Sundry Thoughts on Etiquette and other Matters

[PhilG007]

Bridge is a game. It's played for fun and recreation. But the game has gained an unenviable

reputation that,at times,make this difficult to believe. Its been responsible for broken friendships,

divorces,stand up rows,tears and in one well known extreme case...MURDER Bridge players have all the failings that the

flesh is heir to and exhibit them more than most. They come in every guise. The merry,the morose,the chatty,the taciturn,

the ladies and the gentlemen,the bitches and the b******ds. When I was learning this game,I thought the best way to learn

the ropes was to play with some close friends. I soon realised why playing cards were known in olden days

as "The Devil's Picture Books" I never dreamed that 52 bits of pasteboard could turn normally decent sweet people into ogres.

I quickly became aware that an essential asset at this game is to grow a tough hide. In 30 years of playing I've seen it all.

So can anything be done to improve the standard of etiquette at this game? I doubt it. Human nature will always be human nature.

[1eyedjack]

Assuming that we are thinking of the same case, as I recall Mrs Bennett was aquitted of murder. There is a grey cloud over whether Grosvenor was murdered but if he was no-one was brought to book. It would not surprise me if there has been at least one murder over the game, but perhaps not too well known.

[PhilG007]

In my experience,if looks could kill,mass murder would be happening at bridge tables worldwide (!)

Maybe that's the real reason why there are screens across tables at top flight bridge events;

so that a player can't see his/her partner's fury(!) :rolleyes:

[JonnyQuest]

(!)

 

What is this? (!)

[manudude03]

There have been a few cases of bridge murder, though I'm under the impression that if a game of bridge can do that, then there must have been other underlying issues, not that I condone murder. I suspect most pairs who are good enough to be playing with screens have seen each others faces enough at the table to not be afraid of them. Screens are used to hide BITs and UI mostly during the auction.

[weejonnie]

And that is why, when you can, you should call the TD at the earliest opportunity. As a neutral arbiter he/she can at least cool things down.

 

Obviously you can't do that at home - but suggesting a 'time out for a hot/ cold drink' (no alcohol) and getting away from the source of the animosity (the bridge table) will help.