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649 N Fair Oaks Ave
#201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com
Greetings all from the American Bridge Teachers
Association annual convention in Minneapolis
this year. I'm here with 50 bridge teachers from
all over North America (and even Portugal).
We're hearing talks from notable bridge pros on
materials and techniques for teaching bridge.
The ABTA also gives out annual awards for
"Bridge Book of the Year" in different
categories, and certifies Master Teachers. (You
can see my own badge right there under my
picture!)
ABTA also designates a Teacher of the Year. The
winner this year was Lorraine Eaglesham from
Ontario, and the runner-up was Jan Weber from
Vero Beach, Fl. I felt like I had a strong
application, but I'm really delighted that we
have great bridge teachers like Lorraine and Jan
in their parts of the world.
Here are the three courses that are starting up
the coming week:
Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction
Here we go on a new adventure! This is the
course for non-bridge players to learn
the basics of the game. By the end of the first
class, the mechanics of bridge and much of the
vocabulary. During the six sessions, we'll
practice analyzing bridge hands, finding extra
tricks, and introduce the the language of
Standard American bidding.
Improving Your Judgment - Doubles
In Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding,
we introduce the concept of the takeout double.
Most newer players miss opportunities to use the
double call to their benefit, and this class
gives you lots of practice in doubling in
different contexts. We also learn guidelines for
advancing partner's double, and potential rebids
by doubler. As always there are great "play of
the deal" puzzles and defense tips as well!
Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions
There are a handful of bidding conventions that
are the most useful and ubiquitous for helping
partnerships discover HOW HIGH and WHERE. We'll
study Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong hand
openings, and slam bidding.
Pasadena Bridge Club's resident wizard Zachary
Vedro is instructor for this course.
More tidbits ...
If you're waiting for a daylight (or
semi-daylight) session of Bridge Basics 1, we
have one in the fall catalog for PCC Extension.
It'll be on Wednesday afternoons starting
October 28.
Don't forget you can always drop in for a
single session of any course for $25. Each class
usually stands along fairly well, and I try to
keep the topics visible on the
front of the web site.
For the full novice/intermediate program at the
club, including workshops, games, and casual
bridge, see the schedule
here!
Hope to see you soon at
the bridge club!
Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary, Lisa, Susan
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