Bridge players in England have been dealt a bad hand, as a court has ruled the popular card game is not a sport.

Mr Justice Dove rejected a judicial review application by the English Bridge Union in which the body argued it should be officially recognised as a sport by state authorities.

According to FT, Justice Dove said he did not seek to address the “broad, somewhat philosophical question as to whether or not bridge is a sport,” but only to conclude whether Sport England, which provides services and funding to sport, was correct in excluding bridge.

The EBU's argument hinged on the in the 2011 Charities Act, which references “mind sports,” and the accepted definition of angling, darts and snooker as sports.

Had the case been successful, the EBU and other bridge organisations would have been eligible for considerable public funding, and also qualify for tax exemptions.

“The English Bridge Union are disappointed with the decision,” said vice-chairman Ian Payne. “An opportunity has been lost to enhance an activity which has substantial benefits to wide sections of the community. Current definitions of what is or is not a sport have little consistency or sense behind them.”

Sport England said its definition was accepted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and that bridge required no more exertion than “sitting at home reading a book.”