| A low-tech approach to teaching bridge |
Bridge teaching can be high tec with laptops, projectors, touch screens and other amazing equipment. But it’s not the only approach.
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If you teach in more than one venue it may be easier, or you may prefer, or your class may like, a simpler approach.
It's low tech, so you don't need internet, Wi-Fi or even power.
You can set up in any part of any room.
It's easy to pack up and transport.
I usually put the boards on piles of chairs (I find six is best). There are usually chairs in any venue.
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| PLAYING CARDS |
I use a pack of 9.5 x14.5cm size playing cards I bought a lot of years ago.
This may be the best compromise between being able to put a lot of them onto a felt board, and people sitting a couple of metres away being able to see them.
I did try "poker" cards - slightly bigger than normal, but people further away than the "front row" couldn't see them.
I found these on Amazon today, slightly bigger but look good.
These are just examples from January 2026, prices and products will have changed by now, so check for yourself.
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| Large Bidding Cards (etc) |
Here is a Word document designed to print onto business card stationary.
You can then separate the cards, laminate them, stick velcro dots to the back of them and display, move and change them on felt boards during lessons.
BFP Bidding Cards etc Template.docx
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| Displaying, Moving, Changing Items on Felt Boards |
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| Velcro Dots |
Look for packs of Velcro "dots". This means you don't have to cut up tape. Put two dots on each playing card, making them more secure. You can put a row at the top if you are short of space.
From Amazon today:
These are just examples from January 2026, prices and products will have changed by now, so check for yourself.
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| LESSON SUMMARIES |
The teaching area of “Bridge For Pleasure” contains documents supporting more than 60 lessons.
Each Lesson has a graphic one-page summary.
You can print these out at A3 size and use them to talk to during lessons. They can be put into A3 pockets and Velcro dotted on the back for display on felt boards.
They can be left up for reference during card play.
Printing A4 or A5 versions for each table makes them more accessible in big classes.
You can include them in follow up emails.
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| Felt Display Boards |
 My felt boards are ancient exhibition equipment designed to be slotted into stands.
I find them brilliant because they are quite easy to put in the car and transport.
I like having two of this size because they will each take a thirteen-card hand and allow me to talk declarer, or defence play quite easily.
I think they are probably about 90x80cms.
I can't find quite the same thing on the internet; I think the nearest portable equivalent would be to buy a couple of felt noticeboards.These are just examples from January 2026, prices and products will have changed by now, so check for yourself.
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| Felt Boards on Wheels |
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You can buy a felt board fixed to a trolley.
This would not be easy to transport.
This would be good if it can stay in one venue.
I would suggest the biggest, especially widest, you can find/afford/store.
These are just examples from January 2026, prices and products will have changed by now, so check for yourself.
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