I played the most bridge in my long ago high school years, and I played duplicate a few times over the years, but to a great extent it has felt like riding a bike, something you don’t forget.

 

My advice to anyone starting or coming back to it is to know thyself, how you learn and what you enjoy. I have to know the why or purpose of things. There are 40 high card points. 25 points together means you probably can go to game if you find a fit. 35 and you may have a slam. If your head is so full of rules that you can’t think straight you need to lay down some for a while.

 

In the play I have seen many rookie mistakes, people not thinking about the goal for that hand. How can you make or set?  Second hand low has a reason, most of the time. Don’t finesse your partner. If bidding was full of weak two bids or it is otherwise we clear distribution is wacky you need to take your aces.

 

But the most important thing is to enjoy it. There is no substitute for experience.

 

Jim