Cheating at bridge

Discussions of new films, books, television shows, and media indirectly related to magic and magicians. For example, there may be a book on mnemonics or theatrical technique we should know or at least know about.
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Steve Bryant
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Cheating at bridge

Postby Steve Bryant » February 29th, 2016, 5:49 pm

The Mar 7 issue of The New Yorker has an interesting article on cheating at professional bridge, titled "Dirty Hands," by David Owen.

Bill Mullins
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Bill Mullins » February 29th, 2016, 6:32 pm

Does it mention Norm Beck?

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Steve Bryant
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Steve Bryant » February 29th, 2016, 7:42 pm

No. It concentrates on cheaters who have elaborate methods to signal each other.

observer
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby observer » February 29th, 2016, 8:05 pm

Heck, the whole point of the game is for partners to signal each other what they have. There's a bajillion ways to do that, and once there's money on the table you might as well give up trying to police it. Last time I paid attention they were putting up screens so every player was isolated from all the others. Very fun for players refs & specs (if any), I'm sure. Lock each player naked in a lead-lined isolation booth & have 'em talk through vocoders? There's people around who could beat that.

Check out "The Lady Eve" (1941, Barbara Stanwyck/Henry Fonda, Dir. Preston Sturges) for a (backwards, even then) glimpse of the Golden Age of (social) bridge cheating.

Bill Mullins
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Bill Mullins » March 9th, 2016, 11:06 am

Coverage in Vanity Fair.

Ian Kendall
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Ian Kendall » March 9th, 2016, 12:10 pm

There's a lovely Roald Dahl story called 'My Lady Love, My Dove' which concerns cheating in high stakes home games.

Bill Mullins
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Bill Mullins » March 9th, 2016, 8:59 pm

Ian Kendall wrote:There's a lovely Roald Dahl story called 'My Lady Love, My Dove' which concerns cheating in high stakes home games.


Yes he did.

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Chas Nigh
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Chas Nigh » March 10th, 2016, 8:56 pm

Are you assuming that everyone on the forum has subscription to the New Yorker?

Chris Norris
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Chris Norris » March 10th, 2016, 9:09 pm


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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Richard Kaufman » March 10th, 2016, 10:24 pm

There's more on the Dahl story here http://www.roalddahlfans.com/shortstories/myla.php, which lists nine anthologies in which it has been reprinted.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Bill Mullins
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Re: Cheating at bridge

Postby Bill Mullins » March 10th, 2016, 10:56 pm

Chas Nigh wrote:Are you assuming that everyone on the forum has subscription to the New Yorker?


No, but for anyone who does, it might be useful to have a link. And there's always the library.


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