(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

BRIDGE IN THE CITY

A good trick: Why Bridge is becoming a popular activity for P.A. residents

Feb 8, 2024 | 8:02 AM

At first glance, all you probably see is a deck of cards, a little board, and some coffee and cake around a square table.

But for the dozens of people at Prince Albert’s Duplicate Bridge Club, it’s more than cards and more than a game. It’s community, competition, and a sense of well-being.

The local Bridge Club is marking its 50^th year in 2024 and is still played by those young and old in a quaint room inside the Medical Building on Central Avenue.

On one Monday night, paNOW was invited to see the Duplicate Bridge Club in action and what makes someone so good at the game.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

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Duplicate Bridge is a different form of the popular game that’s played in households for generations. Many who attended the Monday night games remember seeing their parents or grandparents play Kitchen Bridge.

Back then, there were no televisions, no video games, smartphones, tablets, social media or the like, just some cards, a table and people who wanted to spend time together.

The rules of Duplicate Bridge are different from Kitchen Bridge, which you likely saw being played at family get-togethers or other gatherings.

The game involves a full deck and four players, two sets of partners, playing together switching tables after each round.

The rules, or laws, of duplicate bridge are many and difficult to summarize for those not used to the game.

(Derek Craddock/ paNOW Staff)

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

Those who attend the Bridge Club on Wednesday night or Monday afternoons have taken lessons, some for weeks before they play competitively with other players.

“Bridge is a card game that anyone can become good at,” said Gwen Greenshields with the club. “Like any sport or activity, the more effort you put into learning the game the better you’ll become at it and, like any sport or activity you’ll never become perfect at it. The challenge is always to get better.”

Players like Greenshields have been a part of the club for years, with one member participating for nearly 50 years.

Members of the club compete in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), with clubs across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Each player in the Prince Albert club collects points that put them in the ACBL standings.

So, what makes a good bridge player and why has this become a passionate activity for many people in the city?

“With the possibility of 635,013,559,600 hands bridge is never boring,” said Greenshields. “It challenges your brain more than any other card game.

“Bridge appeals to people who enjoy card games and taking on challenges,” she added. “It’s important to have some social skills and etiquette. One needs to be able to follow the rules and it helps to be able to win and lose graciously.”

The social aspect was certainly not lost on this Wednesday night crowd. Players of all skill levels came together with the masters helping the rookies play their best hands. Not to mention, each pair will sit out a round to enjoy cake and coffee or work on their strategies for the next round.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

During each round, each player had to concentrate which meant it was very quiet at that time, a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When you’re in this room, you forget all the noise around you from media, news, internet, and traffic.

As with many clubs in Prince Albert, there’s always room for one or two more players. The Duplicate Bridge Club hosts games on Monday afternoon at 12:30 and Monday night at 6:15 as well as Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

You can contact the club at pabridgeclub@sasktel.net or 306-961-0524

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com