I am a bridge enthusiast. For those who do not know what bridge is, it is a card game played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a table.
I learnt the game when I was a
teenager from my father who was a keen bridge player. I used to watch him play
and was impressed by the discipline and concentration the game entailed. I marvelled
at the deliberation with which my father and his friends played and the
animated conversation that followed. Sometimes, they would discuss a particular
hand days after the game. How can a card game be so riveting that one can
remember each detail with such clarity days later? I was intrigued to say the
least. I asked my father if he would teach me this fascinating game. I needed
four players in-house, and fortunately my two brothers agreed to pitch in.
The following Sunday, my father
called us all and asked us to bring along a paper and a pencil. We sat around
his square bridge table with two brand new packs of playing cards. The
initiation started by learning a bridge convention called phony clubs, or
strong clubs intermediate diamonds. It sounded impressive. He then rattled off
numerous rules that follow the convention and we took notes copiously. It all
seemed a bit overwhelming but exciting. After that, he emphasized bridge
etiquette. While dealing, you had to extend your left hand to the opponent for
him to cut the pack and then you dealt the cards clockwise. The “dummy” (one
player in every game who puts his cards on the table for the partner to play)
could not speak while the game was on. You could not advise or discuss with
your partner while the game was on. There were lots of dos and don’ts which we
had to keep in mind besides playing the dealt cards. We then played a couple of
hands with all our cards facing up and made the bids, consulting my father and
the notes we had taken painstakingly.
The session ended after an hour,
and I was on cloud nine. The next class was scheduled for the coming Sunday
with the promise that we learn the rules. My elder brother made a face…. more
homework! I was like a woman possessed. I wanted to mug up every golden word
from my notes to perfection. My two brothers did not seem that enthusiastic.
However, they also brushed up enough to play the next Sunday.
Come the time for the next game,
I was nervous but extremely excited. My brothers were also there, ready to
participate quite eagerly. The game started on a very calm note. My father was
quite pleased with the “homework” we had put in. We were allowed to consult our
notes every now and then. Things were moving smoothly. Abruptly, I heard my
father declare that the session was over. I looked bewildered! My father, in no
uncertain words, said he had to terminate the session as we were not following
the decorum seriously. We were constantly stretching out our wrong hand to the
opponent to cut the cards. It seemed like a “no offence”. But there was no
arguing with my father, and we had to disperse prematurely. A very
disappointing end to a wonderful session that had begun so slickly.
Once on our own, my brother
declared my father a dictator. Why should protocols be so important? After all,
it is just a friendly game amongst family members. I agreed with him and felt
my father was a bit harsh in this matter but was not going to jeopardize
further lessons. I sided with him to their great displeasure. I was labelled a
“chamchi” or someone who has excessive willingness to please the boss. I took
the slur in my stride to continue with my unabashed fascination for the game.
After this, my brothers were not
as regular as I was. I had to rope in my mother to fill in for them.
Eventually, I absorbed the game enough to play independently, though bridge is
a game where learning never really ends, and practice makes one as perfect as
can be.
I have been playing ever since,
sometimes more frequently than others. When the kids were young, it was less as
one likes to play when there is absolute peace to concentrate. I thank my
father every day for this wonderful gift that he passed on to me. Once the kids
flew out of the nest, I was able to play more regularly.
However, the game has evolved
over time. There are more conventions that people play. There is American
Standard, Precision, Bergen, cue bid, Goren, Acol and several others. Having
said that, if you know the basics, it is not overly complicated to play the
others.
I want to emphasize that reaching
midlife gave me more opportunity to play this wonderful game serenely. My
husband also became my partner in crime. We enjoyed several sessions with
friends playing, progressing and discussing the game. All was well till Covid
enveloped the entire world in its grip. The clubs closed, outings stopped and
so did bridge. It was the darkest period for bridge buffs.
But there is a positive aspect to
every dark shadow. Online bridge became a rage overnight. One was a bit wary
playing with a virtual partner but after a while, one took to it. We became
members of a group in which you could play for the entire day at your
convenience. My husband did not take to this electronic virtual game. I had to
seek a partner. We would keep switching partners, playing with strangers. If
one found someone compatible, one liked to play with him/her more often. Most
of us had peculiar IDs like Cucoocap, Xtrasmart, Staplers, Taxman, Apollo and
so on.
I found golfer50 very compatible.
We played together a lot. Initially, we would bicker about certain bids (there
is a column where you can communicate with players virtually), keeping the
propriety of the game intact. Soon, we were seeking each other to play
tournaments virtually jointly. After about two years, we exchanged phone
numbers. The first time I called, I was surprised to hear a female voice on the
other end. All this while, I was under the impression that my friend golfer50
was a man. After recovering from the first blow, we chatted amicably and
decided to play at a fixed time.
It was a wonderful rapport. We
talked only about the game. The conversations on WhatsApp were short and to the
point, making our understanding of the game more proficient. It was like having
a pen friend from the yesteryears. Whenever one received a letter from a pen
friend overseas or a far-off city, it permeated an adrenal rush. It opened a
gate to a new wonder world for us. Travelling overseas or otherwise was
uncommon. The exchange of information was also exciting because of the time lag
in between.
Time elapsed. It had been four
years that Suman, my phantom partner (golfer50), and I have been playing
together without ever setting eyes on each other. We live in twin towns and
over the years, I met a few people who knew her. She had also met a few who
knew me. Finally, this year we decided to register for a bridge tournament
which had to be played in person. I was excited – not so much for the
tournament – more because I was finally going to meet my ghost partner. Can you
believe it that at the nth hour we had to withdraw from the tournament because
Suman was indisposed? I was devastated to say the least. We were not destined
to meet.
Fate gave us another chance when
Suman invited me to play a tournament in person. I kept my fingers crossed.
When I entered the tournament arena, I heard Suman. I could recognize her voice
and could have walked up to her with my eyes closed – but with my eyes wide
open I could not make her out. It was a spooky experience. Finally, we met, and
it was simply exhilarating. I knew immediately that she was the one I was
expecting to meet and much more. We got on like a house on fire. I cherish her
friendship and the camaraderie we share.
Talking to a healthy 80-year-old
once, I was amazed to learn that he is an ardent bridge player and a golfer. He
started pursuing these passions in his midlife – the golden period of our life
when you are free from household affairs. The children are grown up and the
household runs on smooth wheels. You can nurture your ardours to the fullest.
You have the time, patience, and most of all, the penchant. Life is like a
dream. The combination of golf and bridge is deadly. One keeps you physically
fit and the other provides mental stimulation. The beauty is that you can
conduct both these fabulous activities all your life competing at your own
pace. True midlife euphoria!
