Don Lecky thoughtfully shuffles through his cards before shifting his glance to his bridge partner.
鈥淪he wears the pants,鈥� the former director of the 撸奶社区Bridge Club says, as he nods toward Lorraine Hurren.
Hurren laughs, but there鈥檚 truth in Lecky鈥檚 words. In the world of bridge, Hurren is a life master. She鈥檚 achieved what many players spend a lifetime pursing: a status in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL).
鈥淲here are your clubs?鈥� Lecky asks Hurren, before cheekily adding, 鈥淭hat is what you do, you criticize your partner straight away.鈥�
Points and ranking generally have no monetary value in bridge; it鈥檚 all about honour. For 撸奶社区club members like Hurren and Lecky, working your way up the point system earns prestige. Hurren has travelled all over North America and south to Mexico to climb the ACBL standings. The grassroots league has more than 160,000 participants and runs hundreds of three, seven and ten-day competitions. That鈥檚 where one earns the gold points.
Bridge isn鈥檛 just any old pickup game of cards, Lecky says. Sure it鈥檚 fun, but while Lecky carefully plots out his move, the room in the 撸奶社区Valley Golf Club is quiet as players concentrate on their games. Bridge keeps one鈥檚 mind sharp, Hurren and Lecky agree. Duplicate bridge is social, with four players in two competing pairs. Being able to count cards is also an important skill, Lecky adds.
A few tables over, Peter Larsson鈥檚 eyes his hand. Born in Finland, Larsson travelled to India as a young boy with his father who worked as a missionary. Cards weren鈥檛 common in his household because of their link to gambling. Larsson picked up bridge as an adult. Five years ago, he became serious about the game after taking lessons from former club directors Lesley and Erwin Tenta. Now Larsson is a regular.
While Larsson鈥檚 late introduction to the game is common, it鈥檚 a fact that should be changed, Caroline Solonenko says. At 53, Solonenko stands out as one of the younger players in the room. She was taught the game by a boyfriend at the age of 25.
Bridge has the fundamental elements that develop good life skills, Solonenko says. You have to learn to work as a team, practise bidding and read people. Solonenko would like to see the game taught at schools.
听鈥淚t is competitive. It is probably played equally by men and women,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am always afraid that sport is going to go extinct.鈥�
Current club director Colin Ransom is working hard to ensure that doesn鈥檛 happen. The 撸奶社区Bridge Club is fortunate enough to have qualified bridge coaches who can aid those new to the game, he said. Every Tuesday, the members hold classes. On game days 鈥� Monday and Friday 鈥� the club usually sees enough players to fill up to eight tables. Ransom aims to have 11 tables.
鈥淲e started out with three or four tables,鈥� Ransom said. 鈥淲e have a lot of relatively new players.鈥�
On Nov. 10, the club is holding its Erwin Tenta Annual Club Championship in honour of the former club director who died last year. Everyone is welcome, Ransom said.
Bridge provides never-ending stimulation hand-after-hand, he said. Ransom and his wife, Doreen, are multi-level masters. They鈥檝e played in dozens of tournaments across North America. Bridge has become more than a game for the couple, he admits. Vacations are planned around bridge events and friendships are built through the game.
鈥淚t brings quality of life to one for life,鈥� he says.
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When to play bridge
路听听听听听 Monday game: 6 to 9:40 p.m. (open to all players)
路听听听听听 Friday game: 1 to 4:50 p.m. (open to all players)
路听听听听听 Tuesday coaching: 1 to 3 p.m. (on days posted). Pre-session registration is required.
Games and coaching are $5. For more information visit www.squamishbridgeclub.com.
