Challenge

I’ve spent a lot of time at the bridge table over the years, and one thing has become crystal clear to me: the game isn't just played with cards. It’s played in the mind. You can study all the bidding systems, memorise every convention, and practise your card play until your fingers ache, but if your mental game isn't sharp, you're leaving a significant edge on the table.

Bridge may not have the same mainstream appeal as chess or poker, but it offers unique advantages that make it an exciting and engaging game—especially for younger players looking for mental challenge, teamwork, and social interaction.
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1. Bridge is a Team Game (Unlike Chess or Poker)

How about giving a new player a waltz around their first tournament? The Strictly come teaching event is being held on RealBridge by the Welsh Bridge Union.

When: Saturday 31 January 2026 at 7pm
Where: on RealBridge

There’s a special kind of joy that comes from teaching bridge. It’s not just about the cards, the bids, or even the strategies — it’s about watching connections form, confidence grow, and curiosity spark in ways that go far beyond the game itself.

The EBU Autumn Overseas Congress, sponsored by First for Bridge, is taking place in Side, Turkey. Tournament Director Chris Benneworth talks through the first evening of bridge with the Pre-Congress Pairs:

Derek Brinkley talks about the success of café bridge events in Suffolk:

Post the lock-down era, social duplicate bridge in my County of Suffolk appears to have become increasingly popular, with several sessions at different clubs each week typically having 15 tables on a regular basis.

From Kitchen to Club: Why You Should Try Duplicate Bridge