THE ACADEMY FIRST YEAR BEGINNERS COURSE – 2026/27
40 WEEKS • 4 × 10-WEEK BLOCKS • 7.00–9.00PM
Group A starts Tuesday 8th September 2026
Group B starts Tuesday 15th September 2026
NEW TO BRIDGE?
YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!
This course is designed for those with little or no experience of playing Bridge and assumes no prior knowledge.
Over 40 weeks, you will learn the essential skills needed to bid, play and score a game of Bridge, while building your knowledge and confidence in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Bridge is a fascinating and rewarding game — a wonderful social activity that provides challenge, companionship and enjoyment for a lifetime.
The course is divided into four 10-week blocks, allowing you to develop your skills progressively throughout your first year.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
You will be taught by qualified and highly experienced tutors using clear, interactive teaching in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Each lesson will be sent to you in advance, giving you the opportunity to prepare before coming to class.
You will also receive lesson handouts summarising the theory, together with hand records of the boards played, allowing you to review your bidding and play and reinforce what you have learned.
TOPICS COVERED
BLOCK 1 – BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS
- Introduction to Bridge
- Declarer play in No Trump contracts
- Declarer play in Suit contracts
- Opening bids at the 1-level
- Opening bids and Responder's limit bids
- New-suit bids by Responder and Opener
- Opener's rebids
BLOCK 2 – DEVELOPING YOUR GAME
- Opener's rebids with minimum and strong hands
- Responder's rebids
- Stayman & Transfers
- Card play
- Signals & Defence
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BLOCK 3 – COMPETITIVE BIDDING
- Hand evaluation
- Competitive bidding
- Overcalls – suit and No Trump
- Takeout Doubles
- Weak 2 bids
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BLOCK 4 – TAKING YOUR GAME FURTHER
- Pre-emptive 3- and 4-level bids
- Opening 2♣
- Conventional bids
- RKCB (Roman Key Card Blackwood)
- Opening 2NT
- Slam investigation
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BLOCK 4 CONCLUDES YOUR FIRST YEAR OF BRIDGE
By the end of Block 4, you will have completed the basic foundations of Bridge and will have the knowledge and confidence to continue developing your game.
COURSE DETAILS
Start Date:
Group A – Tuesday 8th September 2026
Group B – Tuesday 15th September 2026
Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Duration: 40 weekly sessions, divided into 4 × 10-week blocks
Cost: £120 per 10-week block, inclusive of VAT
CONTINUING YOUR BRIDGE JOURNEY
After completing your first year, you can continue your Bridge journey by enrolling on the Second Year Course.
The Second Year Course is designed to consolidate your understanding, build your confidence and take your Bridge to the next level.
AND DON'T FORGET TO PRACTISE!
Practice is an essential part of learning Bridge. During or after your first year, we encourage you to invite friends from your class to join you for an informal practice session at the Club.
We will provide a set of boards for you to play and practise, together with a Hand Record of the boards played. You can then review your bidding and play afterwards and see where you can improve.
READY TO DISCOVER THE FASCINATING GAME OF BRIDGE?
Complete the application form below and take the first step on your Bridge journey.
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