The WDBC has been providing bridge opportunities in Whitehorse for decades.
Originally a small gathering of enthusiasts, today we are an ACBL-sanctioned club with a strong community spirit. We have hosted players from across the Yukon, Alaska, and beyond.
We treasure the friendships we have built across the bridge table and the fun we have!
Memorable Stories
We've seen wild cards, bold bids, and friendships formed over coffee and trump suits. Pull back the curtain and enjoy a few of our favourites.
The Bridge to Friendship Tournament
What started as a game turned into a decades-long tradition of friendship across borders.
John Schnabel, his wife Erma, and their children were enthusiastic bridge players living in Haines, Alaska, where they operated a gold mine at Mosquito Lake. Back in the 1990s, they had a wonderful idea — to bring together players from both sides of the border for a friendly tournament. They invited four Canadian pairs and four Haines pairs to their home and called it the Bridge to Friendship Tournament. Everyone had a grand time.
That first gathering led to several more tournaments held at Weeping Trout Lodge, operated by John and Erma’s daughter. Her home was located across a lake, accessible only by boat. The event later moved to the Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines, and now takes place at the Alaska Native Brotherhood & Sisterhood building.
While the location and format have evolved over the years, the Haines Duplicate Bridge Tournament remains a favourite among Whitehorse players. Every April, a line of Yukon-plated vehicles can be seen heading for the US border — convention cards in hand, ready for another weekend of great games and warm connections.
The names of the early winners may be lost to time, but the spirit of the tournament — friendship — lives on.
