Initially introduced to bridge at the age of 11 by mother Olivia, by 16 the twins, Justin and Jason, were the youngest ever players in the World Olympiad in Miami, and soon they went on to become European Champions in 1994 and World Junior champions in 1995.
Justin's contribution to the bridge world was recognised at the highest level in 1997 when he was invited to Buckingham Palace in recognition of his distinction in the field.
Avid Manchester United fan Justin had considered turning professional in another sport; "I wanted to be a footballer. I was torn between bridge and football and I ended up playing bridge." However, early victories on the Bridge circuit spurred the twins on; "We played in Athens in our first match and we got a silver medal. Since then we've gone from strength to strength."
Justin and Jason were, for many years, the youngest bridge professionals in Europe.
Justin has represented England numerous times in the European Championships (winning a bronze medal in 2014 - later upgraded to a silver medal following the disqualification of the winning Israeli team), Bermuda Bowl (in 2015 finishing 4th after two extremely narrow defeats in the semi-final and bronze medal play-off), and World Olympiad. He has also won the Gold Cup, Crockfords Cup and Spring Foursomes multiple times, and the 2015 Premier League. He was a member of the successful 2016 Camrose team.
Top Table Interview December 2013
When did you start playing bridge?
I started playing bridge at the age of 12. My mother taught me the basics and I joined the bridge club at Manchester Grammar School.
How often do you play?
I usually play at least once a week and most weekends.
Do you always play with the same partners/team-mates?
Most of the time I play with my brother, Jason - especially in the big tournaments - but I play with different partners in the leagues.
What do you do for a living?
Teaching and playing bridge.
What are your favourite bridge books?
Anything written by David Bird or Victor Mollo.
What are your hobbies?
Going to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United and playing five-a-side football. In my teens I wanted to be a footballer, and have never lost my passion for the game.
What do you like and what would you change in bridge?
I like tournaments where you don't need to bring a convention card. The change I would like to see is the tournament directors being empowered to award Yellow and Red cards for rudeness at the bridge table.
What's the bridge success (so far) closest to your heart?
It has to be winning the World Junior Championships in Bali in 1995, but winning the European Juniors in 1994 in Arnhem and getting the silver medal for England in the open teams at the Mind Sport Games in Beijing in 2008 are also fond memories.
Last updated: November 2015
Major International Appearances
European Championships: 1997 2002 2004 2008 2010 2014 and 2016
Bermuda Bowl: 2005 and 2015
World Olympiad: 1996 2004 and 2008
World Youth Team Championships: 1995*
European Youth Team Championships: 1992 and 1994*
* = 1st place
European Champions’ Cup: 2004 and 2007
Camrose Trophy Selections: 2007 and 2016
Junior Camrose Selections: 1991 1992 1993 and 1994
Gold Cup Winner: 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2008
Crockfords Cup Winner:1995 2007 2010 2014 2016 and 2020
Premier League: 2015
Spring Foursomes Winner: 1999 2004 and 2019
National Teams Congress winner: 1997 and 2015(PAB)
The Hubert Phillips Bowl Winner: 2007
Player of the Year Championship: 2014/15 - 16th=; 2015/16 - 4th=; 2018/19 - 2nd