"Defense in the 21st Century, the Heart Series" - Fridays
Defensive play is very important – at least 50% of Bridge play is based on defense but is usually overlooked. Lessons on defensive play will be held at Branford Community House beginning Friday, January 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM, and will be based on the ACBL Bridge Series book “Defense in the 21st Century: the Heart Series” (order at RJ Julia, also available at amazon.com). This will be a series of 8 lessons lasting for approximately 1 and ½ hours. This class will focus on an introduction to defensive play, opening leads against No Trump contracts, opening leads against suit contracts, play by the “second hand” defender and play by the “third hand” defender. The lessons will consist of a discussion of the material in the book and a set of pre-arranged hands prepared for the students to play based on the material covered.
"Defense in the 21st Century (Part 2), the Heart Series" - Fridays
Defensive play is very important – at least 50% of Bridge play is based on defense but is usually overlooked. Starting on Friday, May 13, 2022, at 10:00 AM, lessons on Defensive Play (Part 2) will be held at Branford Community House. This class is based on the ACBL Bridge Series book “Defense in the 21st Century: the Heart Series” (order at RJ Julia, also available at amazon.com). This book is the 3rd in the American Contract Bridge League's series of bridge books for beginning and advancing players. There will be a series of 5 lessons lasting for approximately 1 and ½ hours. This class will focus on defensive signals, developing defensive tricks, interfering with declarer, and making a defensive plan. The lessons will consist of a discussion of the material in the book and a set of pre-arranged hands prepared for the students to play prepared in advance based on the material covered. You may enroll in this class without having taken Part 1.
"Bridge Conventions You Should Know" – Fridays
Conventions are tools that help us better communicate with our partner. It is important to learn to use our tools effectively. BRIDGE CONVENTIONS – An 8 week class discussing and explaining conventions you should know. Even if you do not play them, you need to know what they mean because your opponents will be playing them. These conventions include: the Stayman Convention, Jacoby Transfers, Jacoby 2NT response to a major, Drury, Weak Two-Bids, Strong 2 Club Opening, Take-Out Doubles, Negative Doubles. Two-Suited Overcalls (Michaels & Unusual No Trump), Flannery, MeckWell (a defense against their NT opening, an improvement over DON’T) and Roman Key Card Blackwood. Lessons will be held at the Community House in Branford beginning Friday, September 30, 2022, at 10:00 AM, and will be based on material provided by the instructor (no textbook). This will be a series of 8 lessons lasting for approximately 1 and ½ hours. The lessons will consist of a discussion of the topics listed and a set of pre-arranged hands prepared for the students to play prepared in advance. In addition to practicing the use of conventions, the exercises will also involve bidding, declarer play and defense.
Instructor: Don Brueggeman