Few things are more synonymous with retirement than bridge (thinking hard, we came up with cruise ships and bocce). But with the Youth North American Bridge Championships rolling into Hogtown this month, grandma is about to see a whole lot of pint-sized competition. We caught up with 11-year-old Richard Jeng from the U.S. (one of the reigning kings, along with his brother Andrew) who will shortly arrive in Toronto to defend his crown.
So what’s the deal with bridge?
It’s a card game that uses lots of logic and math and you really have to think about every card you play. It’s kind of like chess where you can calculate your opponent’s hand and your partner’s hand, and you just can’t do random stuff.
How old were you when you began playing?
I was six, my brother was nine. My mom found an advertisement for the Atlanta Junior Bridge [https://www.atlantajuniorbridge.org/] organization. They have summer camps and she enrolled us in one of the summer camps and we liked it. So we started playing bridge more often.
Isn’t it a game for senior citizens?
Actually, yes it’s true. There’s a lot of senior citizens that play because most of them have more time.
Your brother is your bridge partner. Is that a good thing or bad thing?
It’s easier if it’s your brother. If it’s your brother then you have a lot of time to practice. If your partner is from somewhere really far away, then it’s hard to discuss things.
Do you ever bicker?
Sometimes. Usually over what we should be bidding, or what we should play in a sequence.
What’s your strategy?
I really don’t know. Just play my best in all the matches and hope for the best.
What about your secret?
I just have a natural instinct. But you should be really good at math. If you’re good at math, then you’re probably a good bridge player.
After Bridge, what’s your favourite card game?
Hearts or Spades.
Why should people play bridge?
It’s a fun game. You should play.
Youth North American Bridge Championships, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, July 28