In this episode, I sit down with Luc Bellicaud - a three-time Junior World Champion from France and the developer of Lia, the AI bridge robot at IntoBridge.

Why is Luc the first French bridge player I’ve interviewed? Because last month, IntoBridge, launched a powerful new AI coaching tool, named after him. Coach Luc is designed to help beginner and intermediate players spot their bidding mistakes(!) in real time. And I wanted the scoop!

Luc started building Lia as an intern, describing himself as "quite clueless." Through time he has created an excellent partner and opponent. We discuss how he built her from the ground up and how he fixes her mistakes.

Having the coach named after you comes with pressure! Luc shares the controversy over Lia's full-deal access and why LLMs are still no match for hand-coded bridge logic.

Luc dates a bridge player who represents France internationally - and amusingly, she works for rival company Funbridge! Together they run a free weekly beginners club in Lille, fuelled by…FREE PIZZA!

Away from the table, Luc runs France's biggest YouTube bridge channel. He also refuses to fly unless he must in order to represent his country.

10:20 PM

Key Highlights:

• 🤖 Building Lia from Scratch: Starting with zero experience, Luc built Lia into a top bridge robot opponent and partner.
• 🎓 Coach Luc Goes Live: A brand-new AI feature giving real-time bidding feedback, now in beta.
• 🃏 Full Deal Access: Lia sees the full deal during card play - not to cheat, but for speed and better user experience.
• 🎥 YouTube & Bidding Systems: Luc runs France's biggest bridge YouTube channel and invented his own bidding system as a joke.

Resources and Next Steps:

🤖 Try Coach Luc on IntoBridge - Play a game and see if Coach Luc has any notes on your bidding.

▶️ Watch Luc's French Bridge YouTube Channel for weekly bridge content and lessons.

🎬 Watch the documentary Double Dummy featuring the USA junior team - with some familiar faces from Luc's opponents.

🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.

📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

YouTube Chapter Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction – Luc Bellicaud

1:53 Coach Luc: The AI Bidding Coach on IntoBridge

7:06 Learning Bridge: Beginners, Teachers & The Lille Club

14:07 Bridge Companies, FunBridge Fallout & AI Controversy

23:21 Building Lia: Coding, Bidding Logic & Design Choices

36:06 The Story Behind Lia’s Name

39:22 Bridge Life: Travel, Tournaments & Playing with His Girlfriend

49:47 Bridge Systems, Partners & Competitive Play

58:39 The Bermuda Bowl Final in Lyon

1:04:04 Double Dummy Documentary & Youth Championships

1:13:00 Luc’s YouTube Channel & Closing

In this episode, John interviews Lynn Castoldi, fresh off two huge wins at the Spring NABC — the 10K Knockout Teams and the Women's Swiss Teams, the latter by a razor-thin margin of just 0.13 VPs. With her signature laugh, Lynn shares the stories behind her victories, her partnership with Ann Karin Fuglestad, and how she went from getting kicked out of bridge lessons at a senior center to becoming a national champion. Along the way, we hear about bridge cruises, recruiting Egyptian pros on BBO, and the stylish team scarves that helped tie it all together.

Whether she's playing with a world-class junior or her long-time partner the "Minister of Defense," Lynn brings enthusiasm, optimism, and a love of the game that's totally contagious.

🥇 Lynn won two events at the Spring NABC — including her first 10K title after finishing second the year before

🧣 Her Women's Swiss team wore matching scarves — her signature touch as team captain

🎲 She met her mixed partner Aly by chance on Bridge Base during COVID

💥 One highlight of the Women's Swiss: a gutsy 4♠ bid leading to a +1100 against a pro

🌎 Lynn played international events like Four Jacks in Dubai, repping the US

🧠 She's constantly learning — like practicing hand patterns and soaking up insights from partners like Greg Hinze and Christian Lahrmann

😂 Her signature laugh is well-known, and she isn't afraid to bring humor and lightness to even the most competitive tables

• 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.

📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.