Ther were a group of us played when I was at school in the 6th form. I still have my set but my kids were never interested at all. We played every lunchtime and then played for a tenth of a penny a point on one day of each school holiday. Last of the big spenders eh !
the way the points can accumulate if you're getting into the special hands - not cheap at all!
there was a group of 'regulars' that played when I was stationed in Cornwall, mostly during the winter, summers we had other things on our minds.
The game used to start Friday evening and run through to Sunday evening, and as with the bridge schools, players used to rotate in and out as they were required for duty.
Just played for drinks.