Tuesday 1 March 2011

DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES : THE SINATRA SYNDROME
From within the ranks of all those bridge players who think they know best, recent research into their tedious displays of overbearing arrogance and pomposity has revealed a startling discovery. They are all victims of a terrible affliction, which has been appropriately labelled " The Sinatra Syndrome ".
Although the victims have the ability to recognise alternative options available to them in the bidding and play of the cards, they reject the ones that are most logical and sensible......opting instead to go about things their way.
Despite being fully aware of what the field might do in a particular situation, or what text book authors suggest is the best route to take, victims of this syndrome will always stand up and shout " I like to do things my way ".
This compulsion to make irrational choices and decisions may appear to some as " random players " acting on a hunch, a wing and a prayer, a flier, a stab-in-the-dark, a gut feeling, an inspired punt, or a flash of divine inspiration, but their analysis is wrong. These victims have a condition that turns them into pompous fools, full of their own self-importance. Not only are they deluded about their true status and ability as players, but they fail to see that their undisciplined actions completely destroy partnership harmony and trust.
The real tragedy is that once this disorder really takes hold , victims just live for the moment to see their way deliver one good result. When this happens, albeit once in a blue moon, this reinforces the belief that they know best......compelling them to carry on even more to adopt this extremely cavalier and maverick approach to playing bridge.

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