“I didn’t want to play that old lady’s game”, was Jana Bott’s first impression of bridge when she tagged along with a friend to Nelson Bridge Club in 1977.
But where the cards have fallen for the now 71-year-old Motueka bridge player is Grand Master status.
“It has taken a long time to get there, [30 years], and it’s pretty much an honour. I’ve really enjoyed every minute of playing, and playing with some amazing people,” she says.
“If you have good [bridge] partners you can get there. In recent years I’ve travelled all over the country and each time you play in a tournament you get more what we call ‘A’ points.
“You need 500 ‘A’ points to become a Grand Master, and normally you get them in twos, fives, tens and 20s is the most you can earn at one time.”
Jana says one of her bridge partners was fellow Motueka Contract Bridge Club member Ray Cannell, whom she competed alongside for 25 years.
She says she was “hooked” on bridge after six weeks of keeping a friend company at Nelson Bridge Club, where she is still a member, in 1977.
“I loved every second of it… it was a revelation to me that it was a fantastic game,” she says.
“The one thing about bridge is that no matter how long you play you’re still learning, if you like playing 500 [a card game], you’d love playing bridge.
“It’s full of logic, the ability to count, and companionship.”
Jana, who has also been a member at Richmond Contract Bridge Club for 14 years and at Motueka Contract Bridge Club for 10 years, says she would play bridge up to four times a week at the three of clubs, or online, on her Grand Master journey.
She also serves on the Top of the South regional bridge committee as its treasurer.
Jana says more young people should come out from under the bridge to try their hand at the card game.
“For school kids, playing bridge online is really good for them,” she says.
Email: rjtip@kinect.co.nz to register for beginner evening lessons at Motueka Contract Bridge Club.
