Beginners: Introduction to Bridge and Modules 1-3

For complete beginners to bridge, we offer a six-week introductory course that covers the very basics of card play and bidding.   

This is followed by three Practice Hand sessions (to help students to consolidate their learning before they begin Module 1. See Prices and Booking for more details and to book

This course is for complete beginners.The next Introductory course is scheduled for Autumn 2025

1. Introducing MiniBridge; playing in No Trumps

2. Defence: leads against a NT contract

3. Playing in Trumps; why choose trumps; drawing trumps

4. Defence: leads against a Trump contract

5. Introducing bidding.  Opening 1NT and responding with a balanced hand

6. Responding to 1NT  with a weak unbalanced hands.

Here we introduce some key principles and set the foundations for further learning.  . Each lesson includes a one hour zoom lesson . The second hour is a one hour guided session using RealBridge. In each module there will be three consolidation sessions where we put together the key points from several previous sessions.

By the end of the first three modules you will be able to play social bridge  and will be clear on basic bidding and play.

The next Module 1 is scheduled for January  2025

1. Bidding: Opening 1NT and responses with an unbalanced hand
2. Declarer Play: Planning in NT
3. Defender Play: Opening Leads and attitude signals
4. Consolidation: Practice Hands 1
5. Declarer Play: Hold up in NT: Simple Finesses and other card combinations
6. Bidding: Suit Opening bids (weak) and limit raises
7. Consolidation : Practice Hands 2
8.  Declarer Play: Planning the play in trumps
9. Bidding: Opening 1 of a suit and new suit responses
10.  Consolidation: Practice Hands 3

The next Module 2 starts in  April  2025

         1.  Defender principles: 2nd Hand Play

         2. Bidding Strong Balanced Hands

         3. Bidding with a Strong Unbalanced Hand

         4. Consolidation: Practice Hands 1

         5. Declarer strategies playing in a Suit Contract; eliminating losers. 

         6. Defender principles: 3rd Hand Play

         7. Consolidation: Practice Hands 2

         8. Responder bidding

         9. Opening 2NT; scoring

       10. Consolidation: Practice Hands 3

The next Module 3 starts in  September 2025

         1.  Suit Overcalls

         2.  Takeout Doubles

         3. Overcalling 1NT

         4. Consolidation: Practice Hands 1

         5.  Passive Leads and Discard Signals

         6.  Stayman over 1NT and 2NT

         7.  Consolidation: Practice Hands 2

         8.  3-Level Pre-empts and Responses

         9.  Defensive Bidding over Pre-empts

       10.  Consolidation: Practice Hands 3