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I've been offered the opportunity to teach a beginning bridge class, something I would love to do. This came about because my semi-regular partner of the last year is moving to Fan's area; he was gonna teach it but obviously can't now.

Couple roadblocks still ahead, but if it goes, it will start in September.

Question for all y'all bridge players:

What do you consider to be the three most important things you learned about bridge as a beginner?

If this is something you're inclined to do, please rank them in order of importance.

Any help appreciated.

Bridge is a social game and you are meant to have fun respect your partner and your opponents.
Bridge is a continuing game of re-evaluating your cards as the auction and then play progress.
Start simple and don't get inundated with treatments and conventions be comfortable with what you are playing before adding new things.

1. Count your points correctly.
2. Unless you're world-champ level, don't get mad at your partner. You'll do things just as boneheaded as he/she just did.
3. Find out what your partner likes to drink. Remember this when you're dummy.

ToLiveIsToFly wrote:1. Count your points correctly.
2. Unless you're world-champ level, don't get mad at your partner. You'll do things just as boneheaded as he/she just did.
3. Find out what your partner likes to drink. Remember this when you're dummy.

Cazart! This could just as easily apply to doubles tennis. Good luck with your class!

Good suggestions, y'all. Thanks!

I may BIF a couple times, not all the bridge players have chimed in. Skoop usually has something good to say in bridge threads.

I may add something on my own, something like:

Rule #1: The instructor does not make mistakes.
Rule #2: In case the instructor makes a mistake, see Rule #1.

SportsFan68 wrote:I've been offered the opportunity to teach a beginning bridge class, something I would love to do. This came about because my semi-regular partner of the last year is moving to Fan's area; he was gonna teach it but obviously can't now.

Couple roadblocks still ahead, but if it goes, it will start in September.

Question for all y'all bridge players:

What do you consider to be the three most important things you learned about bridge as a beginner?

If this is something you're inclined to do, please rank them in order of importance.

Any help appreciated.

Have you looked into the ACBL's teaching series? --Bob

My pearls of wisdom, in reverse order (only to prolong the suspense - No. 1 is the most important of them):

3. If the diamond Q has to be on your left to make the hand, assume it's on your left. Don't bother with what-ifs which include it being on the right. This is also helpful in real life, though not so often with queens.

2. If you learn what you can from a particular hand, mostly you will be able to apply that same lesson to another hand or to something in your life. Unless you are my dad, to whom every single hand is unique and there are no abstract lessons to be learned.

1. From both bridge and pinball, I learned that sometimes even when you play the hand/ball just right, the game will

Spoiler

fuck

you anyway.

So get over it. Be happy you played it right, and don't worry about the consequences.

Notice when you are bringing your feelings about your partner into the hand and you are not just playing bridge, you are playing something else.

And - how lucky that those people will be taught by you!

Bob78164 wrote:

SportsFan68 wrote:I've been offered the opportunity to teach a beginning bridge class, something I would love to do. This came about because my semi-regular partner of the last year is moving to Fan's area; he was gonna teach it but obviously can't now.

Couple roadblocks still ahead, but if it goes, it will start in September.

Question for all y'all bridge players:

What do you consider to be the three most important things you learned about bridge as a beginner?

If this is something you're inclined to do, please rank them in order of importance.

Any help appreciated.

Have you looked into the ACBL's teaching series? --Bob

I have not! Thanks! I just realized how ignorant I am about what ACBL does have to offer. Just about all I've ever used them for is to send my nice magazine on time and track all my masterpoints. Did I mention I'm up to Club Master? Thought so . . .

Ritterskoop wrote:My pearls of wisdom, in reverse order (only to prolong the suspense - No. 1 is the most important of them):

3. If the diamond Q has to be on your left to make the hand, assume it's on your left. Don't bother with what-ifs which include it being on the right. This is also helpful in real life, though not so often with queens.

2. If you learn what you can from a particular hand, mostly you will be able to apply that same lesson to another hand or to something in your life. Unless you are my dad, to whom every single hand is unique and there are no abstract lessons to be learned.

1. From both bridge and pinball, I learned that sometimes even when you play the hand/ball just right, the game will

Spoiler

fuck

you anyway.

So get over it. Be happy you played it right, and don't worry about the consequences.

I was right again!

Skoop usually has something good to say in bridge threads.

Thanks, Skoop.

peacock2121 wrote:Notice when you are bringing your feelings about your partner into the hand and you are not just playing bridge, you are playing something else.

That's true, and something I hope I can get across.

peacock2121 wrote:And - how lucky that those people will be taught by you!

Thanks! I think it will be a good thing.

This is all like a foreign language to me, maybe I should learn! I never know what on earth you guys are talking about when you talk bridge!

sunflower wrote:This is all like a foreign language to me, maybe I should learn! I never know what on earth you guys are talking about when you talk bridge!

Lessons begin the third (probably) week in September!

sunflower wrote:This is all like a foreign language to me, maybe I should learn! I never know what on earth you guys are talking about when you talk bridge!

Just do what I do and stand in the corner and look cute.

earendel wrote:

sunflower wrote:This is all like a foreign language to me, maybe I should learn! I never know what on earth you guys are talking about when you talk bridge!

Just do what I do and stand in the corner and look cute.

I think that's probably the best idea!

SportsFan68 wrote:

Bob78164 wrote:

SportsFan68 wrote:I've been offered the opportunity to teach a beginning bridge class, something I would love to do. This came about because my semi-regular partner of the last year is moving to Fan's area; he was gonna teach it but obviously can't now.

Couple roadblocks still ahead, but if it goes, it will start in September.

Question for all y'all bridge players:

What do you consider to be the three most important things you learned about bridge as a beginner?

If this is something you're inclined to do, please rank them in order of importance.

Any help appreciated.

Have you looked into the ACBL's teaching series? --Bob

I have not! Thanks! I just realized how ignorant I am about what ACBL does have to offer. Just about all I've ever used them for is to send my nice magazine on time and track all my masterpoints. Did I mention I'm up to Club Master? Thought so . . .

I think there are four series -- the Club Series, the Diamond Series, the Heart Series, and the Spade Series. --Bob

SportsFan68 wrote:I've been offered the opportunity to teach a beginning bridge class, something I would love to do. This came about because my semi-regular partner of the last year is moving to Fan's area; he was gonna teach it but obviously can't now.

Couple roadblocks still ahead, but if it goes, it will start in September.

Question for all y'all bridge players:

What do you consider to be the three most important things you learned about bridge as a beginner?

If this is something you're inclined to do, please rank them in order of importance.

Any help appreciated.

1. You will make mistakes, but you will learn from those mistakes. Don't dwell on the mistakes because you will make them as long as you play and you will continue to learn as long as you play.

2. Discuss the hands after all boards have been played and the session is over, not between boards.

3. Remember, you have a partner.