Lockdown has relaxed in the majority of the international bridge scene.

Clubs and private groups are returning to face-to-face games, even though many of the same players also continue to enjoy their online playing just as much.

The return of physical gathering for bridge games shouldn’t be seen as an action without any risk. Especially for those with weakened immune systems, it still remains important to take the same precautions as during lockdown.

Are you wearing a mask for bridge games, and continuing to sanitise the same way?

As a player who is more used to chronic illness and a compromised immune system, I can tell you that it’s still the best course of action to follow.

Health is important to bridge players everywhere. If you interact with others on a regular basis, please keep your health and theirs in mind!

Here are some of the potential risks for players who choose to resume face-to-face bridge playing at their homes or clubs (and how to guarantee safety).

1. Immune issues? Be careful

If you have any general health issues to report, take more care with interaction and travel by default. This could be a history of getting sick easier than others you know, or chronic health problems that you might already know about.

Sanitise more, wear a mask, clean everything. It seems exorbitant, but isn’t if you know that you could be at more risk for even the average cold.

How much can a generally lower immune system impact your bridge game?

My own experiences means that I’ve taken considerable amounts of time away from in-person appearances for everything from surgery to spontaneous bleeding. When you’re ill, emergencies can happen, and being more careful is your default.

2. General health

There are good ways to strengthen the immune system, and these methods are advised as a “boost” for bridgeurs who intend to interact with their fellow players.

General health can have everything to do with it: if you notice that you feel odd, different than usual, or downright unhealthy, see a doctor sooner rather than later. Precaution is better than literally everything else.

Use traditional immunity-boosting compounds in food where possible. For people who don’t react well to supplements, healthy food intake is the best course of action. Start with turmeric and pepper, and develop your own ideas from there.

If your immune system isn’t operating at full capacity when you enter a room filled with people, you’re likely get sick. For your own good, take heed.

3. Contact with cards

Card games at homes, clubs, or alleys usually involve the touching and exchanging of physical cards. Playing cards are just as likely to carry contaminants just like, well, everything else you could hope to touch – and in a world filled with potential health risks, there’s a problem right there.

1. Keep hand sanitiser close to players at all times.
2. Repeat the above five times.

The use of adequate sanitiser at any large event can already reduce the potential associated health risk.

People used to say that Eric Clapton ate vast amounts of chicken to coat his fingers. Apparently, that’s why they glide across the fretboard so effortlessly.

I believe this is more myth than reality, but also imagine this is a good way to illustrate why players should clean their hands before going near card decks.

If you are a physical bridge player too, I urge you to return to the bridge tables responsibly (and with a thought about your health).