Parent - Child Duplicate

November 2, 2014

15 Parent - Child pairs played matching the record set at our last event. Two parents were first time duplicate players. Their respective children were not too tough on them, and we expect them back for more soon! Youth ranged in age from 7 to 17 years old.

The popularity of this game is evident. One parent rescheduled his son's soccer game so they could attend today's event.

11-year old Suzanne Campbell and her dad came up all the way from Monterey. They use a bidding system called Precision, which Bill gave a brief talk about during the half time break. Contact Bill at metobillc@gmail.com to learn more.

Violet Tivol, age 7, who won her first masterpoints at our last Parent - Child game with her dad, took the family pressure off her mom by winning masterpoints with her at this game.

Young players play with a parent or grandparent as partner, trying to win American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) masterpoints and enjoying each other's company. Director Will Watson plans the game so that each pair would be able to meet and play against almost all the others.

Duplicate bridge is one of the few competitive activities in which people of all ages can participate as equals. Participants in the Parent-Child duplicate range from youth to seniors, but each pair has to work together to score well. Bridge is also one of the few games in which new players have the opportunity to compete against and learn from established stars.

Participants in our events range from duplicate bridge novices to experienced ACBL Life Masters to a world champion--all enjoying the company as well as the challenge of the game itself. A typical reaction was one youth's first words as he and his father left, "Can we do that again?"

Grandparents and parents looking for ways to connect with their young family members and entice them away from their iPods and their Game Boys should consider taking up bridge as a family activity. The youngsters may end up teaching them a few things, and that's a great feeling for everyone.

Bridge games at our events are American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) sanctioned awarding masterpoints (MP) to high scorers. ACBL membership is not required for our games but is strongly suggested. You can join online or at the Bridge Center on the night of an event. Adult membership is $28 for the first year and junior membership only $15 per year. Both include a monthly print magazine and registration of masterpoints (start earning towards becoming a Life Master!).