Dealing with Losses at the Bridge Table

by Katie Coopersmith (c) Great Bridge Links

For some of us, losing at bridge is no big deal – you’re a beginner, or you’re not so competitive, and a loss here and there is to be expected. You dust your ego off and move on.

However, for others among us in the card-playing crowd, losing is a big deal – and it hurts. Particularly for those who play at a high level, or who feel like they have a lot to lose, not coming out on top can kind of feel a bit like the end of the world. You might experience symptoms like rage, grumpiness, snappiness towards your partner and/or opponents, and perhaps even an intense desire to give up the game. What’s more, bridge may be particularly fraught with loss anxiety because of its inherent partner element: letting down partner is upsetting, and so is being let down.

Losing may be especially difficult when you’re not used to it. Studies have shown that ‘high-status’ players who lose to ‘low-status’ players tend to behave less generously after the game. This can be seen at most bridge tournaments: we’re all familiar with the person who sulks following an unexpected loss, or who refuses to join the rest of the group at the bar because they’re too emotionally sore.

There’s also a biological reason why we tend to feel crappy or low after a loss. Our bodies respond differently on a hormonal level after winning and losing, respectively: both men and women have higher levels of circulating testosterone after attaining ‘high status’ through winning, and testosterone tends to drop along with social status after a loss. Of course, we’re speaking on caveperson terms here: odds are, your fellow bridge players aren’t actually going to see you as ‘lower status’ after you lose a game, but you might consciously or unconsciously feel less-than, and that’s enough to set off this physiological response.

Thus, feeling upset or even angry after a loss is perfectly normal, especially when you lose at something you’ve devoted a lot of time to learning. But the truth is that not one of us can win 100% of the time, so losing is something that we likely can and should all learn to deal with. Luckily, researchers have also uncovered a few potential coping tips and tricks:

Gain Experience

In poker, there’s a term called “tilting”. It’s used to refer to “detrimental decision-making as a result of losing control due to negative emotions,” and anyone who’s ever played bridge at a competitive level knows that this phenomenon isn’t just limited to poker. However, studies have shown that having more experience playing the game can improve our emotion regulation capabilities and reduce tilting. This makes sense, if you think about it: the more games you play, the more you might be able to understand that losing – while painful – isn’t the end of the world.

Distract Yourself At First

Do you spend the hours (or days, or even weeks) after a big loss replaying what went wrong over and over in your head? Well, cut it out! It’s easier said than done, of course, but try to spend the night after your loss doing something totally unrelated to bridge – hanging out with your family or non-bridge-playing friends, for example.

Then, Study Up!

Once you’ve given the burn some time to cool off and heal, meet up with partner (or take some time on your own) to think logically and clear-headedly about what, in your view, went wrong during the game. Next, create a plan of study and/or attack designed to address those specific weaknesses. You’ll be back better than ever before you know it!

 

What is the game of bridge?


In it’s simplest form, bridge is a whist-like card game played with a single deck of 52 playing cards (no jokers) and four people who make up two partnerships. It is played in three basic stages:

  1. The bidding
  2. The play of the cards
  3. The scoring

This is the first in a series of articles that will attempt to answer some of the most basic questions about our favourite game of cards.

A little bit of history

The card game bridge is rich in history beginning in the 16th century where it evolved from a British game, Whist. It underwent significant transformations in the 19th and 20th centuries, culminating in the version known as Contract Bridge, popularized by Harold Vanderbilt in the 1920s. This evolution marked a shift from a leisurely pastime to a game of intricate strategy and skill which is played by millions of people around the world today.

The game swiftly gained popularity, becoming a staple in social gatherings and clubs. Its appeal transcends generations, establishing itself as not just a game but a cultural phenomenon, uniting people across age groups and backgrounds.

Introducing the Basics of Bridge

The Fundamentals

Bridge is played by four players, forming two partnerships. Using a standard deck of 52 cards, all the cards are dealt with each player ending with a hand of 13 cards. Dealer starts the bidding, which is like an auction, and play moves to the left. Each player can either bid or pass. When there are three passes, the auction is over. The person who won the auction is the ‘Declarer’, the play to their left is ‘On Lead’ and the partner of Declarer becomes the ‘Dummy.’

The Bidding Phase

In bidding, players make a series of declarations, predicting the number of tricks their partnership can win. This phase sets the stage for the game’s strategic depth, as players must assess their hand’s strength, communicate with their partner through bids, and anticipate opponents’ strategies.

The Play of the Hand

Once the bidding is over the cards are played out. Each player contributes one card to each round – the highest played card wins the trick. Players must follow suit. If a player doesn’t have a card in the suit played, they need to discard a card from another suit, which will never win a trick. Or they can play a trump card, which often does win the trick. Whether there is a trump suit and what it might be is determined in the auction.

The scoring

At the end of each hand, a score is given depending on if the Declarer succeeded in winning all the tricks they bid (a plus score for their side), or did not succeed (a score for the other side). There are bonus scores for achieving different trick totals and playing with certain trumps or without trumps.

There is no room in this article to give you specifics on how to play but we have an excellent page on this site that will help walk you through the basics. We call it the classroom and you can find it here – Learn to Play Bridge

The Enduring Appeal of Bridge – A Game for All Ages

Bridge’s appeal lies in its ability to bring together players of all ages. It’s a game that rewards experience and wisdom, making it particularly popular among older adults. In fact, recent studies have proven that playing bridge can help seniors keep their brains sharp and their social skills intact. There is even evidence of bridge as a preventative to dementia. At the same time, its strategic depth and competitive nature attract younger players as well, making it a cross-generational pastime.

With the advent of online platforms, Bridge has found a new lease of life. These platforms allow players to connect with others worldwide, participate in tournaments, and hone their skills, ensuring that the game continues to thrive in the digital era. You can find many of the world’s most popular platforms on our Play Bridge Online pages.

Bridge stands out as a game of intellect, strategy, and partnership. Its enduring popularity attests to its depth and the mental agility it demands from its players. It’s also a social event for most of us! I know I can travel to anywhere on the globe and be able to find a crowd of bridge players who will welcome me with open arms. Recently I was recovering from a difficult break-up and needed to find some friends. So I went back to playing bridge at the local club and everyone was so happy to see me it felt very good.

For those intrigued by strategic card games, Bridge offers a rich, rewarding experience. It’s a game that challenges the mind, fosters social connections, and provides endless hours of engagement. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned player, Bridge beckons with the promise of a captivating adventure in the world of cards. Is bridge difficult to learn? Not really. Is bridge a lifelong challenge? Yes. As you play you will continue to hone your skills and improve your game and this will captivate you for a lifetime.