Franco @ Leisure

As a keen board player, I recently discovered the game of Bridge, (not that bridge is a board game, but a
game none the less). Being the obsessive type that I am, I went about trying to learn as much on the
subject as I possibly could….. discovering that a lifetime may not be long enough. But I did come across
this poem, written by a bridge player from Zimbabwe which I have tried to memorize and learn as I did
poetry in my student years…. (Some I still remember!). Rob Davies wrote these words on the game, I think
its bridge in a nutshell and I share them with you.

"With twelve or more points, I'm required to speak And mention a suit that is not very weak With five
cards or longer I need not be cute
I merely open with one of that suit. But with a four card major, ah there's a rub I know I must open, so I'll
just say 'one club' With 16-18, one no trump will do And with 21 or more, I'll open with two When the
opponents have opened, now I have trouble I have an opening bid and say so by Double If the opponents
have opened, my back's to the wall I have good points and length, so I must overcall My partner has
opened and I'm in a fix Because I must pass with less points than six But if my count is six to ten I must
respond once, but need not again Now 11-12 points is pretty nice I will plan to respond, not once but
twice With 13 or more points, I would be to blame If I'll let the bid end before we reach game"
Enjoy the game!