World Computer-Bridge Championship Returns to USA

Stephen Smith writes "Computers are as good as (or better than) the best humans at such games as Othello, checkers, and chess. What game will computers conquer next? If it's not go or poker, it might be the card game bridge. The World Computer-Bridge Championship returns to the USA for the first time in six years, running from 13 July 2004 to 18 July 2004 at the Hilton New York (Concourse A, lower level) in Manhattan. Eight bridge programs are scheduled to compete; our program, Bridge Baron, will try to avenge its loss to Jack in last year's final. Spectators are welcome and admission is free."

Comments

Too bad

[scot4875]

I'd expect /. to be one of few places that might harbor people that respect games like bridge, but apparently I'm overestimating the readership.

I've been playing for about 5 years. At this point I've learned that there's *so* much to learn about the game that I can never expect to know everything.

It's a very refreshing change from, say, computer games of the multiplayer RTS/FPS variety, because ultimately there are a very finite set of strategies that work well. After playing for a month or two, it's mostly a matter of refining your play.

I love video games, but bridge is the only game that's kept me playing continuously for the past 5 years. Not only for the mental challenge, but also for the social aspect. It's cool hanging around with some of my old college professors and beating them every once in a while.

Whatever happened to intellectual hobbies? I find it frustrating that I can't find anyone my age (mid 20s) interested in picking up a deck of cards unless it's some mindless drinking game. I work with a lot of intelligent people, but the closest any of their interests come to bridge is Warhammer 40k.

It's *so* much easier to deal a deck of cards (or 2, or 3, depending on how many people are playing) than setting up a LAN party. Why is it so much harder to find 3 people to play bridge than it is to find 10 to play Quake 3?

--Jeremy