Bridge is a very popular game, especially among the older generation. It’s fun, it’s sociable, and it helps keep your brain active.
It is quite common for seniors to want to retire to a new location or move into specialized housing. This often means moving away from friends and finding yourself among strangers. This is where playing bridge can put you to the advantage. Bridge clubs and groups are always looking for new members and many people will invite their friends over for tea, coffee or a meal and a game of bridge.
Being a bridge player gives you an advantage: you will always have friends and a place to go to meet people.
But what do you do if you can’t hold the cards? Bridge and many other card games require the player to hold up to 13 cards at a time. There can be many reasons why this is difficult. Many disabilities can cause problems sorting and holding cards.
Amputees may find that sorting their cards, while keeping them private from other players, is not as easy as it used to be.
Players of all ages with neurological problems may find that shaky or weak hands make it difficult to sort and hold cards.
Anyone with an arthritic condition, carpal tunnel, or arm injury may have difficulty holding cards. To a regular gamer, a broken arm or wrist can seem like a big deal when it comes to playing the games they love. However, this is the time when they will want to get out and socialize.
Does having a disability or injury that prevents you from holding your cards mean you can no longer play?
You don’t have to. Many of the problems mentioned above can be solved by using a playing card holder. You don’t need to put away your cards as the cardholder will do the work for you. Just place it on the table in front of you and add your cards one at a time. Only one hand is needed and there is no need to be able to grab and hold a hand of cards.
Some card holders look like giant clear plastic Scrabble racks that the cards are placed on. Some look more like fans, in which you place the cards. You can buy the curved ones, which are useful to help keep your cards private from neighboring players if you rest the holder on the table.
Anyone considering a playing card holder should look at the various styles on offer to help them decide which would be most appropriate for their own needs.
