Marks Shares Passion for Bridge ‘In Spades’
Local bridge expert Sam Marks opened the Bridge Club of Atlanta in 2009 and inspires students with mental and social stimulation.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
Fads and hobbies may come and go, but the game of bridge thrives and connects generations as many of our earliest memories are of our parents arguing over the classic card game.
Coming to its own in the U.S. in the 1930s, bridge teaches logic, patience, concentration, and partnership skills. It’s estimated that 220 million people play bridge worldwide, including problem solvers like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
As such, Augusta native, Sam Marks, has carved out a niche as the local go-to guru for learning and playing the game at his Bridge Club of Atlanta on Roswell Road.
Marks grew up around parents who played bridge and got more serious as a freshman at Duke University. He started playing “duplicate” (competitive bridge played at clubs) in his junior year and in tournaments as a senior.
Marks’ degree was in math, and later, he worked as a stock trader. However, bridge remained his hobby, as he traveled to regionals, nationals, and a world championship.
He said, “To me, bridge is a mathematical, logical puzzle. I enjoy figuring out the best plays. It’s also enjoyed as a social game. The only mathematics needed is the ability to count to 13. That’s how many cards you have and how many points you need to open.”
With his North Carolina partner, Marks plays at three nationals and several regionals annually. Last year, he achieved a lifelong dream by winning a national championship, The Grand National Teams in Providence, R.I. It was his first national championship; and by winning, he became a Grand Life Master, the highest rank in the American Contract Bridge League.
Looking back, a local bridge teacher asked him to volunteer at a summer bridge camp for youth in 2009. Enjoying it, he decided to make bridge his career. Next, he began teaching classes at Temple Sinai. In 2012, he opened the Bridge Club of Atlanta in the Fountain Oaks Shopping Center.
Balancing playing and inspiring others, he teaches beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. He declared, “It’s rewarding when students learn a new technique or convention. As a teacher, the best feeling is seeing the light bulb go off over their head. You are never too old to learn.”
In addition to classes, the Bridge Club of Atlanta has games at noon, Mondays through Thursdays, and 11:30 a.m. on Fridays. They also offer games and supervised play for social bridge players and newcomers. Currently, they have 300 tables operating every month which equates to 1,200 plays. Classes cost $150 for a six-week series of two hours per week. Games are $12 per person. Private lessons are also available.
Teaching assistant Arlene (Snopek) Conway handles games for novices and newcomers. The bridge club has some of the largest newcomer games in the country.
Conway, 86, grew up in a bridge playing family. She said, “I’ve had four husbands (all Jewish) some of whom I met through bridge.” She became a Life Master in her 50s. When asked how long it takes to become a competent player, she responded, “50 years to forever…it’s very important for seniors to keep their minds active. I continue to learn from every game.”
Conway then mused over novices’ most common mistakes:
• Overcalling a four-card suit
• Not thinking ahead of time of how the hand will play out
• Being afraid to bid
Sam shared, “You are never too old to play bridge. Two of our better players are Virginia Saul, 95, and Lorraine Siegel, 98. I played on their team today, and we came in second. Not all our bridge players are seniors. One of the best youth players in the USA is a freshman at Emory [University].”
Note that Virginia Saul was awarded the 2022 Sportsman of the Year Award by the Atlanta Bridge Unit.
Conclusively, Marks said, “One of the most rewarding things about owning a bridge club is creating the community. I have matched players up as partners who are still playing together 10 years later. Players become friends. We’ve had players get married. Many people play three or four times a week.”
New beginner classes are offered from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., from Aug. 2 to Sept. 27. Register at bridgeclubatlanta.com/beginner-bridge-class-registration.
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