AGITATING MOMENTS …
If you were asked to list the actions that get your goat at the table, could you name them (in order) of seriousness of importance? I suppose I was weaned on the rights and wrongs by Edgar and Norman for forty years and recently Bobby has set marvelous examples (maybe too much so).
1st (and foremost): Cheating (pre-arranged signals, subtle innuendos, taking advantage of huddles, failures to disclose understandings, non-alerts, etc., etc., etc.).
2nd: Gloating, high fives, talking to partner as if their opponents were not at the table.
3rd: Giving opponents unsolicited lessons.
And today, I learned of a new one. The Opponents reached a precarious 4S contract in the face of diamond interference by the opponents. Eventually, a sacrifice was taken (NV against the Vulnerable 4S game), and by the grace of God managed to hold it to –500 (for a reasonable board for them). Some made the game and others went down so –500 turned out to be a shade over average. However, if ever a gratuitous remark was made (akin to diarrhea of the mouth), the sacrificer turned to the spade bidder and asked, “Can you make 4 or 5?”
I consider that to be about the most classless remark I have heard in ages. I suppose his ego was so in need of bolstering to point out to his partner his brilliance, he couldn’t resist bringing it to everyone’s attention. Too bad people can’t score the result, put their cards back in the slot and go on to the next board. I suppose I am spoiled watching the big boys – as never would any of them every be so haughty or mindless to ask such a harassing and annoying question.
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That was indeed a classless remark, and since you asked, I think the action that most gets on my goat is when a player refuses to accept a director’s ruling at the table and insists on an immediate rectification (usually in their favour), rather than following the normal appeals processes.
Hats off to you, Judy. I admire your candor and fearless efforts to do what is good for the game. Today’s games at the club level leave much to be desired. It is all about money and ego and it is time someone spoke up.
I also enjoy your trips down memory lane like the recent one on Edgar Kaplan. Your blogs are all-encompassing and I never know what to expect. They make interesting reading.
Dear Judy, ONLY 3 !!! I’ve seen lists that are endless, but I am in agreement with you on all three, though what one does about soft cheating through partnership familiarity God only knows. Either players sit there with a passive stiffness, or they make movements, which unbeknown to them, partner can read. No simple solution there.
Gloating, smugness, and smirking or condescending/patronising comments and/or gestures are particularly unwelcome in any sphere of life, especially at the bridge table. All of it smacks of sadistic delight. And as for a player preaching to all and sundry at the table, often with spiteful comments thrown for good measure, he/she should be charged with and disciplined for psychological assault.
Moreover, most of these bullies are not good enough to take on the role of the resident club expert and advice giver, being equally capable of making whopping howlers themselves. Like you I would like them to be removed, taken out and shot.
Bridge is such a great game, which can and ought to be played in both a friendly and competitive way. If offending players were given on the spot incremental fines by TDs for established instances of unacceptable behaviour, these problems would quickly become a thing of the past.
Yours John Howard Gibson
HBJ:
I couldn’t agree more .. but most of our complaints will never be addressed because it will lose customers and that is the name of the game. Money has taken over and they are willing to overlook certain clear-cut atrocities, telling the plaintiff they got their point across and just go on to the next board. It is like a broken record and has to be addressed — not ignored.
The appeals processes are in limbo and often non-existent. No one wants to get involved in losing customers — but its going to happen one way or another.
What happened to the old days where the club (at least in Philly) had recorder slips. Now you have to go to the trouble of requesting one from the one in charge. Why make life so difficult for the innocent victim? That’s the new way of the bridge world. Shift for yourself and hope for the best.
“Give ’em hell, Harry.” It is time someone spoke up about these issues.
Hi Nick,
The following will be assuming that you are a professional basketball fan and by being so and with your fertile mind, are therefore interested in improving the rules of the game, with a side issue of wanting the referees to better establish their credibility in order for the game to positively grow in everyone’s mind.
The NBA has instituted a new rule (I think for this year and they hope the future) wherein if any player, or perhaps a team official, overtly (even slightly) questions a call by the umps it is immediately subject to an additional technical foul.
In a recent game during the last week, a player was called for a foul, late in a game which was then tied for, in the eyes of the referee slapping an opponent player while that player was dribbling past him. All the replays showed that the subject offender missed the dribbler by about 6 inches
and called by a ref who was about 10 feet away and at an awkward angle.
When the referee called the foul the indicted offender jumped in the air and claimed innocence, but, of course to no avail and was, under the rule, assessed a technical foul in addition.
With these facts not in dispute what would your assessment be of what happened, the worth of the new rule, and possibly a change of the new rule to something you may care to suggest.
Remember that all rules are subject to the human equation and since very few of us are perfect, please discuss the power which is created and other salient points of your choice.
Bobby:
I don’t profess to be an expert in either bridge or sports, although I did run a sports memorabilia business for over twenty-five years and am quite familiar with most major games.
I think there is a big distinction between jumping in the air which I truly believe is a pure reflex action whereas spiking the ball or thumping one’s chest is a prounounced no-no considered over-exhuberance which has been frowned upon for years. I really don’t think jumping in the air is quite the same thing. Just one woman’s opinion.