“Molly’s Game” is a pretty good book – and movie – that deals with the world of underground celebrity poker clubs and the woman who was in charge of one of the biggest. If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book, I recommend that you do, even if you’re more of a fan of bridge than you are of poker.

It made me wonder what celebrities I’d call to a bridge game if given the chance. I’m sure everyone has a few choice celebrities who they would think of first. Live ones, of course.

(They can, of course, consider this as much of an official invitation – or not – to join Bridge Base Online as they wish…)

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is the author of many great books including “American Gods”, “Coraline”, “Neverwhere”… And he loves including references to board games, card games and coin tricks throughout his work, which is always fantastic from the first page to the last.

Czernobog battling against Shadow Moon across a checkers board is one of the greatest scenes in fiction.

He’s an excellent strategist with a fine love for weaving twists and references throughout his work. How would he fare as a bridge player?

Jack Black

Jack Black is already known as a big gamer – and around the end of 2018 he launched a special YouTube channel where he live streams some of the games and encounters. I’d love to play nearly any game with Jack Black as an opponent, whether we’re talking about Mario Kart, a Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament or rubber bridge.

He’s also already been at several celebrity poker events, and seems to feel right at home with a deck of cards.

How about a game of bridge through Bridge Base Online on your channel next, Jack?

Jack and Michael Whitehall

If you haven’t heard of them before, Jack and Michael Whitehall are the stars of a Netflix show called “Travels With My Father”. Michael is a writer and producer, and Jack is his slightly awkward comedian offspring.

For the series, Jack takes his (extremely proper, posh and British) father on a journey through the world – and it’s gold. It also happens to be hilarious and filled with moments of laughter, horror, astonishment and sheer culture shock.

I couldn’t help but wonder how the two would get on as bridge partners.

Tobey Maguire

It’s believed that Molly Bloom makes several veiled references to Maguire in her book, and none of them paint him as a particularly good loser.

I think he was great in Pleasantville, average as Spider-Man and terrible in Seabiscuit. (The order and greatness you see these in might vary from mine, and that’s okay.) I also think his take on bridge strategy might be fascinating to see.

Thom Yorke

Radiohead’s “OK Computer” is arguably one of the greatest albums ever made (and it’s ranked #162 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums List). An interview from years ago mentions, briefly, that Thom Yorke plays bridge while on tour – and then it’s never mentioned again. 

It’s only one interview – and it seems to be one of the only times he’s ever mentioned bridge.

Year s later after this interview, I’d love to know if he still plays. (Who knows? Maybe he’s already been lurking on Bridge Base Online for years…)

Donald J. Trump

Sure, president-of-the-United-States and the perfect example of love-him-or-hate-him might be an unlikely choice for a bridge game, but I have my reasoning.

First, there have already been a few board games carrying his name, including the series of The Apprentice board games that were either great or terrible. (Hint: Terrible.)

Second,  I’d like to see the expressions around the table – and the general confusion – as he kept turning his head whenever someone yells “trumps” or “notrumps.”