COVID-19: the Bridge Empire Strikes Back

BeBRIDGE №02 16 MAY.JUN. 2020

COVID-19: the bridge empire strikes back

PANDEMIC Not spared by the health crisis that has affected the whole world for months, the bridge community is having to readjust at all levels. An overview of the game under lockdown, from the first difficulties to emerging solutions, to possible developments. BeBRIDGE №02 MAY.JUN. 2020 17 •LIVE by Gabriel Taïeb

+15% increase in time spent on chat and video conferencing applications in the 1st quarter of 2020.

The sequence of events is known to all: a heavy human toll, the expansion of containment measures, the closing of borders… In the face of this crisis, there have been many consequences. Among them, the sudden slowdown in the world of bridge, which has been forced e sounded the alarm, to follow established rules to stem the “ loud and clear. It’s not spread of the virus. At the start of the Wjust a public health year, competitions had to be canceled crisis: it’s a crisis that will affect all sectors.” in China and then around the world, It was with these words that the Director directly impacting professional players. General of WHO spoke on March 11, Quickly, amateurs were also affected. 2020, describing for the first time the Today, all bridge players are facing this situation related to COVID-19 pandemic. unprecedented situation. BeBRIDGE №02 18 MAY.JUN. 2020

“In this new context, the game has something reassuring. The share of usability and friendliness it provides is extremely important”. Monick Lebrun-Niesing, psychologist and researcher.

International closure faced with the cessation of their activities. As a professional bridge player and “We are on stand-by. My whole team is member of the French team, Thomas on partial unemployment, and I an busy Bessis testifies on the phone informing and reassuring 25% to the difficulties customers”, explains the director of Bridge The Norwegian encountered by Plus, Euriell Queran. The family business, federation has champions who can specialising in the organisation of trips and decided to no longer travel. simultaneous pairs, concentrate its “I and one of my normally achieves efforts on the main partners were most of its sales for development of new quickly informed of summer holidays online activities. the seriousness of the during this period. “We In addition to an situation because we had a contract in organise by staying increasing number of free and paid China, where a championship was to be in contact with our tournaments on held in March. The next to be cancelled was service providers, but Funbridge and BBO the long awaited North American Spring we are very dependent the federation's Championship in Colombus. March-April on announcements from the government members are now is normally a important period for these and the way in which the relaxation of also offered online two countries. We professional players lockdown is organised. We try to postpone learning courses. live from sponsors, a maximum of our holidays to later dates, These efforts have and competitions. mostly in September-October. Fortunately, resulted in a 25% And all of these we have very loyal and understanding reduction in the annual contracts seem customers.” federation's deficit. compromised.” Asked about his current situation, Bessis The situation abroad said that he trained every Contacted by the editorial staff of day on BBO, but only BeBRIDGE, several representatives of received “around foreign federations were able to testify to 20% of (his) usual the situation in their remuneration respective countries. during this period”. “Faced with the He nevertheless virus, Sweden has underlines the taken a completely support of his different direction sponsors, who [from other European continue to countries]. Our accompany him as country has - for the best as possible in moment at least - decided not to impose online events. confinement and to keep schools open” The situation is say two representatives of the Swedish similar for tour federation. Aware of the emergency, and on operators, who are the recommendation of the federation, the BeBRIDGE №02 MAY.JUN. 2020 19 •LIVE

vast majority of bridge clubs have nevertheless closed. “We have made the decision to cancel our most prestigious event, the Open Teams, and we are awaiting new information before deciding on the other major competitions. We encourage clubs to organise games on and employees BBO, but unfortunately their service only having tested positive accepts a limited number of new arrivals”, for COVID-19. Its deplores the president of the federation, director, Joseph Jones, Martin Lofgren. In Norway, the federation nevertheless wants 60 000 has decided to focus its efforts on the to be reassuring and players have connected development of new online activities. In indicates “the safety addition to a multiplication of free and paid and well-being of simultaneously to tournaments on Funbridge and BBO, the our employees and Funbridge and BBO teachers of the federation continue their our members are courses at a distance. These efforts made it our main concern”. to play online. possible to reduce the federation’s deficit by The ACBL was forced 25%. “But that's not to cancel major events, all! Members of our including the national national team were kind enough to test our idea ‘play with a star online’, which allows amateur players to team up with a champion. The concept appealed to many, and I think it has great potential. Maybe that will give BBO the idea of hiring professional players”, enthuses Kari-Anne Opsal, president of the www.bridge-academy.com Norwegian federation.The online approach is shared in particular by the Polish and Israeli federations, which are moving towards new solutions to maintain their activities and continue to support their national clubs. The largest representative of bridge organisations in North America, the American Contract Bridge League www.bridgebase.com (ACBL) has been directly impacted by the pandemic, with several of its players www.funbridge.com BeBRIDGE №02 20 MAY.JUN. 2020

“Faced with the massive influx of players, we have worked with federations around the world to offer alternatives”. Olivier Comte, président of 52 Entertainment.

spring and summer championships, Bringing together more than 50 Ile-de- without the certainty of being able to France clubs and 6,000 licensees, the postpone them. However, the organisation Paris Bridge Committee focuses all of its remains active “at a distance”, with daily energy on support. Its “Support Your Club” tournaments on president, Dominique BBO. In China, there are many online Portal, details the © Caroline Moreau © Caroline tournaments, and many platforms are used, actions carried out: but the federation has decided to make all “We have started to these services free to allow everyone to play. relay information allowing independent A world of solutions professionals to benefit In France, clubs – whose activities from the aid put in have ceased since March 13 on the place. We also help clubs on all technical recommendation of the FFB – are also aspects of launching tournaments remotely. evolving. Finally, we list all these tournaments, with

Ever more inventive players If Funbridge and BBO are like behemoths – all the more so today –, their limitations encourage others to be creative. Indispensable in this period of lockdown, chat and video conferencing applications such as WhatsApp, Zoom and Discord are also booming. Mobile market analysis company App Annie has also seen a 15% increase in the time spent on applications in the first quarter of 2020, with an increase in downloads of games and communication applications. It is therefore quite natural that players begin to turn to these solutions which allow them, on a private server, to chat with their playing friends and to film a game. The most experienced even turn to scripts that allow you to recreate a game directly on the chat service, or even to the Tabletop Simulator software which, as the name suggests, allows you to simulate almost any board game with the ability to configure each detail as desired. Enthusiastic spectators can also find many games broadcast live on the Twitch streaming platform. BeBRIDGE №02 MAY.JUN. 2020 21 85% •LIVE Information sites have never seen such an increase in traffic. The demand has been so great that A solidarity sites have been forced to close fund for temporarily. weakened clubs In partnership with the world federations, Funbridge and BBO quickly decided to create an aid fund for clubs, to help them get through the crisis. “As companies in the business of playing games online, our support for clubs may seem their contradictory”, confesses timetables Olivier Comte, and access president of 52 methods, Entertainment to allow our (group owner licensees to of Funbridge, BBO play quickly and Le Bridgeur), and simply.” “however, we are only On the Bridge a complementary Academy site, the service, which will never students of Alain Levy replace the real social and Michel Bessis can experience of bridge. continue their distance This is why we believe it learning, and keep in is essential to support the community”. To touch with their teachers feed this fund, the via email. Other national president of the group owner of BBO and platforms now offer clubs, such as that of Olivier Funbridge. Previously, the two sites used to special tournaments, Giard in Toulouse, host 25,000 players simultaneously. Today, as well as a new also continue their nearly 60,000 players are connected at the mode of virtual clubs, educational mission, same time. allowing the vast but they note that majority of the benefits some members have Think about the future to go to professionals difficulties in using However, for Olivier Comte, it is urgent in difficult situations. computers and online to come to the aid of the clubs, which are Building on their tools. more vulnerable than ever. “In order for success, the sites are also in the process of Nevertheless, the us to be in good health, the environment thinking about creating platforms of Funbridge and BBO stand must be in good health. This is why we are charity tournaments out as major players in this current crisis. thinking of many solutions, including to help NGOs and “For many, the only possibility to continue the creation of a solidarity fund with associations that playing is online bridge. We have a massive federations (see the ‘boxes’ below)”. are fighting against influx of players, and we quickly worked Representatives of federations, clubs COVID-19 and the with global federations to come up with and champions are mobilising behind a precariousness caused alternatives. Unfortunately, we did not common message : “Once the crisis is over, by the pandemic. anticipate such an influx and we are now it will be essential to return to the clubs to forced to limit traffic”, said Oliver Comte, support them”. BeBRIDGE №02 22 MAY.JUN. 2020

JANICE SEAMON MOLSON Bridge, my love

TESTIMONIAL From the United States, Janice Seamon-Molson, holder of four world titles shares with BeBRIDGE rowing up in a bridge her impressions of the playing family is not for Gthe faint of heart. As a child, I hated situation created by bridge and bridge players equally. After all, they took my parents away Covid-19 and her daily from me. It wasn’t until my brother, champion's life, which Michael, took up bridge and became a part of my parents lives that I started has become as virtual to play. It took me no time at all to fall in love. All I could as it is instructive. do was eat, sleep and drink bridge. From 1974 till 1990, I played for the love of the game. Then my Dad had a stroke and I took over his professional bridge business. I became a successful bridge professional. Since then, my “stock” has allowed me to pick and choose who I play with, a luxury not all people have. I only play with people I like but not necessarily my peers. I have had limited opportunity to play with experts as it is frankly too costly for both of us to give up the paycheck. So it’s only in Women’s and Mixed international events that I get that pleasure. Enter Covid – 19… I don’t have to give you the low-down. The world as we knew it shut down. We were told hunker down and stay hunkered for however long it takes. Imagine the divorce rate over this. My daughter, BeBRIDGE №02 MAY.JUN. 2020 23 •LIVE COVID-19: THE BRIDGE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Jennifer, was forced by me to leave questions. It is a continuation of Kibitz NYC and return to my home. She hasn’t the Pros which was started a few years stopped complaining since she arrived. back, as part of the common game. Fortunately for me, she is in class from Gary Cohler, David Berkowitz, Sylvia, 9-6.30 Monday through Friday. She’s a Daniel Korbel and I have been working musical theatre student. That means her with him on that. dance classes are done with hangers as I see people making youtube videos partners. I can relate! teaching bridge concepts. Another advantage of on-line To learn bridge is to love it learning. My favorite So how does a person get by these days? is a lady who sold Well those with computer comfortable out 3 days in a row “Still is there any sponsors can continue to play via on- teaching people line bridge. But not all the people I play how to use the BBO better way to spend with can do that. My 90-year-old plus software to play clients can’t. Still is there any better online. Creative your time than a game way to spend your time than a game of and needed. Patty bridge? Apparently, I am not the only Tucker, who was of bridge? Apparently, one who feels that way. The internet is inducted into the bubbling with top players playing for Bridge Hall of Fame I am not the only one the love of the game. Of course, you last year, is doing who feels that way.” don’t have to be a top player to love this online beginners game. To learn it is to love it. BBO has classes. Hopefully Janice Seamon Molson saved all our lives. Covid may well have when all this ends, saved bridge in the US. Doesn’t matter we will have developed new players and what time of day or night you look on better players for our game. BBO there are tens of thousands playing either teams or pairs. The ACBL has Degree of concentration instituted SYC (save your club) where I end this article on a personal note. daily club games are held and most, if Online bridge activities in the time of not all, of the entry money goes back to Covid are wonderful. Teaching using the the club you play through. online methods available is rockstarish. Expert bridge players in the US can However, I, personally, strongly object to hone their game and their partnerships. seeing this become the way of the future. Every day I play in a game with Kerri I do not want online events at levels of Sanborn, Jill Meyers and Sylvia Shi. the World Championships or even at We are the Baker team if there is a world the NABC or European Championships. championship for us to try and qualify For me, it’s not the way of the future. for. We play for between 1.5 to 3 hours. I have not studied anything but was told I am loving it. Jill wants Kerri to play by a reliable source that playing on the Multi and Polish 2 bids. Kerri is willing computer is a different concentration but has never done it. Easy BBO fix, level which is not as effective as actually a teaching table with perimeters set so sitting at the table. Based on the way these hands come up. Jay Whipple, I have been playing on the computer, who had been invaluable to bridge, is I really hope this is true. working on a Zoom presentation where Just learned that Quebec is banning you can enter a room of any of the four gatherings through August 31. This players and hear them talk about what means no summer Nationals. I hope all they are thinking and why they are doing of you stay safe and we see each other what they are doing. You can even ask “on the other side” of Covid. BeBRIDGE №02 24 MAY.JUN. 2020

Interview “Keeping playing is always good”

WELL-BEING Interview with Monick Lebrun-Niesing, psychologist and researcher specializing in Educational Sciences, about the positive effects of practising games

BeBRIDGE. – Why take an interest new context is to maintain ones in games in the context of your habits. We are seeking, by all means, profession? a return to normality. In addition, Monick Lebrun-Niesing. – As a play is something very inherent in psychologist in National Education, a personality. A player will identify I work mainly with children. However, himself as such, it is part of himself. I also work with the adults on the The game becomes something secure, educational team. In parallel, I did a which was there before, which thesis on children's play and I continue endures, and which makes you forget Thanks to... to publish international scientific your problems for the duration of the the Chinese Contact articles on the subject. In my opinion, game. All the more so for people of a Bridge Association games are a great educational and ‘certain age’, since they are constantly (CCBA), Marcin development tool, which enhance reminded of the idea that they are Waslowicz (Polish interactions and personalities. in danger. It's really a way to find a Bridge Union), secure area at home. Kari-Anne Opsal B.B. – How is the practice of games (WBF Norway), Modi useful today? B.B. – At the end of March, the WHO Kenigsberg and Gilad M. L.-N. – For children, play can launched the “Play apart together” Ofir (Israeli Bridge help distance learning, which can campaign which recommends video Federation) for the sometimes be difficult. However, it games during lockdown. Until then, information they have also makes it possible to establish the organisation was very critical of kindly transmitted a zone of normality, which is the video game sector. Are things to us within the reassuring, because it is part of changing for the game? framework of creating everyday life. It must therefore M. L.-N. – With or without COVID-19, this article. be maintained, because it we need to favour games that develop simultaneously stimulates our creativity and allow us to forge children and protects them a social ties, as well as to refocus on little from the external context. ourselves. I am not for excessive For bridge players, and the consumption of digital entertainment, seniors who make up the but it can be complementary. We are majority of these players, in an extraordinary situation and it's a bit similar. If they if computer-screens allow us to do can continue playing, it certain things, so much the better. is always beneficial. By However, it is a temporary substitute, joining friends online, it is important to come back to reality with whom they usually afterwards. Whether playing alone or play, they find a part with others, adults or children, it is a of ordinary life and social bond. It gives communication. friendliness, which is We discuss during the game and about extremely important. the game. It helps to negotiate with our What is difficult in this emotions. This is why it is so important.