I’ve seen a fair amount of debate arising in the bridge world about online games compared to face-to-face bridge. Some players are saying that it’s not the same thing – while others have attributed playing online to being able to achieve better focus.

While the longevity of physical bridge clubs is important to me, I’ve always preferred online games to physical ones. Chronic illness is a large reason why I don’t travel often – and since some have asked, why I haven’t shown up at any physical bridge games.

Here’s why I’ve always found online play to stand out.

#1: Online Play is Comfortable

Comfort is one of the most important things that surround your quality of life when you are chronically ill, disabled or unable to travel.  Online play is more comfortable because it can be done anywhere – without the need to prepare a thousand-item long to-do list just to leave the house.

I come from the days of gig-prep, where it took hours of load-carrying and setting up to hear the first chords ring through a venue. I’d rather have my bridge games take less setup time.

Instant and online.

#2: Online Play Always Has Players

When I bought my first Yu-Gi-Oh! Deck as a young kid, I had already been playing AI-driven varieties of the game for a while – and my first obstacle with a physical deck was that nobody (and I mean nobody) played or owned another deck.

Sometimes, bridge faces the same obstacle in terms of finding other players, especially when you’re new.

Online play always has people to partner with (or play against).

It also means that I can go online at any time or day or night, even 4AM, and find a viable bridge game. 

Would anyone run a fully staffed 24-hour bridge club to do the same in person? 

#3: Online Play is Convenient

More than comfort, online bridge play offers conveniences that you wouldn’t find at a physical bridge game (or at least, not most of them) – and these are things that can be especially valuable if you’re ill or disabled.

Online play means that things like medication and refreshments can be closeby. Hell, online bridge even means that I can play bridge halfway through a medical emergency by just reaching for a smartphone. (And, while having teeth pulled, I have.)