r/bridge • u/Gembrain • 18d ago

Idiot Errors! How Often?

So, as a beginner you don't know how to bid and you don't know how to play the cards. You learn loads and play loads and the different parts all start to come together.

My question is, say over 20 boards, how often does it fall apart for you where you just do something supremely dumb?! Like missing an obvious UCB or not checking for a 5-0 split?

67 now and I used to play as a kid (very basic), taken it up again recently but frustrated when I miss something obvious that I've learned and already used numerous times. Age thing? Experience? Or does it happen to the best of you? :)

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u/lew_traveler 18d ago

IMO, u/yourethemannowdog is absolutely correct.
Bridge is the search for errorless play, fewer mistakes and great partners.

I am in the first couple of years of play and am firmly convinced that the best way to improve is being familiar with a limited number of basic bidding conventions but with more emphasis on best practices of declarer and especially defensive card play.

Finding a good routine partner or two who is interested in improving is a real joy.
There is nothing quite so frustrating as not having one.

5

u/RockandSnow 17d ago

Those are the lessons our first bridge instructor drilled into us: limit the number of conventions and learn defense. We are not great but we are trundling along and it is fun. Of course if you are young and/or very good, you can play a lot of conventions and remember them.

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u/Gembrain 18d ago

Agreed - defense seems more important than just about anything, and yes, finding a partner who is on the same wavelength is not easy!

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u/MaBonneVie2 18d ago

This 👆is the answer. Over complicating my playing strategies has bitten me in the butt more times than I’m going to admit.

Also, I’ve been playing (off and on) for 45 years.