1998: How much bridge does Buffett play?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Hello. I’m Tubby Stayman from Palm Beach, Florida.

I know you enjoy bridge very much. I know you play my late husband’s convention.

Tell me, how often are you able to devote to this wonderful game? How many times a week do you play other than the internet?

WARREN BUFFETT: I didn’t get all of that, Charlie? Did you?

CHARLIE MUNGER: How much bridge are you playing?

WARREN BUFFETT: Uh-oh.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yes. (Laughter)

WARREN BUFFETT: Well, this week — we should put this in the annual report, because it may be a material factor. (Laughter)

I’m probably — at least ten hours a week. Maybe a little more. I don’t get any better by doing it, either, so it’s rather discouraging, but it is a lot of fun. And it has to have come out of reading time.

I don’t think it’s hurt Berkshire yet, but that may be because we’re in a slow period generally.

If the market goes down a lot, I promise to cut back on my bridge. (Laughter)

Charlie?

CHARLIE MUNGER: Yeah. Well, I probably play three or four hours a week. But I don’t play on the internet.

WARREN BUFFETT: He plays a lot of golf, though. Confess Charlie.

CHARLIE MUNGER: Oh yes. (LAUGH)

WARREN BUFFETT: Yeah, we both spend about the same amount of time goofing off. I mean if you —(laughter) — want to know.