Bridge

What makes the game of bridge so popular with many of our ladies? Or is it really a sport? I went along to this month's Grand Bridge Finale in the Bridge Corner in Zürich Enge to find out more.

Chairladies Gaby and Vivi have been organising the twice-monthly bridge games for many years at the Bridge Corner and the Bridge Club at Bellevue; in fact, Gaby has been running bridge games for longer than ZIWA has been in existence. It takes a certain kind of mind to be this organised, I concluded. On this special occasion, the various bridge groups got together for a special duplicate bridge tournament, long anticipated by many. At the specially equipped premises in Enge, 28 ladies sat down at 7 tables for the final playoff of the season. A friendly atmosphere prevailed, with no sign of any recriminations if a call wasn't made.

The bridge ladies have their regular partners and can read each other's minds. Silence pervaded the room. The cards were stacked in red boxes, and bids were made with special tickets. No tricks were physically "taken"; the cards were merely laid out in front of each player in turn and placed vertically for a win, sideways for a loss. At the end of each hand, the number of tricks was counted and the results marked on a score sheet. Gaby informed me that 13 points were normally needed to open the bidding, and that conventions existed for doubling and expressing concern over a call. Everyone played with the same cards, and after three hands at one table, one pair moved on to the next table to meet the next pair of opponents.

After an intense morning with breaks for coffee and biscuits taken when time allowed, the games came to a close, the players handed in their score sheets and we all adjourned to the Restaurant Belvoir Park for lunch. I asked my table companions what makes the game of bridge so enjoyable and, dare I say, addictive? They told me it's a social occasion, psychology comes into play, it's an intellectual challenge, every game is different and it's a great way to meet people. Many people mentioned that bridge is a good way to train the brain, and popular with people of all ages. One lady I talked to had lost the sight in one eye, and was very sad that she could no longer see the cards clearly, but her friends welcomed her to this special lunch. There were players there of all ages and nationalities enjoying each other's company.

After a delicious meal, presented in the style one expects at the auspicious restaurant school, the results of the tournament were announced: small prizes were awarded for first, second and third places in east-west and in north-south positions. Overall winners were Ann Karin and Gretchen, and Sylva and Marie-Helene. Bouquets were presented to the organisers - surely a very demanding role but much appreciated by all the members. A new bridge season begins on 31 August.