Club of the Week: Learn new tricks at Tauranga Bridge Club

Tauranga Bridge Club secretary Norm Silcock says playing bridge is a great way to keep mentally sharp and make new friends. Photo /John Borren

Tauranga Bridge Club members like to hold their cards close to their chest, and are living proof you're never too old to learn new tricks.

Club secretary Norm Silcock, who became hooked on the game after he was persuaded to join a game in the 1970s during his university days, said it's a "highly addictive" pastime.

The game of bridge is a bidding and trick-taking card game for four players divided into two teams working in partnership to try and beat the opposing team.

Each player is dealt 13 cards from a pack of 52 cards, and the aim of the game is to earn points by winning as many tricks as possible.

Research has shown playing bridge not only helps people to keep mentally sharp but increases people's social contact, especially for older players.

Silcock said Tauranga Bridge Club was established in 1957 by a group of about 30 people, and membership had grown to about 400 registered players today.

Club members meet at the club's Ngatai Rd clubrooms each week for sessions which vary in grade depending on a player's level of experience.

Tauranga Bridge Club operates a three grades ranking system, and has six sessions a week which included club competitions and a regular social session, Silcock said.

That includes a junior grade session for beginners or those less confident to handle the cut and thrust of competitions with senior players on hand on Thursday afternoons.

Wednesday night competitions were aimed at those who have reached the "dizzy heights" of the senior ranks, including the highest rank of Gold Grand Master, he said.

That includes Alan Turner who was awarded a Queen Service Medal in the 2017 New Year's Honours for his 30 years services to the game of bridge.

Silcock said members range in age from their 40s to their late 90s, and the oldest player, who is 98, attends three sessions a week and still plays a "mean game of bridge".

"Age is definitely no barrier to learning this fun, exciting, challenging card game.

"Our members include former international players, New Zealand representative players and people who only joined the club and everything in between," Silcock said.

"But when it comes to the game of bridge we're all still learning, and if someone has a bright idea then we willing to talk about it," he said.

Silcock said while bridge was a highly competitive game which was similar to the card game 500, there was a fun social side to playing as well.

"While competitions are serious events, if you came along you would see there is a more laughter than anything going on during games," he said.

"Our club members are a very friendly, fun bunch of interesting people, and we always keen to welcome new members. It's a great way to make new friends," he said.

Anyone interested should phone 07 576 5022 or email admin@tauranga.bridge.co.nz