Source: Howard Bigot-Johnson’s Bizarre World of Bridge
Bridge is not a sport because it lacks the physical element!!! …
How come archery, rifle shooting and darts are all classed as sports when the key objective of all the competitors is to remain perfectly still , before executing shots by the… oh so careful pull and release of an arm , the finger squeeze of the trigger and a forward flick of the wrist?
What physical element there is in these sports falls into absolute insignificance when compared to the physical demands of bridge.
Indeed , I have examined in detail the physical movements highly competitive bridge players undertake when performing in top class events. And let me tell you, many of them are energy sapping and exhausting. So let’s look at some of the physical demands put upon bridge players which people ( including judges ) have failed to see…
1. Repeatedly getting up and down from chairs
2. Holding up cards for long periods of time
3. Placing and picking up cards onto and off the table
4. Sorting cards into suits and rank order
5. Repeatedly fanning , folding and re-fanning their cards
6. Shrugging shoulders in abject disgust and despair
7. Leaning well back in condescending delight and smugness
8. Leaning well forward to eye-ball unethical opponents
9. Squirming about in seats in absolute discomfort and distress
10. Strumming fingers on the table to flag up impatience or boredom
11. Nervously scratching forbidden zones of their bodies
12. Tensing facial muscles prior to making an awkward or difficult decision
13. Violently grabbing partners to shake some goddamn sense into them
14. Launching bridgemates with some velocity to demonstrate frustration and anger
15. Ripping up score cards in absolute disgust
16. Slamming exit doors with extreme gusto for dramatic effect
17. Jumping up and down either in rage…. or with glee
18. Craning necks in order to obtain a better view
19. Regularly going off on intelligence gathering walkabouts
20. Racing after officious TDs to give them a piece of their mind
21. Running to the bar for urgently needed therapeutic refreshments and/or liquid stimulants
22. Jostling for a better position in the buffet queues
23. Ducking and diving to escape the wrath of their team-mates
24. Puffing out chests to bloat and inflate their self-importance even more
25. Writhing about in shame and embarrassment as their wretched scores come under
close scrutiny
Judy Kay-Wolff, Bobby Wolff’s wife commented: The above encompasses a detailed description of what I consider involuntary gestures which, despite denials, are in many people’s repertoire while playing our favorite game. Perhaps, if more restraint was exhibited and attention was paid to these offensive reflexes, it would make for a more pleasurable environment. Bridge causes much stress (especially to serious participants) and is a method of letting off steam .. usually at the cost of one’s adversaries.
Cheers,
Judy Kay-Wolff