I gave up playing bridge about fifteen years ago. My dad was five or ten points short of master when he passed -- I was forcibly taught when my folks needed a fourth and I was the only one around (shaking head).

Haven't played tournaments since I left Long Island in 1992, but used to play at the Vanderbilt Bridge Club and some of the local and regional tourneys in the area. Talk about playing for blood...those folks win the kewpie doll (shudder). But, my playing partner and I did win a couple of the smaller local tourneys -- our style was really weird, and occasionally did well.

>>>>I understand, you can play with friends whom you trust. However, official tournaments are not feasible anymore. As it stands now, even regular chess tournaments, without 'sealed moves' (i.e. all games must be finished in the same day) still bring accusations that some players use computers in restrooms, or get correct moves by cellphones, etc.
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>>>Don't forget the steroids
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>>So far, it is not an issue :). Pharmaceuticals are still not able to come up with medications improving brain mobility.
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>For a while bridge organizations were trying to get bridge (as well as chess, go, etc.) included in the Olympics as Sports. The theory was that sport included all high-level competition rather than simply athletic competition. Part of that movement meant that bridge players were supposed to adhere to Olympic Committee requirements - including the drug requirements. A woman was forced to relinquish her world championship title because she would have tested positive for a steroid which was medically necessary but, as you mentioned, did nothing to improve brain function.