It’s pretty quiet on Wednesdays in the large room at the Useless Bay Country Club. Once in a while a triumphant word or a deep sigh will be heard, sometimes a bit of laughter.

But most of the time, the people sitting four to a table are concentrating on bids, strategies and the cards in their hands.

As many as 48 bridge players at a time take part in these popular Party Bridge tournaments sponsored by the Evergreen Hospital Guild of Whidbey General Hospital. They pay dues of $2 at the time of signup for each six- or eight-week session, and donate an additional $10 to play. That adds up to a good chunk of change to give to the hospital, said Betty Moore, the director of the bridge program.

“I recently gave over a check for more than $400,” Moore said.

According to Evergreen Guild President Midge Billig, the guild is one of several up and down the island. First started in 1949, the group of guilds has contributed at least $500,000 to the hospital.

“It all goes toward equipment the hospital couldn’t otherwise afford,” Billig said.

In prior years, the guild also raised money through bazaars, golf tournaments and other fund-raisers.

“But we got a bit tired out,” she said. “We’d be really happy to get some younger members.”

While it raises funds for the hospital, the bridge group does reward itself as well.

“We collect for prizes for the tournament winners,” Moore said, “a nickel whenever a team goes down [doesn’t make its bid].” At the end of the session the nickels are awarded to the three teams that accumulate the most points for first, second and third place.

But losers aren’t forgotten, Moore said.

“All the nickels on the last day are given to the worst team of the tournament,” she said.

The party bridge tournaments have been going on for several years. Before moving to the Useless Bay venue, games were held at places such as Teddy’s on Whidbey (now China City) and the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club.

Moore learned to play bridge in college.

“Thank goodness for those coffee shops,” she said.

She began playing with the Evergreen Hospital Guild group after retiring in 1995 from her teaching career, which included South Whidbey’s primary and intermediate schools.

Just a few years later she found herself in the job of tournament director after simply volunteering to help. Now she sets up the tournaments, determines the rotations, and “lugs supplies” back and forth from her home.

“I’m also the one who settles any disputes,” she said with a laugh. “And I collect the money.”

These bridge players span a range of ages.

“I’m the baby at 61,” Moore said. “We have some players over 90. It’s just amazing how they remember all the cards. Bridge requires a lot of thinking, and it keeps the mind sharp.”

And while the party bridge players were all women in the earlier days, it’s becoming more and more of a mix, Moore said. Men now comprise a much greater percentage of the players.

Moore took pains to point out that these are party bridge tournaments.

“We’re not that serious a crowd. We’re sociable. It’s pleasant and pleasurable. There’s always a good laugh somewhere,” she said. “Even after a bad day at the bridge table, people go home happy to have had a laugh.”

And unlike duplicate bridge, in which everyone plays the same hands, it’s the cards you get that matter in party bridge.

“Right now our top team is in the 36,000 point range,” she said, “But the next team is at about 33,000 points. That’s a very small margin. The winner isn’t cast in stone. Everything can change at a moment’s notice.”

Moore encourages people to sign up for the next tournament, which will run for six weeks starting March 5.

“If they don’t have a partner, I’ll try to find them one,” she noted. “We sometimes need substitutes, too.”

“Many, many people are retiring to the island,” she added. “This is an opportunity for them to make new friends and get out in the community. And once they get started, they seldom quit.”