Training or degree
Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics
Rutgers University, 2007
Self-reported
All professionals
Board and card games in South Orange
Kwame Mensah
Board and card games and Personal training: Spades, rummy and chair stretches between hands
Math teacher who brings Spades, rummy and a deck full of strategy tips to every visit
- 4.8 from 4 reviews
- Lives in South Orange
- All five checks passed
Ask a question before you book. Contact details stay private.
Chess
- Chess: Someone to play a real game with, every week.
Uses what you have at homeA sturdy chair, a wall, the stairs
Credentials
Certification
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
American Council on Exercise, 2018
Self-reported
Professional experience
High school math teacher
Union County public schools, 2009 to 2026
Self-reported
About me
I teach algebra at a high school in Union County during the school year, and in the afternoons and summers I teach card games and gentle fitness to older adults around South Orange. Both jobs come down to the same thing: show people the pattern, then let them win a few.
I grew up in Ghana playing Spades and whist with my uncles, who talked trash the whole game, so I have a soft spot for a lively table. My sessions usually start with a card game, Spades, rummy, gin or a round of Crazy Eights to warm up, and finish with fifteen minutes of chair exercises. Shuffling and dealing are good for the hands, and the stretching keeps everyone loose between rounds.
I am a certified personal trainer and coach a youth basketball team at the Baird Center in South Orange on weekends. My wife says I am too competitive. My students say I let them win. Neither is entirely true.
What a first visit looks like
- 1
Minute 0 to 10
Get to know each other and hear which card games you grew up playing.
- 2
Minute 10 to 40
Learn or relearn a game like Spades or rummy, playing open hands first so the strategy makes sense.
- 3
Minute 40 to 55
Chair exercises between rounds: hand and wrist stretches, shoulder rolls and seated marches.
- 4
Minute 55 to 60
One last quick hand, plus a written rules card to keep with the deck.
What to have ready
Nothing to buy before the first visit
- A table with good light
- A chair with arms
- A favorite deck of cards
- Comfortable clothes for stretching
Where Kwame goes
- South OrangeLives here
- Maplewood
- Short Hills
- West Orange
Where in the home
Living roomAnywhere with a chair
Usual week
Mon
Off
Tue
9am
to 1pmWed
Off
Thu
1pm
to 5pmFri
3pm
to 7pmSat
9am
to 1pmSun
1pm
to 5pm
What families say
“Kind, punctual and so much fun. Dad is already asking about next week.”
Robert S.
“A real bright spot in our week. Highly recommend.”
Alex G.
“Patient and encouraging. My mother painted her first landscape!”
Chris B.
“Easy to book and an absolute delight.”
Karen M.
Checked and vetted
- Online search
- A real conversation with our team
- Signed provider agreement
- Criminal background check
- National sex offender registry check
$65 per hour
Plus a $2.50 booking fee and 10% service fee.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before.