THE silence of a room of 120 people masked the deep concentration, tactical tweaks and teamwork of participants in the Bendigo Bridge Club annual congress.
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The highly competitive card game tournament attracted some top bridge players from across the state - up to 90 of the participants made the trek to Bendigo from elsewhere.
Throughout Saturday, players competed in the pairs format at the Kangaroo Flat Sports Club. On Sunday, it was the team format.
Bendigo Bridge Club president Kevin Gunn said while it might just look like a room of people playing a card game, there was a lot involved in a game of bridge.
"Bridge itself is much more than just a card game, there are many layers to a game of bridge and the tactics are quite in-depth," he said.
"A lot play because they enjoy the social aspect as well. It helps to reinforce your memory too."
Players competed in Bendigo for red points, collected at tournaments across the country and added to a player's individual tally.
Attending tournaments allows players to climb the rankings.
Mr Gunn said it was a competitive process.
"If you do exceptionally well here, it can help you climb up in rankings," he said.
"Quite a lot of people go from congress to congress."
A bridge game starts with the deal, followed by the auction where players bid for cards. It's during the auction that the teamwork and understanding between a partnership can make the difference.
In tournaments, members of a team rotate from table to table for different rounds.
Mr Gunn said it was a popular sport in Bendigo, with the local club boasting 140 members.
The Bendigo Bridge Club meets at the Long Gully Community Centre at 1pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 7.30pm on Wednesdays.
The club also holds events more suitable for beginner players at 7pm Tuesday nights at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.