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I have no interest in bridge, because the rules appear to be designed to maximize cheating. Even if you're using a bidding screen, there's no practical way to c
by mrob 3y ago
I have no interest in bridge, because the rules appear to be designed to maximize cheating. Even if you're using a bidding screen, there's no practical way to close all information side channels during in-person play. And bidding screens do nothing to enforce an even tempo, with this being left to subjective judgement. Regardless of whether it happens or not, cheating is so easy compared to other tabletop games that I would always suspect it, which would stop me from enjoying the game.
- goeiedaggoeie 3y agoPart of the game is not to close the side channels of information. conventions for calling are very much part of the game. calling 1 Club vs 1 No Trump is a purposeful signal. Its a fun game to play if you don't take it too seriously
- kuboble 3y agoHow about 1 club vs. One cough club, instant 1 club vs 1 [3s pause] club or 1 club spitted out with a visible disgust?
- goeiedaggoeie 3y agoI think it is all part of the game. Good opponents learn to read your signals as well. Think of it as reading a tell in poker.
- blue1 3y agoNo, it is not. Perhaps your circle likes it like this, but elsewhere this is cheating. It is forbidden by the rules and is socially unacceptable.
- goeiedaggoeie 3y agoit is not about liking, and in my circle we swap partners and play with whomever is there, but I have played against competitive pairs before and it is clear it is happening. reality is how it is, not how you want it to be. this is not a hill worth dying on and this is why I will never take the game too seriously
- gowld 3y agoSide channels are explicitly forbidden by the rules. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_convention https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_convention
- goeiedaggoeie 3y agoI get that, but the reality is that people who take the game too seriously have long been doing this. Just because reality is not legal doesn't change the fact that it is reality. This is why not taking it all too seriously is so important. As I say, when you play against people doing this you can use it as a tell. Of course you can get angry and bang on about the rules as well.
- bradley13 3y agoPlaying for fun, this isn't relevant. If winning is so important to you that you will cheat your friends, you're a jerk, and won't have friends for long.