Players bridge the gap during lockdown
LOCALS EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON BRIDGE GAMES
WITH so many social outlets currently closed across the county, people in the community with a passion for playing bridge have embraced technology and have begun keeping in contact with each other and pursuing games online.
One of those very involved in the game in County Wexford is Jim Doyle from Bree.
He spoke to this newspaper to highlight how bridge players all around the county have utilised technology and the American platform, Bridge Base Online (BBO) to continue enjoying their favourite game while remaining at home.
‘The Bridge Centre in Ferrybank, home to eight different Wexford town based bridge clubs, is closed,’ said Mr Doyle.
He highlighted that the hotels, pubs, schools, sports facilities and community centres around the county that are currently closed are the normal venues for bridge clubs from Gorey, Kilmuckridge, Ferns, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Rosslare, Cushinstown, Carrig-on-Bannow, Saltmills and New Ross.
‘It means hundreds of bridge players around the county who play have been left without their regular game for the past couple of months,’ he said.
Some of the players involved play once-a-week while others participate as much as fourtimes-a-week.
However, thanks to technology, better internet connections and BBO, many of those players are now continuing to enjoy the game by playing online.
‘Prior to March 2020, probably not more than 20 of County Wexford’s bridge players were regulars on BBO,’ said Mr Doyle.
‘Now however, that number is growing rapidly and with a return to the tables and holding the actual cards in your hands probably still a long time away, it is likely that more and more will continue to register to play online and enjoy the benefits of bridge while never having to leave the comfort of their own living room,’ he added.
BBO runs 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and it provides free online bridge play for anyone interested.
Mr Doyle said that such is the increase in activity on the platform during the worldwide shutdown that it has experienced problems in coping with demand.
He said that in normal circumstances having 20,000 people online on the site at any one time would have only occurred when events like the final of the Bermuda Bowl is on [the world championships of bridge].
‘However BBO has had to upgrade its facilities and servers since March and it now caters regularly for more than 50,000 people online at a time,’ said Mr Doyle.
He said people across Co Wexford are logging in to play a nice social game with their friends for free. ‘Some are also organising games for the afternoons,’ he said.
Mr Doyle started offering assistance to bridge club members in Enniscorthy and Wexford to help them log on and begin playing online.
However, he said the rise in popularity of going online to play the game locally has been amazing.
‘A number of players from other clubs around the county also started to play online and gradually brought some of their own members on board,’ he said.
‘Word soon spread and now players from all around the county are playing and as soon as one person starts they tend to invite others of their circle to play and so the numbers increase day-by-day,’ added
Mr Doyle.
He highlighted that in addition to giving people the chance to continue enjoying their game it’s also proved very beneficial for those who are living on their own and have been unable to venture out for the last couple of months.
Some of the those who are now playing online were unfamiliar with the workings of computers and laptops even a few weeks ago and that in itself has led to an increased level of confidence.
‘I’m loving it, it’s a life saver,’ said one of the local players who has embraced the online game.
‘The night passes very quickly, I’m really enjoying it,’ she added.
Another player commented: ‘I’m so happy I joined. I’m looking at the benefits in the long term when I wont be able to drive.’
Meanwhile, Mr Doyle said some of the people teaching bridge have also started getting their beginners online and are running their bridge lessons without ever having to leave their own house.
‘All you need to get online and start playing bridge is a PC, laptop, tablet or iPad and an internet connection,’ he said.
‘No computer experience is required but a little knowledge of the game of bridge is essential,’ he added.
Anyone not already online but who might be interested in trying it out can contact Mr Doyle directly on 086 3619911.