If you think bridge is only an older person’s game, think again. Bridge is exciting, challenging and played by young as well as old around the world.
In Salmon Arm, however, mainly older folks enjoy the game, but those who are younger are welcome to learn how to play.
Eugene Ogino, an enthusiastic local bridge player, invites new players to join a beginner’s group, Tuesday afternoons, 1:30 to 3:30 at the Fifth Avenue Seniors Centre.
“I consider bridge to be the chess of card games,” said Ogino, a retired high school teacher. “It can be played on many levels, social or very competitive.”
There are three types of bridge, describes Ogino, who has played for about eight years. Bridge involves “bidding,” and is always played with a partner. Four pairs play at each “table.” Several tables may play at once.
In social bridge, you change partners frequently. In rubber bridge, partners try to win two-out-of-three games. In duplicate bridge, each pair of partners is dealt the same hand and tries to play that hand to the best advantage.
All types of bridge require “a lot of thought, memory and analysis,” said Ogino, who plays both duplicate and social bridge.
Ogino finds duplicate bridge the most challenging. He plays several times each week.
“It’s a game I love to hate, just like golf,” he laughs.
“I don’t play the game well. I can’t remember cards and sometimes I forget what the count is,” he admits good-naturedly.
“Duplicate bridge can be very, very competitive. The only way you get points is by beating someone else, which gives you incentive to play really well.”
“It’s a challenge. If you do well, you get a great deal of satisfaction.”
Some top local players are Tom McNie and Judy Harris, Barb and Dave Peterson, and Jim McLean and Nan Blackburn. McNie and Harris came in first recently at the Silver Star Winter Carnival bridge tournament in Vernon.
McNie, who Ogino credits with a “phenomenal memory – and after a few rounds of play can usually tell what you have or don’t have in your hand,” has travelled to national tournaments in Seattle and Vancouver. He began playing bridge 30 years ago and plans to attend regional tournaments in Vancouver and Penticton this year. McNie holds Gold Life Master status, with 2,500 points.
For those who have never played before, Ogino offers lessons, and there’s the beginner group for players just starting out.
The cost per person to participate in games is small, said Ogino, who plays at both the Seniors Centre and Downtown Activity Centre (DAC). Players may pay between $2 to $5 per person per game. Social bridge games typically last about two hours, rubber bridge slightly longer, and duplicate games can take three hours or more.
Ogino began playing bridge after retirement to give his brain a workout. He credits some very “kind and understanding” teachers who “babied me along” when he was learning bridge. Now, he enjoys introducing others to the game.
Dan Quilty of Salmon Arm learned to play bridge about five years ago in lessons taught by former Salmon Arm mayor Don Rogers.
Quilty, now retired from the merchant navy, enjoys the socializing.
“Communication between the partners is the big thing,” said Quilty, who enjoyed playing many card games growing up in Ireland and throughout his working life.
“Bridge is a game you never master. There are so many intangibles. It’s a wonderful game you’re always learning.”
Quilty advises new players to take lessons on fundamentals, then attend a group.
“Your brain is always engaged. It’s a game for life.”
Those interested can phone Quilty at 250-832-6422 or Ogino at 250-832-6550 about any of the following weekly bridge groups: Beginners, Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Duplicate, Sunday 1-4:30, Seniors Centre and Tuesday 7-10:30, DAC; Social, Monday 7-9 p.m. and Thursday 1-3:30, Seniors Centre.
Other groups also play in Cedar Heights, Chase and at some other Salmon Arm locations.