Duplicate Bridge Challenges Many Southwest Seniors

Southwest Atlanta’s seniors are a busy lot. After retirement, many find more time for their favorite hobbies, and others discover new ones.

For many seniors, bridge is the pastime of choice. Bridge is a card game of skill  that's often referred to as  a "mind sport."

Using a standard deck of 52 cards, players bid the hands (cards) that they are dealt and compete to see who plays the hands best and receives a better result. 

Research has shown that playing the challenging card game improves short- and long-term memory. Bridge provides a mental workout for participants, and provides a social outlet. Those with physical disabilities also are able to actively participate, which is one reason why the game is so popular with seniors. Bridge can be played leisurely (party bridge) or competitively (duplicate bridge).

Party bridge clubs flourished throughout the Atlanta area during the segregated ‘50s and early ‘60s. Most white public establishments were not open to blacks at that time. So, party bridge was a way for African-Americans to “party” and entertain at each others' homes.

Some Atlanta party bridge clubs still exist, meeting at participants’ homes monthly. However, because the restrictions of segregation no longer exist, younger people rarely feel the need to form or participate in these small, closed clubs.

While the number of “party” bridge clubs continues to decline in metropolitan Atlanta, membership in duplicate bridge clubs is growing. There are currently well over 200 members in the Metropolitan Atlanta Bridge Unit. Membership continues to increase due to the availability of instructors willing to provide bridge lessons.

“Membership in the Metropolitan Atlanta Bridge Unit is up five percent and interest continues to grow,” according to the organization’s president, Emma Fountain.

The University Bridge Club—which has games on Wednesday afternoons at the Quality Living Services (QLS), 4001 Danforth Rd.—was the very first duplicate bridge club in metropolitan Atlanta. It was formed in 1939.  From that group, other clubs developed over the years.

University Bridge Club member Bettie Harden teaches classes each Monday morning at Etris Community Center in Union City.

“I am working towards getting more young adults playing bridge," Harden said. "Learning to play takes time, but bridge improves your mental health.”

All of the clubs welcome new persons interested in learning this mind-challenging game. Those of all ages are invited to participate in a club near them.

Members of the Metropolitan Atlanta Bridge Unit can enjoy a game of competitive bridge five days a week at various senior facilities. At QLS, local affiliate members of the national organization, the American Bridge Association (ABA) can participate in morning or afternoon bridge games.

Games are held at QLS on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Friday mornings at QLS, bridge instructor, Bill Marshall, provides instructions for those new to the game and for those who want to improve their skills. On Monday afternoons, bridge enthusiasts can be found playing the game at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Rd.

At the Ben Hill Recreation Center, also on Fairburn Road, games are held on Tuesday nights for members and others who wish to join them.  There, bridge education director, Dr. Anderson Williams, often leads classes prior to games.

DeKalb County residents have two ABA clubs available to them. Many bridge players actively travel and interact among the various clubs throughout Atlanta and DeKalb. The American Bridge Association office is located at 2828 Lakewood Ave. in southwest Atlanta. Those interested in learning bridge or joining a club can call the office at 404-768-5517.

They can also directly contact one of the senior multipurpose centers where the games are currently played. Metropolitan Atlanta Bridge Unit Clubs include the Atlanta-based Anne Wood Senior Bridge Club, Lanier-Darnell Bridge Club, M & M Defenders, South Metro Bridge Club, and University Bridge Club; the East Metro Bridge Club in Decatur; and the newest entry, the FunMakers Club in Lithonia.