Not so long ago, when contract bridge was extremely popular in the United States, college students who were devoted to the game sometimes had to admit that their passion for bridge greatly exceeded their fascination with their studies.

Many who attended college in the forties and fifties remember "Fourth!" ringing out from dorm rooms and student unions as play heated up and someone more studious insisted they had to go to class.

Today, bridge is enjoying a true renaissance with famous players like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates setting new standards for strategy and endurance. Although the world of parental squabbles after the guest players went home may be a thing of the past, shareholders in Lehman Brothers are painfully aware of the addictive qualities of the game. Things might have turned out very differently at Lehman if the CEO had left the table to take that call.

When Tom Pratt decided to offer bridge lessons two years ago he had no idea how quickly the game would attract enthusiastic players in the Middleburg area.

"Lately, bridge is having a great resurgence," Pratt explained. "Buffet and Gates play all the major tournaments and they recently played in D.C. They have even created endowments to encourage schools to teach young people how to play because they believe an understanding of bridge is a great leg up on math and business."

"When Buffet was recently asked in a television interview how much he enjoyed playing bridge, he answered, …..If I had three other really good players, I would not mind being in jail."

Members of a group of Middleburg bridge players who started taking beginner and refresher lessons from Pratt about two years ago., are now playing socially several times a week and they continue their lessons. There are even rumors about starting a sanctioned duplicate game once a week in Middleburg.

"It is a delightful game," Pratt said. "It exercises ones brain, expands the strategic thinking horizons and offers a civilized addition to your social schedule. Quite simply, it's a lot of fun."

There are hundreds of new books about bridge available now and new conventions are being developed all the time.

For bridge players who have been lurking about wishing they'd hear someone shout "Fourth!" Tom is the person to contact to help you find a duplicate game, and for those who would simply love to learn to play, Tom is an excellent teacher.

For bridge lessons or simply to play occasionally, please contact Tom either by email: contractbridge@earthlink.net or telephone: 540 364 5252.