We had 4 tables of students today, and this group of eager bridge players keep coming back for more each week.

It's often hard enough for beginning players to master opening bids and responses, but our students jumped into learning about 2 level opening bids this week.  The two club opener, a forcing bid, offers players opportunities for assured game contracts and possible slams, so we started with a review of responses to 2 club opening hands.  We have taught students how to show a response of 0-2 points by using 2 hearts, how to show 3-7 points with a 2 diamond waiting bid, and how to show a positive response with 8 plus points by bidding 2NT, 2 Spades, or 3 C, 3 D, or 3 H.  

Throw into the mix weak 2 opening bids, and our students now have some basic understanding of several ways to open a hand and describe shape and point count to partner. Students played two boards designed for 2 level opening bids, some got to slams and made them!  Some players remembered their defense lessons from last week and set the declarer's contract.  Most tables played 4 boards in about an hour today, which shows a lot of growth in their speed of play from previous weeks.

Thank you to Patsy Fagan, Sandra Baggett, and Beth Davis for coming to help mentor our new players today.

Next week, Pat Millette will set up a mock game for our students to play with bridgemates and all.  If you can come and support our new players, please let Deanna or Sherry know.