16. Geoff Hampson - Best in the World The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge Players

When I invited world champion Geoff Hampson to be a guest on The Setting Trick, he shot back, “What’s the Setting Trick?” Crushed, I sent him a link to our website along with question marks and exclamation points. To which he responded, “I just bust chops, I’m down.” 
 
It’s a pleasure to welcome one of the finest bridge players in the world with a sense of humor to match.



Highlights from Episode:
 
2:55- Geoff talks about how he is sick
 
12:10- Geoff’s favorite bridge memory
 
14:00- Geoff talks about Fantunes and how he suspected they were cheating
 
23:20- The impact of the Covid-19 virus
 
26:50- A high level declarer play young Geoff made that changed John Gowdy’s opinions about him
 
31:35- Geoff’s college experience (or lack thereof)
 
33:05- Geoff’s experience with playing money bridge
 
37:20- Funny comment Geoff made when he was in the Well
 
39:20- How Geoff first started playing bridge
 
41:20- Funny story back when Geoff was still a beginner
 
42:35- Geoff’s initial motivation to get good at bridge
 
45:10- Geoff’s idea of using this time of quarantine to help spread the game of bridge
 
48:20- John and Geoff discuss golf
 
55:15- The biggest advice Geoff has for players is to COUNT
 
1:01:50- Geoff plays Barbu. Here is the site where we play Barbu and the Barbu ladder, currently led by Episode (?) guest Zach Grossack 3/25
 
1:08:35- Geoff likes to read the Game of Thrones books
 
1:10:30- Geoff says he isn’t even the best player in his partnership
 
1:11:45- Is Geoff better than Kalita?
 
If you are interested in joining our online barbu group please apply to join our Facebook Group so that Shireen Mohandes may send you the particular set of rules by which we play.