The arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic saw life across the world change dramatically, with many countries imposing national lockdowns. While the majority of people were sequestered indoors, digital spaces for work, socialising and leisure became part of the ‘new normal.’ For bridge, this meant the closing down of all bridge clubs and an attendant move to online bridge playing.

During 2020, bridge players from 19 countries submitted 298 diary accounts to Bridge: A MindSport for All (BAMSA) detailing how COVID-19 had changed their bridge playing habits. Drawing on this diary data, BAMSA’s new journal article explores the important role digital bridge played for many in sustaining and maintaining social connections.

The paper discusses technology and its role in leisure practices. It covers four key themes: digital volunteer facilitators, maintaining social connections through digital bridge, the practical benefits, and the digital constraints and challenges.

As a result of the pandemic, digital bridge has led to changes in the provision and participation of the mindsport. Digital bridge has opened up more inclusive spaces and greater access for some, yet also marginalised others. There is uncertainty as to how bridge clubs and organisations will cater to the different needs of face-to-face and digital bridge players in a cost-effective manner in a post-pandemic world.

The full paper can be accessed here:  Situating bridge: Understanding older adults’ digital leisure practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows the ways that bridge has been transformed by technological changes during the pandemic.

A two-page summary is available here.