Kaushik, Kingo, Prabha and Padma were all relaxed as it was year-end and workload at office was less. They decide to use this time to practice and improve their game. The discussion soon got into what is the best method for practice.
Kaushik started off by saying that the best way to start practicing is amongst ourselves or against another team with fixed partnerships. The disadvantage of practicing amongst ourselves is that we are all familiar with each other’s style of bidding and play and hence there is no surprise element. Practicing with another team having fixed pairs removes the familiarity aspect but the level of practice will be good if they are as good or better than us.
Padma had played a couple of afternoon club level events during the holiday season added, “The afternoon club level events are good for social bridge but not for serious practice as more than half the field are not serious bridge players. They want to socialize and spend their afternoon by playing a leisurely game. Hence results are sometimes skewed due to gross underbidding or overbidding”
Prabha was in favour of afternoon club level events over practice on internet. Her view was that practice on internet cannot be serious practice unless all four players switch off their mobiles and lock themselves in a room with no external disturbance like someone at the door or unplanned guests dropping in.”
Kingo always had a different point of view. He was of the firm opinion that we must practise amongst the four of us but under the supervision of a coach whom we respect as our teacher. When we play amongst ourselves without a coach, there is no one to help us take our game to the next level.
Kaushik nodded in agreement, but we need to find a person who will coach us. He added that anyone who is going to coach for free is not sustainable in the long run. We need to engage a professional coach who must be present when we are playing on the net or in-person. Analysis/feedback must be instantaneous and not post-facto.
The group parted company saying that we must come up with alternate names for coach when we meet next at the club.
Tailpiece:
Goofy muttered, “After all this discussion, I hope they improve their game. I get a lot of free time when they are playing Bridge and teach and coach myself.
