| Classes at the Melville Bridge Academy - Autumn Term 2016 |
We offer a full three year SBU programme of classes covering sixty lessons. Classes start in September and run through until the end of March.
You can submit an enquiry about the availability of the various classes by filling in the boxes below.
More general information about the academy and the courses can be found using the link in the left hand menu.
Full details about the lessons and the days of the week on which they are offered, can be read below.
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| First Steps (Monday 2-4 pm or Tuesday 7-9 pm) |
This course, which is aimed at absolute beginners, assumes little or no knowledge of playing bridge, though you will find it a little easier if you have played some card games in the past.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Introduction and basic terminology |
Responses (I) |
| 2 |
Mini-bridge as a lead-in |
Responses (II) |
| 3 |
Basic Play (I) |
Rebids |
| 4 |
Basic Play (II) |
Declarer Play |
| 5 |
Bidding |
Defender Play |
| 6 |
Scoring |
Signalling to partner |
| 7 |
Bidding |
Overcalls |
| 8 |
Bidding Systems(I) |
Coping with overcalls |
| 9 |
Bidding Systems (II) |
First Convention (Stayman) |
| 10 |
Bidding and play in 'No Trumps' |
Take-Out Doubles |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
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| Next Steps (Monday 7-9 pm or Thursday 2-4 pm) |
This course is for those players who have completed a beginner's course or who play at home or in a local club. It will give you the opportunity to develop your understanding of the game and improve your play.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's second bid |
Fundamentals |
| 2 |
Use transfers to enable partner to play in your preferred suit |
Stayman revisited |
| 3 |
How to play in 'No Trumps' |
When to compete in the auction |
| 4 |
How to play in a trump suit |
Double for take-out |
| 5 |
Double for penalties |
Declarer play |
| 6 |
Opening and subsequent leads |
Defender play |
| 7 |
2NT as an opening bid |
Limit bids in 'No Trump' |
| 8 |
Opening bids at the 2 level |
Pre-empts |
| 9 |
Finding Major suit fits |
More Declarer play |
| 10 |
Hand Evaluation |
When to make a sacrifice |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
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| Improvers (Tuesday 2-4 pm or Wednesday 7-9 pm) |
This course is for more experienced players who would usually have played in club tournaments. Your aim is to be more successful in your game.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's Rebid |
Opener's strong rebids |
| 2 |
Responder's Rebid |
Negative Doubles |
| 3 |
Cue Bids |
Defence: Second hand play |
| 4 |
Blackwood |
Card Play: the danger hand |
| 5 |
Card Play - communication |
Bidding Opponents' Suit |
| 6 |
Defence - counting |
Coping with Interference |
| 7 |
Transfers - Minor Suits |
1NT response revisited |
| 8 |
The takeout double revisited |
Card Play: Elimination & Endplay |
| 9 |
Card Play - cross ruff |
Defence: More about Signals |
| 10 |
Quantitative no trump bidding |
Ready for the Real World |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
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