Their First Game

The first Saturday of every month Atlanta Junior Bridge has a sanctioned duplicate bridge game just for young players. One of the clubs donates their space, one of our teachers donates his time to direct and a local bridge organization pays the sanction fees.

We teach classes over the Metro Atlanta area and many of our students don't have an opportunity to see the other young players very often. We want to give the kids who have been playing a few years a chance to see their friends, play a game and generally just visit with each other. This also gives the new students coming along an opportunity to meet some of the more experienced youngsters, play in a game and learn about deportment, rules and how a game 'works'; all in a comfortable non-threatening environment.

I can't say enough nice things about the more experienced kids who come and play every 1st Saturday and welcome and encourage these new players.

This last Saturday's five table game was attended by two new players who had never played in a game and knew only one of the other players(a school mate). They were understandably nervous; new people, a new experience, only a few months of bridge and their bridge teacher wasn't able to be there. When I welcomed them and asked their names, they spoke so softly I could barely hear them.

Well, they came into the game and by about the third round they were talking, laughing and making friends. They plan on continuing their classes and are coming to the next game. The attitude of our existing players towards these newcomers determined what kind of experience they had - as it turned out, a great one!

By the way, the newcomers came in 1st in the beginner flight and won masterpoints!