Story by Ila Shah (BBO: purnimasha)
My bridge story started in my childhood at about 10 years of age, when I was just observing my parents and uncle playing at home. Slowly, after watching them repeatedly, I became interested, but never got the chance to actually play until I went to medical college.
Every time we had night duty and were free, we played bridge. This was the time I actually bought a book and learned various bidding systems. I quickly learned that Chinese players were very good players, so I started following Precision and found good results.
For several years, while practicing pediatrics, I played only occasionally at home with family members. Then we had two other players who were interested and came to our house to play once or twice a month.
At our 50 year reunion in United States, we went to Chicago. One of our classmates took us to a duplicate game, and for the first time we played, we were No. 1. We quickly learned that party bridge was boring.
We came back home, started looking for duplicate games, and became members of the American Contract Bridge League. I started playing once a week regularly. When I wanted to go to sectional and regional games, my husband said, "We can never be Life Masters," but I took that as a challenge.
When I started getting my first silver and gold points, my husband said, "Do you know you also have a family?" This was the time I could convince him to come to a national game in Atlanta. We were No. 1 in the Mini McKenney race. My husband enjoyed it so much that he never refused to go to sectional, regional, and national games again. The rest is history. We are both Ruby Masters now.
Reminded me when I went to my first regional, at the partnership desk the person there said I could be good at bridge someday and should set some goals or something along those lines, I forget the exact details.
I said "how about Life Master in a year". He suggested a more realistic goals.
Challenge Accepted!!!
Wish I had more time and money to play bridge. GLM is a pretty reasonable goal. I think I can get 2k pts/year if I attended regionals every other week but to do that I would have to go full pro.
Currently only 1/4 of the way to my goal.
What an inspirational story My hubby and I started playing party bridge two years ago and have met several
like minded couples as a result. We now are ready to move up to better games and challenges! Thank you for inspiring us
Really? Party Bridge is a meeting place for “like minded” couples?
We will have to try that!
My partner & I discovered duplicate at senior center classes when we were in our 70s. We too never thought we could never get our Master, but we are now over 90 & have reached silver. We still score at local games, but bigger tournaments are all over 100 miles away & expensive to attend. never give up.
I agree with you that party bridge is boring. As well, I used rather come last in a strong field than first in a weak field when trying to improve my game. And, improve, I certainly did. 👏
Well said. Strong competition is one of the best teachers. I'd rather be tested by the best and keep improving than collect easy wins that teach me very little.
my wife doesn’t play and doesn’t encourage me to go to nationals. don’t think ill make life master despite having 900 MP.
Never say "never". I am 78 yrs young also with a spouse who discoureages attending larger tournaments at are "too far away" and how I would find a partner. I am a Life Master and still play to collect those pigemnted baubles. I just plan our vacations around interesting tourneys.
That's an amazing story, Dr. Shah. I am 74 year old senior, never touched cards in my life and started learning and playing bridge 2 years ago and I am really hooked to the game. Your story gives me inspiration. My partner and I went to a local tournament in Ventura CA. and came second in the 0-99er game and received silver points. So there is hope for an old dog like me also. Warm Regards: Babu Shankar Tarzana CA>
Hello Ila ,
Congrats on both of your achievement as Ruby Life Masters.
We are so proud of you. You both are an inspiration to seniors not to give up but play.
So happy to read your story.
Your friends,
Dr. Soma Reddy & Sudha
Congrats Ila. Soma and I are so proud of you and Dr. Shah.
You are an inspiration to many seniors to continue to play and look forward to achievements.
Sudha / Dr. Soma Reddy