“There can be a steep learning curve, but once you know the rules, bridge is a really fun and intellectual game,” said Yin, a graduate student at Northeastern who is studying computer engineering. “I encourage people to go out there and learn the game.”
Yin represented the United States in the 17th World Youth Bridge Team Championship, which was held in August in Wujiang, China. His team, which comprised six players between the ages of 21 and 26, placed sixth among 22 teams from around the world. An American team had not finished in the top eight since 2010, Yin said.“In China, bridge is a popular game for young people,” said Yin, who prepared for the competition by practicing online. “I hope it spreads in the United States. I’m always happy to see younger people playing at competitions.”
Bridge is a four-person card game played by two teams who compete to earn the most points by winning tricks: sets of four cards, one from each player. Players are dealt 13 cards each round, in which they bid on how many tricks they think they can win and determine which suit trumps the others. Twenty five million Americans over 18 know how to play bridge, according to the American Contract Bridge League, the largest bridge organization in the world. But the popularity of the game in the United States has declined sharply since the 1940s, when it was played in more than 40 percent of American homes.“I’ve already found two people at Northeastern who play bridge,” he said. “Now I just need one more.”
2018 marked the second time that Yin had competed at the world championship in China. He played for China in 2012, which finished in ninth place.“Next time around, I want to medal,” said Yin, who is eligible to compete in the youth bridge team championship one more time before he ages out of the competition. “I’ve already started practicing as much as I can because it will be my last shot.”
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