<p>In this episode, I sit down with <b>Luc Bellicaud</b> - a <b>three-time Junior World Champion</b> from France and the developer of <b>Lia</b>, the AI bridge robot at <b>IntoBridge</b>.</p><p></p><p>Why is Luc the first French bridge player I’ve interviewed? Because last month,<b> IntoBridge</b>, launched a powerful new AI coaching tool, named after him. <b>Coach Luc </b>is designed to help beginner and intermediate players spot their bidding mistakes(!) in real time. And I wanted the scoop!</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>Having the coach named after you comes with pressure! Luc shares the controversy over Lia's full-deal access and why <b>LLMs are still no match for hand-coded bridge logic.</b></p><p></p><p>Luc dates a bridge player who represents France internationally - and amusingly, she works for rival company <b>Funbridge</b>! Together they run a free weekly beginners club in Lille, fuelled by…<b>FREE PIZZA!</b></p><p></p><p>Away from the table, Luc runs France's biggest <b>YouTube bridge channel. </b>He also refuses to fly unless he must in order to represent his country.</p><p></p><p>10:20 PM</p><p><b>Key Highlights:</b></p><ul><li>🤖 <b>Building Lia from Scratch:</b> Starting with zero experience, Luc built Lia into a top bridge robot opponent and partner.</li><li>🎓 <b>Coach Luc Goes Live:</b> A brand-new AI feature giving real-time bidding feedback, now in beta.</li><li>🃏 <b>Full Deal Access:</b> Lia sees the full deal during card play - not to cheat, but for speed and better user experience.</li><li>🎥 <b>YouTube &amp; Bidding Systems:</b> Luc runs France's biggest bridge YouTube channel and invented his own bidding system as a joke.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Resources and Next Steps:</b></p><p>🤖 Try <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://intobridge.com/news/the-new-bridge-robot-is-here/" target="_blank">Coach Luc on IntoBridge</a> - Play a game and see if Coach Luc has any notes on your bidding.</p><p>▶️ Watch Luc's <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@lucbellicaud" target="_blank">French Bridge YouTube Channel</a> for weekly bridge content and lessons.</p><p>🎬 Watch the documentary <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://doubledummymovie.com/watch/" target="_blank">Double Dummy</a> featuring the USA junior team - with some familiar faces from Luc's opponents.</p><p>🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/the-setting-trick-conversations-with-world-class/id1345780835" target="_blank">The Setting Trick</a> wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge.</p><p>📱 Follow <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/thesettingtrick/" target="_blank">@thesettingtrick</a> - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.</p><p></p><p><b>YouTube Chapter Timestamps:</b></p><p>0:00 Introduction – Luc Bellicaud</p><p>1:53 Coach Luc: The AI Bidding Coach on IntoBridge</p><p>7:06 Learning Bridge: Beginners, Teachers &amp; The Lille Club</p><p>14:07 Bridge Companies, FunBridge Fallout &amp; AI Controversy</p><p>23:21 Building Lia: Coding, Bidding Logic &amp; Design Choices</p><p>36:06 The Story Behind Lia’s Name</p><p>39:22 Bridge Life: Travel, Tournaments &amp; Playing with His Girlfriend</p><p>49:47 Bridge Systems, Partners &amp; Competitive Play</p><p>58:39 The Bermuda Bowl Final in Lyon</p><p>1:04:04 Double Dummy Documentary &amp; Youth Championships</p><p>1:13:00 Luc’s YouTube Channel &amp; Closing</p>