Post by Jenni Pagett, Publicity Officer.

This week’s trip felt like a bit of an adventure as I drove out to the Whitebridge Industrial Estate to meet up with the Bridge Club, and be welcomed into the Stone bridge Club premises, albeit a little bit later than I intended. I am somewhat geographically challenged!

Bridge is fascinating and one of the most popular card games in the world, it is a derivative of Whist and there are written records of people playing dating back to the 15th century. Very briefly, it’s played by four players in two competing partnerships. After the cards are dealt, each partnership “bids” on how many “tricks” they think they can make. A trick consists of four cards played in turn by each of the four players at the table, one from each player. The player who leads the trick can play any card from their hand, and the other players must follow suit if they can. If they cannot follow suit, they may play any card from their hand. The player who plays the highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick. The partnership that has bid the most attempt to meet that bid (the declaring partnership), whilst the opposing partnership (the defenders), try to stop them.

The Bridge Group in run in conjunction with Stone Bridge Club and members of both organisations are welcome to play. The group plays Duplicate Bridge and move tables after a couple of hands. The scores are added together using a computer terminal called a Bridge Mate (provided by the group). This is not a competitive group and members of all abilities are welcome. Some guidance to inexperienced players is available if needed.

There are benefits to joining the Bridge Group as you don’t need to have a partner with you, single players are welcome. It is a social atmosphere with refreshments available during a short break in the afternoon. Bridge is a good way to exercise your brain and practice communication and teamwork too. So whether you are looking to keep your mind active, or just love playing card games Bridge could be for you. Whilst I was there, one player told me “This is the nicest place that I play Bridge”

The Bridge Group meet on Friday afternoons from 1.45 to approximately 4.30pm at Stone Bridge Club at Whitebridge Industrial Estate. There is a small fee to play, depending on which organisation you are a member of.

If you are interested in joining the Bridge Club please contact the group leader via the website. https://stone.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/bridge/

If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to volunteer to run a group yourself, please take a look at our website.
https://stone.u3asite.uk/

Stone (Staffs) and District - Keep active (in mind and body), enjoy socialising, for those who are retired or not in full time employment
Membership costs just £50 per year and this allows you to attend as many groups as you like. That equates to less than £1 per week*.
*Some groups may request a contribution towards refreshments.