"The brilliant card player achieves his results through a
combination of logic and flair. To the beginner, watching the deep finesses succeed and
the singleton kings drop as if by magic, the proportion appears to be nine parts of flair
to one of logic. The more experienced player with some knowledge of the lines of thought
involved might estimate the mixture to be made up of equal parts of logic and flair. The
expert may be happy to encourage such illusions, but in his heart he knows that flair
accounts for no more than a tiny fraction of his success. His game is based almost
entirely on logic.
Flair is a quality that cannot be taught, for it is largely a matter of instinct, closely allied to what is known as "table presence". Every great player has this attribute, a heightened awareness of all that goes on at the table and a super-sensitivity to the mannerisms and reactions of his opponents. Thus a vibration that appears slightly out of true may lead the master to the winning line of play, even when it is against the odds.
What can be taught are the simple processes of reasoning by which apparently miraculous results are achieved. The real secret of the expert is his ability to make logic seem like flair.
In setting out my examples I have kept to the quiz format, showing only two hands and inviting the reader to tackle the problem himself before going on to read the solution. This may reduce the entertainment value of the book in the eyes of those who dislike being put to work. But, as always, I am aiming at the keen player who wishes to improve his game, and this purpose is best served by reproducing the conditions that obtain at the bridge table." LOGICAL BRIDGE PLAY by Hugh Kelsey
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