Let’s start at the beginning. Bridge is a card game using a standard pack of 52 playing cards, in which the principal object is the winning of tricks with or without a trump suit.
The game is dependent on communication between a pair of players workng in partnership, and their opposing pair. A contract decided during the first phase, called the ‘auction’, determines the chosen trump suit (if any), and number of tricks that the partnership selecting the trump suit must make. The second phase involves the play of the cards, and is based on information gained, together with the probabilities of card distribution.
No luck is involved in competitive bridge because the pairs at different tables hold identical cards, and the way they play is then monitored and compared. So bridge is a game of skill and judgment: a true sport.
It’s a sport that provides excellent mental training and exercise involving the calculation of probabilities, analysis of data and memory. Interestingly, a recent study has concluded that playing bridge significantly lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
As if all this weren’t enough, players can meet new people, make friends and learn something new with each trick they play. Each deal offers a unique challenge of problems and will taunt you with possible solutions. Yes, it’s frustrating when your partner doesn’t rise to the challenge – and worse still if it’s you that messes up! - but it’s also fantastic when you’re successful at outwitting the opposition through a great strategy
• 100 million players worldwide
• 130 countries on 5 continents
• 1 million affiliated members of the World Bridge Federation
The World Bridge Federation is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the International Mind Sports Association.
Bridge is a vibrant and compelling sport for young adults. The spirit of competition is fierce but friendly, and is the basis of many lasting friendships.
There is good evidence that young people who play bridge achieve significantly better results in exams and other intellectual pursuits. As a result, it is now taught in schools in countries including the US, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, China and Indonesia. In fact, at the European Youth Championships in Italy in 2007 there were fifty teams of players under the age of 25, from 24 different countries. Some players were as young as twelve!
The English Bridge Union organises competitions and training sessions for bridge players aged up to the age of 25, including ‘teach-in’ sessions for younger players of any standard.
Mind Sports such as bridge and chess are now universally seen as real sports that develop universal competencies including:
• Competitiveness
• Training profiency
• Enhanced oncentration
• Fighting spirit
• Quick reflexes
• Physical fitness
• Stamina
• Discipline
• A sense of fair play
You can find out more at www.ebu.co.uk/FAQ/aboutbridgefaq/default.htm or just register for some workshops now by clicking here.