Hello again blog readers......this is Howard Bigot-Johnson speaking out to all those people who are new to the game and unfamiliar with bridge terms, jargon and slang. Bridge like any other activity has its own unique vocabulary. Indeed, many bridge books provide a glossary of terms at the back to assist newcomers to the game to understand the language players frequently use. Well, I have a mate.....Old Nick himself.....who has volunteered to compile alternative but much more realistic definitions to bridge-related jargon.......in his very own version of the DEVIL'S DICTIONARY. So let's kick off with a couple of examples to see what I mean:

• Flat hand - something you need to look out for when partner begins to lose his/her patience with you
• Duck - a necessary manouevre to avoid partner's flat hand