Jay Shah
Jay Shah
My dad tried to introduce bridge to us kids back in India when I was 10 years old. It was completely over my head then, and some of you think it still is! Eventually, I started learning to play bridge during my graduate studies in Electrical Engineering (EE) at Saint Louis University. I played Lunch Bridge for over 35 years until I picked up duplicate in 2003.
I always liked bridge but duplicate made me fall in love with it head over heels! Aptly, my wife calls bridge my mistress and my jPad heaven!
I got my ACBL teacher’s accreditation in 2010 and directorship in 2011. I am a Ruby Life Master. I was a born teacher. I tutored my siblings and aunts and uncles, lectured at an Electrical Engineering College in India, and consistently coached beginners at various engineering companies. I have presented and authored many technical papers and tutorials at national and international conferences.
My dream of running my own club finally came true in March 2016, thanks to the help of my great friend, Jo Chorpening. My goal was to make the club the most friendly and fun place to play bridge. Unfortunately, COVID-19 took its toll, and we had to close it in April 2021. It was one of the most pleasurable experiences I’ve had, lasting for four long years.
I have and continue to strive to make bridge fun (and non-threatening) for novice players. I encourage novice and beginner bridge players to participate in tournaments. So far, I have had good success in getting novices to play in my game. Many of the jBrdge and jPad students and regulars have participated in numerous tournaments (both local and out of town) over the last four years, earning multiple trophies and accumulating many points.
Looking ahead, I remain passionate about cultivating a welcoming community where everyone—from seasoned Life Masters to first-time novices—feels valued and included. Bridge, for me, is not just a game of cards but a channel for lifelong learning, camaraderie, and personal growth. The connections forged across the table, the laughter over tricky hands, and the joy of shared success have all enriched my journey. I am grateful to every student who has taken a seat at my table, each bringing new perspectives and enthusiasm. My mission endures: to inspire confidence, foster friendships, and nurture a love for bridge that carries forward for generations.
