The Bridge scene & how beginners can handle their game
The intended audiences of this article are the people who have recently learned bridge and have started playing or are still in the learning process at the foundation level. The purpose here is to apprise such bridge players of the basic bridge structure and the environment – locally, nationally and worldwide.
Like any other game or sport, bridge is played at various levels. It can be just a casual session amongst friends or family members, it can be at a club with fellow members. Going a bit higher, tournament bridge at local clubs comes into the picture. Then comes serious, organised competitive bridge at a city, zonal, regional and national level. This shows that there is space for every kind of bridge player, depending on what one wants to do and how far one wants to go! It depends on one’s resources – time being the most scarce and costly one, the acquired skills set and if one has any competitive desire.
Bridge is an organised sport. World Bridge Federation (WBF) is the apex governing body. Bridge Federation of India (BFI) is a member of WBF. BFI is affiliated to the Government of India through the Ministry of Sports. Then there are state-wise bridge associations and so on. This structure allows competitive bridge to get organised. This helps in holding annual national championships. Moreover, BFI also sends official Indian teams for the world-level competitions held by WBF. The 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta–Palembang saw bridge making its debut as a medal sport and India bagged 3 medals overall. WBF is also recognised by The Olympic Committee.
What is it that the beginners at bridge should aim at?
They just need to focus on getting the basics right. They need to understand how tricks and more tricks can be made, and how they should not squander their tricks. While they have to learn the bidding and the card play both, there should be a good balance struck between the two departments. Simple bidding system and attentive, alert card play can do wonders for beginners and the newcomers! But yes, patience and playing regularly are required for this.
If you get this mix right, you will have a sense of satisfaction at the end of your bridge sessions. Review a few deals where some mistakes we made and that would pave the way for gradually improving as a bridge player. Last but not the least, the desire to play good bridge and to learn more, has to come from within!
