Learning Curve
GS Jade Barrett
 
 Every weekend is a celebration of bridge somewhere in the USA. There are tournaments of every size and type, with competitors to match. The contests take place in schools and auditoriums, hotels and church halls, the one common thread being the love of the game and the thrill of the match. Each event is special in its own way, every victor proud of their accomplishment. Many of us settle for the reward of playing well, even when we fail to finish first, and that reward is by no means meek.
 
The game is both easy and hard in particular and occasionally peculiar ways. We often make things harder by trying to do too much. In the mid 1950's Edgar Kaplan sat down with Norman Kay's wife, Judy. They were competing for the National Mixed Pairs title, and Edgar said that if Judy followed three rules, that they would have an excellent opportunity to enjoy their game.
 
"Raise my suit. Lead my suit. Return my suit." Edgar said.
 
They won.
 
If only playing in the club could be so simple.
I was playing with one of my regular partners when I decided it would be better to make a lead-directing bid, rather than immediately support him. So I introduced a new suit at the four level and was profoundly disappointed to suddenly be declaring 4D holding the AQJ of diamonds opposite his three small. In this particular instance we obtained an excellent result when it turned out that the opponents were stiff for 4H. Had I just raised spades, we would have had a good result, as well, but then my partner would have declared.
 
Sometimes we just cannot prevent ourselves from experimenting. Just this once we will try opening a notrump with a singleton, or reversing with a lighter hand. Maybe we open 2C with nine solid hearts and out. Or make the very light overcall or take-out double.
 
 And it happens everywhere. In all the venues, in all the events, someone is trying something. That is one of the joys of the game. There is great space in the bridge world for creativity, and no perfect system or style exists. People are constantly inventing and reinventing the wheel and that is the part of the game that intrigues us so much. Each one of us is on a journey of discovery every time we play. Wherever we are, whomever we are playing against, all of us explore the game and its possibilities. Somewhere someone is succeeding right now, despite his or her best efforts. Somewhere someone is succeeding right now because of his or her best efforts.

Enjoy the adventure.