Approximately 25 years ago I got my first taste of Bridge.
All I can remember from back then was how to finesse and that I was fascinated by the game.
No-one I knew or came in contact with later played Bridge therefore it was put on the back burner. Then I got my first computer and saw that I could play bridge online 24 hours a day if I wanted - I was hooked.
Still not knowing much I joined the “Internet Gaming Zone” and chose my first nickname and tossed myself into the "expert” rooms. I was very green and it did not take long for people to realize that and stop playing with me so I would change my nickname and go aggravate them some more.
I had lots of nicknames.
I was getting better and learning lots of Conventions because in order to play with someone I just played their card which I still think to this day when online it is best. Anyway I had managed to get a regular partnership going with a lady from Kentucky and we played for hours on end. Her name is Peggy Chambers and in exchange for her patience with me I would fix her computer over the Internet.
Peggy kept insisting that I had to get out and play Duplicate at the local clubs. I was not that interested but she would not give up pestering me and finally I gave in.
At the time I knew my marriage was failing and Peggy said Bridge would open up a whole new set of friends for me.
Anyway, it was time to take the plunge and one day I showed up at the Bow River Bridge Club. The experiences there were not pleasant. My analogy of the experiences I had there were of “Being set upon by a pack of rabid dogs”.
I had no experience of Bridge with 3 humans sitting at the table with me and my game suffered.
Yes there were some nice people there but they were overshadowed by the nastiness I felt there at the hands of some of the partners I was stuck with.
These same people were telling me to stay away from the “other” bridge club because they took their bridge seriously and would not tolerate me at all. I had already decided however to give it a try because my only other option was to go back to the Internet.
I will never forget the day I walked into the Martinique . That day changed my life forever.
I had no partner and John Hinde played with me and he was great. After the game I remember Elaine Stewart coming up and introducing herself and making me feel welcome. Brenda Bertrand {who has become a real good friend} and Maureen Bailey made up the five-some including Peggy who I credit with any happiness I have found since starting to play this game. I would do anything for any one of them.
John, Maureen, Brenda and Elaine were joint owners of the club at that time or on the verge of being owners and were responsible for the atmosphere at the club and, well Peggy got me there in the first place.
There have been many more people since who deserve credit as well but there are too many to mention.
People do not see me at the clubs much these days but my passion for this game is stronger than ever. I still play in as many tournaments as I can . I fall asleep at night with a bridge book in my hand and I always have one or two bridge books with me at work. The difference in my life now is my home life is so great I find it hard to leave. Yes I fell in love with a bridge player and who can I thank for that most of all besides her.
Peggy, Brenda, Maureen, Elaine and John give yourselves a pat on the back.