Card games are typically not considered sports. However, some card games get that elevated status and are entered into a different world, where they become sports. How does that happen?
Well, card games are competitive, and some of them are ethical enough that they can become sports (yes, the same sports people bet on with offers like the betiton welcome bonus), in the same way that some esports titles are considered by the International Olympic Committee.
The game of bridge is a card game, but also one that is a sport. While this answers the question in the title, it still needs more elaboration.
Bridge is Recognized by the IOC
The IOC recognizes bridge as a sport, which is more than good enough to give it a status worthy of worship amongst other card games. When the IOC recognizes something as a sport, it means more than that it is a physical activity which is friendly and competitive.
The IOC considers everything from ethics to violence when they are looking into a potential sport. Some esports titles are not recognized because they are too violent, the object of the game being to kill others.
Bridge, chess, go and draught, have founded an organization called International Mind Sports Association, which is recognized by many other international entities, such as UNESCO and WADA.
Bridge is very strict about stimulants, given that games may last up to 6 hours or more.
Some Don’t Recognize Bridge
The European Court of Justice is not all that happy about others calling bridge a sport, themselves denouncing it as such. The reason for bridge not being a sport is that it lacks significant physical exertion. While that is true, bridge is still a very friendly game that people can benefit from, mentally and physically. A relaxing game of bridge is much better than a tension-filled game of basketball where you might end up injured.
Having significant physical exertion should not be an obstacle for something to enter a world of sports, even though it could be further classified as a mind game.
Why Bridge is Good for You
Bridge has many mental health benefits, one of the first ones being combating dementia, or rather, preventing it. Most youths who engage in bridge and learn how to play games typically score a lot better in various logical tests and otherwise.
Bridge is a very mentally engaging game that requires lots of strategy and forward-thinking. Bridge allows the player to play any hand and win, which is not something you could say for other card games, which are more luck-based.
Bridge as a game has many social benefits, encouraging the players to socialize and build trust. Bridge has partnerships which are basically random at the start of every game. Joining a bridge club is a great way to socialize and practice strategic thinking.
Bridge is considered a sport by some people, while some people disapprove of it. This, in the end, is not that important, considering how many people love playing bridge. It is a great game, no matter what a committee might think about it.