DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES :  ONEITIS

Many rank and file bridge players harbour dreams of partnering one of the club's top players. This preference , or burning desire , to partner one particular player is a classic case of oneitis.
Often this unrequited admiration or love never goes away leaving sufferers to remain unhappy and dissatisfied with their current crop of partners. They yearn for the one who they believe will give them kudos , status and success. This person represents their best chance of making into the big league.
Oneitis is a common affliction, especially amongst ambitious players desperate to remove themselves from the faceless masses. Symptoms therefore  include their feelings of inadequacy , low self-esteem,  frustration, hopelessness, depression , and anxiety. Left untreated ,  sufferers often become so dysfunctional their game goes completely to pieces. This loss of form exacerbates their inability to persuade anyone , let alone their preferred choice , to consider the idea of becoming their partner. Once this vicious circle gets established  victims usually succumb to alcoholism ,  along with stress related outbursts at the table , and indecent acts of self-mutilation. 
Indeed , other symptoms include :
1. Spending all their time and energy on figuring out a way to achieve their dream
2. Allowing their obsession to develop to the point when gross neglect and contempt for others become a routine habit
3. Misinterpreting anything said or done by their idol, which gives them false hope , such as a polite response just falling short of a direct " No "  . 
However ,  this illness can quickly develop into a chronic mental condition ,  causing sufferers to become fixated with the idea that bridge now offers them no meaningful pleasure whatsoever. So when this feeling of despondency kicks in  , victims react by relentlessly berating their regular partners as useless toss-pots responsible for their misery, poor form and shameful results .