Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
One of the things that makes the Pasadena Bridge Club special is our
teaching schedule and course catalog.
We reserve three dedicated periods each week for formal bridge classes:
Wednesday afternoons, and Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Within those
three periods, the goal is to cycle through our available 6-week courses
on a staggered schedule. Every course should come around about three
times each year.
Every course benefits from being taken a second time! Bridge learning
never ends — it's one of the things that make this game so compelling!
Here is the lineup of courses starting next week:
Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding
In this course we start thinking like a bridge player — considering when
our best result may be to go down in a contract for a small negative
score rather than let the opponents make a contract for a /large/
negative score. You'll discover the /Law of Total Tricks/ that can help
you decide "to bid or not to bid."
* Six Wednesday afternoons, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, starting Jan. 7
* $120 includes text by Audrey Grant
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/competitive-bidding>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal
Improve your ability to win all the tricks you can as the declarer in a
contract. It's all about planning! Learn to identify many of the
patterns that enable developing extra winners or eliminating losers.
The course this period is taught by Zachary Vedro, one of the very best
not only at playing the deal, but at presenting the concepts involved.
The textbook won /Book of the Year/ in 2025 from the American Bridge
Teachers Association.
* Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting Jan. 7
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Improving Your Judgment - Doubles
Most newer bridge players overlook opportunities to use the /double/
call to compete in the auction. This course will improve your ability to
recognize opportunities for a takeout double, and provide some structure
to the bidding and decisions that come after.
* Six Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting Jan. 8
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/iyj_doubles>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Looking for an introduction course?
We just completed a Bridge Introduction course in November, and our next
one is scheduled for Thursday evenings starting April 2.
Can't wait to get started? There's a course using the highly acclaimed
/Easybridge/ curriculum in Woodland Hills on Saturday mornings, starting
January 17. Here's more information on their course
<https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwoq/bw.cgi?club=750&pid=display_page9>.
No matter where or how you learn to play bridge, check out our full
schedule of events for novice and intermediate bridge players:
https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/schedule#novice
Save the date ...
Mojo, Robert, JaneThe bridge club will be hosting Robert Todd for a full
day bridge seminar on Sunday, March 15. This is our third year to host
Robert, and it's always an eye-opening and entertaining day!
Watch for details in a future newsletter!
Hope to see you soon at the bridge club!
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary, Lisa, Susan
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
It's a great time to learn to play bridge, or take some courses to
level-up your game!
Our schedule now features a series of courses during daylight hours on
Wednesday at 3:00 PM. It all starts with /Bridge Basics 1 -
Introduction/, this Wednesday, October 8. It'll be followed by the
complete Bridge Basics series.
Our Wednesday and Thursday evening sessions at 7:00 are highlighting the
most popular conventions and defense.
Don't have time for a full course? Drop in for any single class session
for just $25!
Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This is the starting point for non-bridge players ready to explore our
fascinating game. In the first class, you'll learn all of the mechanics
and vocabulary for playing the game. In the following five sessions
you'll learn strategy for getting better results, and the basics of the
language we use during the auction.
* Six Wednesday afternoon, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, starting Oct 8
* Course offered through PCC Extension, held at the bridge club
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions
In this course you will learn and practice the four most useful bridge
bidding conventions that many say are all you need to really to compete
in the game: Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong hand openings, and
slam bidding.
* Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting Oct 15
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Introduction to Defense
This course might have the most positive impact on your game score than
any other! Learn the principles of communicating with partner and
visuzlizing the location of the cards you can't see at the table. After
all, during the play of the hand, you'll be defending twice as often as
declaring!
* Six Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting Oct 16
* $120 includes textbook by Eddie Kantar
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Full program for novice/intermediate players
The Pasadena Bridge Club is unrivaled in the Los Angeles area for its
schedule of courses, social/supervised play, workshops, and bridge games
for novice and intermediate players. There's something for new players
six days a week!
See the full schedule of our program at the Pasadena Bridge Club web
site here: https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/schedule#novice
We have a great team of teachers and hosts including Morris "Mojo"
Jones, Zachary Vedro, Lisa Walker, and Susan Kane.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary, Lisa
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
We have three new courses starting up at the end of August, providing
some great opportunities to level-up your bridge game.
This newsletter goes to both our News and Classes lists. If you're only
on the classes list, but would like to get the weekly newsletter, drop
me a note!
Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding
Yes, this is the follow-up to Bridge Basics 1, but it's arguably the
most powerful course in the curriculum for anyone playing in tournament
or club games. Learn how to use the scoring table to your advantage and
get your best results, taking advantage of new bidding language
available when both sides are in the auction.
* Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting Aug 27
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/competitive-bidding>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal
While the language of bidding changes quickly over time, the skills
involved in playing the deal are unchanged. The new textbook by Audrey
Grant won "Beginner Book of the Year" awarded by the American Bridge
Teachers Association this year!
* Six Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting Aug 28
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Two Over One Game Force
Learn the patterns and idioms of the bidding system that's currently the
most popular and successful among tournament and club players at all
levels. With one tweak to Standard American bidding, you'll find
yourself better able to find the right game and better slam contracts.
/Take advantage of our daylight Wednesday class schedule!/
* Six Wednesday afternoons, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, starting Aug 27
* $130 includes textbook by Grant and Rodwell
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/two_over_one_game_force>
* Register for the course here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Classes This Week
This week we have great opportunities to practice play at two levels.
Both sessions are practice hands for their topics! These are delightful
single-session opportunities.
* Wednesday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/
* Thursday, 7:00 PM, /Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions/
For all of our courses, you're welcome to join a single class for $25.
It's a great way to get a good bite of a subject without a six-week
commitment.
Join us *every Saturday morning* for a free workshop at 9:30, whether
you stay for the game or not! We'll study a hand from Eddie Kantar's
/Thinking Bridge/ series. Each hand has interesting bidding, play, and
defense to learn from.
Coming up ...
The *Pasadena Sectional tournament* will take over the bridge club on
the weekend of August 23-24. That will affect the club's schedule in two
ways:
* Saturday games on the 23rd will be canceled
* Friday afternoon's social/supervised session will be canceled to set
up the tournament.
This month includes your last chance to qualify for this year's North
American Pairs District Final at the club level. All of our Open Pairs
games August 25-31 will be NAP Qualifier games.
Students are /already enrolling/ for the *next Bridge Basics 1 course*,
starting October 8, on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 PM. This is our
first time to offer the course on a daylight schedule! Click here to
register
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
for the course with PCC Extension.
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary, Lisa
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
It's time for some new classes to start up! The next three weeks will
see the start of three great courses for your consideration.
We just completed a great session of /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ on
Thursday evenings. We'll follow it up with /Competitive Bidding/,
/Popular Conventions/, and /Play of the Deal/ every six weeks in succession.
Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding
/Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/ will be held on Thursday
evenings starting May 15.
This is the second of the Bridge Basics course series. If you're already
playing games at the club, /this is the course/ (along with Defense)
that will probably have the most impact on how well you do in the results.
If you're new to bridge, this is the course that starts to show how
fascinating the game can be, with strategy and close decisions on every
side. You'll add vocabulary to your bidding language, and tools to get
to the best score.
* Six Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting May 15
* $120 includes textbook
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/competitive-bidding>
* Click here to save your seat
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> (pay at
the club)
Improving your judgment - Opening the Bidding
This course title is one of the "stealth" offerings of the curriculum.
It's easy to think that there's nothing new to discuss about making the
opening bid, but there are many surprising subtleties and judgment that
experts use to modify their choices when opening the bidding.
You'll learn guidelines and recommendations in this course that you
won't hear anywhere else. And of course, being an Audrey Grant course,
it includes great declarer and defense exercises.
This course does not come with a textbook! (There was one, but it has
since gone out of print.) The value in the course is still there. I've
decided to continue offering it at a slight discount.
* Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting May 21
* $110 for the course
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/iyj_opening>
* Click here to save your seat
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> (pay at
the club)
Introduction to Defense
This course (along with competitive bidding) may have more beneficial
effects on your game results than any other. You will learn how to
visualize the layout of cards in a suit when you can't see your
partner's hand. Learn to work with your partner to take as many tricks
as you can on defense.
The textbook for the course is the delightful "Introduction to Defense"
by Edwin Kantar, recently revised and updated by Barbara Seagram. All of
Eddie's trademark humor and clear straightforward lessons are in full
effect.
This is the next in our Wednesday afternoon series! Perfect for bridge
students who'd rather not be out at night.
* Six Wednesday afternoons, 3:00-5:00 PM, starting May 28
* $120 includes textbook
* Full lesson plan here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense>
* Click here to save your seat
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> (pay at
the club)
Novice/intermediate program
The Pasadena Bridge Club has what I believe is the best weekly program
for new players in the country. We have informal "supervised play"
sessions, workshops for more in depth practice, and bridge games
specifically for newer players
See the full novice/intermediate weekly schedule here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/schedule#novice>.
Coming up ...
Our next session of /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ will be on
Wednesday evenings, starting July 2.
As usual it will be followed insequence by the next few Bridge Basics
courses. Let your friends know!
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
We have a new course session — a *daylight *session on Wednesdays from
3:00-5:00 PM. Play of the Deal
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal> and
Introduction to Defense
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense> will be the
next courses offered during the new session. This fall we'll be offering
our first course, Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>,
during the Wednesday afternoon session.
There's still time to join us this Sunday, March 30, for the full day
seminar with noted author and teacher *Robert Todd*. See the flier here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/fliers/2025-03-30-robert…>
for his dynamite topics, and reserve your seat here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>.
Here are the new courses we'll be starting in April:
Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal
Bridge Basics 4 debuted last year with a dynamite presentation of the
techniques and planning skills needed to win as many tricks as you can
as declarer. Plan your play using declarer's ABCs, learn to manage
entries, and watch out for the opponents.
* Six Wednesday afternoons 3-5 PM
* First class April 16
* Course fee $120 includes text book by Audrey Grant
* Full details and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal>
* Reserve your seat here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Two Over One Game Force
Once you're comfortable with Standard American 5-card Major bidding,
it's time to take your bidding to the next level. Two Over One Game
Force (2/1GF) is the most popular system played by experienced players
in clubs and tournaments everywhere.
With one small tweak to Standard American bidding, you'll improve your
ability find good slam contracts, and the right game contracts. You'll
learn the idioms and common "phrases" of 2/1GF. This course also
features some of the best /play of the hand/ lessons you'll see!
* Six Wednesday evenings 7-9 PM
* First class April 9
* Course fee $130 includes text book by Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell
* Full details and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/two_over_one_game_force>
* Reserve your seat here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This is the course to introduce your non-bridge-playing friends to our
favorite game. In the first class you'll learn the mechanics and
vocabulary of bridge - /everything you need to actually start playing/.
The subsequent classes will add skills for analyzing deals and making
contracts, and introduce the language of Standard American bidding to
communicate with your partner.
* Six Thursday evenings 7-9 PM
* First class April 3
* Course fee $100 total includes text book
* Full details and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>
This course is offered by Pasadena City College Extension, and meets at
the Pasadena Bridge Club. To register for the class online, visit PCC
Extension at this link
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>.
Student/Novice games and practice sessions
I challenge any club to offer a program of games and practice sessions
for new players as comprehensive as ours!
Workshops and practice sessions (open to all):
* Mondays "Workshop with Zachary" 3-5 PM $10 /reservations available/
* Tuesday and Friday "Social/Supervised Play" 3-5 PM /free (donations
accepted)/
Student and Novice/Intermediate games (reservations available for all):
* Tuesday evenings 7:00 PM *0-300 Pairs* $12
* Thursday afternoons 3:00 PM *0-20 Newcomer Pairs* $10
* Saturday mornings 9:30 AM *0-300 Workshop + Game* $12
Our next Bridge Basics 1 offering will be on Wednesday evenings starting
July 2. Watch for the offering in the PCC Extension Summer catalog.
Mojo, Jane and Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Zachary and I have taken some time to revamp our afternoon schedule,
weekdays from 3:00-5:00 PM. It's all about students and newer players!
We're going to continue with casual social supervised play sessions
Tuesday and Friday. We're adding a special workshop with Zachary on
Mondays, new class sessions on Wednesdays, and an official novice 0-20
bridge game on Thursdays.
New classes are starting at the end of February and beginning of March.
See the descriptions below!
March will also feature *free Wednesday morning bridge seminars* by
Platinum Life Master Lulu Minter, and a full day seminar on Sunday March
30 by the amazing *Robert Todd*.
*To enroll in any of the classes* below you can use the form here:
https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment
Weekday 3:00-5:00 schedule:
* Monday starting March 3, Workshop with Zachary
* Tuesday March 4, Social Bridge, Jon and Susan
* Wednesday March 5, Bridge Basics 3 Popular Conventions
* Thursday March 6, 0-20 Novice Duplicate Bridge
* Friday March 7, Social Bridge, Mojo and others
Would you like to help host social bridge on Tuesdays or Fridays? Please
drop me a note!
Introduction to Defense
This six-week course on defender play will cover the essentials of
defense, helping you work with your partner to win as many tricks as you
can.
* Six Wednesday evenings, 7-9 PM
* Starting Feb 26
* $120 includes textbook by Eddie Kantar
* Full details and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense>
Improving Your Judgment - Doubles
Let's go into depth on the many ways you can use the takeout double to
compete in the auction.
* Five Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM
* Starting Feb 27
* $100 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full details and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/iyj_doubles>
Popular Conventions
Daytime class! Join us on Wednesday afternoons to study the most useful
and popular bridge conventions: Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, Strong 2♣
Openings, and Slam Bidding.
* Six Wednesday afternoons, 3-5 PM
* Starting Mar 5
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Full details and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions>
Bridge Workshop with Zachary
Join us every Monday afternoon from 3:00-5:00 for a fun and intense
bridge workshop in Zachary's inimitable and charming style!
You'll get to play the hands that were played in the Monday Open Pairs
session, compare your results with the best bridge players in Pasadena,
and learn from Zachary how you might be able to improve your score.
One of our specialties is working with partnerships to improve your
communication.
The Monday workshops will be $10 each, with reservations kept in
RSVPBridge. If you already have an RSVP Bridge account, log in to RSVP
bridge <https://rsvpbridge.com/>, click on the "My Clubs" icon in the
top ribbon, find "Workshop with Zachary" and add yourself to the group!
(Or just drop me a note and I'll do that.)
Free Lulu Minter Seminars
Before *every Wednesday in March* (and one in April) Lulu Minter will be
hosting a *free* bridge workshop before the morning game at 10:00 AM.
Lulu is a Platinum Life Master. If you've played against him at the
bridge club, you know that Lulu and his partner (and son) Fredy are a
formidable partnership!
Drop in and learn some of his secrets for playing the game! Here is the
topic list:
* March 5 - Counting
* March 12 - Leads and Signals
* March 19 - Rule of 11
* March 26 - Rule of 7
* April 2 - Q&A - Open Forum
Robert Todd Seminar
Sunday, March 30: Full day seminar with the amazing Robert Todd. See the
event flier here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/sites/default/files/fliers/2025-03-30-robert…>.
* Morning session 9:00 AM: Hand evaluation + re-evaluation.
* Afternoon session 1:00 PM: Compete when they open
Join the full day for $90, or one session only for $55. Register here
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>.
Saturday Morning Workshop and Game
Described as *one of the best deals at the bridge club*, every Saturday
morning at 9:30, we have a workshop hand from Eddie Kantar's "Thinking
Bridge," followed by a 15-board novice/intermediate bridge game (0-300).
Finished by 12:15.
Make your reservations on RSVP Bridge <https://rsvpbridge.com>, or just
reply to this email to join in!
Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This course is the starting point for anyone thinking of trying our
fascinating game! The course is part of the PCC Extension catalog, but
meets at the Pasadena Bridge Club.
Our next course series begins on Thursday evenings, April 3, 7:00-9:00 PM.
You can register for Bridge Introduction at this link
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>,
and be sure to pass it along to your friends!
Rest assured, we will also be offering a session of Bridge Basics 1
during the new Wednesday afternoon 3-5 period in a few months!
Mojo, Jane and Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Welcome to 2025! It's going to be a great year for playing bridge and
leveling-up your game.
Our class sessions are on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, featuring
another course from our eight course catalog
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses> every six weeks or so.
We also have our weekly Tuesday evening duplicate game for novice
players, as well as our popular Saturday morning game with a free bridge
workshop at 9:30. Office Hours feature casual bridge every Monday -
Thursday from 3:00-5:00 PM.
Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding
Bridge Basics 1 focuses on what we call the "constructive" auction —
when one side opens the bidding, the other side is silent. This allows a
partnership to focus on HOW HIGH and WHERE to play a contract.
But in most bridge auctions, both sides get involved. When the other
side makes a bid, you also have the goal of interfering with their
auction, as well as finding the best contract for your side. A
competitive auction offers new opportunities to add to our bidding
vocabulary.
Of course it wouldn't be one of our courses without also having tips for
winning extra tips as declarer or defender!
* Six Wednesday evenings, starting January 8, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
* See the full course description
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/competitive-bidding>
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Click here to enroll
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal
/Play of the Deal/ was just released in 2024 by Audrey Grant and David
Lindop. This will be our first presentation of the course at the
Pasadena Bridge Club!
While bidding language evolves over time (like all languages!), the
principles of card play as declarer are timeless. The techniques and
puzzle-solving skills of declarer play are also much deeper than they
seem at first! Like all puzzles, skill is achieved through study and
practice to recognize common situations and possibilities.
* Six Thursday evenings, starting Januray 9, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
* Full course description
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/play-of-the-deal>
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Click here to enroll
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Last year and this year ...
At the end of the year, the Pasadena Bridge Club was #99 in North
America, with 2,357 tables played in ACBL-sanctioned bridge games. In
the US alone, we're #79. In LA County (District 23) we're #3 behind the
Long Beach Bridge Center and the Agile Bridge Club.
Next on the course calendar will be /Improving Your Judgment - Opening
the Bidding/ starting on February 19, and /Introduction to Defense/
starting February 20.
This coming year we'll have a special full-day seminar event featuring
Robert Todd. If you're saving events on your calendar, keep Sunday March
30 open for that.
Our next session of /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction /will be on Thursday
evenings, starting April 3. Watch for the listing in the PCC Extension
catalog!
Mojo, Jane and Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
I had a great time in Las Vegas playing in the North American Bridge
Championships. I had two great days of bridge, and didn't come home with
any big finishes. It was great hearing about the impact the Pasadena
Bridge Club has had from friends near and far.
Audrey Grant was dining next to us at one of the restaurants. She told
me how excited she was about what we're doing, and I was able to
introduce her to several of our folks who were also dining nearby.
Group with Audrey Grant
Lisa Walker, Audrey Grant, Karmen Armoudjian, Mojo and Jane
I might have a new slogan for the bridge club, "The little club that
thinks it's a big club." 🙂
December has several special events to tell you about.
Kantar on Declarer Play
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Dec, 11, 12, 18, and 19, I'll be
offering individual classes that each focus on a different aspect of
declarer play.
The source material comes from a treasure trove of lessons and hands by
the inimitable Eddie Kantar. Each class is $25 to attend, or you can
sign up for all four for $85. There is no textbook.
Here are the topics for each session, each starting at 7:00 PM:
* *Entries* Wed Dec. 11
* *Loser on Loser Plays* Thu Dec. 12
* *The Avoidance Play* Wed Dec. 18
* *Ducking Plays at Suit Contracts* Thu Dec. 19
Drop me an email to sign up, and I'll add you to the courses on RSVP Bridge.
Dec. 15 Holiday Party
The unit is putting on a great holiday party on Sunday Dec. 15. The meal
is a tri-tip barbeque from Stonefire Grill.
For bridge we're going to have two sections: Open Pairs like our weekday
11:00 AM games, and 299er Pairs limited to players with fewer than 300
masterpoints, like our Saturday morning games.
Reservations must be made by Thursday, December 5, so drop me a note if
you are coming. You can pay in advance using cash or a credit card at
the Pasadena Bridge Club.
New Year's Eve Party
Last year we had a great time playing a team game on December 31 in the
afternoon. We're going to do it again this year, with plenty of wine and
cheese, and an early start time that will let you get home or to your
own NYE celebration plans. (Probably 12:00 noon.)
I'll have more about that next week.
New Courses in January
January 8 and 9 we'll start with new courses in the Bridge Basics
series, including the *first offering* of Audrey Grant's brand new
/Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal/.
Wednesdays will feature /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/, and
Thursdays /Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal/.
Drop in on the Upcoming Courses
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/available_courses> page for all of the
information.
The next /Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction/ will be on *Thursday evenings
starting April 3*, offered through Pasadena City College Extension, as
usual!
Our own "Black Friday" sale!
For December we're selling "5-game" punch cards for $55, a savings of $1
each over the regular $12 game fee. You can buy up to three if you like.
(That's three total, not three at a time!)
I'll print as many as we need. Come January they'll be $60 again, which
isn't a discount, but it's certainly convenient.
More next week!
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
We have two great courses starting next week on Wednesday and Thursday
evenings! Invite your friends to discover our game on Wednesday
evenings, and join us on Thursdays to learn (or fine tune) the most
common bidding conventions.
We also have great games and workshops for new players, and some special
events coming later this month.
Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions
A convention is a bid that has special meaning to a partnership to help
you reach the best contract on a hand. While there are literally
thousands of bridge conventions, there are three or four that you'll
find the most frequently used and valuable to know.
In this course we'll learn about Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong
opening bids, and some tools for bidding slams.
* Six Thursday evenings, starting Oct. 24, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
* Full course description
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions>
* $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Click here to enroll
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This is the launch pad course for your bridge experience! Even if you've
taken the course before, seeing it again always reveals new details that
you missed the first time.
In the first class you'll learn the mechanics of the game and much of
the vocabulary, such as /tricks, notrump, trump, declarer, dummy,
opening lead, contract/. For the rest of the class, we'll learn
techniques for winning extra tricks, and much of the language of
bidding. The last two classes will be practice in using your new skills!
* Six Wednesday evenings, starting Oct. 23, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
* Full course description
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>
* $100 includes textbook by Audrey Grant
* Click here to enroll
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
Office Hours!
Join us for casual bridge Monday through Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00.
Plenty of nice partners available.
We'll have an experienced bridge player on hand to help you with sticky
problems. Try playing the same hands as we play in the 11:00 Open game
and compare your results to theirs!
Office Hours are available for a $5 donation, and a great way for newer
players to develop their bridge muscles!
Novice/Intermediate Games
Every *Tuesday evening* from 7:00-9:15 we have a real bridge game that's
specifically for newer players. No sharks in the game! Lisa Walker hosts
a room of friendly newer bridge players ready to welcome you to the
table. If you're looking for a partner, we almost always have one
available for you.
Come earn your first masterpoints in this game!
*Saturday mornings* are dedicated to our novice/intermediate players. We
start the morning at 9:30 with a fascinating bridge hand from Eddie
Kantar's "Thinking Bridge" series. Every hand teaches /how to think/
about a bridge hand, from the perspectives of bidding, declarer play,
and defense.
The workshop is followed at 10:00 by a 14-15 board bridge game, finished
by 12:15.
Coming up at the bridge club
We have another week of Club Appreciation games with lots of extra
masterpoints awarded, October 21-26.
Wednesday October 30 is a very special game, the ACBL-wide *Instant
Matchpoint game*. At the end of the game, players get a printed booklet
with expert analysis of all the hands. Matchpoint awards are
pre-determined on the spot. And the winning pair in each direction can
earn a *full Gold masterpoint*! (Card fee for this very special game
will be $15.)
Mojo, Jane and Zachary
Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
Learn and play bridge!
Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher
649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>
I have three great opportunities to learn and improve your bridge game.
It all starts this week!
I'm really excited about the return of the Saturday morning workshop.
Read on for more ...
And don't forget our Monday through Thursday "Office Hours" sessions
from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Drop in whenever you like and play some casual
bridge with other bridge players at your level.
Introduction to Defense
This course introduces the essentials of good defense, helping you work
with your partner to win as many tricks as you can. Good defense
requires imagination, logic, communication, and puzzle solving skills.
Two-thirds of your bridge play will be on defense!
The textbook is by Eddie Kantar, updated by Barbara Seagram in 2019. The
style is delightful, sometimes whimsical, easy to read and understand
* Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting July 31.
* $120 includes textbook
* Full description and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/intro-to-defense>
* Click here to reserve your seat
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment>
Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
This is the starting point for folks who've never played bridge, and a
great way to get back into the game if you've been away from it for a while.
The first class teaches all of the mechanics of the game (you can't miss
this one if you've never played!). The following classes introduce ways
to win more tricks and find better contracts.
As of this email, we only have a handful of seats left for this session.
* Six Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting August 1.
* $85 + $15 for textbook
* Full description and lesson plan
<https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction>
* Click here to reserve your seat
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
through PCC Extension
Saturday morning workshop and game
The Saturday workshop is back with a new starting time and a great new
series of lessons.
We'll meet at 9:30 for the workshop, and follow at 10:00 with a 14-15
board bridge game that /awards masterpoints/. The game will be finished
by 12:15, leaving your Saturday afternoon free. If you need more, play
in the Open Pairs game at 1:00!
Our workshop will focus on hands from Eddie Kantar's excellent "Thinking
Bridge" series. We'll start by bidding and playing a hand. Each hand
will have interesting bidding, declarer play, and defense problems to solve.
Every hand is a great example of /how to think/ about a bridge hand, and
not just blindly follow the guidelines you've learned.
Next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction ...
The next offering of Bridge Basics 1 will be held on Wednesday evenings
starting October 31. The course is already available for registration
<https://pasadena.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&i…>
in the PCC Extension catalog. For all your friends curious about bridge,
let them know!
Come learn and play bridge!
Mojo
