Eastbourne Auctions is excited to present an exclusive lot of memorabilia celebrating the legendary actor and bridge champion, Omar Sharif.

A Hollywood Legend at the Bridge Table

Best known for his iconic roles in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, Egyptian Hollywood star Omar Sharif was more than just a movie star—he was also a world-class bridge player. His passion for bridge led him to participate in high stakes matches that captivated audiences worldwide.

5th January 1970: Omar Sharif plays bridge with some of the world's most prominent Bridge players during a Press Conference to introduce a new series of televised Bridge games to be recorded at London's Piccadilly Hotel. (Photo by Michael Webb/Keystone/Getty Images)
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The 1970 Piccadilly Match

In 1970, at London’s prestigious Piccadilly Hotel, Sharif, and his famed bridge team, known as “The Circus,” faced off against Britain’s top bridge experts, Jeremy Flint, and Jonathan Cansino. Key details of the match include:

• Stakes: A staggering £1 per point, a substantial sum by today’s standards.
• Purpose: Designed to transform bridge into a televised, high-energy spectacle.
• Outcome: Although The Circus won by 5,470 points, Sharif incurred a net loss due to significant organisational expenses.

This historic event underlined Sharif’s competitive spirit and played a role in popularising bridge as a competitive game.

The Loss of LagOmar

Sharif’s adventures away from the bridge table are just as fascinating. He once owned a stunning property called LagOmar in Lanzarote, Spain—and legend has it that he lost it in a daring bridge game, having gone all-in against Sam Benady, the developer who sold it to him!

Today, LagOmar still stands the test of time, now as a museum. The museum tour allows visitors to traverse the caves around which LagOmar was built, as well as the natural landscape surrounding it.

LagOmar, Lanzarote, Spain.
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Auction Lot Available at Eastbourne Auctions

The lot up for auction is a unique cigarette box accompanied by a letter from renowned bridge experts Jeremy Flint and Jonathan Cansino.

A letter to Omar Sharif from bridge experts - Jeremy and Jonathan.

View Lot here.

This collectable is a tangible memento from a pivotal moment in competitive bridge history — a perfect find for collectors and enthusiasts of film and card games.

Cigarette box presented to Omar Sharif, ‘Winner of Rubber Match at the London Piccadilly Hotel 1970’.

View Lot here

Don't miss your chance to win!

View Eastbourne Auctions’ March 2025 Live Online Auction catalogue, register, and join us in celebrating the legacy of Omar Sharif!