Story by Ashok (BBO: ashok1966)
It was in 1966 that I joined an engineering college in Morbi, Gujarat, India, as a junior lecturer.
Morbi was a small town with a population of about one hundred thousand. I was allotted a staff quarter that was connected to my department by a terrace. For some reason, our college worked until 6 p.m. on one day and only until 3.15 p.m. the next day. On these shorter days, the senior professors found it convenient to use my quarters to play bridge, as I was single at the time. My role was simply to make tea.
One day they were short of a player and asked me to join. I had only a very basic knowledge of the game. Needless to say, I played terribly. One bulky and rather frightening professor shouted at me nonstop. I felt so bad that the next day I took a train to Ahmedabad and bought two bridge books. One was by Richard Frey on bidding and play, and the other was Edgar Kaplan’s book on duplicate bridge.
Over the next six months, I memorized Frey’s book as much as I could and managed to improve from a terrible player to an average one.
I became fascinated by duplicate bridge and wanted to organize a tournament. However, duplicate boards were very hard to get in India at that time. So I made about sixteen duplicate boards myself using cardboard sheets and rubber bands, and I handwrote the running score sheets. The nearby Watson Club kindly allowed this unusual duplicate tournament to be held on their premises. They were amazed that a card tournament could be completed in just two days.
Meanwhile, I was engaged to be married. The marriage was still a year away, and I started wondering what would happen to my bridge if my would-be wife did not play. That turned out to be the case. So my so-called love letters consisted of bridge lessons. She would often fall asleep reading them. She could even show them freely to her father if she did not understand something, as there was only bridge in those letters.
After marriage, we did play together and finished second in one duplicate bridge tournament in Ahmedabad. That remains my only shining glory in bridge.
BBO has been a godsend for me. I now occasionally play with my cousin in Japan, and sometimes we even win a small tournament. My wife no longer plays bridge, as she is now quite sure that I will never desert her.
If I am wrong, someone may correct me, but bridge in India is no longer what it used to be. There were many players even in a small town like Morbi. But at my last university in Ahmedabad, there were hardly any bridge players at all. The same names appear year after year on the Indian national team. It is rather sad.
🙏🏼 Best wishes
Truly enjoyed your story
Unfortunately younger students are too busy with screen time to learn this amazing Bridge game including my own grandchildren.
I loved your story.I only discovered Bridge after I retired(elementary school teacher) and was 68 years old. I am fascinated by the mental stimulation of Bridge and would love to teach it to younger students.
I mentioned in my article that I play online with my cousin. But I forgot to write any details. So here are some. My cousin , Ravindra Ranade is a better player than me and he has developed a bidding system which is a minor modification of SAYC. One rule in this system is that every bid promises even number of points . (6-9, 12-13 , 12-15, 14-17, 10-11, 16-17 etc). One advantage of this rule is that min or max of the hand can be clearly defined. Also we do not use transfers. A sudden jump overcall of 4NT promises 6-6 in two suits! Although I have hardly used it so far.
Also ,in play, we give only count in signalling. (Even or odd). Considering my average ability our results are fair.
Suggestions are welcome.
I enjoyed reading what you wrote Ashok.and and yes I am from Nairobi Kenya where bridge is taken very seriously and played in large groups.i do miss that.
Thanks.I mentioned in my article that I play online with my cousin. But I forgot to write any details. So here are some. My cousin , Ravindra Ranade is a better player than me and he has developed a bidding system which is a minor modification of SAYC. One rule in this system is that every bid promises even number of points . (6-9, 12-13 , 12-15, 14-17, 10-11, 16-17 etc). One advantage of this rule is that min or max of the hand can be clearly defined. Also we do not use transfers. A sudden jump overcall of 4NT promises 6-6 in two suits! Although I have hardly used it so far.
Also ,in play, we give only count in signalling. (Even or odd). Considering my average ability our results are fair.
Suggestions are welcome.
well written Ashok jee
Every one of us have a small story attached .Hope more will come out soon.
I loved your comment that your wife no longer plays as she is sure you won't leave her. Great insight.
Very interesting and heartwarming story
Thank you for your interesting story.
There are so many friends you meet along the way.
The training for the mind is unbelievable.
The Challenges and the enjoyment are the best.
Best story ever.
And unfortunately bridge seems to be a dying game everywhere, not just India.
I was playing in a National tournament in Orlando, Fl
I was in the north position & had 19 points. I opened a spade & my right hand opponent bid two hearts.
My partner as well as my opponents passed. I held 6 spades & went to two spades. My opponent raised to three hearts.
I had a single K of hearts. I thought long & hard & bid 3 NT. If he leads the A of hearts, I’m dead. He did not & I made my 3 NT with a high board
That day, I made “ life master”!!
An interesting piece. May your tirbe of Bridge players increase.
As regards new players coming into the game - My take. It is one thing to know how to play Bridge.... yet another to regularly participate in Bridge Tournaments. Going forward, perhaps, the Tournament Bridge is more likely to attract people who have fulfilled their Family, Personal, Career and Professional duties / aspirations. A majority of the Participants may be people beyond 45/50.
An interesting piece. May your tirbe of Bridge players increase.
As regards new players coming into the game - My take. It is one thing to know how to play Bridge.... yet antoher to regularly participate in Bridge Tournaments. Going forward, perhaps, the Tournament Bridge is more likely to attract people who have fulfilled their Family, Personal, Career and Professional duties / aspirations. A majority of the Participants may be people beyond 45/50.
Le bridge prendrait de l'essor s'il faisait partie de l'enseignement au niveau du Collège, à partir de 12 ans.
Please translate in English
I believe it translates as:
Bridge playing would rise if it were taught in schools from age 12 onwards.
Hi Ashok
Bridge played at Nairobi Bridge club! Members are mainly from Indian diaspora.
Loved reading your story
Thank you
When I visited India from England I tried to find a bridge game without success. I have been successful at the Vajira bridge club in Sri Lanka and Canadian and Diamond bridge clubs in Dubai.
As in England there are very few young players. New players are invariably people who have just retired. BBO was a lifeline during Covid and I played online regularly.. Back to face to face bridge some players had sadly been lost and the age mix has not changed
Dear Ashok,
I loved your story, thank you for sharing. Yes, it does seem to be the same names but does it really matter? As long as we ordinary folk can still enjoy and play this wonderful mind game, that's all that we need. Bless you and your wife for many years to come.
I enjoyed reading your bridge journey and very well done for having the tenacity to purchase the books and teaching yourself. thank you for your story.
I enjoyed
What a nice story, what a great guy.