Overland Park ? Bridge players representing clubs long divided by race came together for a first-of-its-kind unified competition during the weekend.

The tournament Saturday at the Kansas City Bridge Studio was part of a national effort to bring together the largely black American Bridge Assn. and the predominantly white American Contract Bridge League.

The ACBL, with more than 160,000 members, is the country’s largest bridge association. It did not allow black players until 1967, prompting the formation of the 4,500-member ABA.

Officials with the two groups said they never merged because members grew used to the system.

Lee Goodman, who owns the Kansas City Bridge Studio, said the ABA and ACBL are largely social groups now. She said members remain in one organization over another not because of race but because they’ve already made friends within it.

“Once you have separate things, they don’t die out,” Julia Hill, local ABA president said.

Across the country this weekend, bridge clubs took part in the event, playing the same computer-chosen hands.

There were no cash prizes. Players compete only for master points, which amount to little more than bragging rights that accumulate over the course of one’s career.

The Overland Park event was more popular than organizers expected. They thought only 20 tables full of players would take part, but more than 30 tables were filled.

Organizers and members of both groups said the coming together was important, if for nothing else but its symbolism.

“This is an effort to forge a closer bond between the groups locally,” said Helen Rogers, a liaison between the bridge clubs.

Goodman said the tournament went off without a hitch.