A Richer Life Through Bridge
A story by George Bradley (BBO: drgeopgh72) My parents learned to play bridge in...
I learned bridge from my parents in the 1960s, when Goren was king. We needed a good 13 hcp to open, and on one deal my high school friend, John, opened 1 spade. I looked at my hand and counted 27 hcp. OMG! The bidding went "1spade, 7 spades, pass, pass, pass." It was a complete laydown, of course.
As I basked in the glory of our grand slam, my father said, "7 Notrump would score 10 points better," thus instantly deflating my balloon.
I only started playing duplicate bridge a few years ago in some clubs in San Diego, and I've since moved to Vermont. But BBO allows me to continue to play with my San Diego friends even though I'm clear across the continent.
Although I've traveled many miles since that game with my parents, I've never forgotten the lesson that NT scores better. It serves me well in F2F games and on BBO.
Did you also pick up bridge from your family? We'd love to hear your story—share it with us below! 😉
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It's a good comment that NT can be best because it scores better. It's especially true for beginners when they bid a game in the minors and game plus overtricks are available in 3nt...
True enough but still NT is tricky
Learned to play Bridge in my early twenties as a way to continue seeing former roommates with whom I had lived after college. Now only a few months short of the ninetieth decade I am still loving the game but finding it more and more difficult to find people who play. The three friends I continue to enjoy the game with are either "snow birds" or have serious health issues so, at best, we only manage to play a few times a year. Oh, how I love the "high" when I play something that was a true challenge and succeed.
Hi Dora Why not play on line. I know you would rather go out to Bridge and meet friends, Pat
B
I lived in a community in Michigan, where the Mothers played a lot of bridge. We were invited to learn bridge in high school, after classes. We then played once a month at the different homes and the mothers would sub or mentor us. A great social event. I also want to thank the makers of the software for BBO. This is so well run and organized and allows people from all over the world to come together for these special games. It also helped me thru Covid, when we could not go to the local clubs.
Learned to play bridge in 1965 at the age of 8. Both my parents played, and both of their parents played. When I was 7, my sister got dealt the best bridge hand ever and my grandma called the newspaper. It's so rare that some don't believe it. She was dealt all 4 Aces, all 4 Kings, all 4 Queens and the Jack of Spades. She giggled. Bid 7 Nt and laid down her hand. I was there and witnessed it. My mom dealt the hand. Back then there was a cut before deal. I know my mom wouldn't have been able to stack the deck. It really happened in this century. What's weird is I'm the bridge player, not my sister.
Gosh! What an incredible sand oh so rare hand!
YES I LEARNEDFROMMY FATHER IN 1949 13 YEARS OF AGE. THE LESSON HE GAVE NEED
Dans la fin des années soixante,mon papa m’avait offert la nouvelle majeure cinquième Jais-lebel en 5 plaquettes,
and three yarbouroughs! everyone else was competing for their worst hand ever!
What a great story Stuart! I also live in Vermont and decided to start learning how to play this wonderful game just a couple of years ago and I’m still struggling! Ugh. But I’m hooked and my appetite to learn (and try to remember) more and more strategies is ravenous!! Just wish it wasn’t so difficult to find bridge clubs in Central VT. Seems like a lost art in this neck of the woods.
Play BBO online. It is great
Play BBO it is great fun
Jeff, did you know there's a bridge club in Waitsfield? They have a game on Mondays at 12:30
Here's the info:
Mad River Valley Bridge Club
The Waitsfield Inn
5267 Main St
Waitsfield, VT 05673
Contact Vickie Walluck
802-590-3068
VickieWalluck@gmail.com
Merveilleuse histoire ! Moi c’est grâce à mon mari que je me suis mise au bridge passionnément après un accident cérébral . Cela a changé ma vie
Merci de s’exprimer en français
I learned bridge from my parents in the 1950s. I played a little in college and taught some friends the basics when we needed a fourth. I had a career in social work and when i retired, I started teaching bridge. I am 82 and I still teach a few in person and a few BBO lessons a week.
The BBO lessons started during the pandemic and have continued as some people have moved away. BBO allows them to be in touch with their bridge friends.
I'm wondering if your mother was Mary Bickel Showalter from Munster IN. She was a great high school and later friend of mine. We each learned to play bridge at home with our parents. And we were both unhappy that not many of our high school friends were bridge players.
i play bridge with my nephew who lives in another province great learning evening as well as enjoyment
many thanks to program builders and nice players