Bridge has been a favorite card game in Shelby County since the 1930s.

It is a mentally stimulating game played with one deck of cards by four people who form two partnerships.

A competitive trick-taking card game of skill and chance, bridge may be a bit difficult to learn, but it provides many years of mentally challenging enjoyment.

Whist, the forerunner of bridge, can be traced back to the early 16th century in England.

In 1742 Edmond Hoyle wrote a short treatise devoted to Whist.

It became a best seller. In 1925, while on a cruise, Harold Vanderbilt perfected the game we know as Contract Bridge which is the most popular version of bridge today.

In 1931 The Culbertson Summary and Culbertson&8217;s Blue Book, both instructions for the bridge game, topped all book sales.

President Eisenhower regularly played bridge in the 1950s on Saturday nights with experts.

He was considered an excellent player.

After Vanderbilt refined bridge, its popularity in the United States and in Shelby County as well, grew very rapidly.

Pat Bird, of Calera, remembers, &8220;I began playing more than 45 years ago when there were two bridge clubs in Calera.&8221;

She said that later these clubs merged with a group from Alabaster.

Bridge playing in Montevallo is reported as early as the 1930s. Today there are more than six clubs in that town.

The growth is reflected in other parts of the county.

However, most of the players are seniors.

Martha Cox of Westover is an avid player who has taught many classes. Several of the classes were through Continuing Education at the University of Montevallo.

She reported that she has, through the years, taught more than 1000 people to play the game.

Somewhat distressed with today&8217;s declining popularity of bridge, Martha said, &8220;Young people are not learning to play, and I am concerned; it seems that the young people today don&8217;t realize the skill and the enjoyment of the game.&8221;

Several of the area senior centers are open for &8220;walk-in&8221; card games and bridge playing.

The Pelham center welcomes players on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:30-12:00.

There is a teacher on Wednesdays.

The Helena center hosts card playing on Tuesdays 11:00-4:00 (sack lunch) and on Friday nights at 5:30 (covered dish).

The Montevallo Center is open for dominoes and card games on the second and fourth Wednesdays 1:45-4:00.

Bridge playing at the Heardmont Park center is on Wednesdays 9:00-12:00.

Riverchase Methodist Church encourages walk-in players on the first and third Fridays at 10:00 (sack lunch). It is advisable to call these locations to confirm this information.

Lessons may be arranged through Martha Cox (678-8501), Hilda Hicks (665-2635) or the Pelham Center (620-6064).

Catherine Legg can be reached by e-mail at mailto:clegg2@aol.com