MANCHESTER CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

GUIDELINES FOR PLAYING MATCHES AGAINST INEXPERIENCED TEAMS

Particularly with the changes in the Higson Cup, it is quite likely that you, as an experienced team, end up playing against a much less experienced team in the Higson Cup, or slightly less likely, in the Goldstone Trophy. Indeed, it is entirely possible that you play a match against a team from Division 6 or Division 7.

It is important to remember that for many of these players, particularly those from Division 7, this will be their first attempt at a competition outside of the confines of their local club. It is thus incumbent on us more experienced players to make them welcome and make sure they enjoy the experience of playing in a MCBA competition. New players are the future of the game, and they will not come back again if they had a bad experience, feeling overawed, intimidated or brow beaten.

To that end, MCBA has produced this short guide to help experienced players play matches against much less experienced opposition. All of the advice below is obvious, but is worth repeating.

• Make the inexperienced team as welcome as possible. Make sure they are at their ease. If you are the home team, make sure you offer them a drink.
• As far as possible, try not to invoke the rules if they happen to be late. They will be flustered enough as it is.
• It is incumbent upon you to explain fully your methods and agreements to them, but do not blind them with science. “Short club with transfer responses, multi, Lucas 2s, 4130 RKCB” may be second nature to you, but inexperienced opposition will have no clue what you are talking about. Take pains to explain what your bids mean when they come up. If they do not understand, explain again.
• As far as possible, try not to worry too much about the procedural aspects of the game. Teams from low divisions are likely to announce when they should alert, alert when they should announce, or more likely, do neither. They are not trying to gain an advantage – they just don’t know yet. Think back to when you were learning the game and how much there was to remember.
• Similarly, try not to get upset (not that you should do anyway) if there is a hesitation and then their partner bids. They almost certainly have not noticed, and have no intention of attempting to take advantage of it. There are players who have been playing many years and do not understand what their ethical constraints are, so it is not reasonable to expect players at this level to do so.
• They are likely to play slower than you do. Accept this with good grace. Similarly, it is probably not worth claiming, and it is easier to play the hand out entirely.
• Be as friendly as possible, but avoid lengthy post mortems as these will simply confuse the opposition. And, of course, you should not talk during the hand.
• At the end of the match, wish them well and of course, if they have won, congratulate them.

Do the above and you will get the reputation of being a pleasant opponent and you have encouraged new players to keep on playing the game.