Martin Hoffman — Czech‑born British bridge player and Holocaust survivor

Early life and wartime experience

Hoffman was born in 1929 into a Jewish family. During the Second World War he was deported and survived imprisonment in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz and several related subcamps, followed by forced marches. In 1945 he was liberated by American forces; accounts note that troops adopted him as a mascot and accorded him an honorary military rank.

Bridge career and writing

After the war Hoffman settled in Britain and became professionally active in bridge. He played at high levels of competition, taught the game to many students, and wrote regularly on strategy and technique. Over decades he contributed articles, practical instruction and commentary aimed at club and tournament players, helping to popularize practical methods and to improve beginners' understanding of the game. He is frequently cited as an accessible teacher who emphasized clear, practical advice for improving partnership play.

Legacy and recognition

Hoffman's life story—survival followed by cultural and sporting achievement—has been noted in obituaries and remembrances. He is remembered both for his resilience in the face of wartime trauma and for his dedication to bridge as a teacher and author. His work continues to be used by players seeking practical improvement in bidding and play.

Notable facts

• Survivor of the Holocaust, including internment at Auschwitz and associated subcamps.
• Liberated by American forces in 1945; thereafter settled in Britain.
• Professional bridge player, teacher and writer who influenced British bridge over many years.
• Wrote and taught practical methods for club players and students of the game.
• Died in 2018; remembered for both his personal history and contributions to bridge.

For general information about the game he played, see contract bridge, a trick-taking card game that developed in the early 20th century and remains widely played in clubs and tournaments worldwide.