Get Social – and Play!

Canasta, Bridge, Backgammon—these classic games have been bringing people together for generations, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down, as long as folks love a little friendly competition and camaraderie.

More than just a source of entertainment, these games offer a myriad of benefits that go beyond a simple pastime. Research suggests that engaging in card and board games can help improve cognitive function, enhance social interactions and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Backgammon!

Meet Jack Schacht, an energetic 86-year-old Warrenville, Ill. resident who sold his business this past October and by November he was bored with retirement. He decided to start the Chicago Backgammon League, spreading his passion to all corners of the city. In the 1970s, Schacht had 20 backgammon clubs that drew in more than 5,000 members. Unfortunately, he says, Disco came in and interests shifted.

Now, as backgammon makes a nationwide comeback, Schacht is leading the charge with a game that combines luck and strategy. “Backgammon is a fantastic game because it offers quick and complex gameplay suitable for all age and skill levels, allowing beginners to beat masters, while teaching valuable life skills like risk management, probability, and emotional control.”

Schacht says he thought this would be a nice thing to do in his retirement, and adds, the timing couldn’t be better.

“We have a loneliness epidemic in our country—young and old. We must get people offline. Our mission is to spread the word and get people socializing again. We even have married couples play with different people at our clubs so they can meet new friends. Studies have shown Backgammon for seniors is good for slowing down cognitive decline and about 70 percent of our members are senior citizens,” he says.

The Chicago Backgammon League welcomes all for a $10 guest fee but can avoid the fee and attend all the clubs for founding memberships to the Chicago Backgammon League for a limited time at $95.

Clubs are held in restaurants from Evanston to Naperville and throughout the city. Another four clubs will open by the summer, an additional four by fall.

“All our clubs are open in designated areas of restaurants with a great, social vibe so we’re hoping to attract some younger people. Some restaurants offer great drink and dinner specials on Backgammon Nights. You can’t beat two-dollar beers and two-dollar tacos.”

Backgammon is also for serious players as well. The Chicago Backgammon League is a member of the U.S. Backgammon Federation, licensed to hold tournaments as well.

Card Sharks!

Games such as backgammon and card games like Bridge and Canasta often require strategic thinking, memory recall, and problem-solving skills, which can help keep the mind sharp.

Just ask Jamie Meadow, who has been playing Canasta for 12 years and teaching people ages 50 to 90 for the past nine years.   “The game is a great workout for the brain. You have to stay sharp and keep track of what’s happening,” says the Westchester, NY-based Meadow.

“Canasta has a bunch of rules, but the only way to master them is by jumping in and playing. There’s no tricky card counting since you play with two decks. It’s challenging, but that just adds to the excitement!”

Meadow has been passionate about cards since childhood, inspired by watching her father play. “I fell in love with cards, so I joined a group at a senior center to learn Canasta, picked it up in no time, and soon I was playing online every night—sometimes with friends, sometimes against new opponents from all over.”

Meadow has some advice for people who want to play canasta—or any other game for that matter: “The best way to learn? Sign up for a class and meet new people—or better yet, bring your friends and make it a party with a private lesson. It’s always more fun when you’re learning together.”

Bridging the Gap

For Nancy McNamara, 80, learning Bridge helped her meet new people when she first moved to Florida about 13 years ago.  “They were giving lessons, so I decided to go and was immediately hooked. It’s like learning another language, and even after all these years, I’m still learning,” she says.

At one point, McNamara was playing in tournaments all over the country. And while her tourney days are behind her, she enjoys the social aspect of the game today. “I play twice a week now and most of my friends play Bridge,” she says.

One of those friends, Kathleen Sanborn, 83, says there’s an added benefit to knowing how to play Bridge.  “When I go on a cruise, I always find a group of people to play bridge with, which is a fun way to meet people from other parts of the United States and Europe,” she says.

Interested?

• Try Senior Planet’s monthly crossword, available here.
•  Additionally, AARP offers numerous free, popular online card games, including Canasta, various Solitaire versions, and Bridge, providing both mental stimulation and leisure.
• To find a Backgammon club near you, go to www.usbgf.org.

YOUR TURN

What card games do you enjoy – and have we missed one? Do you have a regular group that has met for years….or do you meet new people?  Share your experience in the comments!

 

Photos: (inset top right) left to right: Theresa Murphy, founder Jack Schacht, Jill Murphy; courtesy of Thomas Fox Photography.

(inset, left) clockwise, Michele Leavy, Georgene Parsons, Pat Cerf, Anne Jones with permission of the Bridge Group at Lutheran Tower apartments.

 

Jennifer Juergens Thomas has a lifelong interest in how people get together.  As a former AP reporter she covered feature stories and later wrote about conventions from Anaheim to New  Zealand as editor of Meetings and Conventions magazine. She was a public relations consultant for clients like the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives focusing on how and why people need to get together. An Orlando resident, she continues to contribute to Meetings Today magazine among other ventures.