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Aligning cards for fun, glory

There are no prizes but plenty of socializing at Hernando County's inaugural bridge tourney.

By MARYAN PELLAND
Published June 9, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - They'd sit on a bed of nails if they had to, to play bridge. But the Jerome Brown Community Center is a considerably more comfortable venue for the inaugural Hernando County Sectional Duplicate Bridge Tournament.

The tournament, sponsored by the Hernando County Bridge Association and the Spring Hill Duplicate Bridge Club, began Thursday with 160 serious players from across the state sitting north, south, east and west, putting their cards on the tables. It continues through Saturday.

Ten minutes into the event, chairman John Cleary declared it would become an annual tournament.

"We're pleasantly surprised by today's crowd. I'd like to see about 400 people by the end," Cleary said.

There was none of the loud chatter, smoke-filled air and mugs of beer that might typify some card parties.

Seated at 45 tables were women in every kind of garb, from camp shirts sporting prize bridge hands in glitter and applique to afternoon dresses, pearls and heels.

The men's uniform was polo shirts and slacks or shorts - casual.

The division of sexes was about 50-50. Of all the players, 159 of them were of pretty much the same age and ilk.

Most have a college background, discretionary income and leisure time. But in the middle of the crowd was Ryan Miller of Tampa. He's 12, going into the seventh grade at Coleman Middle School, and was having a heck of a time.

"Grandma talked me into lessons" Ryan said. "Then I read a book and started playing, and it's great."

The poised, articulate youngster kept up with the crowd, playing well.

At the other end of the competitive spectrum were former world senior champion Ed Schulte and former national senior champion Jayne Thomas, both of Tampa.

Between the extremes were ordinary players from novice to expert. Some have played for a few months; some for years. Rita Johnson said she's been playing for 150 years.

"At least that's how it feels," she quipped.

She and table mate Joe Glazer of Hernando had a gentle debate about when you might call yourself an expert.

"Some play all their lives as novices," Glazer said.

A longtime player, he wishes there were more young people coming into the game, once a huge college pastime. "When dorms went coed," Johnson observed with a wink, "bridge was doomed."

Carol Carlson of Land O'Lakes and Rose Paulette of San Antonio are regular bridge partners.

Carlson said she needed the experience. Paulette said the socializing brings her out.

All of the players play the same hand of cards against a series of partners who all rank differently. It's a good opportunity, they say, to see how other players handle challenges. There are no prizes; the reward is improving your rank.

Every 20 minutes, like a ballet, players glide quietly around the room and settle at a new table. With brief introductions and briefer small talk, they go at it again.

Socializing comes on the hour at hospitality breaks when players sample snacks and refresh their coffee cups. They'll do this routine for a half day, or a full seven-hour day. Many will play all three days of the tournament.

Some drop in and out. All of them say they enjoy the idea of preserving a healthy pastime.

Maryan Pelland can be reached at maryan@ontext.com.

[Last modified June 9, 2006, 09:45:45]