Bridge Strategies that Separate the Pros from the Amateurs

Bridge is a relatively easy game to learn, and one that many people have a basic understanding of how to play. That being said, it is clear to see when a Bridge player has skill and strategy nailed down, compared to when someone is just starting out. Multiple things separate pro Bridge players from newbies just getting a hang of the game, and in this article, we’ll explore a few of them.

Online Casino Knowledge

One way of knowing if a Bridge player is serious about their game or not comes from whether they know the vast array of online gambling options available to them or whether they just focus on Bridge itself, and engage more casually in games among friends. Pro’s are likely to have knowledge that goes far beyond Bridge and will know that they can access a multitude of casino games for real money stakes within online casinos. They will also know how to play at Telegram casinos and how to make the most of doing so. These platforms are highly accessible from the telegram app, and pro casino users will regularly make use of the impressive bonuses that these platforms provide, including welcome bonuses and other sign up offers.

As an online casino user more generally, these pros are also infinitely more likely to know the benefits that come with wagering with cryptocurrency and will do so regularly. Cryptocurrency and gambling of all kinds really do go hand in hand, and utilizing cryptocurrency on these platforms provides the player with increased security and faster transaction speeds. What really makes crypto in gambling shine, however, is its volatility. In the context of cryptocurrency, volatility refers to the fact that crypto can either rise or fall in value over time, depending on several different factors. The pro bridge player will also be clued into the world of cryptocurrency and will know how to navigate this volatility to increase their chances of building a profit over time.

Some other benefits of cryptocurrencies’ integration into the gambling world include:

• Lower fees
• Transparency 
• Decentralization
• Increased privacy
• More opportunities 
• Universality

Counting Cards

An amateur Bridge player is likely to assume the game is entirely down to chance and so will not pay attention to the cards that are discarded by other players, placed in the dummy hand, or held within their own hand. However, the pro Bridge player will not make this mistake. Pro bridge players know how to count cards. This is the process of deducing what cards could be in an opponent’s hand based on the cards that have already been seen during play. Doing this effectively is a highly efficient way to inform your own decisions in a game, and can help you decide whether to ruff, hold up a lead, or execute an endplay.

Working Together

Unlike a lot of other card games, Bridge relies on teamwork. Players form partnerships at the start of the game. Now, amateur players are likely to pay little attention to their partner. This is not out of selfish reasons, but stems more from a lack of confidence. They are too busy worrying about their own hand to remember their partner. However, a pro Bridge player knows the importance of connecting with their partner. They will know how to communicate clearly with this partner through bidding and signalling. They will have taken the time to get to know their partner and their playstyle before the game, and will learn how to recognise the signals that said partner provides. Skilled Bridge players will play the game knowing that they and their partner are on the same page, and will work towards the win as one entity.

A ‘Student’ Mentality

An amateur bridge player has likely learned the basic rules of the game once, retained them, and falls back on those same rules every time they play. Although this works fine for casual play, it is a sure-fire way to lose in a competitive field. For pro Bridge players, the learning never ends. They approach the game with the mentality of a student, constantly looking for new resources offering modern strategies and tactics. They study their own play in order to see where their weaknesses are and what can be done to improve, and they diligently watch those who are even better than they are, to learn how they approach the game and what specific strategies have led to their success.

Control Over Emotions

When an amateur plays Bridge, especially if the game is against loved ones, they are likely to be fuelled by emotion. A win is likely to lead to elation, which can then cause overconfidence in later games. Similarly, facing a loss can lead the player to become tilted, allowing their negative emotions to affect their play, causing them to either take risks they wouldn’t usually take or not take opportunities when they present themselves. On the other hand, a pro bridge player knows how to keep control of their emotions and not let them influence their playstyle. They keep a clear head in every game and don’t allow the results of former games to affect their decision-making process.

Conclusion

Both amateurs and pros can enjoy a game of bridge, and it must be noted that all pros started as amateurs once. If you want to become a pro, it is all about changing your mentality and seeing the game not as a fun pastime, but as a challenge that you can master with enough time and dedication. Learn the strategies, learn how to work with your partner, find out where the best places to play for money are, and keep a hold of your emotions, and you’ll find yourself becoming a skilled bridge player in no time.