By Suellen Lee
Photos by Jessica Kudlacek
To the uninitiated, mention of the card game of bridge can evoke images of the elderly sitting around square tables of four, playing a quietly intense and mysteriously complex game. When I was younger, I certainly never thought much of bridge. It was something young people did not do. Now that I'm in my middle-aged years, however, trying to figure out how to slow down my own experiences of the subtle declinations of age, games like bridge and mahjong now evoke curiosity (Li, 2024; Tse et al., 2024). After meeting with AWA Bridge convener Amy Starling and AWA Bridge teacher Sarah Rogers before their Deepavali-themed Bridge gathering on November 4th, the mention of bridge now additionally evokes a degree of awe and, dare I say it, "mad" respect. In fact, playing bridge is more challenging than mahjong because you have to work as a partnership which involves an added layer of social interaction and challenge requiring trust and efficient communication!
While learning to play bridge takes time and dedication, it is evident, by the number of 20+ returning players to the AWA Bridge Club every week, that bridge is a game that creates avid adherents. When I observed the bridge meeting on November 4th for their Diwali celebration, there were 24 members playing around 6 tables. Sarah and Amy are hopeful that 2025 will see a return to pre-pandemic levels of participation (8-10 tables).
Bridge is also a game that can be played anywhere in the world, so that alone has international appeal especially among expatriates (you can read more about the World Bridge Federation here: http://www.worldbridge.org/). Sarah Rogers, AWA Bridge Club's teacher and mentor, who is originally from the UK, learned to play bridge when she lived in Dubai 10 years ago, and joined AWA specifically to play bridge when she moved to Singapore. Amy Starling, originally from the US, learned bridge when she lived in Prague and was trying to learn the Czech language. Her Czech teacher happened to also teach bridge and taught her to play the game as a break from learning Czech. Eventually she decided she preferred bridge and, in fact, dropped her Czech language lessons! Amy is now a certified bridge Tournament Director which was "one of the more challenging things I’ve ever done”( (the route to certification involves a 3 hour written exam as well as a practical one!).
According to Sarah Rogers, playing bridge "is a mental workout" that requires strategy, focus and attentive communication with one's partner. Even though she has been playing for years and now both teaches and mentors beginners, she is passionate about the limitless nature of the game: "I have never had the same bridge hand twice."
Bridge is also a competitive game. While the AWA Bridge Club's motto is to be the place to play the "friendliest game in town," some members can play a world-class game. Just recently in September, the Chinese Swimming Club hosted a gala event involving 40 pairs to play against each other, and 10-12 players are part of the AWA! This was the culmination of an inter-club tournament played over 4 months between 7 of the bridge clubs in Singapore. The AWA team really enjoyed taking part, learning lots along the way, and are looking forward to being part of it again next year.
Basically, once you're committed, you're committed. You become committed not only to your personal journey of continuous mental challenge but also, in a group like the AWA Bridge Club, a lifetime membership to a community of like-minded people where friendships blossom.
How to Learn Bridge
The AWA Bridge Club welcomes beginners who have attended Sarah Roger's intensive bridge training and mentoring program involving 10 lessons taught over 5 weeks. Each lesson lasts for 3 hours, from 9:30-12:30am, and there is even homework! Once one has "graduated" from Sarah's course, you are required to practice once a week for another 2-3 months. There is a waiting list for lessons starting next Spring and if you are interested email AWABridge section (insert a link)
When and where they meet
The AWA Bridge Club meets every Monday at the Hollandse Club, Singapura Room.
References
Li, D. (2024). The Cognitive Benefits of Playing Contract Bridge in Elderly Patients with Dementia. Int J Psychiatry, 9(2), 01-08.
Tse, Z.C.K., Cao, Y., Chau, B.K.H. et al. (2024). Does Playing Mahjong Benefit Older Individuals? A Scoping Review. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 11, 1363–1377. https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2024.102
 | Suellen moved from San Francisco, California to Singapore in 2019 with her husband, three sons, and geriatric cat. They have since added another furry member to their family, a "Singapore special." She runs, sometimes writes, and is a California licensed Clinical Psychologist with a part-time practice in Singapore. |
 | With a professional background in educational technology and a lifelong passion for creative pursuits, Jessica and her family moved to Singapore from Southern California. Jessica enjoys exploring Singapore from the lens of her camera, as well as other hobbies including running, tennis, and appeasing her inner “foodie.” |
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