I almost can’t believe that I’m starting a post with this here sentence, but it turns out that there are still rumors floating around about the great game of bridge.

We’ve all heard a bridge rumor or myth.

Bridge is for old people, bridge is complicated, bridge games are secretly swingers’ parties.

Oh, what, you haven’t heard the last one yet?

Whoops. I didn’t mean to introduce one to the mix.

I’ve had a lot of discussions about bridge. It goes without saying that I’ve also heard some weird things.

Let’s talk about what bridge is (and is not).

New to bridge and still not sure what to expect from the game? Here’s what you should know.

Bridge Is…

…for everyone.

Let’s get the first myth out of the way.

People of any age can enjoy bridge. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t have youth teams or tournaments to speak of.)

Sure, there are enough jokes about old people and bridge, but there are also jokes about old people and everything else.

Let’s move on.

…a mindsport.

Bridge is a mindsport.

We could debate the Olympics next, but bridge isn’t about to turn into a physical sport until we add the element of running after the cards – or possibly, throwing them at opponents.

It’s a mindsport, not a physical sport, and I’m just fine with that.

You’d be fine with it, too, if you’ve ever seen what I look like running.

…easy to learn.

If you imagine that bridge conventions are too complicated to play, just read through your nearest Dungeons & Dragons guide and see if you can figure out what on Earth is going on there as a newbie.

(Hint: it seems just as hard.)

Bridge is no harder than any other game out there.

Bridge Is Not…

…exclusively offline.

I’ve heard the argument that online bridge isn’t bridge.

What about the argument that online cheating isn’t really cheating? (Find someone who’s partner is less angry.)

Same game, same rules. Online bridge is bridge, or we wouldn’t be here, now would we?

One of the great things about the game is that it’s versatile. Online play has its place, and so do offline club games. 

…like poker or blackjack at all.

If you aren’t from the world of trick-taking games, you might be surprised to find that there a wealth of differences between bridge and everything else.

Games like poker or blackjack don’t take tricks. There’s betting, not bidding.

It can take a while getting used to.

But that’s one of the greatest things about it.

…is definitely NOT dying.

Bridge isn’t even a little ill.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve seen a lot of developments. New players. New tournaments. It’s all exciting – and every time someone types “contract bridge” into Google, an angel gets its wings. (No, not really, but it’s still great to see.)

Every now and then, someone will ask if bridge is a dying game.

And every now and then, people should remind them that it isn’t.