1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,972 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talk. Z'd be 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,133 Speaker 1: follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:16,692 --> 00:00:18,973 Speaker 2: On the line, We've got Kate Sierry. She is a 4 00:00:18,973 --> 00:00:22,732 Speaker 2: board member at New Zealand Bridge and also traveling to 5 00:00:22,933 --> 00:00:26,253 Speaker 2: China to represent New Zealand. Very soon, Kate, very good 6 00:00:26,253 --> 00:00:27,813 Speaker 2: afternoon to you. 7 00:00:27,853 --> 00:00:29,413 Speaker 3: Good afternoon, lovely to chat. 8 00:00:29,973 --> 00:00:34,613 Speaker 4: Now, Kate, are there a lot more younger people joining bridge? 9 00:00:36,093 --> 00:00:38,613 Speaker 3: You know what there are? I think that as people 10 00:00:38,653 --> 00:00:42,452 Speaker 3: think about mind sports, think about sports and events and 11 00:00:42,653 --> 00:00:45,533 Speaker 3: games that really challenge them but they can do forever, 12 00:00:45,653 --> 00:00:48,373 Speaker 3: We're starting to see some amazing young people come into 13 00:00:48,373 --> 00:00:51,173 Speaker 3: the game. And as that happens, of course they bring 14 00:00:51,213 --> 00:00:54,572 Speaker 3: in more of their friends and other people see that 15 00:00:54,573 --> 00:00:57,453 Speaker 3: they are young people playing bridge. So yes, absolutely, and 16 00:00:57,493 --> 00:01:00,933 Speaker 3: it's sorry, Kate brilliant to see yeah you go, oh no. 17 00:01:01,013 --> 00:01:05,053 Speaker 4: Sorry, But Kate young as a relative term. So when 18 00:01:05,093 --> 00:01:08,533 Speaker 4: you say younger people coming in, what's young for a 19 00:01:08,533 --> 00:01:09,133 Speaker 4: bridge player? 20 00:01:10,293 --> 00:01:14,212 Speaker 3: Young for a bridge player in their late teens, early twenties, wow, 21 00:01:14,453 --> 00:01:17,853 Speaker 3: and sometimes even younger you know, some classes have Yeah, 22 00:01:18,133 --> 00:01:20,973 Speaker 3: there is young Yeah, yeah, there are some players who 23 00:01:20,973 --> 00:01:23,413 Speaker 3: are definitely in that age bracket and a lot that aren't, 24 00:01:23,453 --> 00:01:24,173 Speaker 3: but some that are. 25 00:01:24,813 --> 00:01:26,572 Speaker 4: How smart do you have to be to play bridge? 26 00:01:26,572 --> 00:01:29,212 Speaker 4: Because I've never played it? But it's just it's famously 27 00:01:29,333 --> 00:01:31,093 Speaker 4: as you as you describe it. Did you describe it 28 00:01:31,133 --> 00:01:34,293 Speaker 4: as a mind game? It's mind sport, Yeah, mind sport. 29 00:01:34,733 --> 00:01:37,652 Speaker 4: It's you know, you can probably learn the rules to 30 00:01:37,652 --> 00:01:41,212 Speaker 4: start with, but to go and be successful out of it, 31 00:01:41,572 --> 00:01:43,093 Speaker 4: you have to be very smart, don't you. 32 00:01:44,533 --> 00:01:47,493 Speaker 3: Well you have to have a love of cards, an 33 00:01:47,573 --> 00:01:50,973 Speaker 3: enjoyment of people, be a bit competitive, and then take 34 00:01:51,013 --> 00:01:52,893 Speaker 3: it on from there. I mean, sure there's some very 35 00:01:52,893 --> 00:01:55,293 Speaker 3: smart people playing bridge, but there's some people who just 36 00:01:55,373 --> 00:01:58,333 Speaker 3: love the game and play it for enjoyment as well. 37 00:01:58,453 --> 00:02:01,493 Speaker 3: So it's smartness isn't a prerequisite. It's more about a 38 00:02:01,493 --> 00:02:03,493 Speaker 3: love of cards and a bit of a mind that 39 00:02:03,813 --> 00:02:04,773 Speaker 3: solves problems. 40 00:02:05,173 --> 00:02:07,853 Speaker 2: Have you seen any relationships blossom at your. 41 00:02:08,013 --> 00:02:12,693 Speaker 3: Class oh one or two over the years and around 42 00:02:12,813 --> 00:02:16,412 Speaker 3: the around the bridge circuit. Absolutely, and it's a beautiful 43 00:02:16,413 --> 00:02:19,412 Speaker 3: thing to see. But as well as romantic relationships, which 44 00:02:19,453 --> 00:02:22,173 Speaker 3: of course are awesome, one of the brilliant things about 45 00:02:22,173 --> 00:02:25,173 Speaker 3: bridge is the social connection that gives people, and that 46 00:02:25,333 --> 00:02:28,613 Speaker 3: is remarkable. And you know, people of every age who 47 00:02:28,653 --> 00:02:32,933 Speaker 3: play the game. That social connection, that friendship is incredible. 48 00:02:33,173 --> 00:02:34,972 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm lucky enough to have played bridge in 49 00:02:35,013 --> 00:02:37,293 Speaker 3: a few countries and it's something you can do all 50 00:02:37,333 --> 00:02:39,853 Speaker 3: around the world for many, many years, and you just 51 00:02:39,933 --> 00:02:41,893 Speaker 3: meet some fantastic people doing that. 52 00:02:42,413 --> 00:02:44,653 Speaker 4: Have you got the same bridge partner all the time? 53 00:02:45,853 --> 00:02:50,292 Speaker 3: No? No, my bridge partner I'm playing within China lives 54 00:02:50,333 --> 00:02:53,853 Speaker 3: in Wellington, so she and I are playing traveling later 55 00:02:53,893 --> 00:02:56,653 Speaker 3: on today I am going out there, but I play 56 00:02:56,693 --> 00:02:59,893 Speaker 3: with people here locally, And yeah, you play with different 57 00:02:59,893 --> 00:03:03,172 Speaker 3: people in different events. And obviously, you know, playing at 58 00:03:03,213 --> 00:03:06,933 Speaker 3: the club here in Torona is different to playing the 59 00:03:06,933 --> 00:03:10,653 Speaker 3: big tournaments and events, and the club Bridge just such fun, 60 00:03:10,813 --> 00:03:15,093 Speaker 3: amazing people. They're actually there this afternoon. They'll be having 61 00:03:15,532 --> 00:03:19,453 Speaker 3: their lovely Tuesday afternoon session, having a good time and 62 00:03:19,493 --> 00:03:22,213 Speaker 3: then going home. And who knows, new friendships sparking at 63 00:03:22,213 --> 00:03:22,893 Speaker 3: the table today. 64 00:03:22,893 --> 00:03:26,293 Speaker 4: Perhaps Yeah, Oh well that's interesting. And so look, how 65 00:03:26,293 --> 00:03:31,333 Speaker 4: do I put this? Are you more likely to you know, 66 00:03:32,453 --> 00:03:35,613 Speaker 4: succeed as a as a romantic couple if you're if 67 00:03:35,853 --> 00:03:39,173 Speaker 4: a couple is north south, you know that that sort 68 00:03:39,173 --> 00:03:43,333 Speaker 4: of you know, connection, husbands and wives or whatever, the connection. 69 00:03:43,533 --> 00:03:45,893 Speaker 4: Then if you're your friends. Is there is an advantage 70 00:03:45,933 --> 00:03:47,613 Speaker 4: and love being part of it? 71 00:03:48,813 --> 00:03:51,533 Speaker 3: Well as at all of these things, it's yes and no, 72 00:03:51,693 --> 00:03:54,813 Speaker 3: isn't it. Some there are some fantastic couples who play 73 00:03:54,853 --> 00:03:57,373 Speaker 3: amazing bridge together, I mean live in blair Fisher or 74 00:03:57,413 --> 00:04:02,533 Speaker 3: off to China, and obviously Lessandra and Tim amazing their 75 00:04:02,533 --> 00:04:06,893 Speaker 3: first international event coming up in China. And then there 76 00:04:06,933 --> 00:04:09,893 Speaker 3: are some couples who perhaps it's best that they don't 77 00:04:09,893 --> 00:04:13,013 Speaker 3: play bridge together. And there are other bridge partnerships with 78 00:04:13,213 --> 00:04:16,973 Speaker 3: people who obviously good friends, who trust one another, who 79 00:04:17,053 --> 00:04:20,973 Speaker 3: enjoy the game together, mother and daughter combinations, friends, all 80 00:04:21,013 --> 00:04:24,013 Speaker 3: sorts of different combinations. But yeah, from time to time 81 00:04:24,373 --> 00:04:27,893 Speaker 3: the couple who play well together just fabulous to see. 82 00:04:28,093 --> 00:04:30,053 Speaker 4: Yeah, Hey, I've got a question for you. If you're 83 00:04:30,093 --> 00:04:33,933 Speaker 4: north south, are you're also always north south? Or if 84 00:04:33,973 --> 00:04:36,813 Speaker 4: you are a north south, can you flip to east 85 00:04:36,813 --> 00:04:38,413 Speaker 4: west if you know what I'm saying? Or is that 86 00:04:38,453 --> 00:04:39,933 Speaker 4: just where you're having to sit down at the table? 87 00:04:40,733 --> 00:04:42,573 Speaker 3: Depends on the format of the game. So for a 88 00:04:42,573 --> 00:04:45,253 Speaker 3: club session, you'd stay north south all afternoon and you'd 89 00:04:45,293 --> 00:04:47,453 Speaker 3: be visited by the East west pairs. They travel around 90 00:04:47,493 --> 00:04:50,493 Speaker 3: the room, and in tournaments they often mix it up 91 00:04:50,813 --> 00:04:52,693 Speaker 3: so that you might be north south in one session 92 00:04:53,013 --> 00:04:55,253 Speaker 3: and then east west in another, so you'll be lost 93 00:04:55,253 --> 00:04:57,013 Speaker 3: south for a period of time, but you definitely don't 94 00:04:57,093 --> 00:04:59,493 Speaker 3: have to stay always in one seat or the other. 95 00:04:59,653 --> 00:05:01,373 Speaker 4: Have you ever been in a situation where you're playing 96 00:05:01,413 --> 00:05:04,892 Speaker 4: north south and then someone from the east starts heading 97 00:05:04,933 --> 00:05:06,613 Speaker 4: on someone from the north south? If you know what 98 00:05:06,613 --> 00:05:12,533 Speaker 4: I'm saying, didn't possibly come. You definitely can't be doing 99 00:05:12,613 --> 00:05:14,333 Speaker 4: it north south because that'd be some kind of would 100 00:05:14,373 --> 00:05:16,813 Speaker 4: be seen as some kind of tricky communication, wasn't it. 101 00:05:16,813 --> 00:05:19,133 Speaker 4: You definitely couldn't play foot seats under the table because 102 00:05:19,853 --> 00:05:22,173 Speaker 4: if you were on the same team, because then that 103 00:05:22,253 --> 00:05:25,493 Speaker 4: would be they would be seen as cheating, wouldn't it. 104 00:05:25,613 --> 00:05:28,253 Speaker 3: Well, there are ways of the ways that that possibly 105 00:05:28,293 --> 00:05:30,133 Speaker 3: would be. But I think you know, if the chemistry 106 00:05:30,173 --> 00:05:33,253 Speaker 3: is there, then you've probably got the before the session, 107 00:05:33,293 --> 00:05:36,653 Speaker 3: after the session, and manage manage the chemistry during the 108 00:05:36,893 --> 00:05:38,133 Speaker 3: during the session. Yeah. 109 00:05:38,173 --> 00:05:41,133 Speaker 4: And final question, can you make as can you make 110 00:05:41,133 --> 00:05:43,133 Speaker 4: a lot of money touring and playing in different places 111 00:05:43,133 --> 00:05:45,173 Speaker 4: and bridge tournaments? Is there a bit of cash involved? 112 00:05:46,413 --> 00:05:48,333 Speaker 3: Not really in New Zealand. I mean with some of 113 00:05:48,373 --> 00:05:52,213 Speaker 3: our most amazing players Michael Wibley whose incredible player you know, 114 00:05:52,373 --> 00:05:55,693 Speaker 3: Bridge is pretty much his life, and Ashley Bark who's 115 00:05:55,773 --> 00:06:00,253 Speaker 3: also bridge professional Nick Jacob. But in New Zealand there's 116 00:06:00,253 --> 00:06:02,693 Speaker 3: not a huge market. But around the world, yes, there 117 00:06:02,693 --> 00:06:07,253 Speaker 3: are people who make a lot of money as bridge professionals. 118 00:06:07,293 --> 00:06:11,213 Speaker 3: And our very own Matthew Bred awesome player, also young, 119 00:06:11,813 --> 00:06:15,973 Speaker 3: and has been invited to prestigious international events with significant 120 00:06:15,973 --> 00:06:19,813 Speaker 3: prize money. But for the New Zealand player typically it's 121 00:06:19,813 --> 00:06:22,173 Speaker 3: a game you love and you're not really in it 122 00:06:22,213 --> 00:06:23,173 Speaker 3: for the prize money. 123 00:06:23,613 --> 00:06:26,813 Speaker 4: How good lady, Well, good luck in China, and thank 124 00:06:26,853 --> 00:06:28,093 Speaker 4: you so much for talking to us today. 125 00:06:28,893 --> 00:06:31,213 Speaker 3: Thank you very much, and hopefully we'll have more people 126 00:06:31,213 --> 00:06:33,213 Speaker 3: coming and joining. Are you what's the great game? 127 00:06:33,253 --> 00:06:35,293 Speaker 4: What's the best way to join bridge? If you're interested? 128 00:06:36,733 --> 00:06:38,373 Speaker 3: Well, if you can't, look at the New Zealand Bridge 129 00:06:38,373 --> 00:06:41,653 Speaker 3: website and playbridge dot co dot enz, have a look, 130 00:06:42,133 --> 00:06:43,892 Speaker 3: talk to someone and we'll see at the table. 131 00:06:44,013 --> 00:06:46,773 Speaker 2: Well just quickly, Kate, I know next to nothing about 132 00:06:46,813 --> 00:06:48,853 Speaker 2: bridge if I just turn up. Is there someone that 133 00:06:48,893 --> 00:06:50,533 Speaker 2: you've got at the club who has to have the 134 00:06:50,773 --> 00:06:52,653 Speaker 2: punishing job of trying to teach me how to play 135 00:06:52,693 --> 00:06:54,933 Speaker 2: bridge or would you like me to school myself up 136 00:06:54,933 --> 00:06:56,413 Speaker 2: a little bit before I tune up to the club? 137 00:06:57,413 --> 00:07:00,653 Speaker 3: No? No, We actually have lots of lessons going on 138 00:07:00,693 --> 00:07:02,933 Speaker 3: all around the country, so if you contact your local club, 139 00:07:02,973 --> 00:07:05,533 Speaker 3: they'll tell you when they are and then people come 140 00:07:05,573 --> 00:07:09,533 Speaker 3: along and learn together and then play together, which is fantastic. 141 00:07:09,893 --> 00:07:12,013 Speaker 4: How good there you go, and maybe even fine love. 142 00:07:12,173 --> 00:07:14,853 Speaker 4: That's Kate Tierry, board member of New Zealand Bridge. 143 00:07:15,453 --> 00:07:18,093 Speaker 1: For more from news Talks at B listen live on 144 00:07:18,173 --> 00:07:21,133 Speaker 1: air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever 145 00:07:21,173 --> 00:07:23,773 Speaker 1: you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.