The Osoyoos Seniors Centre offers various leagues and levels of bridge, ranging from beginners to high levels of duplicate bridge each and every week. These four ladies recently attended a session on the finer points of learning to play competitive bridge. They include (clockwise from far left) Marion Wilson, Helen Shipston, Arden Penner and Myrna Peterson. (Keith Lacey photo)
There aren’t too many pursuits in life where octogenarians can compete against – and beat – competitors half their age and younger.
But that’s certainly the case in duplicate bridge – a card game that continues to enjoy tremendous success here in Osoyoos, across Canada and around the world, said Don Forsyth, one of the few accredited “bridge masters” in the Okanagan Valley.
After being introduced to bridge by his parents at a very young age, Forsyth has possessed an obsession and passion for the game of bridge and has been playing and promoting the game since he moved to Osoyoos back in 1986.
“I have a passion for the game and have since I first played when I was about eight years old,” said Forsyth. “I played other competitive sports throughout my life … but bridge is one of the few activities where a couple of old guys in their 80s can compete and do well against much younger competition.
“You can play this game at a very high level for your entire life, which is very appealing to a lot of older people.”
Every Monday evening, the Osoyoos Seniors Centre is a hub of activity as members of the Osoyoos Desert Bridge Club gather for an evening of duplicate bridge.
All newcomers are welcome to join any time, said Forsyth.
The Osoyoos Desert Bridge Club played host to a sectional tournament last spring and more than 160 players from across the South Okanagan and many other parts of British Columbia and Washington State came to town.
When he retired after a long career as a teacher, Forsyth became very serious about competitive bridge and spent two years travelling around the world to major competitions.
“I had a goal to become a master, which is similar to becoming a chess master, so I played all over the world and finally attained that goal,” he said proudly.
The “beauty of duplicate bridge” is it takes great teamwork between partners to enjoy any kind of success, said Forsyth.
“I compare it to tennis in that you can take the two best tennis players in the world and they can’t beat any of the top doubles team,” he said. “In bridge, you’re only as good as your partner and how you play together as a team.
“You can be conservative or bold based on how you read your teammate and at the very highest levels, you don’t play the cards, but you play people. It’s very much like high-stakes poker in that you try and read your opponent and you become very adept at telling whether or not they are bluffing.”
In its simplest terms, duplicate bridge is a card bidding game where you try and gain points by trying to win “tricks”. Some hands have no trump, while others use suits with spades being most powerful, followed by hearts, diamonds and clubs, said Forsyth.
Most beginners play what he calls “social bridge.”
Once you start playing tournaments, the level of competition increases dramatically and most regulars seek out tougher and more skilled competition, he said.
Forsyth encourages anyone who wants to learn more about the game, while having an opportunity to meet a lot of good people, to visit the Osoyoos Seniors Centre any Monday evening.
“We have a very active club and we play year-round, so anyone who might have an interest is welcome to join us and see what this wonderful game is about,” he said.
There are all kinds of other opportunities to play bridge at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre.
There is social bridge on Tuesday and Friday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m. and partners bridge Wednesday evening starting at 6:30 p.m.
Beginners are urged to attend an introductory teaching class about the finer points of bridge on Monday afternoons at 1 p.m.
For more information, contact the Osoyoos Seniors Centre at 250-495-6921.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
