Ep. 91: Dennis Bilde – The Danish Ace

<p>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.</p> <h3>Key Takeaways from This Episode:</h3> <p>🏆 Dennis won the 2008 Junior World Championship—after failing to qualify for the under-21 trials</p> <p>🍷 Known for being a slow drinker, he's still a favorite drinking buddy of Zia's</p> <p>🎲 He and Zia played 5NT in each of their first two tournaments together</p> <p>🇩🇰 He'll represent Denmark at the 2025 Bermuda Bowl, alongside his longtime partner Martin Schaltz</p> <p>🧸 Father of two, Dennis talks candidly about balancing bridge with family life</p> <p>🧠 On his first try at Rubber Bridge in New York, he walked away with $3,500 after reluctantly agreeing to play $1 per point</p> <p>☕️ What's a Danish coffee? Let's just say you might need a solo cup…</p> <p>🎄 His time with the Lavazza team included Christmas dinners at Maria Teresa Lavazza's home</p> <h2><br /> <span>Resources &amp; Next Steps:</span></h2> <p>🎧 More Stories Like This – <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/the-setting-trick-conversations-with-world-class/id1345780835" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> Subscribe to The Setting Trick</a> wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.</p> <p>📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.</p> <p>Andrew Robson <a href="https://www.andrewrobsonbridgecast.com/l4-ws-264-dennis-bilde" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">describes</a> Dennis as the best player in Denmark</p>