Bridge | 25 September 2014

There aren’t many instantly recognisable stars in the bridge world, but Andrew Robson is definitely one — as he was made only too aware on a flight to Tangier recently when a group of Club Med passengers in the surrounding seats got very excited and made him discuss bridge for hours. Andrew goes to Tangier every year for Stuart Wheeler’s Bridge Week, to which I’m also lucky enough to be invited. The Wheelers’ house has stunning views and Tangier itself is teeming with exotic life —  but to be honest, none of us has much desire to step outside when non-stop bridge is on offer. The guests are mainly Portland Club players, and the stakes are pretty high —  but even with money involved, the emphasis is on fun. After lunch, it’s considered unsporting to play completely sober, and by the early hours — well, as Andrew put it one night, ‘I’m not sure it’s bridge, but we’re having a nice time tossing cards.’