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« on: February 22, 2020, 09:16:32 PM »
Hi my name is Ian. My extended family always played cards when they got together and I learnt to enjoy the games from an early age. Mainly cribbage, Canasta and solo whist and numerous 'party' games for all. Started to play bridge at my senior school aged 13 and eventually started to attend my my local club in my last year at school. Then nothing for about 30 years. I got a job in the US in 1997, got onto the net and eventually found the MS Game Zone and started to play bridge there and on Yahoo bridge. Discovered BBO around 2004 and played socially for about a year before joining the BIL club, where I initially volunteered to be a Table Host, and then got taught how to run tourneys. I also helped with running practise sessions for beginners learning the game via the BIL's teaching program, and that eventually developed into mentoring newly 'graduated' beginners from the program. Like Todd, I was a live-in carer for my father for his last few years and so was able to devote a lot of my spare time to playing, helping and learning in the BIL.
I joined the IAC about 4 years ago, and have run tourneys and helped run themed practise sessions. I've been very lucky to have played with and learnt from some great teachers along the way. Greatest highlight so far was to fly out to Las Vegas some years ago and play in a NABC convention along with the Kings and Queens team, who consisted of BIL teaching program graduates that I had mentored.