There’s been an awful lot of great things happening in the bridge world this year, but also an awful lot of awful things.

Sure, the year brought us a handful of cheating scandals and bridge bans, but we’re also surrounded by a lot of wonderful players and teachers who make BBO a better place.

Let’s also remember that disasters strike other card games all the time.

Here are some disasters from the poker world to set your mind at ease about bridge.

People Try Cheating At Poker, Too

So, we’ve seen confessions of self-kibitzing and a few other cheaters caught out in the game of bridge.

But here’s the thing: it’s not exclusive to bridge.

People who are inclined to cheat have cheated every game from World of Warcraft through to poker. And the good news is that people have been caught and banned for doing it – and these games haven’t been slowed down by the occasional cheating attempt.

We shouldn’t let it affect how we view bridge.

There Was Wild Bill, Once

Someone sits down for what’s supposed to be a regular card game on a regular day, and they happen to get shot.

It’s not an ideal result, and it’s not what you imagine is going to happen when you pack in your card deck.

Let’s take a moment to remember Wild Bill.

He had a day so terrible that his hand ended up being known as the Dead Man’s Hand overall decades after the actual day.

Whenever you lack confidence in how your day is going, just think of Wild Bill. At least you’re not in ol’ Wild Bill’s boots right now, right?

Have You Seen Molly’s Game?

Molly’s Game is a great story – and based on a true one – but also shows just how quickly a couple of poker games can spiral into an uncontrollable disaster.

Imagine that you’re asked to put together “a few” poker games. Then you happen to find out that they’re played for high-stakes – and also illegal. Then, a bunch of Hollywood celebrities start showing up. That’s the basic premise of Molly’s Game.

Can you even imagine this story happening in bridge?

Suddenly, Tobey Maguire shows up to your club game and drops $20, 000 on the table for rubber bridge against your best.

How on earth would anyone even react?