This is a text and image widget
Anything you place in the left hand column will appear on every page of the site
Introduction to bridge
Two YouTube videos explaining the basics of bridge:
- The Game of Bridge (3:48)
- Learn To Play Bridge In 5 Minutes (5:58)
Minibridge (courtesy of the English Bridge Union)
Basic bridge in 10 short tutorials (YouTube, about 30 minutes in total, American bidding)
Paul's short bridge course
Juniors arrive from different environments, learning from school, SBU lessons, parents, and other great teachers. This course tries to bring together everyone to a common understanding, which is basically Paul's view of how a weak no trump and four-card major system should be played.
This is not definitive but a discussion document for people coming into the game.
- Basics
- Opening balanced hands
- Opening unbalanced hands
- Responding to a no trump opening (Stayman and transfers)
- Responding to one of a suit
- Raising partner
- Opener’s second bid
- Responder’s second bid and fourth suit forcing
- Opening strong hands and responses
- Weak two opening bids and responses
- Pre-emptive opening bids and responses
- Competitive bidding - takeout doubles and responding
- Competitive bidding - overcalls and responding
- Competitive bidding - supporting partner
- Competitive bidding - Michaels Cue Bid and Unusual No Trump
- Slam bidding
- Carding
- Playing contracts
- Laws and ethics
Systems for young players
Like most sports there is a mismatch between the systems and methods taught to beginners and those played by international players. Our experience is that young players can adapt quickly to playing a system more commonly used by international players, namely five-card majors and a strong no trump, so we will also push advancing players and pairs to this method.
But there is still a place for a simple system that will allow them to play with club members, those taught using SBU lessons, and anyone else with very little preparation.
The following system card is for such a simple system, specifically weak no trump, four-card majors, and three weak twos which is the dominant system within SBU clubs. It is not a simple card, since it is designed to be used in international junior play.
SBU Junior Simple System card (PDF, contact Paul for editable version)
Good reads and videos
Books
- Anything by Hugh Kelsey (many bridge clubs may have one to borrow)
- Anything by Mike Lawrence (American-biased but excellent reads)
- Anything by Victor Mollo (bridge set in an amusing context)
- Why You Lose at Bridge - SJ Simon (written in 1940s but still relevant)
- 10 books you should read over and over - recent views of the Bridge Winners audience
Online
- Kit's Korner - World Champion Kit Woolsey provides insight into the mind of an expert bridge player through in-depth analysis of hands he played at recent Major Tournaments. Kit provides you with the opportunity to play along with him and decide what you would do at each critical juncture.
- Paul Gipson's bridge library (with suggested reads)
- Partnership Bidding at Bridge (PDF) by Robson/Segal - the best book on partnership competitive bidding, although it is complex and best for established partnerships. You may not play everything they suggest, but it will make you think.
- How a junior would teach bidding - views of a USA Junior player
- Larry Cohen's lesson on opening leads (YouTube video, 35 minutes)
System notes for advancing players
Junior 5-card major system card, with notes (PDF, contact Paul for editable version)
Supporting partner's one major opening bid (PDF)
Responding to one no trump (PDF)
Alisdair's Advanced Stayman and Transfers (PDF)
Simple competitive methods (PDF)
Defensive bidding over multi-way club and strong club openings (PDF)
Responding to fourth-suit forcing (BBO Forums)
Michaels Cue Bids and Unusual No Trump (PDF)
System, judgement, and some ethics