BIAS IN BRIDGE.................... ( Article by Carp )

Bias in people is a natural phenomenon : for who on God's earth can ever be truly detached, impartial and objective at all times..... in all situations ?  Bridge players, like everyone else, will fall victim to their own hardened attitudes, values and beliefs, subjective interpretations of questionable evidence, along with their unbreakable alliances and misplaced loyalties.

But what is bias ? How is it defined ? A slant ? A leaning ? A form of prejudice and/or favouritism ? Indeed, whenever prejudgement overrides future discussions and debate bias rears its ugly head. It certainly occurs when people attach greater significance to insignificant factors, whilst at the same time attaching less significance to factors that are worthy of much greater consideration. Moreover, bias occurs when a person makes a decision, which completely defies logical explanation, flying in the face of common sense, rhyme and reason : a decision which ignores all the powerful and convincing arguments used against it.

In the context of the bizarre world of bridge, bias manifests itself when an inferior ranking player mysteriously gets selected to play for a superior ranking team, over the legitimate claims of far more worthy candidates.

Then of course we see bias when a TD favours one party to a dispute over another, often by making a questionable decision by the cunning application so called " discretionary equity " , where the opportunity to make a judgement ruling is readily seized upon.

However, the most extreme form of bias can arise when a troublesome player ( the expert ) avoids complaints and disciplinary sanctions, because everyone is so beguiled by his status and charm they can only see the sun shining out of his arse. In sharp contrast to this, an equally troublesome player ( the whipping boy ) will instead be demonised, having the proverbial book at  him on each and every single occasion he happens to step out of line.

Then there are other occasions when the presence of bias cannot be denied. This is when someone speak outs and makes valid observations,  but no one is choosing to listen  ( selective deafness ), or when people display that lethal combination of short-sightedness, incorrectness, and extreme pushiness. And if animosity towards others exists then such negative energy will inevitably translate into biased decision making. However, we also need to consider those situations where people have a sphere of influence over others, which they often use it to bias the views of those willing to be compliant and supportive. Finally, the risk of bias is always present  where people have vested interests in the outcome of the decision making process they are actively involved in, or where they are operating in complete ignorance of the real facts and issues of a topic, or problem, under discussion.

In conclusion,  a bridge club with its ageing membership, so often made up of leopards who cannot change their spots, and old dogs who cannot be taught new tricks, cannot be anything but a hot bed of bias.........and not surprisingly where any one cares to look bias can be found............. even more so if one chooses to stare into a mirror !