FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the cost of a lesson? A. $10 each or if you can take advantage of a discount by pre-paying for all in the series.

I've never played bridge before and I want to learn.  Can I still come? A.  We accommodate ALL levels of players.  Don't be afraid to come out to the beginner lessons even if you've NEVER played bridge before.

Do I need to bring a partner? A. No.

Where are the lessons? A. Midland Bridge Club, 427 William Street, Midland

Do I need to pre-register? A. Its not mandatory to pre-register, however knowing the number of students allows Greg to have the right number of tables prepared, enough pre-dealt hands for every one and enough handouts, if applicable.  Most important, whether to make a 2nd pot of coffee. :-)

Are there any books I should buy? A. No - books are optional. 

Do I need to take notes? A. For some people, writing things down helps them remember, but take notes only if you want to.  We send out Lesson Notes after every lesson.

What is Vulnerability? (from ACBL website)

The condition of being subject to greater undertrick penalties and eligible to receive greater premiums as provided by the scoring table.

In rubber bridge, vulnerability comes about by having won one game toward rubber.

In duplicate bridge, vulnerability is arbitrarily assigned by board numbers. Vulnerability in duplicate is on a 16-board cycle, repeating for each succeeding 16 boards; boards 1, 8, 11 and 14 have no vulnerability; boards 2, 5, 12, and 15 have North-South vulnerable, East-West not vulnerable; boards 3, 6, 9 and 16 have East-West vulnerable, North-South not vulnerable; boards 4, 7, 10 and 13 have both sides vulnerable. This can be remembered fairly easily by the 16 letters forming this arrangement:

O  N  E   B

N   E  B   O

E   B  O  N

B   O  N   E

where O stands for no vulnerability, N for North-South, E for East-West and B for both.

In Chicago, a four-hand variation of rubber bridge, the vulnerability also is arbitrarily assigned in similar fashion; no vulnerability on the first hand; dealer vulnerable on the second and third hands; and everyone vulnerable on the last hand. A variation in a few clubs that is technically, perhaps, a slight improvement assigns the vulnerability on the second and third hands to the opponents of the dealer. The purpose is to allow opener more latitude in preempting.

The feature of vulnerability gives rise to many variations in the strategy of bidding and play. These variations probably are foremost among the reasons for the great interest that contract bridge has stimulated. Some strategies: (1) bidding low-point games when vulnerable, (2) preempting with minimum values when not vulnerable, (3) taking saves when not vulnerable, etc.