May 10, 2006 07:37 AM
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(Updated May 10, 2006 07:39 AM)
Habits die hard.
A die-hard bridge player, I had inculcated the ‘bridge habit’ as a teenager.
This is a 4-player card game where the players are assigned names North,South,East and West. North-South and East-West are partners.
The gist of the game :
it’s similar to a game of whist, but with many a twist !
After dealing the cards,there is first a verbal duel which goes by the name of ‘bidding’.
The trump is decided by the highest bid. This game also has a ‘no-trumps’ option.
The partner of the highest bidder gets to be called ‘dummy’!
Bidding is based on a point-system and many a convention.
This game is difficult to explain in writing and is best learned ‘hands-on’.
A call for 7 no-trumps has a nail-biting suspense very much akin to a ODI (one day international)!
Bridge players are a passionate lot.
The camaraderie among the players and the sparring between the partners is very much part of the game!
Some Bridge Trivia:
Some bridge enthusiasts include Omar Sharif, Mr Murli Deora,Dr.Manohar Kher,Dr.Mukund Jagannathan,………(yours truly is an aspirant to this hall of fame!)
This game also has versions which can be played by three players and even two players (aptly called honeymoon bridge!).
Being a great ice-breaker, this is “a bridge” which will certainly take you “too far”!
This game is worth learning even late in life and is easily addicting.
Catch ‘em young - like all pets who have to be 'house-trained', it’s a good idea to get your pests (sorry, ..er.. kids) ‘bridge-trained’!
