In a viral clip on X, user Ronit Pereira shared Buffett’s old interview with renowned journalist Charlie Rose, where the legendary investor said, “I don’t mind paying $5 million per year for the ability to play online bridge for 12 hours a week. It’s worth it to me.”
He equated the expense to that of owning a second home, which he stated would not hold much value for him.
Buffett, who enjoys playing online bridge with his sister in Carmel, California, and others, values the convenience and immediacy of the online platform. Despite his readiness to pay a substantial amount, his current annual expenditure on the game is around $95.
Besides highlighting Buffett’s love for online bridge, the anecdote also illustrates the concept of consumer surplus, where users retain substantial economic value because service providers lack effective pricing mechanisms to extract maximum revenue.
A Game That Keeps Buffett Sharp
“I play a lot,” said the legendary investor.
“…probably is the only game in the world where I would have a slight edge with him….very slight edge,” said Buffett.
When in his 80s, Buffett had said that playing bridge keeps his mind sharp because every hand is unique, offering a new challenge every six or seven minutes.
“It’s a game you can enjoy when you are in your 90s, and you are seeing a different intellectual challenge every seven minutes,” he said.
Buffett and Gates Drift Apart
Meanwhile, things have also changed between the Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and Bill Gates.
He also confirmed he will end future donations to the Gates Foundation, saying the move is part of a broader revision of his estate plans, with his three children set to oversee the distribution of his remaining wealth.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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