Bridge Life Past Present and Future

What is your name?

J.M.Shah

What are your nicknames in bridge community?

JM, sometimes GURU by
some people.

Where are you from?

Mumbai, Maharasthra

Where do play bridge mostly? Are you a full time professional?

When in Mumbai most of
the Local Tournaments & Major Tournaments in INDIA, and sometimes abroad. YES I
am a Professional Bridge Player.

Do you have a regular bridge partner/team?

YES, Sandeep Karmarkar,
and Team INDIA BLUES

When, Where and How do you practice with your partner/team?

by participating in Local
Tournaments , and discussing Systems in the evenings occasionally.

When, Where and How did you start playing bridge?

IIT Chenai Hostel ,
1976-77

Any interesting/funny stories about early bridge career?

–

Which places have you lived and played bridge in?

Chennai & Mumbai

What was your first major win? What do you remember about that?

Agarwala Pairs at Ooty
Summer Nationals. Ruia Gold Cup at Nagpur Nationals.

When did you start getting noticed? When did you start thinking about winning national championship or playing for India?

Started attempting to
represent INDIA in 1990. and in the year 1992 Represented INDIA in Teams
Olympiad at Salsomaggiore, Italy, As member of INDIA Blues TEAM

What is the future of your bridge career? What do you want to achieve?

Would like to be a Part
of Major World TITLE Winning INDIAN Team.

Thoughts on Indian Bridge

What are general comments on status of bridge in India?

Average standard is very
high with many teams having a chance to win a title. many promising youngsters
have come up recently so the future seems bright.

What do you think of major tournaments in India?

All major Tournaments in
INDIA are very hard fought. and well organised. However we lack in technological
inputs like Dealing machines / Programmes , Scoring Software , bridgemate etc.

How can we promote bridge in India?

we need more students
taking up this game and for that adequate encouragement should be given.

How do you compare Indian bridge to rest of world?

While not Lacking in
Talent INDIA needs Long term Partnerships.

How can we do better in International competitions?

We need more Exposure and
INDIA Can Catch up very fast.

Personal

Would you like to share any information about your family members? Does anyone else play bridge?

–

What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?

Reading, Puzzles.

Where did you study? Where did you work?

IIT Chennai / worked with
many different Companies.

Interesting Trivia