Page under Construction - July 2024
Beginners
I have never played Bridge before, but have always wanted to learn - what qualifications do I need?
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A keen desire to learn helps a lot. No formal qualifications are needed; learning bridge should be open to anyone who wants to learn.
Bridge uses logic, and helps you develop your mental skills. Friendships develop at the table, particularly with your partner, and the name “partner”
reflects how much you depend on one another.
| My u3a does not play Bridge, but we do play whist; how will that work? |
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As a whist player you have already learnt many of the tactics used for playing Bridge. At the end of the course you will be able to continue playing online,
or hopefully, at another local Face-to-face u3a that does play Bridge.
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If I joined, I would be an absolute Bridge Beginner - how would I proceed?
You would start with a course of self-taught online MiniBridge lessons to help you become comfortable playing online. After this you will continue on the
structured teacher-led course.
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What is online MiniBridge?
MiniBridge is a “stripped down” version of Bridge and fun to play. It is simpler, without the preliminary bids called an 'auction'. It shares some of the features of whist.
For teaching bridge, MiniBridge can be used to learn playing strategy and basic techniques to win tricks, and defensive techniques to stop your opponents winning tricks.
Online MiniBridge is taught on the No Fear Bridge bridge platform and you will need to undergo their 2 courses and gain their 2 completion certificates before you will be
allowed to join the main teaching sessions.
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| full details here |
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How long will it take to complete the MiniBridge courses?
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| It will take 3 to 7 hours to complete the 2 courses. |
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Do you have any further information on MiniBridge?
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| There is an excellent short guide to MiniBridge available on the No Fear Bridge website. (Note:you are advised to print it first, then fold it into an A5 booklet). |
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downloadable here
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I've looked at MiniBridge on the nofearbridge website and it suggests that I "sign-up" to a 14-day free trial, should I do this?
No, we will be using lesson plans from No Fear Bridge in a controlled sequence, please be patient...
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How long will the Beginner course take?
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About 6 months, spending about 2-3 hours per week to attend lessons and follow-up card play. At the end you will be 'up to speed' and sufficiently confident
to play bridge competently with friends, online, on holiday and at gentler club levels. You will also be encouraged to continue learning/playing in
"Supervised Practice" sessions
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My u3a does not play Bridge, but we do play whist; how will that work?
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As a whist player you have already learnt many of the tactics used for playing Bridge. At the end of the course you will be able to continue playing online, or hopefully,
at another local Face-to-face u3a that does play Bridge.
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I've done the MiniBridge course and got my 2 certificates; I've read the MiniBridge guide and am 'chomping at the bit' to get started - what next?
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In order to move you on, we need all students to reach the same 'starting point' which may take some time. If you are really keen to practice the skills
that you have learnt, then you could try playing against some MiniBridge 'robots'
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at this link.
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| I have just registered for the NoFearBridge MiniBridge course and notice that my free password only lasts for 6 weeks, what will happen after 6 weeks? |
It's important that we get you playing Bridge as soon as possible i.e. 'cards in hands' - so after you have achieved your 2 certificates you will then be playing online with your fellow
students and will have no immediate need of the No Fear Bridge MiniBridge course (other than the booklet as mentioned above).
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I notice that the prime teaching session is on a Monday afternoon, but I cannot always make Mondays - how should I proceed?
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We have recognised that not everybody can make Monday afternoons (the most popular availability session for students), so we have arranged a second playing
session on RealBridge on Tuesday afternoons (the second most popular session) when you can ask questions 'at the table'.
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| I have completed the online MiniBridge lessons but nobody has asked me for any 'table money' - is this right? |
| All the MiniBridge lessons and follow-up RealBridge play has been funded by leftover money from previous online Bridge activities |
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When will I have to start paying for the RealBridge playing sessions and how much will it be?
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We will ask you for money approximately 5 weeks after you finish your MiniBridge Part 1 & Part 2 certificates. RealBridge changes us 30p plus VAT per (20-hand) session.
We are expecting you to play twice per week for about 20 weeks. Our Treasurer will be asking you for a 'one-off' payment of £17.50 shortly before we start the 'Bidding/Auction' aspect of the lessons
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Are there any other costs?
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We are using the excellent Teaching Resources of No Fear Bridge who are encouraging students to learn Bridge by offering a free 3-month trial.
Thereafter you will need to buy a subscription. No Fear Bridge offer a 30% discount on their 12 month subscription for u3a members.
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