The Cutthroat Bridge Game
Story by Cyrus (BBO: cyrusv) Four-person bridge was a rare treat when I was grow...
Story by Ronald J. Brown (BBO: RonJB)
Back in the late ’60s and early ’70s, while I was at university in Montreal, the cafeteria was home to a perpetual bridge game. From early morning until late at night, there was always a table going. If you wanted to play, you just sat nearby and waited for someone to leave for class — then you were in.
We were beginners, all of us. Bidding felt more like a duel than a dialogue. Each player would keep bidding their best suit — louder and prouder each round — until they could bid no more. Somehow, though, we got the message across. Some of us even hummed clues: “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” or “My Heart is an Open Book.”
Stayman and transfers? Never heard of them. If someone opened 1NT and their partner responded 2 clubs, it meant one thing only: the opener had a rock-solid hand, and clubs — even four to the ten — was the responder’s pride and joy.
We didn’t keep score. Every hand was a fresh start. Some players, a bit further along, tried to teach us things like the finesse or the squeeze — concepts that seemed as mystical as alchemy back then. But those long, laughter-filled sessions gave me my bridge foundation. And years later, it all paid off — not in points or prizes, but in people. I met my wife over a kitchen table bridge game. Without those messy student matches, who knows where I’d be?
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It was probably around 1990 when I had a collection of six or seven books by Mike Lawrence.
But his website was fairly basic, so I offered to build one for him.
My price would be a copy of every one of his books and DVDs.
His offer was to play with me on BBO. "BBO - what's that? "No such thing" said I.
Regretfully, no deal was done.
Was bbo there then?
Wonderful, love to you both
Excellent i love bridgebase its a wonderful game
I have problem playing bridge on line ! I was playing bridge over 20 years my teacher was Barbara enjoying playing in club since Corolla I staple going - since i am not enjoying as much ; same people don’t behaving well -health wise I stop goin to clubs - enjoying watching your teaching
Au bridge, les rencontres en partenariat de jeu ou en partenariat de personnes sont toujours un grand plaisir...
You are a born storyteller, Ronald. You grab the reader's attention and make the narration personal from the very start. Thank you!
Was that McGill? I was in my final year of high school next door and took part too. Sometimes we would play all night. My dad was a bridge player too. One day I came home at 6:30 am and he growled “where have you been?” “Playing bridge” “Oh I see”. That was that.
When I started to take up this game I was fascinated! I was hooked up and played 7 days a week and travel around the world to participate with the game! But after many years, I begin to see some of the ugly people !! Even in the clubs at home! It was such a shame ! Because of that I gave up the game!!
When I started to take up this game I was fascinated! I was hooked up and played 7 days a week and travel around the world to participate with the game! But after many years, I begin to see the ugly
That's my guy! More than 45 years of ups and downs later, we're still playing together. Love you.