Re: Marketing Bridge

dranon wrote:
On Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:10:38 +0000, lescor <lescorbett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


Give me a racket and some balls and it is simply my skill which will decide if it's next stop Wimbledon. We can hardly say that about bridge where partnership system memory might be even more important than the skill element of the game, the card play.


This seems to me to be an emotional argument that resonates for you,
based on your experience, but is contrary to my understanding, based
on mine. What you describe as system memory IS PART OF THE GAME. For
you to say that people drop out once they encounter a competitive
environment where there is increased demand in that area is the
equivalent of saying that your budding tennis stars drop out once they
play an opponent who can, at will, put a top-spin rotation on a
backhand shot. It is all part of the skill of the game.

I dare say that *IF* you are correct, then the fault lies with those
who taught said students about the game in the first place. If they
were presented with dishonest expectations, they have a right to be
disillusioned at some point.


Interesting points, but not quite correct. My comments are not at all emotional and I, until recently, enjoy playing duplicate bridge as much as anyone. I am simply pointing out the main reason why so few from those who take up the game don't also find it so.

Of course system memory is part of the game, and it is difficult enough for the beginner to learn even the most basic, uncluttered methods and they take time to absorb. If you are suggesting that the teachers should, in the cause of honesty , also add defence to opponents multi or weak twos and the rest, its a non starter. It also presupposes that they wanted to learn the game so that they could play duplicate bridge in a club, a strange idea and one which the games governing bodies seem to subscribe to.

Under the direction of an enlightened owner, we ran large classes for all levels throughout the year, plus several weekly, well attended supervised practice sessions. We taught them rubber bridge because it is a fine game and the one most of them would continue to play. And the club ran daily cutting cash game at stakes from the small to the frightening. It also ran many weekly duplicates of a pretty high standard.In short, a complete bridge package.

Those who wanted to enter these duplicates were encouraged to do so and advised not to expect great results but to enjoy the frequent moments of getting a good score against well known experts. But most often the leap from all playing similar systems to the complex world of duplicate was too great. This was a decade or so ago but, as I discovered the last time I played, the duplicate world is now even less appealing for the novice and that fact will never be overcome by even the most expert marketing.

I dispute your suggestion that system memory is a bridge SKILL, at least, not in the context discussed, possibly because it could be learnt
by someone with a lively memory but who had never touched a card in his life. A vital part of the game without doubt, but memory of agreed system is hardly a skill is it?

Your tennis example is not valid. Of course an opponents greater skill in play will give him an advantage, but we both play with the same ball as we do in all other pastimes apart from bridge.

I never suggested it was wrong that sophisticated and 'non natural' systems are allowed. but simply pointing out that they are the reason
for the drop out of most who learn. It is not losing a point to a swerving spinning serve, a result of skill. It is more like losing one to an opponent suddenly serving with a smaller harder ball, one we have never experienced before.

You are dead right, it is part of the game. I never disputed that, but it is the part which makes duplicate bridge glowingly more difficult to market to those who have recently taken up the great game.

LC





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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Marketing Bridge
    ... We can hardly say that about bridge ... What you describe as system memory IS PART OF THE GAME. ... reason, and despite my comments, to suggest a personal bias. ... duplicate bridge This is not so. ...
    (rec.games.bridge)
  • Re: Marketing Bridge
    ... We can hardly say that about bridge where partnership system memory might be even more important than the skill element of the game, the card play. ... My comments are not at all emotional and I, until recently, enjoy playing duplicate bridge as much as anyone. ...
    (rec.games.bridge)
  • Re: Marketing Bridge
    ... We can hardly say that about bridge ... skill element of the game, ... emotional and I, until recently, enjoy playing duplicate bridge as much ...
    (rec.games.bridge)
  • Re: Marketing Bridge
    ... We can hardly say that about bridge where partnership system memory might be even more important than the skill element of the game, ... Seems that in your haste to defend the status quo you assume that I dislike duplicate bridge This is not so. ...
    (rec.games.bridge)
  • Re: Marketing Bridge
    ... We can hardly say that about bridge ... What you describe as system memory IS PART OF THE GAME. ... It is all part of the skill of the game. ... emotional and I, until recently, enjoy playing duplicate bridge as much ...
    (rec.games.bridge)