Canadian Bridge Federation

Bridge not just for seniors any more

KAREN SEIDMAN, The Montreal Gazette

Published: April 2008

When you mention "trump" to students at Beechwood elementary school in Pierrefonds these days, they're not thinking about The Donald.

They're thinking about bridge.

That's right - the card game preferred by seniors.
In fact, you could say Beechwood is one of the few schools in the West Island preparing its students for their (distant) future.

But that wouldn't be what the American Contract Bridge League would want you to think. It is the organization behind this new thrust to introduce bridge to youngsters. And it has several good reasons for doing so.
Students learn logic, math and concentration, while having fun. The game also improves their memories and develops teamwork.

Saving the game's future is also at play.

"Without young people, the game is dying," said Peter Schwartz, the students' bridge teacher. "But it has also been proven that kids who take this program have much higher scores in math and science."

School principal Marlene Kotler is thrilled that the school has about 20 students playing bridge.

"They're loving it," she said, while the students dealt cards during their lunch hour. "Schools deliver a lot of sports, but this is a great opportunity for the students to learn a new skill. And there's a real intellectual challenge involved."

Wearing T-shirts that read: "Bridge Rules," the students were eager to show off their bridge skills as Schwartz questioned them on the basics of the game. They know how to set up their hands and count points. They understand the roles of the declarer and the dummy (a position that still elicits a few giggles, although Schwartz is quick to interject that it's not meant in a derogatory way).

Although they are actually playing "mini-bridge" - a simplified form that makes the bidding much easier - Schwartz believes the students are getting an excellent introduction to a complex game that he hopes will captivate them for years to come.

"There is a real push to bring bridge into the classroom because it has become a seniors game," said Schwartz, a bridge master.

Students at Beechwood said the game is both fun and cool.

"It's a bit hard to memorize the rules, but it's really interesting," said Grade 5 student Salena Wiener.

Angela Bagshaw, 10, said her grandmother plays bridge. She is now hoping the whole family can eventually play together.

For information on educational bridge, go to www.acbl.org or www.schoolbridgeleauge.org.