Bridge and Blackjack

I used to play a lot of blackjack. I went to Las Vegas, counted cards, paid close attention to the odds and won a fair amount of money. Now I play bridge, still counting cards but trying to win masterpoints instead of money. The "odds" are what brought these similarities to mind during yesterday's game.

I held six decent diamonds and had less than 10 HCP, not vulnerable. My RHO opened a spade. I looked at my hand and got a familiar feeling in my stomach. Even though it's been years since I've played serious blackjack, I recognized the tightening muscles and slight light-headedness. It was about the need to play the odds even though it was kind of scary.

When I played blackjack and had a significant bet on the table, sometimes the odds dictated that I split my cards or double down. This meant I could lose twice as much (yikes!) or win twice as much (hurray!). I knew that even though the odds said to increase my bet there was no guarantee that things would work out in my favor. I always put the extra chips on the table.

Back to those six diamonds . . . I took a breath and bid 3 diamonds. It seemed high for a weak hand but I thought it was the right thing to do. My LHO bid 3 spades and my partner extended my preempt to 4 diamonds. RHO bid 4 spades, all passed and they went down one, vulnerable. It had worked.

I know that some people do crazy and dangerous things for an adrenaline rush. Bridge and blackjack may not produce the same thrill as jumping off a platform with a bungee cord tied to your body, but it is good enough for me. More than good enough.