WITH more than 2,000 active members and players, the game of bridge is very much alive in Limerick, and this year the Treaty has the honour of holding the presidency of the Bridge Association of Ireland (BAI).
Gordon Lessells, who began playing bridge in 1962, will find his game card extra full this year as he plays three nights a week in Limerick and all over the country every weekend as part of his presidential duties.
“It’s never the same twice,” he told the Limerick Post as explanation for the huge enthusiasm people display for the game.
“It’s a partnership game. On any night of bridge you could play 24 hands and be playing against 11 different pairs. There’s a lot going on.”
Gordon agrees that there “is a bit of work” in learning the game, but he, like many others, became hooked once he got involved.
Limerick City boasts 12 of the 66 clubs dotted throughout the region, including Clare, Tipperary, and north Kerry – the biggest of which, Newcastle West, has over 600 members.
The game is highly competitive and, this year, Limerick has already hosted the President’s Prize while Limerick Bridge is preparing to host a national competition for intermediate and novice players, who make up the bulk of the grades in the game.
Gordon himself is no stranger to competition having played for Ireland in Warsaw and France.
He says bridge is a very sociable game and not expensive, as all the equipment needed is a deck of cards, somewhere to play, and people to play with.
“You can even play against robots now, but most of us prefer to play with people, ” says Gordon.
