Bridging Minds: Dynamics and Interactions of Elite Players

Bridging Minds - Andrew Robson England

Overview

This project examines the views and behaviour of elite bridge players and the strategies they use at the table. Findings are drawn from in-depth interviews with 52 elite players from the USA, UK and Europe carried out between 2013 and 2019. The interviews covered a wide range of topics including the characteristics of the card game, partnership and team dynamics, challenges, motivations, barriers to participation, opportunities for skill development, professionalisation, gender and engagement across the lifecourse.

The majority of interviews were held between 2013 and 2017. From 2018 until 2020 the data was analysed for academic purposes. The research findings were published between 2020-2023. Research paper summaries, infographic posters and a SciPod video are used by bridge organisations, teachers and bridge clubs to promote bridge as a mindsport.

Funders

World Bridge Federation, John Matheson, Bernard Teltscher, English Bridge Education and Development, European Bridge League, American Contract Bridge League Educational Foundation, American Contract Bridge League, BAMSA

Book

Bridging Minds

Punch, S. (2021) Bridge at the Top: Behind the Screens, Toronto: Master Point Press

Journal Articles

Bridging Minds

Punch, S. and Snellgrove, M. (2023) Bridging Time: Negotiating Serious Leisure in Intimate Couple RelationshipsAnnals of Leisure Research.

Punch, S. and Russell, Z. (2022) Playing with Emotions: Emotional Complexity in the Social World of Elite Tournament Bridge, Emotions and Society, 4(2): 238-256.

Russell, Z., Punch, S. and McIntosh, I. (2021) Blurring the Boundaries Between Leisure and Work: Professionals as Devotees in the Mind-Sport Bridge, International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure, 5: 13–32.

Punch, S., Russell, Z. and Cairns, B. (2020) (Per)forming Identity in the Mindsport Bridge: Self, Partnership and Community, International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 56(6): 804-822.

Punch, S. and Snellgrove, M.L. (2020) Playing your Life: Developing Strategies and Managing Impressions in the Game of Bridge, Sociological Research Online, 26(3): 601–619.

Book Chapters

Bridging Minds

Punch, S. (2021) ‘Interview with Heather Dhondy’, Bridge at the Top: Behind the Screens, Toronto: Master Point Press