RealBridge Bidding Contest - September 2024 Rankings

Dror was also the solo winner of the August competition, whilst this month he leads all-comers in a six-way tie. He is a 42-year-old lawyer from Jerusalem. He is married with a son and two daughters. He says, "I have been very fortunate to have my father, Asher, as a bridge partner, and I am thankful for his continued guidance and support."

Francois, from Paris, France, is a previous two-time winner. He is 66 and he has been playing for many years with some good results in national events ("but too many second places" he admits). He stopped playing 13 years ago for professional reasons and returned  to the game thanks largely to Covid.

Lysander, from New Zealand, has led the 2024 annual competition since moving to the top of the table with victory in the May competition. She is a 23-year-old graduate student at the University of Auckland. She learned bridge in 2015 and started playing tournaments just over a year ago. She says, "I am thankful to my long-term partner, friends, and community for their continued support and encouragement."

Mike is an anesthesiologist who says he is "trying to work less and become a bridge playing hobby farmer. I learnt bridge in Australia 20 years ago, but have never been able to commit to a regular partnership due to work. Hoping to be able to do this as I cut back on work. I find myself more able to concentrate on bidding theory than playing as I am often too tired to concentrate for the length of time required for longer games.”

Now 79 years old, Christian Mari first played bridge when he was 23. He made his debut for France just five years later, winning a silver medal at the 1973 European Championships, and then gold a year later. Christian was a member of French teams that won three European and three world championship titles (the Olympiad in 1980 and 1996 and the Bermuda Bowl in 1997). “I love cats and dogs”, says Christian.