Bridge players welcomed in Philadelphia

The Mummers strutted. The mayor welcomed. The world community of notable bridge players would begin serious competition in the world's biggest tournament on Saturday. But Friday night, it was time to be settled and welcomed in Philadelphia and to seek out old friends at the Center City Marriott, where the World Bridge Series officially opened.

More than 4,000 players from 80 nations are expected in town during the 16-day world series championship, played every four years somewhere in the world under the aegis of the World Bridge Federation.

"We enjoy hosting World Series," Mayor Nutter told an eager audience at the Marriott at Friday-night's opening ceremonies, which included a performance by members of the Polish American String Band. "In this particular situation, we are talking about the World Bridge Series."

"Just enjoy the city and the games will take care of themselves," said the mayor, an occasional pinochle player when younger.

Janet Robertson, a high-level bridge player from Baltimore, strutted properly to the Mummers while people moved to a reception and the string band played "When You're Smiling."

"I lived here for 10 years," Robertson said when complemented on her moves. She had lived in Radnor, she said, and - like more than a few people at the series - began playing bridge as a child.

For Danny and JoAnn Sprung, a couple from the Art Museum neighborhood, the night was indeed special. The Sprungs were instrumental in bringing the series to Philadelphia after plans to convene in St. Petersburg, Russia, fell through and the World Bridge Federation was seeking a new venue.

"We were at a bridge tournament in Houston and we heard that they were going to give the U.S. a chance to sponsor it," JoAnn Sprung said. Other Philadelphia players got behind the idea that the series could be here, and the Sprungs engineered a proposal after talking with the city and managers at the Marriott, where national tournaments had been held.

"We love Philadelphia," she said. "We thought we'd be a much better location than Las Vegas," the other major contender. "Philadelphia is a very European town and we have lots of Europeans" in the competition, she said.

Barbara and Stephen Stening from Brisbane, Australia, were cautious on the eve of the opening of play.

"Never mind the brotherly love," Barbara Stening said. "It may not extend to the bridge tables.

"We love those Mummers," she said. "We rang family in Melbourne while they were playing and held our cell phones up so they could hear.

"They think bridge players are all stodgy," she said with the laugh of someone who knew better.