By Val Rhead
NOTICE – A NEW SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE HAS STARTED. Read about the game at the end of my column.
THE SOCIAL SIDE OF BRIDGE – LET’S HAVE FUN
Playing the game of Bridge, whether Social or Duplicate, can be good for us in many ways. It is good for us mentally because it gets the brain working when we struggle to make the best decisions about how to bid and play our complex hands. It is good for us socially because it brings us together with congenial people who interact in positive ways as we play.
In Social Bridge, a lot of interaction, in the form of a sharing of information, talking, laughing, takes place throughout the game. In Duplicate Bridge, the same thing happens except that the interaction is restricted during the actual bidding and play of the hand. But it still happens—before the game, after the game, between hands, between rounds. Many Bridge players form lasting friendships, even marriages, that begin at the bridge table.
I remember a Bridge game we played in Gatlinburg, Tennessee a number of years ago. Gatlinburg is the site of a massive Regional Bridge Tournament each year that will take place next spring from April 22 to April 28, in 2019. Last year, there were 8,109 tables and 3336 players over the seven days. With four games per day available, most players play more than once and sometimes for several days. The timing of the tournament is set to attract the thousands of players returning from their vacations in Florida, Texas and elsewhere in the South. .
A few years ago, we were travelling with a camping trailer. One morning, we left our trailer for a while, with its awning extended. A strong wind blew up. Another camper kindly secured the awning so it wouldn’t be damaged. We thanked our rescuer and got talking. He and his wife were birders as we were. But on this trip, he explained, they were here for a Bridge Tournament, as we were too.
“Oh,” we said, “we’re looking for partners for a team game. How many points do you have?” This is crucial because, at the time, we didn’t have many points and if they had a lot of points, we would have to compete in a much higher category. Well, we had about the same number of points, so we played together. We did well. Afterwards, we went out for a drink to celebrate.
“What do you do when you’re not playing Bridge or Birding,” I asked Rodney. “Oh I’m an Anglican Minister,” he replied. We exchanged contact information and agreed to play together again next year, same time, same place. Unfortunately, we didn’t do as well in our second year together but we had fun.
Recently, I was playing in a game of Social Bridge with some women friends in Bracebridge. The conversation flowed. It was early summer and everyone was concerned about the number of Cedar trees that were turning brown and dying.
When I got home, my husband asked me how the game was. “What’s going on in Gravenhurst,” he asked.
“Well,” I replied. “Everyone is very concerned about why there are so many Cedars in Gravenhurst turning brown and dying.”
My husband became quite agitated. “What do you mean there are many seniors in Gravenhurst that are turning brown and dying?”
I gently explained that it was Cedar trees, not seniors, that were turning brown and dying. We do have such interesting conversations these days. I guess my husband needs a new hearing aid.
Of course in Duplicate Bridge, poor hearing isn’t a problem, because we have bidding boxes filled with cards listing all the possible bids. Each player pulls from his bidding box the card that shows what he is bidding. Hearing problems are not an issue.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
REMINDER – A NEW SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE HAS STARTED
Active Living Centre (back entrance of the Canada Summit Centre), Thursdays, 7pm
Multi-purpose room, 2nd floor (elevator)
JUST COME – WITH OR WITHOUT A PARTNER
For information, please contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647-471-1774 or [email protected].
They have just started this social game. For now, this game will be played following Chicago Rules (allowing both fast and slow games). You will keep your same partner for the entire evening. Cost is $1.50 per person. Parking is outside the North Entrance opposite Heritage Village Railway Station.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesday evening 7:00, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Contact Jan Roberts 705-635-2522 or [email protected] for information and partnerships.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Sep 25 with 15 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 2. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 3. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 4. Betty Fagin and David Bryce; 5. Fay MacDonald and Carol Sullivan; 6. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; 7. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 8. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Sep 24 with 17 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Barb Forth and Vern Foell; 2. Val Rhead and Joanne Garvey; 3. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 4. Liz Barnes and Doug Barnes; 5. Betty Fagin and Gail Lederer; East-West 1. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 2/3. Gaye Kastning and Bill Kastning; 2/3. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 4. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; 5. Lynda Mochrie and Wayne Mochrie
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