I have no doubt that bridge players are either born with a keen sense to spot others who play the same game, or it’s something we bridge players learn to develop over time.

You could send me into any room full of people from a restaurant to a crowded concert, and it wouldn’t take long to point out which people were bridge players.

See, as we play, we develop little habits.

It’s these little habits that could help to reveal who we are when another card player is looking.

Here’s a look at some of the telltale signs of a bridge player that’ll point out who else might play.

1. Bridge players organize (all) their cards in order.

People who play bridge often are used to seeing their cards in order, usually organized by the suit for easier playing.

I’ve come to notice that the majority of bridge players extend this habit beyond their playing cards.

Wondering if someone might be a secret bridge player?

Peek at their wallet, and see if all their other cards are neatly organized one-by-one. Bridge players just can’t seem to help it!

2. Bridge players read at arm’s length.

A bridge player’s hand is kept at more-or-less arm’s length, from their line of sight to the cards.

If you’ve played enough bridge games, this becomes an almost natural “reading distance” for everything else you’d like to see that aren’t cards.

Does someone read their Louis L’Amour paperback at the same length they would see their playing cards at?

Well, they might just be a secret card player.

3. Bridge players keep their drinks to the side.

If you’re an online or face-to-face bridge player, then you might be used to the addition of a drink to your game. The same is true for writers, programmers, and anyone who spends their time in front of a table or screen.

But if you’re used to keeping a drink nearby, you know that it can be knocked over (and destroy your hand, your keyboard, or your entire device).

Bridge players, the smart ones, are in the habit of keeping their drinks to the side – the far side – even when they aren’t at their laptop or card table.

What are some of the telltale signs that point out a secret bridge player, even in a crowd?