The History Of Bridge

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GAME

Whist : Long established. Edmond Hoyle wrote about the game in the 1740s

Bridge Whist: Second half of the 19 th century. Dealer or dealer’s partner named the trump suit. No-trump introduced. Also Double and Redouble which could be continued indefinitely. No-trump scored highest followed by hearts, diamonds, clubs with spades the lowest. There were bonus scores for games, slams etc.. The game was simply called bridge. Card historians later coined the term Bridge Whist to identify that form of the game.

Auction Bridge : introduced 1903. Laws codified by a joint committee of the Bath Club and Portland Club in 1908. Competitive bidding came in. Aim was to keep the auction low. If declarer bid 2? and made twelve tricks he was credited with a slam. Milton C. Work who gave us the 4,3,2,1 point count wrote a key book. Scoring: For each trick: 10,9,8,7,6 for NT, spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs respectively.

Contract Bridge : Harold Vanderbilt , playing with friends on a cruise which started in California in Oct. 1925, laid down the rules of the modern game. Ely Culbertson popularised the game, introduced system bidding, and beat leading British players in a match following which young British players created the Acol System in the early 1930s.

Reference. The Walk of the Oysters by Rex Mackey

New recruits to the game become involved in an activity which changes their lives. They become part of a nationwide organisation with a support network and backup services. They join 26,000 people who are members of 500 clubs, playing an inexpensive game which bridges all social and age divisions and which they can play in virtually any part of the country throughout the year, thereby meeting new people and making new friends. Bridge holidays organised by tour operators and hotels licensed by the association provide further opportunity for members to enjoy the game in congenial settings.