Bridge clubs within Benoni have had to start playing online due to Covid-19 rules and regulations.
Many still take part in the game of Bridge, but many have also stopped playing because playing online doesn’t feel the same.
Sid Ismail, the chairperson of Benoni Bridge Club, said: “National events are closed until at least June, which is what the authorities have announced. Benoni Bridge Club normally utilises the hall at Rynpark 7, but this is closed until end of March. We will review matters then, but I cannot see face-to-face bridge opening before July.”
Bridie Bullen-Smith, chairperson of Benoni Northerns Bridge Club, said: “The South African Bridge Federation has requested that all clubs close until further notice. We hope to return to Benoni Northerns in due course. In the meantime, we are playing online where we can meet bridge players from all over the world.”
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Bridge is being played on an online platform for all those who enjoy the game and would like to still take part, even though face-to-face is more enjoyable.
“Most miss the social aspect of face-to-face bridge,” explained Bullen-Smith.
“A new online facility called Real Bridge has been created, originally in Australia. Players can both speak to and see the other players. Our club plays as a club on ‘Real Bridge’ on Thursday afternoons.”
Ismail explained: “A few enjoy the online platform, but most prefer the live experience of mortal combat at a bridge table. Some of our players have abstained totally from playing the game and they miss it sorely.”
Bridge has been proven, in a few studies among retirees in Florida, USA, to assist in longevity, improving on the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and has improved physical and mental well-being.
“I must admit, I would be a Netflix couch potato without it!” said Ismail.
“I keep my brain young and active with sudoku puzzles and bridge. I recommend the game to everyone, it prevents loneliness, it will boost your way of life and can be that effective, try it.”
Bullen-Smith said: “It is an excellent mental exercise and memory training – established by the University of California research as a bulwark against failing memory problems in later life. It is not, however, just a game for the elderly, as in chess it is fascinating and stimulating for all ages.
“One statistically will never be dealt the same hand of cards twice in a lifetime and the learning and development of the game continues throughout life. Sadly, as with other ‘mind games’, fewer young people are taking it up as computers provide alternative and perhaps more easily accessible alternatives.”
Incidentally, the Olympic committee has now deemed bridge a “sport” and the world championships vying for Olympic colours take place during the Winter Games.
Bridge is also included in the “Mind Games Olympiad”.
“The average age of our players is roughly 65,” said Ismail. “But we definitely welcome players of any age to take part in bridge. We closed our club a week earlier than the official curfew, as our members were and still are understandably concerned with the risk and especially age-related lower immunity skills due to Covid.”
For anyone who would like more information about or would like to join the Benoni Bridge Club contact Sid Ismail on 082 411 9900 or at elsid@elsid.co.za
You can also speak to him for more information on how to start playing, ways to improve, and also how to participate in online games.
“This game will provide you with never-ending fun. Even if you do not have a partner to play with, learn individually and a partner will be arranged in time.
“But do call, I have associates who teach absolute beginners as well as the improving novices. In face-to-face Bridge, one can use poker skills (hesitations, body language, and state of an aura) in your set of arsenals, and these experiences are missing in the online Bridge where hesitations can be attributed to a poor internet connection.
“But we are hoping to be back to normal soon, in the meantime, join online bridge. You won’t regret it,” concluded Ismail.
Anyone interested in knowing more about or joining the Benoni Northerns Bridge Club may contact Bridie Bullen-Smith on 082 956 9982.
“One may also look at the game on the internet. There are various beginner’s courses offered or just general information. Anyone already familiar with the game can play online at Bridge Base Online as casual players. We would also welcome Benoni players to our Benoni Online Club, which is played on a Real Bridge site on Thursday afternoons.
“It would be preferable to join with one’s own partner, but we could always try to find a suitable partner if necessary. Benoni Northerns Bridge Club is grateful for the support and facilities of our parent body, Benoni Northerns Sports Club, which is where our sessions are played in normal times.”
For scoring visit: www.elsid.co.za and if you would like to play on the online platform visit: https://realbridge.online/
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How is Bridge played?
Bridge is a game played by four persons at a table. Two pairs in combat.
Your partner will sit opposite you and players are commonly referred to as north, east, south and west. North/south and east/west are partners.
Cards are shuffled and distributed one at a time – clockwise – to the players. Each player will have 13 cards.
Then it starts.
The object is to use a sequence of bidding with your partner to arrive at the number of tricks you think you can make depending on the cards you have been dealt – your opposing pair will be doing the same.
This aspect of the game is referred to as “the auction”.
Each “game” comprises two segments – an auction where you need to bid and buy the contract depending on the strength of your honour cards and length of suits and then the play commences, which is the second segment.
Each player plays a card in turn where the highest card (or trump) wins to form a “trick” and each side will assess the number of tricks gained in the play and a score is assigned depending on the end-result as compared to the final bid in the auction period.
When one plays at a club one plays duplicate bridge, where every table receives the same hands of cards in rotation.
One, therefore, competes not only against one’s opponents at each table as in social bridge but also against every other corresponding pair at the other tables thus arriving at an overall winning pair.
