The Youthful Game of Bridge

Submitted by English Bridge Union on

 Hi, I’m Thomas. I’m a new member of the U21 squad having recently ‘graduated’ from the U16s. Since lockdown I have been playing lots of congresses and other events online which has helped me improve my game and given me a chance to play in events I wouldn’t have had time to travel to. It also provided a useful respite from the monotony of the strict lockdowns a year or two ago. Aside from its obvious intellectual interest, one thing I particularly enjoy about bridge is the social element to the game. After all it is by nature a partnership game. Each term, Michael Byrne (the U21 squad leader) runs around 2 or 3 training weekends in which it has been great to socialise and chat with the other squad members along with improving my bridge.

I have also had a quick foray into the difficult, but enjoyable nonetheless, art of writing about bridge. I have had the opportunity to assist in writing a few bridge articles and on one occasion I took to RealBridge for an hour to provide some live commentary which was a new experience for me. Commentary provides an opportunity to consider the relative merits of different bids and plays which provides useful insights when similar situations come up in hands I play. 

When I play an important game, aside from the customary glass of water (a habit which my partner caught onto pretty quickly), a brief reread of the system notes and giving my desk a well-needed sort, I don’t really change anything but to resist the temptation to stay up late watching Netflix and will try to be well-rested instead.

 

Why not play in the Junior Squad Sim Pairs in February. All proceeds will be put towards promoting the junior bridge in England and the junior events.

More details about the Junior Squad Sim Pairs here