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Maggie Knottenbelt on Ego, Judgment and Just Playing Bridge

September 3, 2026 · 43 min

Show notes

Should I Play or Should I Go? is a four-part mini-series about rudeness, rejection and confidence at the bridge table, created, produced and hosted by Catherine Harris.


In episode two, English champion and psychotherapist Maggie Knottenbelt joins Catherine to talk about what happens when ego, judgment and self-doubt creep into the game. They discuss rudeness at the table, the fear of making mistakes, caring too much about what other players think — and how to find your way back to simply playing bridge.


Plus, other bridge players share some memorable encounters of their own. Thanks to Jim Wallis, Mindy Fleder, Alan Davidson and Laura Ginnan.


Here are a few resources on keeping bridge enjoyable for everyone:

World Bridge Federation: Laws of Duplicate Bridge

Larry Cohen: 21 Rules of Being a Good Partner

Karen Walker: Table Feel: A thoughtful look at the subtler side of behaviour at the bridge table.

BridgeBum: Bridge Table Manners & Etiquette


Next week: Australian bridge champion, Olympic athlete and author of Gaining the Mental Edge at Bridge, Kim Frazer.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/sorry-partner.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes of Sorry, Partner

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