The first duplicate bridge in Hot Springs Village was played under the auspices of the Duplicate Bridge Club of Hot Springs Village, formed in 1976 and providing one duplicate game per month through 1979. Most of the 75 members were women. By 1985, with assistance and support of Janet Davis and Louise Dickerson the number of games played grew to eight games every four weeks, all played at Coronado Center.
On March 1, 1985, the Village Card Club (VCC) was formed. The original goal was to create an umbrella group for all card clubs in the Village. However, this did not come to pass and the VCC has remained exclusively a bridge club, acknowledged in 1991 as the largest bridge club in Arkansas.
In early 1985 the VCC provided three Open games every week, then added games for the Novice players. The Club membership list totaled 85. In September of that year the first teaching program was introduced. Continued interest and growth led to the addition of an Intermediate game, a rubber bridge game, a teaching game, a Swiss Pairs Marathon and more Open games so that, by 1991, the VCC was providing ten games every week for its members.
In September of 1991, the VCC moved all its games to the newly opened Ouachita Activities Building in Ponce de Leon Center. In 1992 Club membership neared the 600 mark and computerized scoring for all games was introduced in October of that year. The total tables of bridge played during 1992 were about 5000. In 2002 the number of tables played rose to over 8600. view yearly table counts
After several years of planning and interaction with the POA, members of the VCC saw the 1997 groundbreaking for a new card club building adjacent to the Ouachita Activities Building. Casa de Carta officially opened its doors in June of 1998. The new facilities included space for 42 bridge tables, two directors' work areas outfitted with state of the art computers, cabinets for storage of class materials and books, a blackboard for teachers, several bulletin boards, a large storage room, a kitchen with full facilities, restrooms, and a beautifully appointed lobby. Annual dues and costs of play remained the same for players and additional income was derived from tournaments and an outstanding educational program.
In 1993, the VCC undertook sponsorship of a sectional tournament. The tournament was held at the Majestic Hotel in Hot Springs over a three-day weekend. In 1994, the VCC sponsored another sectional tournament, the first of many that would be held in the Village. From 1994 until 2001 sectional tournaments were held annually at Coronado Center, thereafter at Ponce de Leon Center, utilizing Casa de Carta and oftentimes using additional space in the Ouachita Activities Building.
In the early summer of 2002, the VCC hosted a Regional Tournament in Hot Springs at the Arlington Hotel. Regional tournaments are seldom undertaken by individual clubs but the Village Card Club put forth the extra effort required and was rewarded with an exceptionally successful tournament. The Tournament has continued on even years since. view Tournament Table Counts For the second straight year, the VCC qualified for a three-star certificate issued by the ACBL for top performance in club growth, advanced teaching courses and innovative programs. The Star Club status was maintained until the program was cancelled by the ACBL in 2006.
2003 - membership in the Village Card Club numbered 852, including 157 Life Masters. The Wednesday night Better Bridgers moved to Casa de Carta.
2004 - membership in the Village Card Club numbered over 750 and included 160 Life Masters .In the fall a mentoring program was introduced. An upper strata player is assigned to tutor a lower strata player. At each session a lesson is given with discussion between student and tutor after each hand The mentoring program runs twice a year, fall and winter, and continues to be a popular program. A game restricted to 0-999 masterpoints was added on Wednesday afternoon.
2006 - the entry fee was raised from $1.50 to $2.00 per session. The Men's Duplicate group moved to Casa de Carta on Wednesday mornings. New computers and printers were installed.
2008 - Easybridge! was started in October. This is a program for new players, and is offered twice a week. A lesson is given followed by an informal session of supervised play. After completing Easybridge! 1, 2, and 3 players move into the regular games.
2009 - the dues were increased from $2.00 to $5.00 per year. The Thursday morning Better Bridgers moved their game from the Coronado Center to Casa de Carta.
July 2009