Bridge as a Social Game

I’ve met a lot of people (mostly non-bridge players) who claim that bridge isn’t a social game, or that is isn’t a social game for young folks, because who really wants to socialize with people 2 and 3 times their age. I used to think the same thing because bridge would be like a hobby to me but I would still have a normal social life. As I have grown older, I have noticed that almost all of my friends are now bridge players. And they almost all live far away from me. It’s not that I’ve played more bridge lately – I’m just getting along with bridge players better now, especially that I’ve found several other young bridge players.

Would my life be really dull without bridge? Yes, probably. I don’t fit in with a typical early 20’s group of people, certainly not the group that resides in Middle Georgia. I mean, I like to go out to bars and work out and watch shows and sports as much as the next person but somehow I never fit in with my peers here or growing up in Valdosta. At Georgia Tech, yes, there were many social groups I could fit in, but they went to the opposite extreme and are too nerdy for me. Maybe it’s an intellectual difference. The bridge players I now consider my best friends - Ramesh, Emory, Sean, Megan, Patrick, Dana, Gio, Joel, dad - include people born in 6 different decades of brilliant people who aren't totally consumed with the game or with work, like many super smart people are. Maybe that’s what draws me to them and vice versa. My friends from GT were largely too serious about studies and work to suit me while the friends from home are maybe too conservative to suit me.

But, seriously, playing bridge has allowed me to meet lots of fascinating people. Even though going to a tournament involves 7 hours a day (3.5 hours for a club game) of sitting at a table nearly silently, there is a lot of social interaction, probably more social interaction. You are bound to find someone you can get along with. And bridge kind of gives you something to talk about. Bridge player are notorious for going on and on talking about hands and bidding systems. I try not to do that but if you get a lull in the conversation or need an ice breaker, “What would you do with this hand…” is a good way to start.

Top 10 Reasons to Play Bridge

1. Intellectually stimulating. Even if we have spent a whole day working hard, bridge is a totally different kind of thinking that is probably more fun than work.

2. An excuse to travel. Bridge tournaments are held all over and they move around from city to city so you can see a lot of the world just by going to tournaments.

3. Social outlet. There can easily be upwards of 50 people at a local bridge club, usually with a wide range of ages.

4. To stay busy. It sure beats watching TV all evening.

5. A way to relate to your kids/grandkids/grandparents. People of all ages can enjoy this game. At a time when the generation gap is as big as it is today, us young people need something we can do with our parents/grandparents and vice versa.

6. It’s a life-long game. You won’t get too old for it like you will with tennis or golf.

7. To be competitive. Bridge can be for little old ladies just killing time but it can be a very competitive game too.

8. For money. A very small portion of bridge players make money at it but for those that do, it can be quite rewarding.

9. For pride. There are generally not any monetary prizes in bridge but you win masterpoints, which you can accumulate and show off to friends.

10. To meet people. Don’t like the bar scene or the church gatherings, or the colleagues? Play bridge and meet people there.

Washington NABC weekend 2

That was a fun weekend even if we won only 3 masterpoints in 6 sessions and I played the worst bridge I've played in years. I had my moody spells, mostly on the way there, I guess just being nervous about the whole thing. It's totally out of character for me to on a whim decide to go and spend a weekend with someone I had just met. I didn't even know Mila's last name until I found her on facebook the night before going back. We got to play against Bill Gates in our second session. I probably never would have even attempted to have a conversation with him (at least not any more than I would with some random bridge player), but Mila really took the initiative and talked with him for quite awhile. I was impressed. We then played in the National Open Swiss Saturday with Angela Collura and her dad. So, I guess we didn't actually expect to make the cut but after 1 session we were in good shape with 42 VP on 40 average. the evening session was really horrible for Mila and I. We managed only 7 more VPs, probably because we were both thinking too much about what we were going to do after the game. ;)

Anyway, I have no bridge hands to share yet, but they will come.