because, his partner having declared a heart, he
thinks to himself "Her hearts must be better than my diamonds." But a much
more serious failing--and one that is far more universal--is the habit of
overbidding.

=OVERBIDDING=

In poker you play alone and can therefore play as carefully or as
foolishly as you please, but in bridge your partner has to suffer with
you, and you therefore are in honor bound to play the best you know
how--and the best you know how is as far as can possibly be from
overbidding.

Remember that your partner, if he is a good player, counts on you for
certain definite cards that you announce by your bid to be in your hand,
and raises you accordingly. If you have not these cards you not only lose
that particular hand, but destroy his confidence in you, and the next time
when he has a legitimate raise for you, he will fail to give it. He
disregards you entirely because he is afraid of you! You _must study the
rules for makes_ and _never under any circumstances give your partner
misinformation_; this is the most vital rule there is, and any one who
disregards it is detested at the bridge table. No matter how great the
temptation to make a gambler's bid, you are in honor bound to refrain.

The next essential, if you would be thought "charming," is never to take
your partner to task no matter how stupidly he may have "thrown the hand."

=DON'TS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BE SOUGHT AFTER=

Don't hold a "post-mortem" on anybody's delinquencies (unless you are
actually teaching).

If luck is against you, it will avail nothing to sulk or complain about
the "awful" cards you are holding. Your partner is suffering just as much
in finding you a "poison vine" as you are in being one--and you can
scarcely expect your opponents to be sympathetic. You must learn to look
perfectly tranquil and cheerful even though you hold nothing but
yarboroughs for days on end, and you must on no account try to defend your
own bad play--ever. When you have made a play of poor judgment, the best
thing you can say is, "I'm very sorry, partner," and let it go at that.

Always pay close attention to the game. When you are dummy you have
certain duties to your partner, and so do not wander around the room until
the hand is over. If you don't know what your duties are, read the rules
until you know them by heart and then--begin all over again! It is
impossible to play any game without a thorough knowledge of the laws that
gover