A good bridge player has many positive attributes. Among the most important of them is discipline. Not only does he know the right bids, he knows when to make them — and when not to.

Suppose you have the following hand:

♠ Q5 ♥ K43 ♦ K32 ♣ AJ1096

You open 1 ♣, as anyone would, and partner bids 1 ♠. Now your right-hand opponent comes in with 2 ♥. You have a good opening hand, but it's not strong enough to bid at the three level (don't admit it if you were considering raising spades with only two), not to mention the fact that you have only five clubs.

Because of the interference, your only choice is to pass. Remember, you have a partner over there, and she heard you open the bidding. If her hand justifies it, she will take some action, but from your pass she will know you are probably minimum, you don't have as many as three spades (you would have raised her in that case), and you don't have enough strength in hearts to double for penalty. Did you think you could convey so much information simply by passing?

Discipline enters the picture in other ways, such as when you have described your hand and partner makes a bid that does not look good from your side of the table. Perhaps partner has bid your singleton. A disciplined player, understanding that he has shown his hand and partner is in charge, does not try to “improve” the contract by bidding again. He trusts his partner and passes.