How did I became a Gold Life Master. It was not the traditional way, I suspect. I practice law, which is all consuming. I was also married with children. I played when I could, which for a long time was exclusively nights. A tournament appearance for me and rarely involved a Sunday, as I felt a family obligation. I rarely made games in advance because work and family came first.

So how did I improve? I read bridge an average of an hour per day, 7 hours per week. I watched the experts on BBO and at national tournaments. I tried to stay in decent physical shape. I worked on my stamina and did not tolerate table talk, particularly critical talk, which was tiresome to me and keeps me from concentrating on the next hand. I sought out partners who do not offer unsolicited advise. I “kissed up” to no one. This way my way.