Hidden bridge champions are everywhere, and you cannot always guess someone’s playing ability at an informal game from the very second you’ve sat down at the table.

Have you met a new challenger, but have no idea how they’re going to play for the first batch of games?

Let me tell you: never underestimate players that you don’t know yet! There’s no universal hat for bridge-playing abilities, and there’s no universal “tell” to say that someone is about to kick your tricks sideways.

Here’s how to spot telltale signs of a hidden bridge champion before you sit down as their opponent. If you see any of these things from a player you assumed to be an amateur or table newcomer, take care!

1. Talking Down

Experienced players who are deliberately underestimating their playing abilities will first downplay their bridge talk.

Conversation is a natural part of what players do before the game starts. The hi8dden champion will try to appear inexperienced, and might skim over advanced bridge topics as though they don’t know that much.

That’s only until they sit down to play.

Usually, their vast amounts of gaming experience becomes apparent somewhere along the first or second game.

2. Losing… First

Experienced players who are hiding their true playing abilities will also underestimate their actual playing.

For a first game, a hidden champion might lose or play badly. Doubtful conventions, weird tricks, and a general sense of their abilities being held back.

But what about their actual skills?

Hidden champions will start to play much, much better soon enough. Some hold off until the second game, and others start playing like experts about halfway through the first game (just to throw their opponents off).

If someone plays badly at first, but makes a couple of moves that seem very advanced for what you imagined they play like… Well, be careful! They’re more experienced than they appear.

3. Quick-Fire

If you want to test someone’s true bridge ability, ask them a question about the game in the middle of a conversation about something different.

A quick-fire question aimed at a seemingly inexperienced bridge player could reveal their true nature.

Do they have the right answer for a very obscure bridge fact? Can they spot the named bridge convention faster than a newcomer could? Did they answer the question just a little too fast?

Again, be careful: your opponent might be a champion in hiding!

Have you ever played against or with a bridge player that didn’t seem like much at first, but played cards like they had made a deal with the devil?