Bridge has been a popular IWP activity for many years, and the growth in IWP membership has been reflected in the IWP Social Bridge Club which currently has around 80 members. The group has regular sessions in Estoril (Mondays) and Lisbon (Thursdays) where members meet to exercise their brains and also to meet new people, socialise and have fun.

Bridge or Contract Bridge is an auction and trick-taking card game for four players in two partnerships. Most of the IWP sessions are social Chicago bridge where players deal hands and play four rounds at a time. The format lends itself to changing partners and/or opponents throughout the afternoon.  There is more than one system for Contract Bridge; in Portugal the 5-card major system is most common and is what the IWP Social Bridge Club recommends.  It is the most widely played system worldwide and is different from ACOL played in UK.  If you have learned a different system it is very simple to adapt.

Contract Bridge is played as a partnership but you don't need a partner to play bridge with IWP. Members sign up for the regular sessions on a WhatsApp poll to ensure that there are sufficient players for 4 per table, some sessions players can arrange their own partnership if they wish to but it is not mandatory, in other sessions the tables and partners are allocated randomly. 

Many of the IWP Social Bridge Club members enjoy healthy competition so tournaments are held approximately once a month, and many of the ladies also enter open tournaments in the area. There are tournaments for all standards - from beginner to advanced.

If you have never played bridge, or never even played cards but would like to give the game a try then now is the time. A ten week course for beginners, in English, will start on 29 September.  The 90 minute lessons on Monday afternoons will be hosted on zoom, giving students the flexibility to attend even if they are not in the Estoril/Lisbon area. Mid course one of the lessons will be held face to face in Estoril to give students a feel for handling cards, using bidding boxes and to meet course mates. By the end of the course students will be equipped to play at IWP sessions where they will find support and guidance to consolidate what they have learned and to grow in confidence.

Playing Contract Bridge offers a multitude of health benefits - primarily focused on mental stimulation and social interaction. It's a game that engages both sides of the brain, enhancing cognitive functions like memory, logic, and problem-solving. There is also evidence to suggest that it can positively impact the immune system as the brain stimulation leads to an increase in immune cell numbers.

If you would like to know more about about joining regular sessions visit the events calendar.  For more information or to enquire about the Beginner Course contact Claire Banazol (iwpsocialbridgeclub@gmail.com).