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Vintage Bridge Books |
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Classic Bridge Quotes
Since the average person's small supply of politeness must last him all his life, he can't afford to waste it on bridge partners. Alfred Sheinwold
Bridge is essentially a social game, but unfortunately it attracts a substantial number of antisocial people. Alan Truscott
If you can't take it, then don't dish it out. (a reference to players who continually criticize others but get offended when their own mistakes are pointed out).
The real test of a bridge player isn't in keeping out of trouble, but in escaping once he's in. Alfred Sheinwold
Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand. Woody Allen
It's not enough to win the tricks that belong to you. Try also for some that belong to the opponents. Alfred Sheinwold
One gets use to abuse. It's waiting for it that is so trying.
When I take a 50-50 chance I expect it to come off 8 or 9 times out of 10.
A knowledge of the mechanics will suffice to put a player in a commanding position in the post-mortem. To become a member of the upper crust calls for more, much more. Resilience, imagination, occasional flashes of inspiration, these are the hallmarks of quality. And this transcends the realm of science. Victor Mollo
If you have the slightest touch of masochism you'll love this game.
We believe that contract is particularly attractive to people with a scrappy disposition. Frank Perkins
If 3NT is a viable option - then bid it. Paul Soloway
If I did everything right, I wouldn't be playing with you!
It's not the skill that drops off with age, it's the drive, the killer instinct ... and when a man isn't primed to kill he makes mistakes.
Bridge is a great comfort in your old age. It also helps you get there faster.
One advantage of bad bidding is that you get practice at playing atrocious contracts. Alfred Sheinwold
Where's the hand you held during the auction? - A comment made when dummy hit the table. Jan Janitschke
It is not the handling of difficult hands that makes the winning player. There aren't enough of them. It is the ability to avoid messing up the easy ones. Alan Sontag
Most bridge players prefer consistency in their partners rather than brilliance. Matthew Granovetter
The sum of all technical knowledge cannot make a master contract player. Ely Culbertson
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
Card sense is when it's technically right to do something, the little man that sits on my shoulder or anyone else's shoulder says, "Don't do that." And you say to yourself, "Well, wait a minute, that's the right way to play." And he says, "Yeah, but you don't wanna play that way." That instinct is card sense. It's almost an ability to feel where the cards are. It's something that you can't buy, you can't find; you're born with. The ability to do the right thing at the wrong time or really to do the wrong thing at the right time.
I'm not sure whether glory or masterpoints is first on the list, but I know learning to play better is definitely last. Eddie Kantar
I'd like a review of the bidding with all the original inflections.
The average defender operates in a fog of uncertainty. Hugh Kelsey
Regardless of what sadistic impulses we may harbor, winning bridge means helping partner avoid mistakes. Frank Stewart
A player who can't defend accurately should try to be declarer. Alfred Sheinwold
The real secret of the expert is to make logic seem like flair. Hugh Kelsey
Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself. Alfred Sheinwold
I favor light opening bids. When you're my age, you're never sure they're going to get back to you in time. Oswald Jacoby at 77
Years ago there were only two acceptable excuses for not leading the suit your partner had opened; having no cards in the suit, and sudden death. Alfred Sheinwold
I think we're all a little masochistic. Otherwise, why would we continue to play bridge?
We had a partnership misunderstanding. My partner assumed I knew what I was doing.
My partner is 20 years behind the times. Nowadays you pay your money to bid. My partner still thinks you need cards.
Your play was much better today, and so were your excuses.
We play forcing hesitations.
Why is it that experts avoid the use of Blackwood, and novices use Blackwood with a void?
My partner is a well-balanced player. He makes up for his inadequacy in the bidding with his ineptitude in the play.
Joe knows absolutely nothing about the game; his wife plays twice as well.
Too bad, pard, that was an unlucky grand slam — the ace of trumps was offside.
Be an expert! Never take a finesse to make your contract when you can go down on a squeeze play.