Following is a descriptive list of lessons taught at Essex Bridge Center. Not all courses are being taught at all times. For the current offerings see Formats and Schedules.
L E S S O N – G A M E S F O R M A T
Beginner – Intermediate Levels
LEVEL ONE Play Bridge – Learn by Doing Level One
These are lessons for absolute beginners – bridge from square one. The first 6 lessons are free, and they are followed by 9 more lessons paid for at the time of each lesson. Our experienced staff will have you starting to play the very first class. Learn by actually playing along with other beginners, making your own mistakes and having relaxed fun. Each lesson includes plenty of playing time because that is what beginners need to learn to play.
LEVEL TWO Play Bridge – Learn by Doing Level Two
These sessions include a short lesson followed by a short game and are a continuation of Level One. They include 13 lessons that review the basics of bidding and play. There are two new lessons on Opening Leads. These groups are an ideal place for less experienced social players who would like to learn how to play duplicate style and to use bidding boxes. They are also suitable for people who have some bridge background but would like to have a complete review of Basic Modern Bidding. Speed of play is medium slow (10, later 12 hands).
These lessons are suitable for people who have completed our Level One or relative beginners/low intermediates who have some previous bridge background.
LEVEL THREE Play Bridge – Learn by Doing Level Three
These sessions are a continuation of Level Two and are a combination of a short lesson on a focused topic and a short bridge game. They will focus on Play of the Hand and its flip-side, Defense, with some review of Basic Bidding. These groups are also an ideal place for less experienced social players who would like to learn how to play duplicate style and to use bidding boxes. Speed of play is medium (about 12 hands).
LEVEL FOUR
These sessions are a continuation from Level Three and continue in the lesson-game format. Basic bidding conventions will be reviewed in greater detail than in Levels 1 through 3. Other topics include some new conventions, scoring and defense tactics. These groups are also an ideal place for experienced social players who would like to learn how to play duplicate style and to use bidding boxes. Speed of play is medium, about 14 hands are played during the short game.
W O R K S H O P F O R M A T
Beginner-Low Intermediate Levels
SATURDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS - These Workshops are designed to supplement our Level One, Two and Three Lessons, but they do stand alone and can be taken separately. They consist of a substantive topic review and 4-5 practice hands. Fall workshops are on a beginning level, Winter and Spring one are on a low intermediate level.
Fall topics: Opening the Bidding and Responding, Major Suit Fits, Overcalls, Preempts, Responses to Opening 1NT
Winter topics: Opener’s Rebid, Responder’s Rebid, Takeout Doubles, Jacoby Transfer, 2NT Openers, 2C Openers, Asking for Aces
Spring topics: Basic NT Play of Hand I, Basic NT Play of Hand II, Basic Trump Play of Hand I, Basic Trump Play of Hand II, Basic Finesses, No Trump & Trump Play
E V E N I N G P R E – G A M E (0-499 NLM) L E C T U R E S
During Winter 2011 Tuesday evening subjects will be about bidding: 1/18 Help, I Don’t Like My Partner’s Suit!; 1/25 Did My Hand Get Better Or Worse?; 2/1 Is That A Closeout?; 2/8 My Opponent Bid Over Our 1NT Opening. What Now?; 2/15 3rd Hand Openings; 2/22 4th Hand Openings; 3/1 Double Trouble Part I; 3/8 Double Trouble Part II. Thursday evening topics will be on Declarer Play: 1/20 Planning NT Contracts; 1/27 Card Combinations; 2/3 Avoiding Danger; 2/10 Creative Entries; 2/17 Planning Suit Contracts; 2/24 Trump It Now?; 3/3 Draw It Now?; 3/10 Set Up That Side Suit!
C O M P R E H E N S I V E L E S S O N F O R M A T
Intermediate -Advanced Intermediate Levels
MODERN BIDDING TECHNIQUES I
These lessons are designed for people who already know how to play bridge but want to improve or update their bidding. Common conventions played today in Standard American Bridge are covered in depth. These include Jacoby Transfer, Weak Twos, and Strong 2C Openers and Responses. This sequential series builds a solid and detailed foundation for bidding. Each lesson has practice hands designed to illustrate the concepts being discussed. This course is not on a beginning level.
MODERN BIDDING TECHNIQUES II
What do you bid when the opponents get into the auction and interfere with your bidding? This sequential series focuses on competitive bidding. Each lesson has practice hands which the instructor will go over after the students try bidding and playing them first. Some of the bids/conventions covered are Takeout Doubles, Overcalls (Simple, Preemptive, and NT), Negative Doubles, Michaels, and Unusual NT.
MODERN BIDDING TECHNIQUES III – Advanced Bidding Techniques
Do you want to add some of the newer, exciting conventions to your bridge game? How do advanced players find those non-obvious slams? These classes explore more advanced bidding techniques including 1NT Forcing and 2 Over 1. Slam bidding using various advanced conventions (such as Jacoby 2NT, Splinters, Control Showing Cuebids and Roman Keycard Blackwood) is also covered.
Sometimes topics/conventions covered in this class are changed. Be sure to check the specific schedule in place when you are interested in taking this class. See Formats and Schedules.
DECLARER PLAY OF THE HAND
In this class you will study techniques for improving your declarer play in both No Trump and Trump Contracts. You will practice the concepts covered in each lesson on prepared hands. Playing suit combinations, counting, finessing, discarding losers, managing trump, creating and preserving entries between the hands, loser on loser plays, and setting up a side suit are among the topics covered.
DEFENSIVE CARD PLAY
You’ll be on Defense about 50% of your time at the bridge table making Defense a critical part of this game. Develop your logic and reasoning skills and learn how to enjoy this vital and fascinating aspect of play. Each lesson has practice hands which the instructor will go over after the students try playing/defending them first. Topics covered include opening leads, 3rd hand play, rule of 11, 2nd hand play, the hold-up play, signals (attitude, count, and suit preference), and other strategies to interfere with the Declarer.
