimed best player in the Western Universe, and the Eastern as well:

“What does it feel like to make a mistake, H.H.?” asked Colin the Corgi, the facetious young man from Oxbridge.

“How would I know?” retorted the Hog indignantly.

“But surely, H.H.,” persisted the Corgi, “there must be bids and plays that you’ve regretted making?”

“Certainly,” agreed the Hog, “but that’s by no means the same thing.

Mistakes, you know, fall into very different categories. You may  miscount trumps or not realise that the 5 is master.

That’s merely due to lack of concentration, strain, fatigue, opting unwisely for the other half of the magnum at dinner.

I would call it a behavioural lapse, rather than a mistake.

Failing to spot an overtaking  squeeze, that’s a mistake undoubtedly, but it doesn’t really apply for it’s a limitation imposed by nature, such as not singing like Caruso. It doesn’t make one feel guilty.

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

Conventions: Transfer Extensions by Justin Lall

Transfers are a funny thing, almost everybody plays them yet few know why.

Good Habits Save Efforts by Alfred Sheinwold

Good habits will save you time and effort, but do not stop to think, relying on your habits.

Cappelletti over 1NT — part 1

You open 1NT and your left-hand opponent intervenes with...

Doubling Slams by Bob Crosby

Doubling freely bid slams in IMPS should be lead directly only, never for penalty no matter how badly bid . Why ? The mathematics of the IMP scale dictates that strategy.

Chennai 2015: A Zia Masterpiece by David Gold

A Grand Slam bidded by Zia and his partner Michael Rosenberg

Franck Riehm elected as WBF President

The World Bridge Federation is pleased to announce the...

1st South American Online Mixed Teams Championship

All players belonging to any NBO affiliated to the WBF are welcome!

I Brazilian Online Bridge Festival 2020

Some of the best players in the world are Brazilians, and some of the most enthusiastic players too! Our Brazilian Online Festival has appeal to players of all levels. Your team will play in a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with very well-organized scoring and experienced Directors to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

WBF Robot Tournaments

Come and join the competition through our Providers, BBO, Funbridge and Ourgame, all offering you this great opportunity – we look forward to some challenging tournaments!”

The Endplay

An endplay (also throw-in), in bridge, is a tactical play where a defender is put on lead at a strategic moment, and then has to make a play that loses one or more tricks.

The Scissors Coup by John Brown

Scissors coup (or, Scissor coup, ) is a type of coup in bridge, so named because it cuts communications between defenders.

World Bridge Federation – Youth

The Championship is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1992 (Juniors & Girls) or born on or after 1st January 1997 (Youngsters) or born on or after 1st January 2002 (Kids) in good standing with their own NBOs.

Prevent a Ruff by Jon Brown

West led his singleton club, which dummy's king won. South read the lead as a singleton.

RELACIONADOS

CATEGORIAS POPULARES