Fun! Social! Challenging!
Intellectually Stimulating!
Spring 2023
Essential Defensive Concepts
Online Lessons
With Alan Powell
The main audience for these lessons are players
with at least a year or two of experience.
Players of all levels can improve their game
with better Defense.
This is a 8-Week Online Series.
Players may attend all or any of the classes.
If you have not taken classes with us,
we recommend you review our
*From Zoom to Shark tutorial
When:
THURSDAYS from March 23 - May 18
There will be no class on April 5
Morning Session: 10am - 11:45am OR
Evening Session: 7pm - 8:45pm
Participants choose a specific class time
but will receive Zoom links for both classes times each week.
Participants can swap from their chosen time if necessary
but may only attend one class per week.
What:
Players receive a pre-class Lecture PDF
with explanations and examples.
Players also receive a pre-class Video
to reinforce concepts from class.
Materials are sent on Monday evening each week.
On Class Day, players will join Alan
for in Zoom for a Lecture
Then players will join Alan in Shark Bridge
for online practice of the lesson concepts.
There is no makeup for the practice portion of the class.
However, players will have the video and PDF,
allowing them to keep up with the group
before the next class meeting.
Price:
$144 for all 8 weeks
Players may enroll in the entire series at once,
choose specific dates at once, or
pay for each class on an individual basis
Single session classes - $18
Questions?
alan@essexbridgecenter.com
Why Study Defense?
The quickest way to improve your game is
to study Defense.
Bridge players spend about half their time on Defense.
Each contract set or each overtrick prevented
on Defense is just as important
as each contract and overtrick made on Offense.
Defense is more difficult than Declarer Play.
Declarers have the advantage of knowing exactly
what their assets are.
Defenders can see Dummy, but not their Partner's hand.
Partners have to work together using signals and
leading conventions to try to take
the maximum number of Defensive tricks.
Individual Topics for Each Week
Thursday, March 23
Essential Defensive Concepts
Opening Leads vs Notrump Contracts Part I
Choosing a Standard opening lead
Choosing the correct Suit to lead.
Choosing the correct card to lead in the Suit.
Thursday, March 30
Essential Defensive Concepts
Opening Leads vs Notrump Contracts Part II
Reading the Opening Lead by 3rd Hand
What are the Standard Choices on Defense and
How to Work Together with your Partner.
No Class on April 6
Thursday, April 13
Essential Defensive Concepts
Opening Leads vs Suit Contracts Part I
Choosing a Standard opening lead
Choosing the correct Suit to lead.
Choosing the correct card to lead in the Suit.
Thursday, April 20
Essential Defensive Concepts
Opening Leads vs Suit Contracts Part II
Reading the Opening Lead by 3rd Hand
What are the Standard Choices on Defense and
How to Work Together with your Partner.
Thursday, April 27
Essential Defensive Concepts
3rd Hand Play - Attitude Signals and 3rd Hand High
Passing Information or Promoting Winners in Partner's Hand
Thursday, May 4
Essential Defensive Concepts
2nd Hand Low with exceptions
Count Signals Covering Declarer's honor
How to Avoid Giving Away Unnecessary Tricks
Thursday, May 11
Essential Defensive Concepts
The Defensive Holdup Play using the Count Signal
How to Cut Declarer's Communications
Thursday, May 18
Essential Defensive Concepts
Leading from Shortness (or Not)
Suit Preference Signals