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What is bridge? *author
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How to Improve Your GameThe form of bridge played today is called 'contract bridge' and was invented in 1925. It is the most popular card game in the world with over 100 countries as members of the World Bridge Federation.The estimated number of bridge players exceeds 60 million. Bridge is played by four players and is a partnership game with one partnership opposing the other.
The advantages of bridge include:
- You can play in any weather.
- There is no age barrier. Players as young as five have been known to play and players in their eighties have competed effectively in and won world championships.
- Bridge will keep you mentally alert in your latter years and quite probably will therefore help you live longer. There is a negative correlation between bridge players and those suffering from Alzheimer's.
- It is possible to play bridge despite severe physical handicaps. Deaf people can play, as can blind people. There have been blind competitors in the world championships.
- It is relatively inexpensive to play.
- You can play socially or competitively. Either way the game offers a significant challenge.
- You can meet lots of new people at bridge clubs.
- It is possible to play bridge on the Internet (available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
* The Author
This introduction to bridge was kindly provided by Ron Klinger, Australia's premier teacher and author. You can find lots of information on how to play bridge on the www.acbl.org website. Ron Klinger can be contacted on +61-(0)2-9958-5589 or on email at