Pass It Along

This column is dedicated to encouraging us, as well as others, to play this brain game. Most younger people just think it’s for old folks. But in reality, other countries have youngsters mandatorily enrolled in classes. India is one of the countries that believe Bridge helps the students hone in-on becoming smarter adults.

Studies show cognitive benefits to playing card games by teaching children new strategies for using mathematical information, categorizing patterns, sequencing and sorting.

So, share the good news with your children and grandchildren. If they are willing to patronize you for 15 minutes, SUPER. I did that with my granddaughter, took her to classes taught by Bruce, and she still likes to engage in bridge. This card game lasts for a lifetime.

When sharing with your neighbors, friends, whomever will listen, ask them to come and play. Truth be told, there’s side effects. It’s demanding, competitive, and comes with some regrets. However, the icing on the cake is winning, and that’s why we keep coming back for seconds, thirds, and always wanting more.

Maybe as we age, it’s more important to find value in playing, and winning. Whatever emotions are provoked, it’s best to keep them under wraps, and scream when you get home. Yes, socialization is vital, so we need to keep our cool, be kind, and bid well. By conveying a positive message to others, we may just attract others to join in.

Lisa Assoni/ShortCut Cook(™) (April 2026)