The dummy player is an idea that’s unique to the game of bridge.

In games like chess, tennis or rugby, the presence of a player who isn’t allowed to make their own plays would probably make no sense. But in bridge, the dummy is an integral part of the game.

Being the dummy player is also a lot harder than you might imagine.

When you’re the table’s dummy, you’re not allowed to comment, talk or show your frustration (or sometimes, delight) at the hand.

When the next round appears, it’s likely that you’re not going to be in the dummy seat. (Except now, you’ve spent an entire match looking at the cards.)

There lies the real attraction of the dummy player: turning the tables.

On-and-off dummy seats can easily confuse or frustrate a partnership. That’s the whole point of it.

Bridge wouldn’t be the same without the dummy player, and their role should never be understated.

As the dummy player, you should always observe. Observe players, observe strategies and observe the game as a whole. (Then, play the game.)

Here are some quirky bridge quotes about the dummy:

“As the play progresses, the dummy isn’t supposed to make faces, utter strange noises, or make disjointed body movements, such as jerks or twitches.” – Eddie Kantar

“Life is like a game of bridge – only a dummy puts all her cards on the table.” – Florence Broadhurst

“A player who can’t defend accurately should try to become declarer (or dummy).” – Alfred Sheinwold

“If you’re going to be a dummy, be a smart one.” –– Headline from Naples News (December 21, 2012)

“Nature is so unfair that I have to be the dummy over ten percent of the time. What a waste of my talent.” – Hideous Hog

“Bridge: The only game where I enjoy being the dummy.” – Anonymous