Watch “Aces & Knaves” – Fundraiser for Irish Junior Bridge

Many thanks to “Aces & Knaves” director Jackie Paré for chairing an excellent Zoom session on Sunday night after the Grand Master Bridge Congress, and to local participants Tom Hanlon, Thomas MacCormac, Fearghal O’Boyle, and John Connolly, and of course all the attendees, for their inputs. If you missed it, you’ll find a recording here:

It runs for just under an hour. It was great to hear that everyone is enjoying “Aces & Knaves” (more below on that). It was also very interesting to hear that, while everyone is looking forward to the return of in-person bridge, a lot of good things have come out of online bridge, and many people would like to see at least some online play, and teaching, continue. Food for thought for clubs, for regions, for teachers, and for the CBAI.

In relation to “Aces & Knaves”, we are delighted to inform you that our screening period has been extended for a couple more weeks, so if you haven’t signed up to watch it yet, you can still do so, using this link:

The film has already been shown in North America, and has been very well received. The IMDB reviews website describes it as “a documentary about mental gymnastics, competition, and cheating in bridge – the most complex game ever invented by the human mind.” Lots of very well-known bridge players feature, and Irish viewers can keep an eye out for an appearance from our junior team on one of their trips to the US. The cost of the stream is $12.50 (approximately €10), of which half (after a small platform charge) will go directly to Irish junior bridge, so in addition to spending an enjoyable hour or so, you’ll be supporting the future of Irish bridge at a time when other fundraising opportunities are limited.

Please do anything you can to raise awareness of this fundraising effort. Tell your friends, including your non-bridge playing friends (it might give them an insight into what it is about the game that consumes us all so!) and post the link on your social media. As John Connolly mentioned in the Zoom discussion on Sunday, for junior players in particular a big part of the attraction of bridge is the chance to travel and meet other players from your own age group. Obviously, it costs money to finance that, so any contribution that you can make to our junior effort, via “Aces & Knaves” or in any other way, will be greatly appreciated.