The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge Players

Available Episodes

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Ep 92: Lynn Castoldi – Winning with Joy, Scarves & Spades
In this episode, John interviews Lynn Castoldi, fresh off two huge wins at the Spring NABC — the 10K Knockout Teams and the Women's Swiss Teams, the latter by a razor-thin margin of just 0.13 VPs. With her signature laugh, Lynn shares the stories behind her victories, her partnership with Ann Karin Fuglestad, and how she went from getting kicked out of bridge lessons at a senior center to becoming a national champion. Along the way, we hear about bridge cruises, recruiting Egyptian pros on BBO, and the stylish team scarves that helped tie it all together. Whether she's playing with a world-class junior or her long-time partner the “Minister of Defense,” Lynn brings enthusiasm, optimism, and a love of the game that’s totally contagious. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🥇 Lynn won two events at the Spring NABC — including her first 10K title after finishing second the year before 🧣 Her Women's Swiss team wore matching scarves — her signature touch as team captain 🎲 She met her mixed partner Aly by chance on Bridge Base during COVID 💥 One highlight of the Women’s Swiss: a gutsy 4♠ bid leading to a +1100 against a pro 🌎 Lynn played international events like Four Jacks in Dubai, repping the US 🧠 She's constantly learning — like practicing hand patterns and soaking up insights from partners like Greg Hinze and Christian Lahrmann 😂 Her signature laugh is well-known, and she isn’t afraid to bring humor and lightness to even the most competitive tables 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.
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Ep. 91: Dennis Bilde – The Danish Ace
In this episode, John sits down with Dennis Bilde, one of Denmark’s top bridge talents and a player with a reputation for being both formidable at the table and fun to be around. Dennis shares stories of missing flights, winning world championships, and his early card-playing days before discovering bridge. The conversation dives into partnership dynamics, life with two young kids, and how Danish coffee might be the bridge world's best-kept secret. From his time on the Lavazza team to his upcoming appearance at the Bermuda Bowl on home soil, Dennis reflects on what it means to grow, both as a player and a person. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🏆 Dennis won the 2008 Junior World Championship—after failing to qualify for the under-21 trials 🍷 Known for being a slow drinker, he’s still a favorite drinking buddy of Zia’s 🎲 He and Zia played 5NT in each of their first two tournaments together 🇩🇰 He’ll represent Denmark at the 2025 Bermuda Bowl, alongside his longtime partner Martin Schaltz 🧸 Father of two, Dennis talks candidly about balancing bridge with family life 🧠 On his first try at Rubber Bridge in New York, he walked away with $3,500 after reluctantly agreeing to play $1 per point ☕️ What’s a Danish coffee? Let’s just say you might need a solo cup… 🎄 His time with the Lavazza team included Christmas dinners at Maria Teresa Lavazza’s home 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. Andrew Robson describes Dennis as the best player in Denmark
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Ep. 90: Adrienne Carter: Shifting Your Mindset
My guest today is Adrienne Carter. She claims to be an aspiring bridge player. I know her from working with her as a performance coach and mindset specialist. She has worked across industries with everyone from CEOs to poker players, and has seen a recent uptick in interested golf players following her appearance on the Chasing Scratch podcast. I reached out to Adrienne’s company, Primed Mind, in September of 2022 at the recommendation of my friend and former Setting Trick guest Nabil Edgtton, who used Primed Mind’s hypnosis services to improve his performance. You can listen to my conversation with Nabil here: https://www.thesettingtrick.com/episode-26-nabil-edgtton You can learn more about Adrienne’s work here: https://primedmind.com/adriennecarter/ Here’s an affiliate link to Primed Mind for Setting Trick listeners: https://primedmind.com/thesettingtrick/ Subscribers to The Setting Trick email list check your email or to subscribe click here: https://www.thesettingtrick.com/ Episode Highlights: 4:44 – Adrienne likes working with professionals across industries and getting a taste of her clients’ work. 7:47 – “The methodology matters, but less than you think.” 14:21 – Adrienne says that every board should be treated as practice for the next one, and to avoid ruminating on mistakes. 20:16 – Evolving alongside the game 21:09 – The path to the Bermuda Bowl 30:31 – How hypnosis helps you tune into the reactions in your body 36:23 – Setting your expectations and process 44:30 – Adrienne started her career as an occupational therapist, but fell in love with poker. 53:33 – Hypnosis deals with the part of your brain that processes feelings before you consciously notice them, making hypnosis a deeply emotional process. 57:04 – The difference between occupational therapy and hypnosis 1:05:59 – Adrienne’s mother is a bridge player. 1:10:21 – “I’m so grateful to have found poker when I did.” 1:13:29 – Adrienne says that regret happens when you make a decision out of obligation, and that decisiveness helps to prevent regret. 1:20:53 – The bar for success moves throughout a tournament as you advance and increase your expectations. 1:28:31 – Adrienne’s kids are also learning through sports and games. She sees both as an opportunity to teach them about decision making.
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Ep. 89 Stefan Scorchev: Getting IntoBridge
My guest today is Stefan Scorchev, a bridge player, friend, and the creator of IntoBridge. For those who are unaware, IntoBridge is a free platform for online bridge games. In his childhood, Stefan learned the value of online bridge as he spent hours playing bridge every day, and found that playing bridge online encouraged him compete at in-person tournaments. Stefan is the first Bulgarian guest I’ve had on the show, and I fist met him in 2012 when he played on the Bulgarian team in the Junior Nationals. We talk about in-person and virtual bridge, the unique features of IntoBridge that borrow from modern gaming, and what it’s like to run a bridge startup. You can learn more about IntoBridge on its website: https://intobridge.com/ Subscribers to The Setting Trick email list check your email or to subscribe click here: https://www.thesettingtrick.com/ Episode Highlights: 4:58 – Stefan played bridge online constantly in his childhood, and moved into in-person tournaments at seventeen. He says he played bridge as much as fifteen hours a day. 12:05 – Stefan says he is the strangest looking person at tournaments because he always wears his IntoBridge merchandise. 16:05 – “We focused on inventing something that has the potential that you close it immediately and continue whenever you can.” 17:35 0:54 – Ranked matchups on IntoBridge 24:17 – The Daily exists to give people a reason to return to IntoBridge every day. 28:47 – Stefan has a lot of ideas for new bridge formats unique to IntoBridge 32:45 – Some unfortunate mis-clicks 40:12 – Bridge marketing is difficult, so word of mouth has been the best marketing channel for IntoBridge 48:22 – Running a startup is difficult as investors and employees rely on the performance of the business 56:46 – Having access to a free bridge platform as a kid was game-changing for Stefan. 57:59 – One great aspect of online bridge is that it naturally leads people into in-person bridge, encouraging them to meet more people. 1:02:41 – Stefan’s Fiance, Desi, is coming to the US Nationals for the first time.
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Ep 88: Ami Zamir – From Fishbein Glory to Fatherhood
In this episode of The Setting Trick, John welcomes his friend and bridge phenom Ami Zamir—one half of the ACBL’s top-ranked pair of 2023. From winning major events to missing the final session of a national championship for the birth of his daughter, Ami shares the highs, the heart, and the hustle of life as a rising star in the world of competitive bridge. Ami opens up about his journey from high school sweethearts to fatherhood, his chess obsession, and what it’s like to chase glory across Europe and the U.S. with partner Oren Telodano. The two discuss how talking through hands (even off the clock) sharpens their game, the emotional rollercoaster of playing for national teams, and how coffee routines and NBA fandoms keep life on the road a little saner. Plus, you’ll hear what it was like to almost win ACBL Player of the Year—and why Ami is still laughing about it. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 👶 Bridge Meets Baby – Ami skipped the Reisinger finals when his daughter was born early. The team understood, proving real partnership goes beyond the table. 🏆 From Platinum Pairs to the Fishbein Trophy – Ami and Oren's standout 2023 included back-to-back top finishes and winning the most masterpoints at the Summer NABC. 🔥 Fights Happen, Wins Follow – After their biggest argument as partners, a long dinner conversation led to a tournament victory. Communication is key. 🎯 Pressure Is a Privilege – Whether tied in a Bermuda Bowl quarter final or in contention for Player of the Year, Ami thrives under pressure—and prefers it that way. 🧠 Daily Debriefs - Practice – Ami and Oren’s bridge “training” often centers around conversations—not drills. Talking through scenarios helps them stay aligned. 👟 Hoops, Habits, and Vegan Hacks – Ami shares his basketball battles with Adi, his vegan-at-home/freestyle-abroad food rule, and his partnership’s coffee ritual. Resources & Next Steps: 📅 Follow the European Open in Poznań – Ami and Oren will be competing with an English team in this major event. 🎧 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.
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