It takes a lot of work and dedication to become an ACBL Life Master. I’d imagine there are many wildly enthusiastic bridge players who might spend a lifetime playing and not reach the rank in their time. It’s certainly something that a lot of players aspire to, and looking at the rankings of the youngest Life Masters over the years, I’ve learned something about countering the most common bridge myths of all time.

Back in 1939, the record for the youngest Life Master went to player John Crawford at the age of 23. In more modern times, the same record went to player Zach Garrison from Texas at the age of 9.

Don’t let me hear anyone say that the game of bridge is suited to or only preferred by an older generation: Younger players can certainly kick ass at the table and I think the myth of bridge as an older persons’ game went out the window.

According to the original press release from the ACBL, Zach first picked up the game of bridge in 2009 when he read about the youngest Life Master chosen before him. Subsequently, he was taught how to play by his parents Kristy and David and appears to have took to the game like a natural.

To be exact, Zach became a Life Master at 9 years, 2 months and 7 days in 2012.

He might even be one of the youngest players to have his game published in the New York Times. (Link: NY Times)

It’s one of the most inspirational stories I’ve seen from the world of bridge, and whenever I see someone repeating the myth that bridge is a game filled mostly with older people or saying that it’s not a young-person’s game, I point to Garrison as one of the first counter-arguments (and then second, to any number of younger champion players to mention, many active on BBO).

If we take a closer look at statistics and what’s really happening in bridge today, one of the most common bridge myths that you used to hear first when mentioning the game in casual, non-player conversation has become something of the past.