Human Politics

Bridge in Singapore has beceme such a political thing. Bridge is such a wonderful game, but at the same time, it hurts to see the negative impact of bridge.

I first learnt floating bridge when I was in primary 4 at RI. Following which, I was taught contract bridge by my uncle 3 years later. At that time, there was no Bridgebase online, and it was freaking hard just to find a decent bridge game to play. I started with bridgeplayerlive.com but it had no duplicate results; just rubber games or 1 pairs a day. Yes, that is 8 boards a day of duplicate results. After a year of 2 of that, there came BBO which is probably the best thing anyone can do for the game of bridge. One of the main reason that we are getting better and better youths in bridge is probably BBO. For many years, till I reached JC, the game of bridge was just that- a game of bridge, no human politics nothing. I had a list of favourite partners and could fully concentrate on the technical details of bridge, and appreciate the game for what it was. One computer screen, one internet connection, hours of bridge. Bridge took on a life of its own and it was always the thrilling feeling of making a lead which is the only lead which sets a slam, or making a highly technical declarer play which the other declarer could not do which kept me going.

Sadly, since JC, I have come to realise that bridge has many negative sides to it, and this comes primarily in human politics and addiction.

Addiction comes in all forms, not just in smoking, drugs or sex. I was(am) addicted to bridge, DOTA and WoW. In an instance, my holiday has ended, and it has been one very unproductive in terms of work. However, I must say that I have enjoyed myself a lot, having met many new people, whom sadly, I will be leaving behind (partly because they refuse to be packed into a suitcase and insist on a first class ticket).

It is the amount of politics in bridge which worries me. Just within the small NUS community, there is already so much politics going on. Is politics really unavoidable in any club? I do not believe so. In the University of Chicago bridge club, the members really enjoy playing there, 3 hours of bridge followed by a night at the nearby bar. It might be small; the bridge might not be good, but the point is, they enjoy the company and the game.

I feel sad when people fall out with each other over bridge, or when people cry over bridge. Bridge is supposed to be a competitive game which is fun, but somehow, as in all games, the emotions generated by it is very real.

New year resolution: To stop playing bridge, DOTA or WoW for at least a few months (unless of course Paw4 or Paw1 asks me to)

WWYYDD

Recently, a new phenomenom has swept the bridge world.

I should first start off with an anectdote. Imagine you hold AKJxxx, xx, Xxx, xx and partner opens 2nT. What would you bid? Well, the correct answer is to look at the other table and see who is sitting at your seat. If your team is winning, and you are just looking for a push board and Ying Dan is sitting on your seat, well, you can bang down with a confident air, 6nT. Or suppose you hold QJX, AQx, J987, QJ9 and you are dealer. The bidding goes pass-1nT-pass-pass. What would Ying Dan do? Welleee with an air around her, 3nT! After the X by the 1NT opener, she cooly wraps up the hand for 3nTX+1 and a top board.

Shelly suggested I make Ying Dan paw4. But no. Paws are reserved for special girls. So there. She just sms me to divorced me so NO.

Anyway, I am glad to see this increasing number of youths playing bridge. In my year, most of the JC bridge clubs were pretty sad. I'm sure this has a lot to do with the hard work if Liu Nan and LL Wong. NTU and NUS bridge clubs were on the decline after the ECA thing was scrapped, but with this influx of good bridge players, I am sure Singapore's bridge has a bright future.

Back in Singapore

Back in Singapore after 3 months of Chicago. Wheee....

I couldn't wait to come back to Singapore while I was in the plane. The thought of using my mage again, playing bridge with friends, DOTAing and all that.

However, after a week back in Singapore, I feel that these games have lost their appeal to me already. There is no point raiding in WoW anymore since lvl 63 greens are supposed to be better than BWL epics. Bridge at one time started to interest me again after I found a partner who would play a fun system with me. However, after my partner abandoned me[ I think she blocked me on MSN and I have no idea why ] and 3 days of playing with other people, I just feel that it is just not as interesting to be playing standard sayc or 2/1 bridge. And well, DOTA.... everytime I play it I get pissed. No point playing. I guess Chicago as changed me. I do not derive as much pleasure from playing games anymore as I used to.

Anyway, I feel that I have sacrificed too much in my life in exchange for these games already, that it's come to a point where it is not worth it anymore. Even though the most fun times in my life so far had been playing DOTA and WOW with Sophia, who is paw1, and I do not regret playing it, it has come to a point where I feel that it is not worth it anymore. I remember the times when I would play overnight on Saturday night and go to church like a zombie on Sunday morning.

This plus the fact that my mother has agreed to pay off my bond and sponser my tuition fees overseas drives me to believe that I should stop thinking about all these games and concentrate on what is important in life.

I guess the thing which really makes me feel sad after I come back is to find out that someone whom I like and respect smokes. With this physical symbol, I suddenly feel upset and my perfect image has been destroyed. To me, there is no difference between having sex in JC and smoking. They both harm the body. My friend told me, in the body, it says that your body is the temple of God, and thou should not defile it. I guess God is trying to tell me that no one is perfect.

Anyway, enough of that for the moment. Time to go to church.

For Those Who Know Me in Real Life

Help me do this: http://kevan.org/johari?name=ShellyYong.

Hee hee thanks.

HELLO

Hello everyone Ernie now has her own blogger account =).

Ernie's paws say hi to all!

Fun stuff

Fun stuff- anyone else wants to try it with me?

1C – 15+ or 10-12 balanced

1D – 4+H, longer hearts than spades 9-14

1H – 4+S 9-14

1S – 9 cards in both minors at least 4-5 9-14

1NT – 12-14

2C – 6+ clubs 9-14

2D – 6+ Diamonds 9-14

2H – 6+ hearts (maybe 5+ hearts 4+ minors if non vul) 5-9

2S – 6+ spades (may be 5+ spades 4+ minor if non vul) 5-9, may be undisciplined in 3^rd seat

1D –

1H = inv+

1NT = min, 1S = 5H4S, min anything else max

1S/1NT/2C natural and 100% non forcing[ could have 0 hcp ]

2D = 3 cards in H, invitational

2H = to play

2NT/3C/3D = fit showing jumps, 9 cards in heart and that suit, invite

2S = mini splinter, invite to game[2NT relay, bid suit]

1H-

1S = inv+

INT = min, anything else max

1S/1NT/2C natural and 100% non forcing[ could have 0 hcp ]

3H/3C/3D = fit showing jumps, 9 cards in spades and that suit, invite

2NT = mini splinter, invite to game[3C relay, bid suit]

1S –

1NT to play

2C = inv+

2H/2S constructive, invitation

Anything else to play

after 1NT-X-

2C = C +H (4-4)

2D = D + H (4-4)

2H = H + S (4-4)

pass = forcing pd to XX, either to play, or single suiter(bid up the line)

XX = 2 suiter w/o hearts [4/4]

Key after 1NT –X is just to find a 7 card fit and play there

1NT overcall [1H-1NT]

shows 7-12, at least 3 cards in other 3 suits, not 4-3-3-3

use as much as possible non vul, but use discretion when vul