A pastime that has been traced back to the 16th century, Bridge is a
card game with quite a history! Traces of Bridge-like card games were
said to begin in the 16th century in Britain and it was called ‘Whist.’
The first book devoted to learning the game, rules and trumps was
written in 1742 and was called the ‘Edmond Hoyle’s Short Treatise.’ It
was a bestseller and the game of Whist continued to gain popularity
around the world as other card games developed. In 1857, the first game
of duplicate Whist was played in London and the systems used eliminated
much of the luck involved in which card each player was dealt, serving
as a forerunner of modern duplicate bridge. In the late 19th century, as
migration toward the New World drastically increased, pastimes of card
games were carried along as well. Bridge was introduced to the United
States in the 1890’s.
The rules of the game underwent many changes
made by its players, who have in the time since become the pioneers and
forerunners of the game of Bridge. Mr. Harold Vanderbilt did much to
perfect a system in 1925. He introduced rules, principles, treatments
and even a scoring table. Mr. Vanderbilt recommended that only the
tricks bid and made would count toward making a game. Overtricks would
count as a bonus. His established rules became so popular that his game
of Contract Bridge was adopted by the majority of players. England
continued to colonize the world and the Commonwealth grew. In the early
1900's British civil servants, who always follow any Army took along the
developed systems of this evolving game and actually developed the
Bidding System. In this manner, a Trump Suit was introduced to the game.
They introduced the term Auction Bridge.
Fun Fact about Bridge:
Did you know in 1953, President Eisenhower played bridge regularly on
Saturday nights with top experts and he even attended national bridge
tournaments when possible. He enjoyed bridge as much as golf and he was
considered an excellent player?! Now let’s get into the details about
what exactly bridge is and its’ relevance in today’s world.
Bridge,
the ultimate partnership game, is a game of skill, communication and
infinite possibilities. Millions of people worldwide play and enjoy the
competitive aspects of tournament or “duplicate” bridge. In duplicate
bridge, the same hands are played by the field, eliminating much of the
luck of the deal.
Bridge is played using a standard deck of 52
cards dealt equally among four players. The players bid in a coded
language to describe their hands to their partners and then play to make
their contract. Generally, one suit is determined as “trump,” leading
to the expression, “Play your trump card.” Duplicate contract bridge, in
which each competitor or team plays identical hands under similar
conditions, is the main form of competitive bridge.
The increased
popularity of contract bridge eventually formed a merging league of
American bridge groups called the 'American Contract Bridge League' in
the 1930's. ACBL membership has grown spectacularly in the past 50+
years and currently stands at 167,000 nationwide and growing!
We
hope you will go and learn bridge, if you don’t know how to already! It
is a very stimulating and strategic game that is suitable for all ages
and stages of life. Many retirement communities offer weekly bridge, and
one thing’s for sure, you will get addicted to this worldwide craze of a
game!
For more information on our assisted living Olympia Fields, Independent Living Flossmoor or Tinley Park facility, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.