The World’s Largest Bridge Tournament Coming to Las Vegas

Published on Tue, Jul 15, 2014 (6:54 a.m.)

Submitted by American Contract Bridge League

LAS VEGAS (July 15, 2014) – For 10 days starting on July 17, a different kind of card game – one where players participate to test their mental acuity rather than their luck – will take center stage in Las Vegas.

More than 6,500 bridge players from 15 nations are expected to attend the North American Bridge Championships hosted by the American Contract Bridge League. The NABCs are held three times a year across the U.S. and Canada to bring together players of all skill levels, from newcomer to advanced, with opportunities for everyone to play daily. NABC Las Vegas is being held at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino from July 17 to 27, with games beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout each day, ending with 11:30 p.m. sessions.

“Bringing the NABC to Las Vegas gives us the opportunity to showcase our bridge players in a city known for its card games,” said Robert Hartman, CEO of ACBL. “Many poker players also play bridge to help sharpen their analytical skills, so we expect to see many locals in attendance as well as thousands from across the U.S. and around the world.”

ACBL is encouraging Las Vegas-area residents to attend “Learn Bridge in a Day” – a session that teaches the basics of the game to beginners – on July 20 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The $20 class, led by renowned bridge teacher Patty Tucker, aims to educate novice bridge players and to promote the game to new audiences.

Every summer at the NABC, the ACBL holds the Youth NABC and Collegiate Championship. Approximately 150 players are participating in this year’s Youth NABC, which is reserved for players under the age of 19. The Collegiate Championship, which will be held July 19 and 20, will feature players from seven schools, including the University of Washington, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Illinois, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Chicago, Cornell University and Columbia University.

“The Las Vegas bridge community is thrilled to be hosting this year’s NABC, especially the Youth NABC, which gives us the opportunity to show off the next generation of bridge players and grow the game among our younger players,” said Bonnie Bagley, NABC Las Vegas committee chairwoman.

A number of bridge players will be honored at the Hall of Fame dinner on July 17 at the Las Vegas Hilton, including Jill Meyers, a composer known for her work on TV series such as “House of Cards” and “The Voice.” Other inductees include Chip Martel, Peggy Sutherlin and Billy Rosen. Hall of Famer Bob Hamman, widely considered to be one of the world’s greatest bridge players, will receive the ACBL’s Sportsmanship Award.

The world’s largest bridge tournament is expected to generate approximately $8.5 million in economic activity for Las Vegas. In addition, the ACBL Charitable Foundation will be presenting a $5,000 check to the Children’s Service Guild, a nonprofit dedicated to the assistance of children affected by the Clark County Family Court System.

About the ACBL
Founded in 1937, the ACBL is the largest bridge organization in the world, serving 167,000 members and 3,200 bridge clubs and sanctioning 1,100 sectional and regional tournaments annually. The ACBL’s three North American Bridge Championships each attract up to 6,500 players representing every state in the United States, Canada and about 20 other foreign countries. A challenging and rewarding card game, bridge attracts players of all ages and walks of life – from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to poker star Phil Gordon. For more information about the ACBL, visit www.acbl.org.