I took the train to Boston on Friday to spend the Passover weekend with my family, so it was a short week in New York. I also broke one of my rules and went to the opera on Wednesday night, but it was the only night I could see the Magic Flute, and I didn’t want to miss it. Sometimes life still has to take priority over bridge.
I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback about the Larry Cohen episode! This week we’ve got Ribs LaMothe, a bridge player who in his professional life designed programs to help people learn. Definitely someone I wanted to talk to!
Here’s what I did this week:
VuGraph
I reviewed one segment while I was on the train home over the weekend. This is still something I want to prioritize and haven’t found the time for.
Robots
The goal is to do some robot playing every day. Often the Zenith, some Bridge Master, the occasional instant tournament. Quality is more important than quantity, so I’m really taking my time and working to get the most out of the practice as I can.
Play
I’m also trying to get the most out of the games I play with students by going back through them the next day and analyzing my play. And really staying focused during the event. Anant and I played a practice match.
Reading
Thanks for the book recommendations. A coupe of guests on my podcast have suggested books to me as well—including some that they have written! So I’ve got quite a backlog. I’m definitely behind, though: it’s mid-April and I’m finally just about through March’s book, Thinking on Defense. I’ve been reading some non-bridge books about learning and performance, so it’s not like I haven’t been reading at all! But I’ve mostly been reading on the subway, and it’s easier to take my Kindle with me than a big book. I have a few bridge books on the Kindle, but I often find it easier to read physical bridge books.
Partnership
Lots of Cuebids practice with Anant. We each have a few gadgets that we like that the other needs some brushing up on. The biggest for me is Flannery. Blech. But part of being a good partner is being accommodating.
Beyond Bridge
I keep saying I’m going to find a gym and then make an excuse not to. I’m waiting for the weather to get a little warmer to break out my tennis racket, but I did buy my pass for the season. Baby steps.
I encourage you to share your progress in the comments. We’re all in this together!!
Have a great week.
Please look at super accepting in Jacoby 2 NT .