Editor's note: Thomas (Dodie) is one of BBO’s most dedicated ACBL players. He's been earning around 300 ACBL online points in 2025, through his regular play in ACBL Daylong games in ACBL World.
I've been playing bridge since I was 12, way back in 1983. My most consistent partner has been my father, Thomas F. McDow IV, who taught me to play. My other favorite long-time partners are my brother Randy, and my college roommates Ron Birnbaum and Todd Keithley, but we all live far apart. I also have some great bridge friends in Columbus, Ohio where I live, but our schedules make it hard to play club games. We meet up occasionally for an evening of bridge.
I started playing the ACBL Daylong games during the pandemic. I appreciated the ability to play on my own schedule and to think about each hand as its own little puzzle. It's possible to play too fast with the robots, but they never play too slow! The efficiency and flexibility of online play are real draws for me, though I would like to make more time for in-person play.
I am also a history professor, by vocation, and improvisor, by avocation, and I see connections between bridge and both of these. Thinking historically about bridge helps us appreciate small changes, like preferred bidding systems over time, and also bigger picture ideas like how the popularity of the game depends on broader social and economic factors, not to mention technological factors! Improv comedy relies on careful listening and cooperation with your scene partner, just like good bidding and play.
All best,
Thomas F. McDow (known as Dodie to friends and colleagues)
