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Rule 16

What system you play is not nearly as important as how well you play the system.

Although I have enjoyed playing the Precision Club since I started playing bridge at the University of Florida many years ago, most of the time whatever convention card you play is fine. I have sat across from a number of top players and because we didn’t play previously, we used a very simple card. Except for Negative Doubles, Blackwood, Stayman and Jacoby Transfers, there really are few conventions you need to play. I have found the experts are so successful because they bid well, are excellent declarers and defenders, and seldom lose their concentration. So I suggest you worry less about playing the newest conventions and spend more time improving your basic skills.

Rule 17

Learn Keycard Blackwood (whether 1340 or 1430) and make sure you discuss with your partner which version you are playing.

It really does help you reach better slams and stay out of ones you should avoid. Although there are various methods to use so you know which suit is trump when you use RKB, here is a simple one that works well. If you have agreed upon a suit, obviously that is the trump suit and the 5th ace is the king of that suit; if you haven’t agreed upon a suit as trump in the auction, it is the last suit bid before the 4NT bid. Thereare many good explanations of details of specialized Blackwood in article and books.

Rule 18

After your partner opens 1NT, don’t use Stayman when you have 4333 distribution.

When you have enough points to bid game in this situation, when you are balanced and have no distributional points, it is better to bid 3NT instead of probing for a major suit fit. It is usually better to try to take 9 tricks at notrump instead of 10 at 4 hearts or 4 spades. It might not always be the correct contract, but the odds are in your favor and this is a helpful tip to include in your arsenal. This is advice the experts follow and should allow you to reach the best contract more often.

Rule 19

Include at least several outstanding declarer play books in your library and take time to learn from the example hands.

Although bidding and defense are essential to becoming a better player, they require partnership discussion and cooperation. However, your declarer play can be improved by studying hands from the best books on the subject. There are many that are helpful and I will recommend 4 of my favorites: Bill Root’s “How to Play a Bridge Hand”,Mollo & Gardener’s “Card Play Technique”, Barbara Seagram’s “25 Ways to Take More Tricks as Declarer”, and Larry Cohen’s “Larry Teaches Declarer Play.” You can set up the hands at home by taking a deck of cards, dealing them out and going through the play trick by trick. Then you’ll recognize more situations when they occur at the table.

Rule 20

When you are in a stressful, pressure situation at the bridge table, take a deep breath and try to give yourself a few extra moments to calm down. 

It is what the best athletes do when they are nervous and we can certainly learn from these world class competitors.

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