04/22/2018
Chinese bridge players are banking on growing national interest in one of the world's most popular card games to enable them to make their mark in the global arena.
Chinese Bridge master Nie Weiping, who is an accomplished bridge player, said hosting world tournaments isn’t enough to promote the game. It should be a subject taught as a part of Junior and High school curriculum among more juniors," said Nie, who began playing Bridge when he was 14.
"I love bridge because it is teamwork. You can team up with anybody. ... You discuss tactics and work together. ... It is a good way to explore your brain and make friends," said Nie. At a recent education forum on TV, he kept viewers entertained with his wit and comments at the bad tricks he spotted during a recent tournament, and, sometimes even felt inclined to take over underperforming players' while they played their hands. The late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, who steered the country's reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, was known for his love for bridge. Nie has fond memories of teaming up with Deng in bridge wins over other top players and said the wit that Deng displayed in the games embodied the art of his leadership.
The Hong Kong based online game provider, “Ourgame”, has 500 million registered subscribers, including 25 million active ones, and reported an eightfold monthly increase in mobile subscribers during the first four months of this year.
During its congress in June, the China Contract Bridge Association said it will focus on campus competitions, with provincial groups and college bridge leagues teaming up over the next five years to connect more people to the game.
