[Al_U_Card]

Vampyr, on 2015-August-28, 09:53, said:

Well, obviously simple rubber bridge methods would be used on any bridge TV show.

Still, the partnership requirements would be daunting and their implications hard to follow for the non-cogniscenti. Poker is easy. Bluff or value?

Recently, a gimmick "Shark-cage" poker game was presented and despite the simplicity of the conditions, it appeared to give both players and commentators pause. Barely a fraction of the complexity of any rudimentary bridge consideration such as BaM, MP or team strategy.

Bridge is just too darn hard and that is the real problem with mass appeal.

[barmar]

Al_U_Card, on 2015-August-28, 10:53, said:

Bridge is just too darn hard and that is the real problem with mass appeal.

Exactly. That's why bridge TV shows could get on the air 50ish years ago -- practically everyone knew the basics of the game then.

There's a Youtube video with an episode of "Championship Bridge with Charles Goren" that features Chico Marx.

https://www.youtube....h?v=rPSXGqWUVSE

The show ran from 1959 to 1964.

[Al_U_Card]

barmar, on 2015-August-29, 21:10, said:

Exactly. That's why bridge TV shows could get on the air 50ish years ago -- practically everyone knew the basics of the game then.

There's a Youtube video with an episode of "Championship Bridge with Charles Goren" that features Chico Marx.

https://www.youtube....h?v=rPSXGqWUVSE

The show ran from 1959 to 1964.

A real classic.
Interesting to note that the cash prizes were considerable for that time period.