Interview with Jan MartelJan Martel of Davis, California is a retired attorney and a past president of the USBF (United States Bridge Federation), the organization that supports ACBL members in International competition, including the Junior World Championships. An Emerald Life Master with more than 7,000 masterjpoints, Jan is a national champion. She and her husband Chip, a Grand Life Master with more than 20,000 masterpoints, can always be found at ACBL’s North American Bridge Championships (NABCs).
How old were you when you learned to play? 11
What drew you to learn bridge? My family went to live in England for a year and we found our entertainment options limited so my parents taught my brother and me to play bridge so we could play as a family.
Did your parents play? Social bridge
Why do you still play? It’s a fascinating game. The social aspects allow you to meet and make friends from all over the world.
Have you played continuously? No, after England I didn’t play again until college.
What is your best bridge memory? Winning the GNP’s (Grand National Pairs now the North American Open Pairs)
What do you look for in a partner and/or teammates? Attitude. Someone who makes me play my best and my teammates play their best and feel good about ourselves.
How did you balance bridge-school-dating- other activities? My first priority was academics. I got a degree in Math and then went to Law School. This wasn’t a conscious decision on my part. I didn’t give something up; it is just the way it was. It never occurred to me to do any differently.
Words of advice to young players? Learn how to play and defend. Don’t put so much emphasis on complicated bidding methods.
Any other thoughts? Look on the positive side of everything you do.
Every month, Youth4Bridge will post an interview with a celebrity from the world of bridge. Be sure to check back to read the latest interview!