The Greed in Bridge

The hands shows a story about conservative bidding, not aiming to make a game or a slam in each hand. After all, we are playing matchpoints, not IMPs.

This is the recommended bidding by Lia. Admittedly, North could easily hold a hand which makes a game. When I later looked at the explanation, 2♥ was marked as forcing. I do not like this style. We are driving into the 3-level and probably a misfit. Moreover, my points in the clubs are doomed. So, I passed. In fact, only 1♥ make.

I am a bit fed up playing contracts that do not make, sometimes defending against contracts that don't make too. Thus, I got a bit more conservative with my bidding. Sometimes, I miss a good result. But more often, I just get happy to have stopped early. Playing against the expert today was an extreme case. He stranded in unmakeable slams and games, giving me the chance to beat him easily.

I believe that good players tend to overstretch their hands too often, especially in IntoBridge, where they get an optimal defense most of the time. It is human to strive for the adventure and the thrill to make a dense slam. But it is often not the most reasonable path.