Bridge Basics 2 - Mondays
This course will focus on Competitive Bidding. If you've taken the first course, are returning to bridge , or need some brushing up on your bidding in competition, this is the course for you. The course will cover preemptive bids, overcalls and advances, take out doubles and advances and the competitive auction. There will be class discussion of several hands on each topic as well as playing hands involving the current topics.
Class taught by Rick Seaburg, Bridge Instructor
“Commonly Used Conventions” - Fridays
The class will usually cover 2 different conventions at each session, if time permits additional topics can be included. There will be pre-arranged hands to illustrate the topics covered in each class session. A “convention” is “An understanding between partners that would not ordinarily be understood by the opponents in the absence of an explanation. A convention, in contrast to a treatment, is a bid that gives or requests information unrelated to the denomination named. A convention is also a call or play with a defined meaning, which may be artificial.” There is more to most conventions than people realize – bids that seem simple have multiple variations and responses, as well as partnership agreements that can change and enlarge on the meaning of responses.The language of Bridge is confined to 7 numbers and 9 words, so it is important to put as much meaning into each of those numbers and words as possible – which is why conventions are so important in communicating with partner. However, there is a limit to conventions that can be used in certain levels of competition, as outlined in the ACBL Convention Charts.
Class taught by Don Bruggeman, Bridge Instructor
"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.