Eli Grant

I learned bridge at nineteen from my grandmother, who played every Tuesday at a church hall in Upper Montclair and did not believe in going easy on anyone. I spent the next thirty-five years as an accountant, which turned out to be good training for counting trumps.

I became an accredited bridge teacher in 2015 and now teach at dining tables around Essex County. Most people I work with either played decades ago and want to come back, or always wanted to learn and never had a partner. I teach with large-print cards and pre-dealt practice hands, so we spend our time playing instead of shuffling. When someone wants a break from bidding, I also teach cribbage and gin rummy.

Away from the table I volunteer at the Montclair Public Library book sale and walk my terrier through Edgemont Park. Bring a cup of coffee and a friend if you have one. Bridge is better with four, but I am happy to sit in as the fourth.