Player Spotlight

Nathan is a 15-year old High School Freshman with a variety of interests – water polo, crew, and League of Legends. He’s also a recent bridge convert.

Nathan first learned bridge at last year’s Learn Bridge in a Day Class, which he and his Dad attended so they could learn to play at home with Nathan’s grandmother. That led to Nathan signing up for last year’s Summer Camp where “he got hooked” (his words!). With the skills learned in these classes and the help of his Grandmother, Nathan now regularly plays in duplicate tournaments and is planning to attend this Summer’s Youth NABC, as a SiVY-sponsored player.

When asked if he’d recommend the summer camp, Nathan said, “I would recommend (Camp) to anyone who wants to learn to play bridge because the instructors make the game easy to understand.” He says he has a long ways to go still, but practice and mentors have really helped.

Regarding the YNABC this summer in Washington DC, Nathan says he made the decision to apply because it would be a way to learn and meet new people. He goes on to say that “At the moment I do not have a partner (anyone reading this need one ☺?).

Read more about what Nathan thinks about bridge…

1.  Why did you first take bridge lessons?

I first started to learn bridge because my grandmother really loves the game and she convinced me to learn how to play. She's always wanted someone in her family to play with her but everyone was afraid it would be too hard. Finally my dad and I took a class at SiVY and he convinced me to keep going. During the summer camp I got hooked!

2. What do you like best about the game?

I love to play bridge because I have to think what my opponent has and see what I can do to outplay them. While you can have some tough games/days you know it's all about getting better and the great thing is you can see how that's possible. My game has a long ways to go but practice and mentors have really helped me. 

3.  How did SiVY bridge camp help you learn?  Would you recommend it and why?

SiVY bridge camp helped me learn how to play and taught me the basics and later on a bit more advanced tricks. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn to play bridge because the instructors make the game easy to understand. If you want to learn this game it's the best way to get started. 

4.  Do you get to play much bridge now?  Who is your favorite partner and why?

I have played in bridge tournaments at least once every month since the camp, and I will play with anyone who needs a partner! I'm sure it's easier if you team up and get to know one person really well but playing with different people has forced me to know and follow the conventions. I've been fortunate in that my partners have all been great. We won points in the summer camp and at a couple of tournaments and each time I felt like I learned some valuable lessons. I have won the most points though playing with my grandmother. Did she carry me? Sure! But I carried her stuff back to the car ;)

5.  What made you decide to apply for the sponsorship to youth nationals?  Do you know who you will be partnered with there?

I made the decision to apply to go to the youth nationals because it would be a way to learn new ways of playing the game and meet new people. At the moment I do not have a partner (anyone reading this need one ʘ‿ʘ) but I hope my future partner will be willing to learn new things like I am. 

6.  Anything else you think people will find interesting or amusing.

I play water polo and now do crew at Serra High School. I wish they had a bridge club and might have to start one. In my spare time, I do like to play League of Legends and despite what my dad says, e-sports is not a contradiction of terms.