DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES................................................................... Every so often I come across clients who are deeply troubled and racked with guilt. Deep down in their sub-conscious they know they are cheating at bridge, but they cannot or dare not face up to this fact. The protective barrier of self-denial becomes impenetrable.....yet only a few ever come to me for help. This particular disorder, known as ANTENNARIS LOBUS, is an instinctive but highly compulsive desire to register the conversational comments coming from the other table, concerning hands that are about to be passed over to them. In some cases, the afflicted players do not consciously tune in, but since they cannot switch off their acute auditory processors, vital bits of information about these hands are recorded nonetheless. They attach no blame to themselves, placing it all on the loud-mouths next door. As to any suggestions that being in possession of such unauthorised information requires them to announce this fact to their next opponents......rather perversely..... falls upon deaf ears ! I once heard of a player from New Town BC who was playing in an intercity match, only find his table located well away from the main room in the bar downstairs. He complained bitterly to his captain it wasn't fair being so isolated like that......and that he and his partner were clearly disadvantaged " at not being able to overhear any comments about the hands coming from the other tables". In my view, this classic example of antennaris lobus demonstrates the how serious this condition can get. Unless drastic and urgent action is taken to offer and provide therapy, the game of bridge itself is seriously under threat.