Atlanta to Be Besieged by Bridge Players Aug. 1-11

North American Bridge Championships attract players from around the world. The championships to be conducted in Atlanta Aug. 1-11 are expected to attract players from more than two dozen countries.

The Summer 2013 North American Bridge Championships are expected to bring more than 5,000 card players to Atlanta Aug. 1-11 including youths from more than two dozen countries as well as some of the U.S.‘s most outstanding players.

Among the champions expected to attend are Frank T. “Nick” Nickell, an investment banker and entrepreneur who has led the most dominant U.S. bridge team, and Robert “Bob” Hamman, who has held the No. 1 ranking in the World Bridge Federation since 1985 and has won nine world championships.

Also expected is Greg Johnson, a retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force colonel who piloted the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavor and is an honorary member of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) that is hosting the championships to be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel downtown.

“This summer’s tournament is unique in that our annual youth and collegiate championships will segue immediately into the World Youth Open Bridge Championship,” Jack Feagin, the championships’ chairman, in a news release. “We expect to see hundreds of youth players from more than 25 countries.”

The ACBL’s Youth North American Bridge Championships are to take place Aug 1-3 while the World Youth Open Bridge Champions, sponsored by the World Bridge Federation, Aug. 4-11.

The championships features daily competitions for players of all skill levels with games at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. Free bridge lessons also will be available from 10 a.m.-noon on Aug. 3 and Aug. 5 taught by bridge authority Audrey Grant.

For more information on the tournament schedule, classes or how to participate, click here.