We would like to think that at Worcester Bridge Club, we can cater for just what you need!

(If you are looking to LEARN the game rather than play, see below under "TEACHING")

We provide TWO levels of play every week* at Worcester Bridge Club:

• The Main Room features players of all standards, but there is a high concentration of regular County players. Nevertheless, this doesn't deter some less experienced players who prefer to be small fish in a bigger pool, and undoubtedly reap the benefits of the steeper learning curve of facing (sometimes!) tighter defence and more disruptive bidding styles!
• However, we fully understand that many players prefer a gentler pace, or simply want to get the hang of Duplicate Bridge in a less competitive field. We hope to see some of these players "graduating" to the Main Room, as many have in the past, or just occasionally "dipping their toes" in the bigger pool, just to see what it's like! So, we run a second, gentler section every week*:
• Try-Duplicate: these take place on the first Wednesday of each calendar month, and are the ideal opportunity for newly-graduated beginners to try duplicate pairs, as it says on the tin! There will be a host to guide you through the movement, and players can come without a partner, as there will always be someone to make up pairs. We normally play 15-18 boards, at 4-6 tables. It is preferable for you to contact Rufus, Try-Duplicate Co-ordinator, before the day; however we will always be able to accommodate people who turn up, as long as they arrive well before 7:20pm. Regular teachers (such as Mike Theelke, Paul Hammond, Val Kennewell, Ian Leake) will advise local learners when they are ready to have a go.
• Intermediate: this is the logical "next step" from Try-Duplicate, though many of the same players are involved. If the standard is higher, it is mainly because the Inters benefit from playing more frequently.  In the Inter section, there are usually 3 or 4 tables, and we play between 20 and 22 boards. It is our policy to ensure full tables, so there should not be a "sit-out" round. The Inter section is run by a steward to ensure everything runs smoothly, although the Inter players often run things themselves with minimal supervision, and the Steward can play in the Main Section.

VISITORS/GUESTS: Non-members are always welcome to turn up for a game: even on Club competition nights, we are happy for visitors to join in (although mixed pairs cannot play in Men's/Ladies' or vice versa) with the proviso that non-members cannot win a trophy! We have a host on all nights; on Teams/Swiss Pairs nights there is a host pair, but an individual could still get a game in the Intermediate section. Table money for guests is £3-50 (£2-50 for members), but you can join on the night and start saving  - subs are very low!

TEACHING: We do NOT aim to teach Bridge on Wednesday evenings - the philosophy is to learn by playing. In the Inter section, hosts/stewards are happy to answer your questions briefly if time allows (Should I have been in game? Should I have over-ruffed?) but will NOT try to foist their ideas on you - we leave that to the regular teachers.  There are always a few die-hards at the Bar after the event, who will no doubt have ideas on what you should/might have done, though this advice comes with a health-warning! As hands are duplimated, you can also look at the hand records: the ever-wise computer will tell you how many tricks you might have made!  If you want formal lessons (strongly recommended!), contact one of the excellent teachers listed on the County website CLICK HERE