The predecessor of modern Contract Bridge, Auction Bridge, dates from 1903 with the first code to govern its play set up in 1908 by a joint committee of The Bath Club and The Portland Club. It gained rapid support and became more popular than similar games of the time (Bridge Whist for example) but Contract Bridge quickly superseded it in 1926.
Did you know there is a new free resource from BMB – The Bridge Gazette?
Click here to take a look