Tricks are integral and pretty damn important to trick-taking games.

How to count possible tricks (and then, how to win them for your partnership) are things that every player in trick-taking games like bridge will be taught.

If you were explaining bridge to someone who didn’t know it, how long would it take you to mention the word trick at all?

We can more or less agree on the fact that the ability to win some tricks and counter some others has something to do with whether you are a good bridge player, or have more to work on.

After the above talk about tricks, this post isn’t really about tricks at all.

The point that I was hoping to make is that while tricks are important, there are other factors to your bridge game, ethics, and conduct that can define whether you are “good” at this.

Here’s a look at 5 things (other than taking tricks) that makes YOU a good bridge player.

1: How You Shuffle

For face-to-face bridge games, the shuffle can be pretty revealing as to which personality type (or type of bridge player) you’re going to be up against.

How you shuffle matters.

If a player is a fast, overhand shuffle, expect an experienced card hustler. If they drop the cards four times before the game starts (or the order of the cards remains the exact same), then maybe not.

Learn several shuffles.

It’s good for better bridge, and it’s always an added bonus to your fine motor skills.

2: How You Sit

Always pay special attention to how a bridge player sits down – and if you are that bridge player, note your own sitting-down habits at the table.

Do they sit down fast, or slow? Do they appear comfortable enough, like they spend most of their day in front of a desk – or do they seem restless, like they are used to other environments?

When you see someone sitting, pull out your Sherlock hat and see, don’t just look.

Remember that things like chronic pain and acute injuries can also affect how people behave.

What does that have to do with bridge and playing it better?

Have you ever tried to focus on bridge with an uncomfortable chair digging into your back?

3: How You Wait

Face-to-face and online bridge both involve bouts of occasional waiting.

One might have to wait whilst other players join the table. Maybe you’re waiting for your opponents to show up, for your partner to dress up, or for someone to find a card deck.

The good bridge player has patience, and accepts waiting as a natural part of the game like bidding and tricks.

The bad player, simply, doesn’t like waiting. Expect to see annoyance and foot-tapping, and accept it as a sign of what kind of game they might play.

4: How You Win

If you want to see what type of person someone is at home, beat them at a bridge game.

Winning can tell you many things about a person, including how nice or patient they are about the recent loss. Good players appreciate the sportsmanship, Also pay attention to which techniques and plays they might have used – and then, how they respond to the next game you play directly after.

How can you apply this to your own game?

Well, never be the bad loser.

5: How You Treat Your Partner

Partnership dynamics reveals almost all. Pay attention when you see it.

How people treat their bridge partners (and how you treat your own) says a lot about demeanour, strategy, and the general game you can expect to see from a player.

Patient, or not? Snappy, or kind?

Always notice how a player treats their partner.

Always take care how you treat yours.

Can you name any other qualities that might define someone’s bridge game to come?