[matmat]

I am trying to track down a reference/jog my memory.

At some point I either read, or heard an account of a bridge condition where the symptoms compel the individual player to attempt a spectacular/newspaper worthy play on every deal.
A good score is secondary to this need, a session of bridge is deemed a success regardless of the MP/IMP/whatever deficit, if the specs, opponents or p were wowed by some clever gambit or "genius" low percentage play.

anyhow, that's sort of how I recall it, but can't, for the life of me, recall if it was written about in a simon book, or paper, or these forums or what...

side questions -- how many players like this do you know?
are you one?

[han]

I don't know what it is called but I sure recognize it. I don't think I often suffer from this phenomenon myself.

[geller]

I have a vague recollection that this was called New York Times syndrome (or something like that) in an article or book (maybe by Mike Lawrence?) about traits that the Dallas Aces deemed desirable to be avoided.

-Bob

[mr1303]

I'd much rather finish last in my local duplicate successfully bidding a cold grand that no-one else managed to find and making a contract on a compound squeeze than win playing boring bridge.

Different matter if it's the national trials or something though.

[han]

Really? I'd much rather win every single time I play.

[Fluffy]

Depends, if you are used to win, you would rather make an incredible play.

If you are not used to win, you would rather do anything


I remember after reading a lot of card playing books I was looking for special plays, but I hardly remember anything good I did.

[Winstonm]

You may be referring to the Par contests that had some popularity in England years ago.

[benlessard]

I think its a phase of developpement thing

1-- learning is more important then winning. Beginner usually focus more on learning then on winning

2-- learning new tricks that you want to put in practice. At one point in learning you want to learn everything even if they are not that relevant in practice and any new tricks that you put in practice give greater satisfaction then winning (like your first trump squeeze)

3--Wanting to win because you are tired of losing. Average player tired of being in the middle often have strong winning instinct. They are also looking for recognition.

4- you have many win & many losses because of luck so you are focussing on playing solidly and dont mind losing if you play well. But you are still having a hard time accepting yours and partner mistakes.

5- You have win and lost often made brillant and stupid mistakes that you`ve realized that games are a complex thing and the fact that we make mistake in them is why we play them. This is the golden age of being able to accept defeat twist of fate and stupid mistakes with a smile.

6- winning is everything. When you are really focussed toward a goal it somewhat become obsessive. Some champion that are "in winning is everything" will tend to bend ethics, have low patience and sometimes choke under pressure. They are however the hardest worker and know every tricks to get advantage. (psychological, legal, etc)

I would say that newspaperits is between 2,3 & 4

[Gerben42]

I think Sjoert Brink used to have his "Brink cards" which were usually newspaper type plays. I don't know if he still does it. What I do know is that when he was 15 I already thought he's going to become a world class player.

[Cascade]

Jlall, on Mar 3 2008, 06:29 PM, said:

Grueitis

lol

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

it is sometimes also called "playing for the galerie".

You may or may not add certain behaviours, gestures
made on the table.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[PassedOut]

I remember when newspapers came printed on actual paper. Harder to search, but they all had bridge columns.

[dogsbreath]

hi
Could this be the rare Full Arkwright ?

Experts and professionals generally confine themselves to the much more common Half-Arkwright which may be undertaken in favourable weather conditions provided no more than 1 foot remains in contact with the ground.
The Full Arkwright requires that NO body-part may be in contact with the ground or any other surface as the accompanying manoever (eg backwash squeeze) is attempted.
Nowdays, only the gifted amateur is likely to have the combination of skill and agility to make the attempt.

Glad to have been of assistance
Dogsbreath

[the hog]

The Full Arkwright was last performed in the world Farnarkling championships of 1998, Martin. I haven't seen it since then.