The Most Beautiful Game in the World
By Patricia Herrera
D16 Education Coordinator
Happy new year! In 2025 bridge is still the most beautiful game in the world.
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One of the most complex parts of the game (at least for me) is bidding. There are so many bidding options, conventions, possibilities, misunderstandings and mistakes!
When I started learning to play bridge, it seemed like there was only one bidding option per hand and everyone seemed to know and own that only truth. At least that’s how people talked about it. Didn’t take me long to discover that bidding was a whole world in itself and I was eager to find the right path to understand this crucial part of the sport.
First of all, bidding is not just a memory exercise that we do by ourselves based on agreements and established rules. It is a dialogue between partners that should reflect their understanding of each other’s philosophies and strategies.
If we want to bid properly, we must recognize that it is a deep understanding between partners. It is not enough to understand what your bids mean or that you have a strategy for hand evaluation. You must put effort into understanding your partner. Yes, we don’t bid alone (or we shouldn't).
Let me share some ideas that can help you with your bidding and therefore, your results!
Partnership Agreements
The most important thing is to agree and understand each other's bidding.
Understanding is the key that enables you to interpret your partner’s bids more
accurately. It is rare that you and partner have a bidding sequence without interference
from the opponents so understanding your partner's bid is crucial to get to the best
contract.
Personal Bidding Style
Each of us has a personal bidding style. Are you more conservative? Are you
aggressive? Do you evaluate every hand the same way? How does your strategy
change depending on vulnerability? Know yourself and the world will be your oyster.
But also make sure that partner knows your style as well as you know partner’s.
Flexibility
In competitive situations, players often need to adjust their strategies based on their
partner’s tendencies. Adaptability is especially important to avoid huge mistakes that
occur when partners are not on the same wavelength.
Cohesive Bidding System
Make agreements about conventions and strategies that both players are comfortable
with. Remember that you are not playing by yourself. It is a partnership.
Study Past Hands
Make it a habit of reviewing past auctions and discussing bidding decisions can help
partnerships understand what worked well and what didn’t.
Practice
As with any skill, experience plays a vital role in developing a successful partnership
in bridge. Even if you hated the way partner bid, remember that what does not kill
you, makes you stronger.
Being able to remain flexible, eager to learn and having an effective communication are some of the many things that make bridge one of the most beautiful games in the world. Hope you get to know your partner(s) more and hope to see you soon at the table.
The more, the merrier! We are always better together.
Patricia Herrera is a Mexican bridge teacher and player and the Education Coordinator for District 16. She is also president of the Mexican Bridge Federation. When Patricia is not playing bridge she runs a nonprofit consulting firm based in Mexico City. You can reach her at herrerapatricia@gmail.comx
