Denver Metro Bridge Studio: Building Community And Minds After The Pandemic

by Jessica Hughes

The tight-knit community of bridge players at the Denver Metro Bridge Studio in the greater Glendale area (Leetsdale Drive and Forest Street) works to rebuild five years after the COVID pandemic while preserving a game that offers far more than just entertainment.

Five years after a bridge tournament in Colorado Springs, turned into a COVID superspreader claiming the lives of six players, the Denver bridge community is still working to recover its momentum. “It became difficult after COVID. Bridge clubs closed and were going away,” explains Kathy McMahon, a dedicated member and player at the Denver Metro Bridge Studio. Like many social institutions, bridge clubs faced an existential threat during the pandemic.

For the game to survive, it had to pivot quickly. “We had to play online,” McMahon recounts. The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), which governs competitive bridge in North America, developed online platforms where players could continue earning masterpoints — the currency of achievement in bridge competitions.

Despite these efforts, the pandemic created significant gaps in the community. The club lost many instructors and an entire generation of potential new players. “We missed the opportunity to train new people during COVID.

With the average age of bridge players in their late 60s or older, recruiting new enthusiasts has become vital for the game’s future. While the game is played by people of all ages, the benefits for seniors are particularly compelling: mental exercise, social con-

nection, and continuous learning. Bridge de­mands strategy, memory, and problem-solving skills — a true mental workout that research suggests may help delay cognitive decline. The game also provides crucial social connections, particularly important for seniors vulnerable to isolation.

“For seniors, playing bridge keeps them social and happy. It keeps brains healthy and keeps your brain going,” McMahon explains. These benefits extend beyond the individual to create vibrant communities centered around the game.

The Denver Metro Bridge Studio serves multiple roles — it’s both a competitive venue and a teaching center. The club offers lessons for beginners, mentorship programs, and games for various skill levels throughout the week. “We want bridge clubs to continue to be the social networks that they are,” says McMahon. “Playing in person brings this

social aspect, which is so important.”

A typical sanctioned game at the club takes about three hours, with players rotating to play the same hands against different opponents. While competitive games allow players to earn points toward rankings like Life Master (requiring 500 master points) or the prestigious Grand Life Master (requiring 10,000 master points), the club also hosts more casual social games for those who ­aren’t concerned with earning points.

The community is diverse in age and gender, with its oldest member turning 100 this year. McMahon herself didn’t begin playing until near retirement, proving it’s never too late to start. She now plays approximately three times per week with various partners.

“We are in the post-pandemic r

ebound, so there’s been much more of a need to advertise these clubs,” McMahon notes. The Denver Metro Bridge Studio has invested in outreach efforts aimed at attracting both seniors and younger players.

For newcomers interested in learning, the club offers beginner classes and assistance with finding partners. They provide food and drinks during games and maintain a welcoming atmosphere for players of all levels — though McMahon says that depending on when you play, beginners might find themselves facing off against the club’s “sharks,” their most accomplished players.

As online bridge helped save the game during pandemic lockdowns, the Denver Metro Bridge Studio is working to preserve what makes in-person play special: the bonds formed across the card table, the shared excitement of a well-played hand, and the community that grows around a common passion.

For those looking to exercise their minds, expand their social circles, or simply find a fulfilling hobby, visit www.bridgewebs.com/denvermetro.

Photos provided by Kathy McMahon