The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge Players

In this episode, I sit down with Avery Silverstein, a 17-year-old bridge prodigy who has fallen hard for the game. Despite her young age, Avery has already earned two medals at the Junior World Championships and reached the round of 16 in the Vanderbilt as my partner. We discuss her journey from family bridge club kid to international competitor, including having her father, professional player Aaron Silverstein, as her primary mentor. Avery talks candidly about balancing her senior year of high school with competitive bridge, her training regimen, and how she manages the pressure of representing her country on the world stage.
From our dramatic 62-IMP comeback victory against the seventh seed to her heartbreaking silver medal finish at the U16 World Championships, Avery shares the emotional highs and lows of being deeply invested in the game. We explore her multifaceted life, which includes being close to a black belt in mixed martial arts and playing on her school's rugby team. Avery also discusses the college admissions process, her 26 college applications, and the possibility of taking a gap year to focus on professional bridge. With warmth and maturity beyond her years, she reflects on mentorship, the importance of being a great teammate, and her mission to help grow the next generation of junior players.
 
Key Highlights:
🏆 Silver Medal Journey: Avery recounts her team's incredible comeback from being the bottom three or four teams after two days to reaching the final and earning silver at the U16 World Championships.
🎯 Epic Vanderbilt Comeback: The story of our partnership defeating the seventh seed in the Vanderbilt after being down 62 IMPs at halftime, including the dramatic final quarter where our opponents took a 10-minute break and we closed with three consecutive double-digit wins.
👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Mentorship: Avery discusses the unique dynamics of having Aaron Silverstein as both her dad and primary bridge mentor, including managing nepotism concerns, disagreeing with his advice 15-20% of the time, and how their system evolves differently from his professional partnerships.
📚 System Evolution: How Avery and her partner Jack Boge have built an 80-90 page system document by borrowing from top professionals, playing transfer club, constructive two-bids, and constantly refining their approach through weekly practice sessions.
 
Resources & Next Steps:
🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.
📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.
 
Chapter Timestamps:
 
0:00 Start
0:00 Introduction to Avery Silverstein
1:30 Growing up with professional bridge player parents
2:10 Becoming better than mom at bridge
3:10 Life at the family bridge club
4:20 What friends think about bridge
6:30 Previous podcast appearances and media coverage
7:20 Managing school absences for tournaments
8:10 The beautiful Madeira tournament experience
15:00 Partnership dynamics and playing with different people
24:00 Competing at World Junior Championships
35:00 The intense preparation and practice routine
45:00 Memorable hands and tournament moments
55:00 International bridge community and friendships
1:03:00 Norwegian competitor Nikolai Berg Evans
1:05:00 The pressure of must-win matches
1:06:00 Silver medal heartbreak and "chasing gold"
1:07:30 Weekend plans and upcoming tournaments
1:08:10 MMA training and competition record
1:09:00 Four gold medals and three silver medals in MMA
1:10:00 Looking ahead to St. Louis and future competitions

I was inspired to interview Maya Jonas-Silver, because of this post she made on Bridge Winners bemoaning the lack of playing opportunities for her recent bridge initiates. After winning the 2023 20-50 Mini McKenney award Maya hasn't stopped. She has become a passionate advocate for bringing young adults into the game.
Here she shares her journey from learning bridge at summer camp to becoming a bridge teacher and director at Honors Bridge Club in New York City. Her teaching philosophy, that bridge doesn't need to be intimidating or require years of study before you can actually play and enjoy the game, has helped me be more willing to introduce friends to the game using her framework. Maya believes in getting beginners to the table quickly, and no feedback!
We discuss the barriers facing young bridge players, from finding affordable games to navigating the tournament scene without mentors. Maya reflects on the critical moments in her own bridge career, when someone like Yoko Sobel stepped in to encourage her and her husband Jack. She also shares her vision for growing the game, including making beginner classes more accessible, creating online teaching modules, and building a network of bridge mentors to help newcomers transition from lessons to competitive play.
Plus, we touch on the joys and challenges of playing bridge with your spouse and balancing bridge with parenthood.
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Key Highlights:
🎓 Teaching Bridge Fast: Maya's approach to teaching beginners focuses on getting people playing right away. She believes bridge is simple enough to learn in an hour and emphasizes playing over endless study.
🏆 From Beginner to National Competitor: Maya shares how she went from playing kitchen table bridge to qualifying for Nationals in GNT, finishing second and sending teams to represent New York, including students who had only been playing for 6-18 months.
💡 The Mentorship Gap: Maya discusses how critical it was to have people like Yoko Sobel, Alan Davidson, and Drew Cavalier invest in her development, and why building a network of mentors for young adults is essential for growing the game.
🎯 Making Bridge Accessible: Maya advocates for free or low-cost beginner games, online teaching modules, and better pathways from lessons to duplicate play. She sees young adults as an underserved demographic in the bridge world who need structured support.
❤️ Playing with Your Partner: Maya and her husband Jack navigate the joys and tensions of being bridge partners and life partners. She shares their philosophy: she can handle being the better player, but when he's better, expectations get too high!
🎲 Bridge vs. Board Games: Maya compares bridge to popular board games like Settlers of Catan, arguing that bridge is actually simpler than many games people willingly spend hours learning.
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Resources & Next Steps:
📱 Practice your skills on FunBridge - Maya's favorite app for beginners because you can replay hands and learn from mistakes.
🎯 Bid with your partner asynchronously using Cuebids - A great tool for getting more practice without needing to coordinate schedules.
🏛️ Visit Maya at Honors Bridge Club in New York City (110 East 55th Street) for beginner classes and supervised play.
📱 Maya's Instructions for teaching bridge to beginners
🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.
📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.
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Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 Start
1:40 Mini McKenney win
2:40 Teaching young adults and the gap in bridge programs
5:00 Maya's 10-week teaching structure
6:20 GNT success: students qualifying for Nationals
8:20 Losing to the eventual GNT champions
11:00 Learning bridge at summer camp
14:00 Moving to New York and finding the bridge community
15:00 Meeting Yoko Sobel and bar bridge in Brooklyn
18:00 Becoming a director at Honors Bridge Club
19:00 Playing in the Mixed Trials
21:00 The importance of GNT for young players
23:00 Katie Sullivan and rare young bridge success stories
26:00 Playing with Omar in NAP
28:00 Playing with James Holzhauer (Jeopardy champion)
31:40 Bridge as a career and overcoming existential dread
35:00 Learning bridge at summer camp and teaching philosophy
36:40 Bridge as a victim of its own success
38:30 Teaching beginners: no trump, suited play, then bidding
40:00 Document for teaching friends in one hour
45:00 Teaching David Ger's friend at the bridge club
48:20 The importance of not giving too much feedback
53:00 Teaching quantitative traders how to bid
54:20 Working at Honors Bridge Club and directing
56:40 The Revenge Mitchell movement
1:00:30 Playing rubber bridge at the Regency
1:07:00 Making bridge free for young adults
1:09:40 Creating a compelling bridge film or series
1:11:00 Favorite resources: FunBridge and Cubits
1:16:20 Bridge fights and playing with your spouse
1:19:30 Bridge and parenthood
1:26:00 Getting hired to play vs. teaching
1:28:00 Studying human evolutionary biology at Harvard
1:30:00 The evolution of cooperation and bridge strategy

In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Derman, a remarkable young talent who just got accepted early decision to the University of Virginia. Ethan shares his journey from playing baseball and water polo to becoming a junior world championship medalist in bridge. We dive into our dramatic Vanderbilt comeback against the heavily favored Rubenstein team featuring Zach Grossack, Michael Rosenberg, Joe Grue and Brad Moss. Where we were down 62 IMPs at the half. Then pulled of one of the most satisfying wins I've ever experienced. Ethan goes into his difficult decision to quit competitive baseball to focus on bridge, and how that choice has shaped his path forward.
We explore how water polo taught him teamwork and mental toughness that translates directly to the bridge table. Ethan discusses his partnership with Avery Silverstein, training with legendary player Chip Martel, and invaluable coaching from Aaron Silverstein, Avery's dad. From winning silver and bronze medals at junior world championships to balancing college applications with tournament play, Ethan has a big future ahead in the game. His summer plans include playing multiple European tournaments as well as the nationals and world championships.
Key Highlights:
•       🎓 UVA Early Decision: Ethan shares the emotional moment of getting accepted to UVA early decision, his top choice. Though he's not sure how much he'll be involved with Hoos Playing Bridge, the UVA club.
•       🏆 The Epic Vanderbilt Comeback: How our team, Silversetin and the Destroyers, rallied from down 62 IMPs at halftime to defeat the 8th overall-seed.
•       🥈 World Championship Medals: Ethan recounts winning silver in the Under-16 and bronze in the Under-21 world championships, including dramatic qualification battles and playing against the best junior teams in the world.
•       ⚾ Choosing Bridge Over Baseball: The difficult decision to quit competitive baseball despite being on track for college recruitment, and how falling in love with bridge made that choice clear.
•       🤽 Water Polo's Impact on Bridge: How being a varsity water polo player taught Ethan about teamwork, handling pressure, and the goldfish mentality of forgetting the last board, essential skills for competitive bridge.
•       👨‍🏫 Training with the Best: Ethan's structured training regimen have at times included weekly sessions with Chip Martel, one of the winningest players in ACBL history, and constant mentorship from Aaron Silverstein.
Resources & Next Steps:
•       🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.
•       📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.
Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction and Welcome
1:45 Getting Into UVA Early Decision
5:41 Future Bridge Goals and Summer Training Plans
8:36 Training with Chip Martell
12:06 The Importance of Mentorship in Bridge
15:17 First Meeting and Playing Together
22:39 Starting Bridge and Playing with Paul Holmes
26:46 Traveling Solo to Tournaments
30:13 Family Background and Bridge Heritage
32:58 College and Career Goals in Finance
35:31 Balancing Bridge with Future Career
37:17 Water Polo and Its Impact on Bridge
42:38 Aaron Silverstein as Coach and Mentor
43:17 The Epic Vanderbilt Comeback Against Grue-Moss
50:10 Quitting Baseball to Focus on Bridge
54:31 Under-16 World Championship Silver Medal
01:01:04 Under-21 World Championship Bronze Medal
01:07:45 The Importance of Aaron's Coaching
01:12:32 Beating Team Rubenstein - Biggest Achievement
01:14:04 Playing on Vugraph Against World-Class Players
01:19:54 Summer Bridge Tour Plans in Europe
01:22:27 Friends' Reactions to Bridge Career
01:26:11 Wrap Up and Looking Ahead

I'm thrilled to welcome Antonio Palma from Portugal to the show today. Antonio has had an incredible run of second-place finishes in recent years, including the Rosenblum, European Mixed Championships, Soloway Knockouts, and Spingold. Last year, he broke through by winning the pairs in Madeira, leading Sjoert Brink to call him the best matchpoint player in the world, and then claiming the Club de Compiastre trophy at the South American Championships. But the real celebration came recently when he finally won the Reisinger at the Fall NABC, ending that streak of seven consecutive finals losses. It was a relief, Antonio says.
In our conversation, Antonio opens up about what those years of finishing second felt like, the moment he realized he'd won the Reisinger (he wasn't even playing the final set!), and his journey from professional poker player to bridge champion. We discuss how poker shaped his approach to pressure moments and reading cards, why defense is his favorite part of the game, his challenges with tilting at the table, and the soon to be legendary hand where he took 23 minutes to defend two hearts and made Bobby Levin want to quit bridge. This was a particularly enjoyable conversation with one of bridge's rising stars.
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Key Highlights:
🏆 Breaking the Curse: After seven consecutive finals losses, Antonio finally won the Reisinger and describes the overwhelming relief of no longer wondering if he was good enough to win the big one.
🍺 Watching from the Bar: Antonio didn't play the final set. Instead, he watched from the bar with Johan Upmark, drinking beer, watching football and hoping!
🃏 From Poker Pro to Bridge Champion: Antonio was previously a professional. He explains how those skills help him read cards, handle pressure, and control emotions during critical moments in bridge.
🛡️ Defense is Everything: Antonio reveals that defense is his favorite part of bridge, and miscommunication on defense is what tilts him the most, especially when signals get crossed.
😤 The Tilt is Real: Multiple teammates confirm that Antonio tilts easily at the table. He admits it's his South European blood and shares the story of a complex diamond lead that went wrong and cost them a critical board.
⏱️ The 23-Minute Defense: Antonio took 23 minutes to defend two hearts, eventually finding the only winning line. Bobby Levin responded in the chat saying he wanted to quit bridge, and Antonio's team still lost the match by forty-six IMPs.
🤝 Nystrom as Mentor: Antonio credits Fredrik Nystrom as his best teammate and mentor who takes every question seriously, helps him improve, and understands when he needs space after tilting.
🥈 European Mixed Silver Medal: Playing with Andrea Nilsson, Simon Holt, and Maya Lo Björk Heed, Antonio made it to the European Mixed Championships final in 2023, losing by just five IMPs.
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Resources & Next Steps:
🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.
📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

In this episode, John McAllister sits down with Julie Marina Sigsgaard and Ella Rosthøj, two young Danish players whose friendship, partnership, and love of bridge have taken them from neighborhood kids to representing Denmark on the world stage. Despite only playing bridge for a handful of years, their dedication and countless hours at the table have already earned them national titles, international medals, and unforgettable experiences around the world.
Ella and Julie share how they grew from casual juniors to key members of Denmark's women's team, the story of their dramatic run at the Champions Cup, what it's like balancing bridge with school and gap years, and why having boyfriends who also play bridge is essential! With warmth and humor, they also open up about temper at the table, tears after tough losses, and the joy of winning B finals (again and again).
 
Key Highlights:
🌟 From Neighbors to Teammates: How growing up just 200 meters apart led to a lifelong friendship and eventual bridge partnership.

🏆 Venice Cup Debut: Their first appearance on Denmark's women's national team — finishing 5th in qualification and nearly upsetting China.

🎉 Champions Cup Drama: The heartbreak of an 88–88 tie decided on a technicality — and why they're determined to come back stronger.

❤️ Bridge & Boyfriends: Both partners found love through the game and share how bridge shapes their relationships.

😂 Badminton Battles & Bloopers: From live-streamed badminton matches against the Bilde brothers to funny tournament moments.

📸 Building Junior Bridge DK: How their Instagram page is helping grow the game — and how they're planning to secure a Pepsi Max sponsorship.

 
Resources & Next Steps:
📲 Follow Ella & Julie's journey on Junior Bridge DK Instagram

📰 Learn more about the Venice Cup and international women's bridge events

🎥 Watch the documentary Double Dummy featuring the USA junior team (with familiar faces from their opponents!)

🎤 Catch up on past episodes featuring Christina Lund Madsen and other Danish stars

🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.

📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Start
6:33 Representing Denmark at the Venice Cup
7:36 Facing China in the knockout rounds
17:05 Champions Cup run and the controversial ending
21:38 Growing Junior Bridge DK Instagram and chasing sponsorships
23:16 Life as juniors, gap years, and constant bridge practice
31:18 Traveling the world for tournaments (Memphis, Iceland, Prague, Cyprus)
44:17 Denmark's Bermuda Bowl run and watching at Fox & Hounds bar
57:02 Fun stories: badminton matches and team camaraderie
1:08:22 Balancing relationships, studies, and bridge ambitions
1:22:39 Christina as a mentor and "guardian angel" for Danish juniors
1:26:29 Reflections on their journey and what's next