UK court ruling deals blow to legions of bridge fans, endorses view that card game not a sport
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - This is a Tuesday Sept. 22, 2015 file photo of a competitor playing bridge at the Acol Bridge Club in West Hampstead, London. A High Court judge on Thursday Oct. 15, 2015 backed Sport England's assertion that bridge is not a sport because it does not involve physical activity. English Bridge Union officials had challenged the ruling in court. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File) (The Associated Press)
Legions of bridge players in Britain may feel they've been dealt a rotten hand after a court ruling that the popular card game is not a sport.
A High Court judge on Thursday endorsed Sport England's earlier ruling that bridge is not a sport because it does not involve physical activity. English Bridge Union officials had challenged the ruling in court.
The decision will affect possible lottery funding for bridge tournaments.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Advocates for bridge had claimed that Parliament recognizes "mind sports" that build mental acuity.