{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 89 Stefan Scorchev: Getting IntoBridge","description":"My guest today is Stefan Scorchev, a bridge player, friend, and the creator of IntoBridge. For those who are unaware, IntoBridge is a free platform for online bridge games. In his childhood, Stefan learned the value of online bridge as he spent hours playing bridge every day, and found that playing bridge online encouraged him compete at in-person tournaments. Stefan is the first Bulgarian guest I\u2019ve had on the show, and I fist met him in 2012 when he played on the Bulgarian team in the Junior Nationals. We talk about in-person and virtual bridge, the unique features of IntoBridge that borrow from modern gaming, and what it\u2019s like to run a bridge startup. You can learn more about IntoBridge on its website: https:\/\/intobridge.com\/  Subscribers to The Setting Trick email list check your email or to subscribe click here: https:\/\/www.thesettingtrick.com\/  Episode Highlights: 4:58 \u2013 Stefan played bridge online constantly in his childhood, and moved into in-person tournaments at seventeen. He says he played bridge as much as fifteen hours a day. 12:05 \u2013 Stefan says he is the strangest looking person at tournaments because he always wears his IntoBridge merchandise. 16:05 \u2013 \u201cWe focused on inventing something that has the potential that you close it immediately and continue whenever you can.\u201d 17:35 0:54 \u2013 Ranked matchups on IntoBridge 24:17 \u2013 The Daily exists to give people a reason to return to IntoBridge every day. 28:47 \u2013 Stefan has a lot of ideas for new bridge formats unique to IntoBridge 32:45 \u2013 Some unfortunate mis-clicks 40:12 \u2013 Bridge marketing is difficult, so word of mouth has been the best marketing channel for IntoBridge 48:22 \u2013 Running a startup is difficult as investors and employees rely on the performance of the business 56:46 \u2013 Having access to a free bridge platform as a kid was game-changing for Stefan. 57:59 \u2013 One great aspect of online bridge is that it naturally leads people into in-person bridge, encouraging them to meet more people. 1:02:41 \u2013 Stefan\u2019s Fiance, Desi, is coming to the US Nationals for the first time.  ","author_name":"The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge Players","author_url":"http:\/\/www.thesettingtrick.com","html":"