Orange Bridge Club members hosted the congress at their headquarters across two days of fierce play, with players also travelling from Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Canberra.

Pairs games were played on Saturday, before pairs were joined on Sunday to play in teams - the game involves playing cards in a set hierarchy to win tricks and players must win a certain number of tricks.

Club president Sally Spence said the game could be played at various difficulties.

“It’s an infinitely challenging game, but you can play it at all sorts of levels - we hold bridge five days a week and for some people, it’s their main social outlet,” she said.

However, the game is not just for the elderly. 

Visiting Orange for the congress were Charles and John McMahon from Wagga Wagga, with parents Ken and Sue.

The two, aged 23 and 21 said they were brought up on chess and five hundred, and took up bridge a year ago.

“We wanted to step it up a bit,” Charles said.

Ken McMahon said the family owned a holiday  home free of television.

“The kids had to play games, it’s great for the family,” he said.

Facing the McMahon brothers were Jenny Storry and Pam Morse from Sydney.

“We’re scared stiff,” Ms Storry joked.

“We’re not sure of their system.”

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au