DUPLICATE/contract bridge is a fascinating, challenging rewarding game - a game that offers more then just playing the cards.

According to the Australian Bridge Federation (ABF), "Bridge provides an excellent way to improve a player's logical thinking skills, concentration, inferential reasoning, problem-solving ability, including social and communication skills, as well as other aspects."

Bridge can be played by all ages and nationalities, joining the likes of Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Agatha Christie, Omar Sharif and sharing a hand backstage, the band members of RadioHead.

The game itself evolved around the end of the 19th century and was fine-tuned by American Harold S. Vanderbilt in the mid-1920s, while lazing away on a cruise, into the game of bridge as we play it today.

Making a decision to learn the partnership game of bridge, will open a world full of new delights and a couple of hard-aches.

Helping to develop your skill and understanding within the game, the game itself is a great leveller, prizing itself on ethics and etiquette.

(it is often heard said, "a Roster one day, a feather duster the next")

The local ABF-affiliated club is the Bendigo Bridge Club.

The club meets at the Long Gully Community Centre, Havilah Road, Long Gully.

Sessions run on Monday and Friday afternoons from 1.30pm until 5pm and on Wednesday evening from 7.30pm until 10.45pm, with a supervised session on Tuesday evening from 7.15pm until 10.30pm at the Quarry Hill Croquet Club in Olinda Street.

Bendigo Bridge Club is offering come and try days at the Bendigo Library on Wednesday, March 4, Thursday, March 5, from 1pm to 4pm. Allare  welcome.

These lead into Bridge lessons starting on Tuesday, March 10, also at the library, at 7pm for a 7.15pm start until 9.30pm for 11 weeks, conducted by Peter Marley, a renowned Bridge teacher and director.

For more information, visit, www.bendigobridge.org.au, email either bendigo.bridge@gmail.com or president@BendigoBridge.org.au, or phone Kevin on 0407 823 373

The general information in this article is attributed to the ABF new members information kit.