Atlanta Plays Host to Bridge Players of All Ages from Around the Globe

Contact: Darbi Padbury

Cell: 901.487.0504

Email: Darbi.Padbury@acbl.org

Atlanta Plays Host to Bridge Players of All Ages from Around the Globe

10-Day Tournament from August 1 – 11

ATLANTA – More than 5,000 card players will be in Atlanta Aug. 1 -11, for the Summer 2013 North American Bridge Championships (NABC).  The tournament will take place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, located at 265 Peachtree St. NE in downtown Atlanta. The NABC is one of three sponsored annually by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), and features card play for players of all skill levels with games at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. daily.

“This Summer’s tournament is unique in that our annual youth and collegiate championships will segue immediately into the World Youth Open Bridge Championship,” said NABC Chairman Jack Feagin. “We expect to see hundreds of youth players from more than 25 countries.”

The ACBL’s Youth North American Bridge Championships takes place Aug. 1-3 while the World Youth Open Bridge Championship, sponsored by the World Bridge Federation, is Aug. 4–11. It has been more than 20 years since the last time the U.S. hosted a World Open Youth Bridge Championship.

The NABC is open to all players and spectators alike. There will be free bridge lessons from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 3 and Aug. 5 taught by renowned author and one of the most influential personalities in bridge: Audrey Grant. For those looking to learn the game or refresh their skills, Patty Tucker of Atlanta Junior Bridge offers a $20 seminar titled, “Learn Bridge in a Day” on Tuesday, July 30 from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 4 from 1 to 6 p.m.

“Bridge is an age-old past time that’s been around since the 16th century in one form or another,” said Feagin. “We’re ecstatic that today, there are still thousands of avid players and hundreds of youth from all over the world traveling to Atlanta for the NABC.”

For more information on the tournament schedule, classes or how to participate, please visit www.acbl.org/nabc.  

About the ACBL

Indisputably the most challenging card game ever invented, bridge attracts players of all ages and walks of life - from Microsoft founder Bill Gates to tennis star Martina Navratilova. Founded in 1937, the ACBL is the largest bridge organization in the world, serving 165,000 members, 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 5,000 players representing every state in the United States, Canada and about 20 other foreign countries. For more information about the ACBL, visit www.acbl.org.