LONDON -- Legions of bridge players in Britain may feel they've been dealt a rotten hand after a court ruling that the popular card game is not a sport.
A High Court judge on Thursday endorsed Sport England's earlier ruling that bridge is not a sport because it does not involve physical activity. English Bridge Union officials had challenged the ruling in court.
In a written ruling, on the case Mr Justice Dove started off with the words "Bridge is a card game," dismissing the English Bridge Union's bid for a judicial review.
The decision will affect possible lottery funding for bridge tournaments.
Advocates for bridge, which is played by four players in two partnerships using 52-card deck, had claimed that Parliament recognizes "mind sports" that build mental acuity.
Mashable contributed reporting to this story.