Learning judgment away from the table

Mike Lawrence was a Bermuda Bowl world team champion with the Dallas Aces in 1970 and ‘71, and again in 1987. He has written many excellent books. His second was called

Now, 40 years later, he has updated and expanded it in

(Baron Barclay). Lawrence stresses that bridge is not a game of rules. He explains what you need to do to be a better player and a more difficult opponent. In particular, Lawrence stresses that luck does play a part on any specific deal. You just have to accept it and not let it distract you from the next deal. Also, he discusses bidding methods that he likes and dislikes. Look at the East hand in the diagram. West opens with a weak two-bid in hearts, and North makes a takeout double. What should East do? There might be an automatic reaction to make a pre-emptive raise to three hearts, trying to inconvenience South. Here, though, South will bid three or four spades, and North will probably nudge three spades to four, despite having only three trumps. What happens next? Right — West leads a low heart. This runs around to declarer’s queen. South draws trumps and attacks diamonds, presumably taking five spades, two hearts and three diamonds. Raising partner’s suit with no honour in that suit when he rates to be on lead is always dangerous. Here, East would much prefer a club lead. He should bid three clubs, saying that he is going to (at least) three hearts but would prefer a club lead. What if East has long and strong clubs? He won’t!