[Rossoneri]

Lately, a few incidents (some personal ones and some on the international stage) has set me thinking a bit about the game, and what I want to do with regards to how/where I plan to play bridge.

Competitively, I've been involved in choral singing and chess before, so some of my experiences has influenced my thinking to a large extent.

So, I would like to hear from you guys (non-experts and experts alike) why do you all play bridge, what do you think is your aim in playing bridge and why do you keep returning to the table for more.

Hopefully this would benefit some of you as well.

[whereagles]

I've mastered the game for the sole purpose of having flawless arguments when insulting partner

j/k. I play because of the mental challenge. And I want to be world champion.. lol.

[helene_t]

I'm trying to learn the game, in order to be able to follow the BBF discussions

[Rossoneri]

helene_t, on Oct 17 2007, 10:16 PM, said:

I'm trying to learn the game, in order to be able to follow the BBF discussions

Lifelong learning?

[jillybean]

Why do I play: Because it is an exciting, stimulating, fun game, Im hooked.
What is my aim: To represent Canada
Why do I keep playing: Because I can always do better next time.

[Gerben42]

Why do I play: Because it's fun, meeting lots of nice people. With Bridge, you have friends in every town
What is my aim: To play in the 1st national league & win a national OPEN championship
Why do I keep playing: See 1st question

[Walddk]

I have tried around 25 different card games, and for me bridge is by far the most challenging of them all. Furthermore, bridge is also a universal "language". In reality complete strangers from say Kirkenes in Norway can sit down and play with people from Andorra, Tibet and Botswana without saying one word other than "bridge?".

A nod is enough, no common language necessary. Get on with the game and enjoy.

Roland

[HeavyDluxe]

Rossoneri, on Oct 17 2007, 08:46 AM, said:

So, I would like to hear from you guys (non-experts and experts alike) why do you all play bridge, what do you think is your aim in playing bridge and why do you keep returning to the table for more.

Ummm... Mortification and humiliation? And what Roland said...

As an aside, I've learned "You suck, Dluxe" in many new languages as a result.

[Free]

Why do I play? Because it's fun, because I like the people around me, because I know I'm still improving,... And I need material for my blog
What's my aim? No realistic aims at the moment (like being world champion)

[joker_gib]

Walddk, on Oct 17 2007, 04:28 PM, said:

I have tried around 25 different card games, and for me bridge is by far the most challenging of them all.

It is also the one where the chance factor is reduced to its minimum.

And the social aspect of a partnership is very interesting.

Great game !

Alain

[Aberlour10]

....beacuse there are still 1 000 001 things in this game I have to learn, to spot, to try, to manage


Robert

[Fluffy]

Because its the only sport and game I can play with my father.

Becuase I dreamed once of representing my country on olympic event (I might be too old if bridge ever comes to olympic games )

Because I earn money playing it.

Because it lets me meet some nice people from around the world (some Han's as well, you can't have it all), and improve my english.

[cjames]

Because it is loads of fun! Something new every hand.

My goal is to live of bridge one way or another. Probably won't happen

[bhall]

I enjoy the challenges posed by competitive bridge. It's much more social than chess, and it has an unusually strong ethical dimension that I value.

As others have expressed, I hope to continue improving my game as long as I live. I also appreciate the chance to share and debate new ideas about the game as they arise.

[keylime]

I play to not only keep my mind sharp, but to allow myself to be the free spirit that I am. Also, it's nice having the old ladies say.."You're such a fine young man, my grandson is your age...".

[helene_t]

Lol, one of my p's is about your age as well, the old ladies at the club sometimes discuss which of their granddaughters or grandnieces could be a suitable match for him.

[sceptic]

keeps the brain ticking over nicely, you can set your own goals to your own ability and you meet a majority of very nice people

one down side, does seem to attract a lot of people that do not have any manners or social skills

[helene_t]

sceptic, on Oct 17 2007, 11:00 PM, said:

one down side, does seem to attract a lot of people that do not have any manners or social skills

I wonder if that is so, or if it is just that it exposes bad social skills.

Personally I think I'm slightly less bitchy at the bridge table than in other aspects of my life, but self-assessment is a difficult thing, I might be wrong.

Anyway, I just found a very nice club where people congratulate opps for there good defense instead of yelling at p how s/he could be so stupid not to make the contract. Sorta pity that I'm about to leave the country. I hope the club in Lancaster will be nice as well. Until now my impression of British bridge culture is very positive.

[sceptic]

you wait till you get into Lancaster, they will start pinching your bum and alsorts of weird behaviour us Brits are a strange lot

[kenrexford]

I play because I saw on a website that "Bridge is Cool." I want to be cool. So, I play bridge. That makes me cool.