Between Times

Top Ten things bridge players do between rounds (with apologies to Letterman).


10.  Disappear into the bathroom for ten minutes (this occurs only if the player is late finishing last board and is dealer on the first board of his next table).

9.  Part A:  Castigate partner for not remembering that the 2 and 3 of clubs in dummy were good or otherwise discuss the previous boards but only if the round has been called for over five minutes and the next east west player is looming over the chair unnoticed by the oblivious occupant .
     Part B:  Go over the hand just played, complete with spreading the cards on the table. This is only done by chronically late pairs who are chronically late because they do this after every hand.

8.  Part A: Congratulate partner for playing a hand well when the contract was made on a mistake by the opposition.  
      Part B:  Tell the opposing player that if had only played his Ace, the singleton king of trump would have dropped or deliver any other newsflashes designed to make another player feel like an idiot.

7.   Check cell phone for messages, texts,  a new game in Words with Friends, or knock off some nasty pigs with angry birds.

6.   Catch up on family members, travels, pets and other life events which make us a community.  It's amazing how much one learns about other players in the minutes between rounds. 

5.  Discuss newest health issues and medications or ask the doctor or nurse at the table for an opinion.  Husband/partner and I are happy to oblige but only if we finish the round early. 

4.  Set up future  bridge dates.  Phone vs. paper calendars; the jury is still out.

3.   Discuss Politics. When I am north, I ban political discussions at my table. Should a player persist, I leave the table and ask them to call me when they are finished with the discussion/opinionating which, usually, is opposite my leanings.

2.  Whine about what a bad game you are having (my personal fave).

and always Number One:

Graze the food table.