Playing to win: Chemical City Bridge Club doesn’t mess around Sixty serious bridge players come together to play as many as five times a week DAVE SHANE For the Daily News There are two kinds of bridge players, according to Bill Stokes of Midland. There are people who enjoy what he calls “party bridge.” Then there are those who play duplicate bridge. The first player plays for fun. The second plays only to win. Stokes is director of the Chemical City Bridge Club, a group of about 60 serious bridge players — from Mount Pleasant to Frankenmuth — who love the strategy and intensity of a serious card game.
There are The players gather two afternoons a week at two kinds of the Greater Midland bridge players... Community Center, Party Bridge players twice a week in play for fun & Saginaw, and once Betty Clark, left, and Verl Cook, right, consider their next moves in a recent game in the Chemical City Bridge Duplicate Bridge a week in Bay City. Club, which meets at the Greater Midland Community Center. Also playing at the table are Judi Kareus Some members play players play to (hand showing) and Stephen Graham. All four are from Midland. (Photo by Dave Shane/For the Daily News) five times a week in a win. game that usually takes Players receive pre-shuffled card grew up playing baseball and Because the game is about three and a half hours football and running track in high hands and bidding is done silently. played during the day, it is to complete. school. He also played football at suited for retirees and seniors. “In duplicate, the cards themselves Albion College. Stokes said his members are pri“People like the competitiveness of are shuffled and placed in sleeves. marily between the age of 60 and duplicate bridge. It offers a degree Duplicate bridge is not for everyone, Everyone plays the same board – 95. of competition,” Stokes said. “In he said, but everyone is welcome to that gets passed around the room.” party bridge, you’re just there to give it a try. Unlike party bridge, there is no have fun. Duplicate bridge players For a senior who likes to compete, laughing or joking or high-fives “We’re not getting any younger play to win.” Stokes thinks it’s the game to play. between players. … but we welcome anybody who The game hands out master points “I’ve been competitive all my life … wants to play.” “Once you sit down, there’s no through the American Contract most of us are.” Stokes can be reached at 989-835Bridge League, the parent organiza- noise,” Stokes said. “Technically, tion of all duplicate bridge players. you’re supposed to be quiet.” Stokes is a retired teacher, who 6539. November 2021 | Senior Scope 3
