Bridge Beginnings: How a Snowstorm Shaped My Journey to Gold Life Master
A story by Craig Pritzker (BBO: 3jsnac) I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. In Feb...
My bridge journey started in 1952 at the Westwood (CA) Duplicate Bridge Club, where I took 10 beginner's lessons. Aside from sparking my lifelong interest in bridge, I also had the good fortune of meeting and playing with Burt Lancaster and his wife!
Over the next 50 years, I raised five children and continued to play party bridge twice a week. In 2004, after my children were grown and I lost my husband, I joined the Tallahassee (FL) Duplicate Club. At that time, I was 70 years old and had maybe four ACBL points under my belt. That changed very quickly because I started playing six days a week, sometimes two sessions in a day! Besides playing local tournaments, I also travelled, playing at bridge clubs and tournaments in Hawaii, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Gatlinburg, and West Palm Beach.
When COVID hit in 2019, I was at home recovering from a broken wrist and leg (no, not a bridge injury, lol), so playing at the Tallahassee Duplicate Club was not an option. That Christmas, my kids gave me a computer, and I signed up for Bridge Base Online. Once I got the hang of playing online, I was hooked and continue to play two to three times a day just about every day. Playing BBO has become my social life at 93 - I love playing with partners from all over the world! In addition, playing has kept me mentally sharp!
Duplicate Bridge is an amazing game and one that I think would be a great course to add to school curriculums - what a fun way for kids to build and improve memory, logic, and math skills!
I currently hold Ruby Life Master and figure if I live to be 100 and BBO stays around, I'll hit Gold!
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What an awesome story. Go mom!
great story hope it encourages younger people to play.i too took to playing bridge in my late fiftys . and like u discovered bbo a life saver the fact is is available 24 /7 if i cant sleep i get up and play mary
Early childhood education (ECE) has a significant impact on how they grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively, you know?
I was hooked when I saw Burt Lancaster mentioned. how cool is that. nice story, Gold is in your future.
thanks Jill to share your story!!Congratulations
BBO its my therapy i love to play with players from all over the world.
I could make many friends playing in BBO
My husband had a stroke so we cant go out very often so Bridge helps me since then . I play everyday
thanks a lot BBO .
Burt Lancaster has always been my favorite actor and now I like him even more. Thanks for the story.
Thanks for sharing your story, Jill!
I also love Bridge and play every day, mostly on BBO, but weekly in person at my local Club. I discovered Bridge about 10 years ago after I lost my husband, it has given me so much joy and I love the challenge of it.
What a wonderful story Jill. I get so much enjoyment from bridge too. During Covid lockdown BBO was my salvation. Keep playing and I hope that you reach your Gold goal.
What a wonderful story Jill. I get so much enjoyment from bridge too. During Covid lockdown BBO was my salvation. Keep playing and I hope that you reach your Gold goal.
Gosh!! Never, Ever give up! That's the best motto for all bridge players - see what it can do for you. Best wishes Jill from sunny South Africa
Congratulations Jill!
Yes, a lot of members of elite clubs in my part of the world, took Bridge courses to enhance the quality of their lives and faculties once they crossed over to their 50's and above.
The Clubs that I frequented had many members aged over 80years playing Bridge religiously.
In my Club the role model was this nonagerian Bridge champion. He inspired many to take up Bridge because he played a sharp game even when he was in a wheelchair.
May your dreams be realized and play on...
Best wishes,
Tanuja Mullick
What an inspiring story! I find that bridge keeps the mind sharp, and memory sharper. I play bridge about 3 times a week, but love BBO for just being able to play for half an hour, at any time. I also enjoy watching the experts play, noting their bidding styles, and especially the way they play or defend a hand. I have learned a lot from that. Keep on playing! It brings such pleasure and satisfaction.