Bridge is a game that sees thousands of people contribute to its lexicon and livelihood every single day – and every time they open up their browser to play a game of bridge. (Thanks to everyone who contributes, reads, likes, shares and participates!)

Here’s a list of 5 bridge personalities who helped shape the history of the game we have today. 

#1: Andrew Chen
The Youngest ACBL Life Master

Young Andrew Chen became the youngest ACBL Life Master in 2020 at the age of 8 years and 3 days. (At this age, I wasn’t a championship anything just yet, and this is an incredibly impressive feat to see happen; hopefully, he continues to play the game well into the future!)

#2: Peter Pender
The Origins of the Vugraph

What we know today as Vugraph software was called the PenderGraph when it was first used in 1991 – and it was funds from Peter Pender’s estate that led to its introduction and popular use.

#3: Edgar Kaplan 
Editor of The Bridge World for More Than 30 Years

Editors change, and editors usually change often. It’s notable that Edgar Kaplan kept his position as editor of The Bridge World for more than a 30 year stretch – and did an excellent job in the process. (He also gave us tons of great bridge books, but that’s an entirely different article or two.)
 

#4: Geir Helgemo
The World Champion

Geir Helgemo is one of the top-ranked bridge players in the entire world. When he was temporarily banned from the game for a positive doping test, a great deal of the bridge universe showed support for a great player (and I’d say it forced re-examining of how to play bridge).

#5: Dr ME DuBisette
Founder of the ABA