Print Story Email Story Discuss Story (0)

Recommend ( 0 )

Courtesy photo Kathleen Swain, 91, shows the perfect hand she was dealt during a bridge game on June 5. The odds of getting dealt that hand are reportedly 1 in 158 billion.

Related Links

advertisement

published: Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Local woman dealt 1 in 158 billion bridge hand

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING -- An ordinary bridge club afternoon turned into something extraordinary for one of the club members after the impossible -- well, nearly impossible - happened.

Kathleen Swain, 91, of Sebring is an avid bridge player and a member of the Francis Mobile Estates II Bridge Club. Swain, along with the entire group in attendance on June 5, were shocked when they saw that Swain had gained a perfect bridge hand during a friendly game.

"She was dealt the perfect hand," said Betty Carlisle, friend of Swain and Bridge Club member. "It's a traditional dealing. Cards are dealt clockwise to four players each getting one card at a time."

According to Carlisle, Swain was dealt the ace, king, queen and jack in each of the four card suits (spade, heart, club and diamond).

"She had 37 points. The most you can get in bridge is 40 points and her partner had the other points for a total of 40," Carlisle said.

After the immediate disbelief Swain's son began some research on the odds of the perfect bridge hand.

"Kathy's son went online and starting looking. He found out that the odds of being dealt that hand are 1 in 158 billion," said Carlisle.

In fact, bridgehands.com put the odds at exactly 158,753,389,899 to 1.

Swain herself was excited just to have the perfect hand but didn't really see the need for all the commotion.

"I like bridge. My friend runs the Bridge Club and thought this was a big deal, so I guess it is. They were excited about it," said Swain.

Swain plays bridge four and five times each week with club members and friends.

This was the first time Swain had ever seen or been dealt a perfect hand.

The Francis Mobile Estates II Bridge Club meets weekly every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Swain also participates in bridge games at the Sebring Recreation Center each Wednesday at 12:30. Both clubs are currently available for interested or new members.