A slower, older, or just unused smartphone is something that a great number of readers (and thus, bridge players) might have in the house. Once moving to a new device, older ones might be banished to a closet or drawer forever – but they don’t always have to be.

If a smartphone still happens to be functional even though it’s slower or older than its newer counterpart, it might have some use left.

Older phones are ideal for a number of uses. Clean them up, wipe unnecessary software, and there’s some potential. Phones with excessive malfunctioning or specific issues could do with a screen/battery replacement, or a factory reset.

Here’s what you should know about putting older smartphones to use for bridge.

1. As a Wi-Fi router

To use an older phone as a wi-fi router, navigate to your settings and select Connectivity (or your device’s equivalent option). Using an older smartphone for wi-fi connectivity can take the pressure off your main, bridge-playing network and ensure a faster, often better connection.

2. As a recording device

Bridge games are often recorded for practice or review reasons. An older smartphone sporting a memory card for external storage makes a perfect recording (or streaming) device  Keep recordings for your own team’s post-mortem, or upload them for the viewing enjoyment of other players.

3. As a game timer

Sometimes the simplest uses are the best ones. Many bridge players practice their game against the clock – and if you’re one of those, there might be no need to invest your money in a chess clock right now. Instead, set your phone’s stopwatch or download an appropriate app on an old smart device and you’ll always know.

4. As a scoring method

Scoring is done automatically during online bridge games, but face-to-face table games still require the use of a scoring pad. Cut out the manual scoring and use an old smartphone (with any number of bridge scoring apps available) to keep track of won tricks and overall score.

5. As a second screen

Some smartphones have the ability to Cast – and if not, there are available apps that can add the function to your device. Casting isn’t anything magical, but instead refers to casting what’s on one screen to another. It’s useful for enhancing or sharing what’s on your screen (and great for when you want to put an older, larger-screened tablet or phone to use).

6. As a tabletop rules device

If you’re a regular bridge and tabletop game player, there might be a very regular need to refer back to the rules of the game. Use an old smartphone for this, and download official Rules apps for your top games. You’ll never have to argue about anything related to your chosen games again when you have a smart device to check!

7. As a kibitzing connection

With increasing popularity, team games are broadcast for kibitzers online and face-to-face with the use of software like Skype. When games are broadcast like this, any number of “viewers” now have the ability to see your game – and in bridge, we call this kibitzing.