IT'S ALL A QUESTION OF BALANCE........ ( A thought provoking article by Professor Hu Chi Ku Chi )

In the bizarre world of bridge we can not help but see extremes. Too many players display character traits that are far removed from normal,  and clubs as a consequence  have become nothing more than theatres of the absurd. Surrealism is everywhere you care to look , because players seem completely unable to strike a balance between competing aims, where the sensible solution is always to occupy the relative safety of the middle ground. By failing to resolve the dilemmas through  compromise  , they choose instead to take up the extreme option , which opens them up to far greater criticism and ridicule.

Indeed these dilemmas require players to strike a balance between two legitimate but opposing goals, where the 50-50 rule offers a sane and rational solution. However, when a player elects to go to one of the extremes......then the world of bridge has really crossed over into the realms of abnormality. 

So now let's look at what these conflicts are , which many bridge players seem unable to reconcile in that  elusive quest to find the perfect balance  ..............

- the need to push yourself  to compete hard and achieve against the need to adopt a win-at-all costs mentality in the endless pursuit of tops

- the need to adopt a sportsman-like attitude against the need to exploit every type of rule breaking mistake opponents might inadvertently make

- the need to educate partner against the need to crack down on his/her mistakes in order to minimise the risk of repetition 

- the need to remain disciplined in your bidding against the need to create swings by going anti-system

- the need to be tolerant and forgiving against the need to reprimand all forms of inappropriate behaviour by others 

- the need to improve your  game through regular practice against the need to have another life outside bridge

- the need to worship the game for its exquisite and abstract beauty against the need to stop bridge becoming a religious obsession 

- the need to embrace the serious side of the game against the need to just have fun and enjoy the social experience