Why Do We Really Play Bridge?
In the previous column, I discussed three main motives to play bridge—achievem...
I’ve played bridge for almost thirty years now, and during this time, partly because of my own curiosity and partly because of my professional interests as a psychologist, I’ve been intrigued by the different reasons people play. Bridge takes time and effort, and, let’s be honest, it isn’t the most purposeful or the healthiest activity a person can choose. One could argue it’s just another game. But unlike most games, bridge inspires a level of dedication that goes far beyond casual amusement. I believe each person plays for multiple reasons, though usually one motive dominates.
Achievement is certainly one of the main ones, and almost every player has at least a bit of it in them. We like to make good scores, we like to be better than others, we enjoy seeing our name at the top of the results. It feels good when someone says, “You were the only one who made 3NT,” or when you’re called to the podium for a trophy. Governing bodies understand this very well, which is why they created masterpoints, a long-term record of achievement.
Every bridge organization in the world has some kind of point system to rank, encourage, and promote players. BBO also has its own points, now called BXP, which you can earn by doing well in premium tournaments. And bridge isn’t unique in this; most competitive activities keep ranking lists. Feeling proud of your achievements is completely natural. But we’ve all met players who put too much importance on achievement, and this can lead to rudeness toward partners or opponents, anxiety about results, blaming bad luck, boasting, or even cheating. This is why achievement shouldn’t be the only motivation for playing.
But it’s not only that we like being at the top of lists. We also enjoy seeing our own improvement. Unlike achievement, which looks for external validation, mastery comes from within. It’s a type of intrinsic motivation, built on the satisfaction of playing well. Do you remember how good it felt the first time you realized partner’s bid was a splinter or a cue-bid, and you could visualize their hand and make a confident decision? Or during the play, when you predicted a five-card ending and successfully threw West in with a diamond? These moments make you feel your skill rising, and that feeling boosts your confidence.
Of course, these moments come more often early on, when you’re learning the basics, improving quickly, and progress is easy to see. After a few years, the learning curve tends to flatten. There are long periods of stagnation and then, suddenly, a steep rise. Interestingly, these rises rarely happen right after intensive study; they usually appear later, once the new knowledge sinks in and becomes routine. For example, if you start counting declarer’s points and shape, at first it’s exhausting. Your game may even get worse. You miscount, you miss defenses you’d normally find, you overlook other aspects because all your energy is going into counting. The period before the skill becomes automatic can be frustrating.
So while mastery is a strong and healthy motivation, it demands patience and persistence to see real improvement. Players who are primarily achievers often struggle with this. They prefer practical shortcuts that improve results without requiring deeper insight. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does limit some of the richness bridge offers. Consider the rule of thumb: lead a trump against a grand slam. It’s practical and usually works. But if you listen carefully to the auction, you’ll sometimes realize the hand calls for another lead, perhaps one that forces declarer early to choose between a finesse or a break.
Achievement and mastery are closely related but not identical. The number of points someone has may depend partly on how often they play, which means a less skilled but more active player might outrank someone stronger who plays less. Since the purpose of points is mainly motivational, and since frequent play is encouraged, ranking systems rarely subtract points for poor results.
Finally, many players play primarily for social reasons, as a leisure activity and a way to spend quality time with others. Many bridge clubs around the world nurture this aspect by hosting friendly tournaments where chatting is welcome. Clubs offer the chance to meet new people, but more importantly, they allow long-term bonds to form among regulars. These bonds can range from light and friendly to deep and meaningful, much like what forms in workplaces or schools. Clubs typically have several groups, more or less open. Members learn about each other directly, but also indirectly, through everyday conversations and even gossip. For better or worse, these are normal, healthy communities that can serve as a substitute or an addition to one’s broader social network.
A bridge club usually has 50–100 players, enough to have variety but still small enough for you to learn something about everyone. Members often know when something important is happening in another player’s life, such as a new job or a marriage. In online clubs these connections are weaker, but players can still get to know each other, at least if they make the effort.
But social connections are not just about knowing each other; they are also about storytelling, helping, teaching, and doing things together, often in the form of rituals. Some players are motivated primarily by being useful to others or to the community. They explain, teach, welcome newcomers, and try to make everyone feel comfortable. They often volunteer because what drives them isn’t external reward but the feeling of being recognized and appreciated. When misused, however, social motives can turn into status-seeking. A player becomes overly driven by others’ opinions and may even try to put others down to lift themselves up.
As I said at the beginning, we all carry these motives in some combination, though some dominate more strongly either permanently or at specific moments. Bridge offers well-developed ranking systems for achievers, endless opportunities for mastery-driven players, and a rich social environment for those who seek connection. These are the most common motivations, but many less obvious, more personal reasons also exist, shaped by life history, culture, and circumstance.
I’ll explore some of those in a future column. Until then, I’d love to hear from you: What motivations have you observed in your own experience, and how do they compare to the ones described here?
Tihana Brkljacic has been an international bridge player since 1998. She’s represented Croatia over 20 times at European or world championships and is a multiple Croatian champion. She’s been teaching bridge since 2000 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at Zagreb University and also holds lectures for advanced players.
I love winning. At most other sports and games I rarely win.
At bridge I win enough to keep me coming back. I wanted master points as a novice. Now, I actually don't want anymore master points. If I get them, then I only get promoted into tougher competition and less winning.
The challenge of cooperation to achieve a shared accomplishment
PO MĘCZĄCEJ JEŻDZIE ROWEREM DLA RELAXU BRYDZ
I like to keep myself busy. Bridge is ideal in that respect. Like all 'games', you need to learn the basics from good teachers to take part. Started a few months ago. Then practice, practice, practice. Confidence grows on you. I love it.
I also love playing golf. Now some 15 years. Similar sort of motivations. Kind regards. Sydney
I am a retired Civil Engineer.
Hi, first I served in ur beautiful country> Spend lot of time in Zagreb.
For me bridge is one of the best game with cards, work my brain, but the most is knowing others peoples in socializing. BBO for me is different, I see a lot of political issues such has a players refused to play with another country. Very sad that we are there now in. 2025. I served with Peace Keepers in the Balkans and believe me when I play with a Serbes or Croates it always a good feeling for me. have a nice day. Leo
Bonjour,
J'ai joué depuis longtemps à tous les jeux de cartes que je connaissais.
Le bridge est le seul qui m'ait apporté autant de plaisir intellectuel et autant d'apprentissage de l'humilité.
Maintenant que je suis vieux mes performances comptent moins et ce qui me motive c'est de faire partager ma passion pour ce noble jeu. Merci pour votre article.
36 years ago friends offered a chance to take a bridge class together. I found:
1. I wanted to and I enjoy learning something new
2. Like the challenge at the table of concentrating, counting, analyzing.
3. Meeting new and interesting people...like Grant Baze
4. Achievement validates growth but I value mastery more.
5. On BBO playing with robots allows for focus on something fun...escaping from serious care giving
6. Covid ended my teaching beginners..I miss sharing info to usually enthusiastic beginners and enjoyed seeing who looked suited to the game.
You isnore that most bridge players in the desire to compete are assholes. The gaem is great the players not so much,
I want to keep my brain active.
Yes!
It's particularly important to exercise deep thinking and logic skills.
Money.
I was introduced to the game as a young child. My parents would have 2-3 tables once a month or so at our home. We always played many different card games so as I got older, I wished to participate in this game as an adult. Gradually over many years, partners, classes, I feel I have gained a good solid knowledge base. The best part is meeting in new people during these times. I like the competitive nature as well as the intellectual stimulation bridge provides.
Güzel bir makale,ben daha çok sosyalleşmek, yeni insanlar tanımak, sohbet etmek için oynuyorum. Basarı önemli ama iyi bir ortak bulursam.
My mother taught my neighborhood kids and me so she would have someone to play bridge with. As an adult, I then ended up teaching my tennis buddies b/c they were hurt and need another hobby. Then I found duplicate and traveled playing in sanctioned tournaments. It was great fun and rewarding learning new conventions. During Covid, I played on the internet. Now I play strictly with friends, some duplicate some party bridge. It is still great fun!
How old r u, where do u live and what level r u today?
BegActuary
Nurit
A nicely written article expresses the author's opinions but excludes real data, the statistics of bridge player motivations. I am sure that they vary by groups and countries and also the level the session. I would also have liked to have seen specific examples along with some player interviews.
Nicely wrtiten. The various motivation factors have been very well captured. Much agree with the social value that the game brings in, but you can't deny that it also brings in some amount of envy and other bitter feelings. Looking froward to the continuation.... Three Cheers.
I love playing all type of games. Because you are training your brain for any strategie. The motivation is to master as much as possible the game. Tennis is training your brain for action and bridge is an intellectuel training for your brain
I just finished selling house for 5% over asking price on thanksgiving day after a long process of preparing the house for display wife made the the most suggestions
I celebrated yesterday by plaing 96 boards vs robot. It allowed me to decompress about trying to sell our house.
Yes apart from the psychologist's comments which are interesting, older people are using parts of their brain that would not remain active. this keeps them more alert. Of course, the social part is very important too. I am not a super player but as a qualified teacher, I teach beginners and have always found satisfaction in people understanding and using what I have taught them. It gives me great pleasure seeing them progress and take on more serious bridge.
At 78 years of age, I started to learn Bridge at my wife's urging. As a person who loved and excelled at Poker/Blackjack, etc., I knew that Bridge was difficult and complex. Plus I loved to bet!
Now, 6 months plus later, I am absolutely fascinated by the complexity of the game and the thinking process involved. I have learned a lot, but am still a rank beginner. But that is the beauty of this game, you are always learning. Anyway, who knows, maybe Bridge will be just the ticket to ward off Alzheimers!
A great article, and I thank you for that. As a bridge teacher and director, I have moved to a new Continuing Care Retirement Community. It has many bridge players who are in their mid-eighties to 90+ years old. They hate change. I've tried simple things like introducing machine-shuffled cards, and they hate it. They think these machine-shuffled cards are more difficult and have no interest in improving their game or masterpoints etc. It is a sanctioned event, and to be fair, cards should be manually shuffled 7 times or use machine-shuffled cards. How would you, as a psychologist, suggest I handle several of these players who have almost become nasty about this?
I would look for slightly younger players. Mid 80's and 90's and you are surprised that they are resistant to change? The bigger surprise would be if they were willing to accept much change. Just my thoughts at late 70's and based on what I observe in people in the mid 80's and over. They are set in their ways.
I live in retirement home also.wecant get up a table of four so be grateful you have players. Tx for internet bridge I play many hours a day been playing over seventy years now love the game
I own a once a week club and direct, play and teach at another club. I love when I have a good game and fun. Mostly I love the game and sharing it with others. I have met some of my best friends at the table.
80 év fölött segíti a szellemi frissesség
megőrzését.
The beauty of how all the pieces fit together. The joy of seeing it all in a new way. Like searching for the keys to the kingdom. Knowing that forever the clues will be there to uncover - a limitless and vast territory. And, the only way to take this fascinating journey is to manage our emotions. Together with our partners or our team. Yet in the face of our opponents trying to take us down. Quite a ride!
I agree with all what was written in the article.
Congrats
Condivido pienamente le motivazioni espresse per i giocatori maturi.
Per me che sono un allievo di 84 anni le motivazioni principali sono quelle di mantenere sempre vivace la capacità cognitiva e sana socializzazione.
Per ora sono davvero soddisfatto.
Concentration on bridge gives us a break from thinking about other perhaps troubling issues.