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BRIDGE: CELEBRITY GRAND SLAM - ABOUT BRIDGE
New series is on all week at 7pm from 20 Apr, Sky Arts 2
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
Bridge: Celebrity Grand Slam
PLAYERS>> EPISODE GUIDE>> ABOUT BRIDGE>> MENU>>
The definitions of Bridge are many and varied, so we thought we’d leave it to the experts at the Acol Bridge Club (the legendary London Bridge club famous for devising the Acol biding system) to explain it all.
What is Bridge? >>
How does it work? >>
How can I learn? >>
Beginner's Bridge lesson >>
History of Bridge >>
Basic Bridge Glossary >>
Bridge trivia >>
Related Bridge websites >>
What is Bridge?
Bridge is a card game played by over 20 million people worldwide. James Bond, Omar Sharif, Bill Gates, Martina Navratilova and various members of Radiohead are numbered among its devotees. Because bridge develops partnership co-operation and analytical skills it is on the national school curriculum in both Poland and China.
As a social game it is unparalleled - offering the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Bridge offers a unique combination of challenges and with every deal different, success depends on a combination of technique, psychology (or cunning!) and teamwork. Bridge is such a mental 'workout' that medical research has proved that playing regularly staves off degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers.
How does it work?
Bridge requires four players, formed into two partnerships. You sit opposite your partner. All the equipment you need is a pack of cards, which get dealt out round the table so that everyone has thirteen - their hand. The cards should then be sorted into suits; spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs.
There are two stages to Bridge
(i) The bidding, (or auction)
(ii) The playing out of the cards, (or declaring)
Stage (i) involves the two partnerships bidding in a special Bridge language or code (known as Acol after the club where it was designed). The language contains only fifteen words, but needs to be learnt as accuracy is vital. Via this language a goal or contract is established. Stage (ii) is reminiscent of Whist, both partnerships trying to take tricks (a trick is when each player contributes a card, the highest one winning). Two defenders compete against one declarer to try and complete or defeat the contract or target set in stage(i). What happens to the fourth player? They make the tea, get the beer from the fridge or simply kick back and relax.
How do you learn?
Bridge needs to be learnt but is great fun right from the outset. Get a friend to teach you, join a local club, or check out your local adult education centre as many run Bridge courses. Or try a course at the home of British Bridge: the world famous Acol Bridge Club, where a number of courses for complete beginners are available throughout the year. Be warned however, Bridge is great fun and highly addictive!
Feel like giving it all a go?
Well, help is at hand! Download our BEGINNER'S BRIDGE GUIDE, courtesy of our Bridge expert Andrew McIntosh. All you need is four people, a pack of cards and you're ready to begin.
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Latest comments
Audrey Rostron
Mon 20 April 2009, 19:35
As a long-time bridge player and teacher, I watched the first two episodes with interest. The good thing was that it was made to seem FUN! Previous attempts to show Bridge on TV have failed disastrously as the players were out to show how clever they were. But in this venture it was obvious - I hope - from some of the dreadful bidding, that this was not a teaching programme. Good! There are plenty of places to learn once someone’s interest is aroused.
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Vicky Bateman
Tue 21 April 2009, 08:32
Most entertaining! Is there any chance that there could be a series of programmes for teaching bridge? It is very difficult to find local teachers and other players at the same level, but the television could really excel at the teaching element..............
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ros everley
Tue 21 April 2009, 12:33
Goog programme - could do with more explanation of tactics, as in finesse, more practical in playing the cards. Any chance of teaching series???
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Vi Turner
Wed 22 April 2009, 14:54
It would be beneficial for a novice like myself to watch a programme on TV aimed at the beginner and intermediate. I learned about Blackwood through watching one episode on Monday. This is an ideal way to learn.
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Mick Aldridge
Wed 22 April 2009, 19:45
To Vicky - try looking for local clubs who possibly have teaching groups or they might put you on to local teachers.
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Marlane H
Fri 24 April 2009, 18:37
I love the programme but could we see the cards more often and not the faces of the players?
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J Bache
Fri 24 April 2009, 19:27
I would love to see a series of programmes to teach bridge at beginner / intermediate levels.
J. Bache
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cariad67
Sat 25 April 2009, 15:12
not very entertaining and certainly not informative.
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Robin Crane
Sat 25 April 2009, 19:32
The most valuable aspect of this programme is that it demonstrates that bridge is a social game that can be most enjoyable. Hopefully it will encourage many people to start playing. The international experts were also enjoying themselves and singularly lacking in pomposity. Well done!
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Teresa Serrao
Mon 27 April 2009, 17:11
Fantastic programme, the unusal hands were brilliant as were the experts, i am looking forward to the next series.
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Robert Wardell
Wed 29 April 2009, 09:11
Very enjoyable with attractive sociable people.
The repeated introductions to every episode was tedious and ate into the limited time for actual play. If the programme was aimed at non-players it needed much more explanation, if intended for those who can play then it needed less - I feel Clive Anderson fell between two stools. But, I enjoyed it and would like more.
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JP
Fri 6 November 2009, 22:30
compulsive from the start and encouraging to see good players making mistakes. Ther’s hope for the rest of us. A few brief explinations of tactics at the end would be helpful
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Eunice Reid
Wed 10 March 2010, 19:14
Brilliant bridge programme! Could we have more please.
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