Bridge (game)

Bridge, a trick-taking card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards, has captured the hearts and minds of players worldwide for its combination of skill, strategy, and social interaction. 

HOW TO PLAY

Imagine, if you will, a card game so intellectually stimulating it's been officially recognized as a mind sport. A game where partnerships are forged not in blood, but in cunning bids and the delicate art of reading your partner's mind (or at least their hand). This, my friends, is Bridge.

By American Contract Bridge League - ACBL Resource Center: http://acbl.mybigcommerce.com/

Now, Bridge isn't whist with a monocle; it's an evolution, a triumph of bidding and trick-taking that emerged from the murky depths of 19th-century Russia. Back then, they called it Biritch, which, let's be honest, sounds like a particularly enthusiastic sneeze. Thankfully, the English pronunciation, "bridge," is a touch more sophisticated.

But don't be fooled by the genteel name. Bridge is a mental marathon, a tango of memory and deduction played out over four suits and 13 cards. Each player wrestles with an incomplete hand, desperately trying to assess the battlefield, decipher their partner's cryptic bids, and outwit their opponents. It's like poker on a caffeine bender, with a dash of Sherlock Holmes thrown in for good measure.

The basic premise? Win tricks, score points, don't let your opponents steal the show. But the magic lies in the bidding, a silent auction where players use a secret language of numbers and symbols to communicate their hand's potential. It's a dance of deception, a calculated waltz between underbidding and overpromising. And let me tell you, the tension is thicker than clotted cream at a vicar's tea party.

Of course, Bridge isn't just for the cerebral elite. It's a social butterfly, flitting from grand tournaments to casual gatherings, bringing people together over card tables and cups of tea (or something stronger, depending on the time of day). Bridge clubs buzz with the chatter of strategies and post-mortem analysis, while online platforms connect players across continents, fostering a global community of card sharks.

So, if you're looking for a game that will challenge your mind, test your friendships, and maybe even make you sound a touch more sophisticated (because let's face it, who doesn't love casually dropping "notrump" into conversation?), then Bridge might just be your cup of tea (or whatever your preferred beverage may be). Just be warned, once you get hooked, the only thing more bewildering than the scoring system might be your sudden urge to buy a monocle. You've been warned.

HISTORY OF BRIDGE

The story of bridge begins with its predecessor, Whist. Whist was a popular trick-taking card game played in England in the 17th century. It involved players trying to win tricks, much like in bridge, but without the complexity of bidding.

In the mid-19th century, the game underwent a transformation with the introduction of a variant known as Biritch, or Russian Whist. This game introduced the concept of bidding, a crucial element that would later define bridge. The name "bridge" itself is believed to have originated from the Russian word "biritch."

The modern form of bridge, known as contract bridge, was developed in the 1920s. The key figure in this transformation was Harold S. Vanderbilt, a wealthy American businessman and avid card player. Vanderbilt's contribution was the concept of contract bidding, where players bid on the number of tricks they could take in a specific suit or in a notrump contract. This innovation added a layer of strategy and depth to the game.

The refinement of contract bridge also witnessed a notable controversy between two prominent bridge players, Ely Culbertson and Josephine Culbertson. Their conflicting approaches to bidding led to a publicized feud, contributing to the game's popularity as newspapers covered the controversy extensively.

During the 20th century, bridge gained immense popularity, especially in the United States and Europe. It became not just a game but a social phenomenon, with people forming bridge clubs and hosting bridge parties. The game's intellectual challenge and social aspects contributed to its widespread appeal.

Duplicate bridge, a variation where the same deals are played by different partnerships, emerged as a competitive form of the game. Tournaments, both local and international, became common, attracting serious players and further elevating bridge to a recognized sport.

In the digital age, bridge has transitioned to online platforms, allowing players from around the world to connect and compete. Online bridge has brought new life to the game, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Bridge has been recognized as a mind sport by the International Olympic Committee. Its inclusion in various international competitions, including the World Bridge Federation's World Bridge Championships, highlights its status as a serious and competitive pursuit.

FUN BRIDGE FACTS

In 1929, US housewife Myrtle Bennett shot her husband dead for his poor play – but was acquitted of murder on the grounds it was self-defense.

Bridge enthusiasts include US tycoon Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Omar Sharif, the Egyptian star of Lawrence Of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, quit acting to become one of the world’s best bridge players.

There are 635,013,559,599 possible hands in a game of bridge.

Source Daily Mail