Bridge Exhibition Match: Strategic Thinking and Card-Playing Skills
[Campus News | Reported by Hsu, Chiao-Hsin]
Self-Directed Learning Final Presentation: Bridge Exhibition Game
On the evening of January 4, the semester-end Bridge Exhibition Match took place in Yunxiu Hall. Four players gathered around each table, carefully considering their strategies and focusing on the unfolding plays. This event was held as the final competition for the self-directed learning project “Advanced Applications of Probability and Logic in Card Games” and invited members of the NCCU Bridge Club to join in. The goal was to allow students to apply classroom knowledge in practice while exchanging skills with peers.
The match adopted the contract bridge rules recognized by the World Bridge Federation (WBF) and was played in a team format. Each team had four players seated at two tables, with one pair sitting North–South and the other East–West. Bridge consists of two stages: bidding and play. During the bidding stage, players decide on the contract and trump suit based on their hands; during play, they take turns playing cards over 13 tricks to complete each round.
Learning by Doing: The Spirit of Self-Directed Learning
To help students learn by doing, course instructor Prof. Chen Yuan-Tsung explained that classes were structured with concept reviews, followed by practice rounds, and then post-game discussions. “Many students had no prior experience with bridge, but after a semester of practice, they showed remarkable improvement,” he noted. Although the first two weeks were challenging due to the complexity of bridge, consistent guidance, peer support, and practice helped students gradually improve both their understanding and skills.
Bridge is not only a mental sport but also a test of teamwork. Players must calculate probabilities and solutions while working seamlessly with their partners. Lee Yi, a junior from the Department of Advertising, shared that she and her teammates often discussed strategies after matches to resolve uncertainties. Over time, she became more familiar with her partners’ thinking, allowing smoother cooperation during gameplay.
Next semester, the General Education Center will offer six self-directed learning projects: University Innovators, Free Software Inkscape: Creation and Applications, Podcasting and Audio Media Creation, Applications of Probability and Logic in Card Games (Bridge), Building with Bamboo: Indigenous Architecture and Culture, and Theory and Practice of Humanities of Tea.
Innovative Learning Models: Emphasizing Autonomy
Dean of Academic Affairs Lin Chi-Ping also attended the event to encourage students. He remarked that learning models can vary based on interdisciplinary combinations, and NCCU has been actively promoting self-directed learning courses in recent years. He explained that this bridge course exemplifies the approach by integrating knowledge across different fields while providing practical training. “Beyond strengthening card-playing skills, the course cultivates new ways of thinking,” he said, expressing hope that students will continue to embrace the spirit of autonomy and creativity fostered through self-directed learning.
Source: NCCU Official Website