Played with a simple pack of cards, Bridge is a mind sport, comparable to chess or 500 on steroids and millions of people are involved in playing it around the world.
Famous players include Bill Gates, Omar Sharif, and Martina Navratilova, who is quoted as saying, “No matter where I go, I can always make new friends at the bridge table.”
Franklin Bridge Club was founded in 1957, meeting on King Street and over the years, many other venues. When in 1992, the building at 20 Edinburgh St, became available for purchase, the club jumped at the opportunity to own their own premises at last, with funds saved from previous attempts to purchase a home base.
Fully refurbished, the Club Rooms, were opened on 10th March, 1993. Able to seat up to thirty tables, the club hosts regular regional and national tournaments. It is also famous for its mouthwatering in-house catering.
Bridge is relatively easy to learn, though harder to master and the club is looking to encourage new members to join and learn the art of playing with upcoming lessons are on Thursdays 7-9pm over ten weeks. The sessions are split between lessons and lots of fun play with other beginners, practicing what was taught in a relaxed environment.
For those who’ve played before but are a little rusty, we also offer supervised play, overseen by a more experienced player.
While competitive, bridge is a social game. Not only do you make great friends, the game stretches your logical skills, strengthens your memory, and tests your patience.
“I have been a member of the Franklin Bridge club for 3 years now and wish I’d started years ago. This is a very social club (recently a group of us that I met through Bridge did a train trip to the Chateau on Mt Ruapehu with a few hands of Bridge on the way), there is plenty of time to get to know others or ask about the game, before moving to the next table for another challenge.”
“My name is Lynne and I have been a member of Franklin Bridge Club for over 40 years. I originally joined the club because I loved playing cards, my family played 500, Euchre, cribbage, Poker, you name it, we played it! I have had the honour of representing New Zealand overseas four times and have also had the pleasure of teaching over 200 people the game. This is a fun game of playing at the level you feel comfortable with, making new friends and enjoying the challenge with the other newbies.”