I’ve gotten to meet a handful of detectives and investigating officers in my time as writer and journalist – and these days, I’m more likely to take the discussion towards introducing the game of bridge.
Bridge has benefits, including what it can do for overall neural connections, and I’m convinced that more detectives and I/O’s should learn their way around the game. Card games are convenient, quick to set up – and you can play a game without it being an interruption to what’s usually a nightmare of a schedule already.
Here’s why I keep recommending bridge to detectives when I have the chance.
#1: Critical Thinking Skills
One of the most important things bridge can do for the mind is increasing critical thinking skills. These are vital skills considered essential which detectives (and those in training) are taught to develop – and bridge is a way to get there while you’re playing cards.
#2: Debriefing Potential
There’s nothing that can take the mind further away from thinking about everything else than cards. During the game, you get to focus on what’s on the table – and what other players are doing – that leaves less thought for wandering minds when you’re trying to relax. Bridge is a great way to unwind, too.
#3: Analytical Aid
Looking at hands after they’ve been played is an essential part of what bridge players learn to do. This is useful – and comparable to being a detective in the sense that you have to figure out the finer points of a situation after the events have already transpired. Learning to look at puzzles like these at a glance can sometimes be a huge help for learning to analyze other things.
#4: An Active Mind
Bridge keeps the mind active – and there are plenty of studies that show the benefit of playing bridge compared against degenerative neurological conditions. If you are in a high-paced, high-stress career, you could be at risk of several different conditions either now or later in life – and playing bridge is a way to naturally reduce your risk.