Two Year Course

Our two-year course, consisting of two 12-week terms per year, aims to teach enough bridge to enable you to feel confident to play at some of the club’s sessions, at another club or with family and friends. Each lesson focuses on a topic – you will receive some instruction (about 30 mins) with the rest of the lesson practising and embedding what you have learnt.  There are some lessons purely dedicated to consolidation with no new learning.

Term1 runs October to December and Term 2 January to March. For exact dates see the main Learning and Development page.

Year 1 - We begin by teaching Mini Bridge where you will learn about card play without bidding. As the course progresses you will learn about simple bidding sequences, card play techniques and bridge etiquette.   Plenty of time is dedicated to practicing and consolidation. Lessons are taught in a friendly, relaxed and sociable environment.  Time is provided for a short break.  We limit group size to 20 maximum. Fee per term is £150 (includes VAT and student membership). For Term 1 the fee is payable after the first lesson and if you do not feel that  Bridge is for you after the first lesson, there is no fee payable

Year 2 - For those who have completed Year 1 and for more experienced players, who wish to improve their bridge.  The Year 2 course provides plenty of opportunities for you to learn more techniques to further improve your bidding and card play.  If you have completed Year 1 and have not received information about the Year 2 programme, please email our Teaching administrator. Fee per term is £150 (includes VAT and student membership)

Year 1 Syllabus Covered in 2 Weekend Sessions

An alternative to the two year course are two intensive weekends. We aim to teach enough in each weekend to enable you to play a basic game of bridge. This course is ideal for those who have family or friends to practice with afterwards.

The course starts on Saturday at 9.45 and we play mini bridge until lunchtime.  This is a great way of learning the basics without bidding. After lunch on the Saturday, you will start bidding and then learn a number of different bids, defence strategies and declarer play techniques.  The course finishes on Sunday at 4.30pm. We limit group size to 12 so that you get more individual teaching.

The weekend course costs £150 which includes VAT, all tuition, notes and tea/coffee and biscuits in the morning and tea/coffee and cake in the afternoon.  We ask that you bring a packed lunch -  we provide hot drinks at lunchtime.

If there is enough interest, we will offer a follow up weekend early in 2026, which will revise the basics and teach you more bidding techniques.  The two weekends are equivalent to the Year 1 course.

Year 2 Syllabus Covered in 2 Weekend Sessions

This is suitable for those who have completed Year 1 or people who can play bridge but would like to learn some of the finer points of this fascinating game. If you feel this may suit you, please please email Teaching Co-ordinator, Jan Bailey, to find out more.

Course details and topics covered.

The weekend course costs £150 which includes all tuition, notes and tea/coffee and biscuits in the morning and tea/coffee and cake in the afternoon.  We ask that you bring a packed lunch -  we provide hot drinks at lunchtime.

​​​​​Learners' Duplicate

We run regular sessions at the club for CBC students on the beginners programme so that you can practice what you are learning. If you have not played in any regular club session, or may have tried one and didn’t feel you were quite ready for it, then these sessions are for you!

You will be given longer to play each board, you will be able to ask for a limited amount of help, you will be shown how to use a Bridgemate, and see your scores displayed on the screen.  These results will not be published.  We will use hands that have been played the previous week and you will be able to compare how you did with others who have played the same hands.

When you have reached a playing level that will enable you to play at the Club, there are Gentle Bridge sessions where you can play in a relaxed environment. The teachers will discuss these with you.

​​Bridge Development Programme

The Bridge Development Programme consists of Year 3, Tweak to Transform, Play and Discuss and Aspirational sessions.  We aim to provide ongoing learning for all our members including those who play at higher levels.This programme covers topics such as Doubles; Defence; Bidding Sequences; Reversing; Different responses to 1NT opening by 2/3/4th seat; 5cdm, strong NT, 2/1 bidding plus defending against players who use this system; Splinters; Slams; Cue Bids; Competitive bidding; Different ways of counting a hand; Overcalling; Jacoby; Landy; 4th Suit Forcing; Planning the play; Different types of bid - forcing, competitive, limit.

Year3 sessions are £40. Please bring a packed lunch. Refreshments included.

Tweak to Transform sessions are £40. Please bring a packed lunch. Refreshments included.

Play and Discuss sessions are £10.

Please see the main Learning and Development page for details of the currently available sessions and BookWhen booking links with further details.

All lessons are held in the dedicated teaching rooms at the bridge club, all lessons are run by experienced bridge teachers and are taught in a relaxing and sociable environment. Reductions available for those under 25 and on certain benefits.