IDHAR UDHAR KI BAAT 94- BRIDGE & COMBAT Brig PS Gothra(Retd)

 "Sir, terrorists have entered my camp at ****. Firefight is on. Subedar saab says… we might’ve already lost a couple of our boys."

It was past midnight. My phone buzzed and so did my brain—for a second, I just froze. Not out of fear, mind you. In moments like these, it’s like your brain is trying to find the ignition key, and the enemy's already pressing the accelerator.

The officer calling me was looking up to me. Not just because I was senior in rank, but because I was, let’s admit it… a bit more ancient and hopefully, a bit more wise.

Now, I’m not one of those “Ready-Reckoner” types who shoot answers like they’re hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati. I like to pause, think, and breathe. After all, we’re not deciding toppings on a pizza here—this is life and death stuff.

So, I told him,
“Get your Quick Reaction Teams ready. Get as many bullet proof vehicles as possible.  I’ll give instructions in five.”

I’ve been through these storms since 1987. Each time, the setting changes, but the fundamentals? Same. Assess fast. Use the right firepower. Use cover. Keep your calm………

Now, most of my decisions worked out fine. Whatever didn’t, we corrected by stepping into the mud, listening to the ground, and doing what needed to be done.

Now here’s where it gets funny. I credit some of this decision-making to... a card game. Yes, Bridge.

Back in the day, we played it religiously in the officers’ mess. The game needs four people. Now? Well, you barely have 9 officers in a unit when there should be many more. Half of them are off on leave or courses or TD. The rest are chasing paperwork, not playing cards. And with OTT and Wi-Fi, who’s got time for bridge?

But boy, what a game it was.

Every hand was a different battle. You learned to size up your cards—just like assessing your ammo, your terrain, and your men in a firefight. You figured when to duck, when to lead, when to take the hit, and when to strike.
You’d guess what cards the enemy held—just like guessing the intent of the guy hiding behind that rock across the LOC.

Bridge taught me, how to ambush, when to bluff, how to work with a partner, and when to let him take the lead.

You win some. You lose some. You curse a lot. And if your partner is senior, you pretend he was right even when you know he wasn't.

Now let me tell you a gem from my father.

He once told me that bridge is supposed to be a men’s game. But women are far better players. Men generally avoid playing with women.

“Why?” I asked.
He smiled, “For two reasons men avoided playing with women. In my Wadia College, there was this girl. Never lost a game. If she had good cards, she won. If she didn’t—she didn’t hold cards close to her chest. She held these a bit lower. She fidgeted a bit, dupatta slid slightly… and the poor boys across the table were dazzled by the cleavage. Like the missile locked on to an aircraft but misguided by the chaffs and flares.”

Bridge, you see, prepares you for real war and psychological warfare.

It cured me of that annoying “Dekh lenge… kar lenge… idhar udhar lag jao” type of attitude. Now, I act. I lead. I decide. No drama. No delay.

But remember—this only works in the forces… and on the card table.

In your own house?
When your wife sweetly asks, “Ki banawan?” (What should I cook?)—
You don’t play commando.
You play ‘ghugu’(Unintelligent).
Nod wisely and say exactly what she wants to hear.

Because here the rules are different. The Queen of Hearts is always more powerful than the Ace and Kings.

Note:

1.       A friend (who proudly claims he's “happily divorced”) told me—
“Bro, you wrote 600 words just to say you’re henpecked.”

2.       If this made you smile, please hit follow. It’s on top.
Be decisive, click it like a tactical decision. Quick and clean.