11 Sports Psychology Tips for your Bridge Game

from Matthew Granovetter

    1    Make your partner play well by being disciplined. Become a popular partner by bidding and playing down the middle.

    2    Ignore who you’re playing against. A famous player? Watch the cards. It’s the same game no matter who is sitting there.

    3    As dummy, don’t follow partner’s play of the hand. Instead faze out and relax. Think about religion, politics, music or sex. Or just take a nap.

    4    When you’re declarer and dummy comes down, always say thank you and develop a plan. If dummy is unexpected, keep a poker face and consider the hand a challenge to your brilliant card play.

    5    Decide on your bid or play before reaching for the bidding box or a card.

    6    As declarer, when initiating a trick, decide what you will do third hand before you start.

    7    When you pick up the cards for the new hand, consider the possibility that this may be the most exciting hand of the day.

    8    Don’t think about the last hand or your score. Think about the task at hand. WIN: What’s Important Now.

    9    Towards the end of a hand, sit up and concentrate harder! (And never stop counting.)

    10    Drink lots of fluids and eat an occasional energy bar.

    11    Congratulate your opponents if they do something extra special.