West Hants Bridge School
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The ‘6 Steps’ Course Structure

 

We teach Bridge from total beginner to confident intermediate across 6 courses, each lasting 10 - 13 weeks.

 

If you're unsure which would be best for you, get in touch and we'd be happy to evaluate your current skillset.

 

Step 1

Opening 1 No Trump & Responses

Opening 1 of a Suit & Responses

The Opener's & Responder's Rebid

Bidding to Game

Reverse Bidding

Strong Opening Bids  2NT & 2C

Simple Declarer Play

Simple Defensive Skills

 

Step 2

The Stayman Convention

Overcalling

The Unassuming Cue Bid

Take-out Doubles

Weak Two's

Weak Jump Overcalls

Declarer & Defender Skills

 

Step 3

Making a Plan

Playing a NT Contract

Playing a Suit Contract

Simple Signals & Discards

Declarer Play Skills

Defensive Play Skills

Re-cap of the Key Aspects of Bidding

 

Step 4

Slam Bidding

Roman Keycard Blackwood

The Losing Trick Count

Competitive Overcalling

Doubling of a NT Opener

Transfers to Majors & Minors

Exit Transfers

4th Suit Forcing

4-4-4-1 Hands

 

Step 5

Cue Bidding to Slam

Review of Slam Bidding

Negative Doubles

Other Uses of 'Double'

Landy  

Michael's Cue Bid 

Splinter Bids

Coping with Intervention

Duplicate Bridge Tactics

5 Card Puppet Stayman

Jacoby 2NT

 

Step 6

Step 5 Review

Competitive Bidding

Coping with Intervention

Bidding in the 4th Seat

Penalty Doubles

Sacrifice Bidding

Defensive Signals

Counting & Card Placement

The Reverse Problem

 

Full details of all courses are available above.

 

Charity Bidding Refresher

 

Thank you to everyone who supported our two Charity Bidding Refresher classes held in February and July.

 

Over £4,000 has been raised by these two events thanks to the generosity of the attendees.

 

All the money raised was donated to The Samaritans, The Motor Neurone Disease Association and Alzheimer's Research UK. 

 

Get In Touch

 

chris52cards@gmail.com

 

07805 971 829

Find Us On Facebook

 

Click here to check out our Facebook page and follow us for course updates.

 

Release 2.19q
Bridge and Young People
Young people love this game!

 

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There is a myth that Bridge is a game for older people!

Our young students are here to set the record straight...

 

 

"We have really enjoyed Chris’s bridge classes, his enthusiasm for the game is infectious! The structure of the classes suited us well and the notes provided were very comprehensive. Both of us were absolute beginners but we’ve now been able to play with family and it’s been great fun. Thanks Chris! "

Kate Coleridge & Kevin Harkins, age 33,  London, July 2023

 

 

"I recently completed the Step 1 course and would highly recommend it to anyone beginning to learn Bridge.  Chris is an excellent teacher with infectious enthusiasm.  The course is well structured and combines teaching with guided practice, and each lesson is accompanied by materials to help consolidate the topic.  Previously I had tried (and largely failed) to learn Bridge by playing with friends - I only wish I had found this course sooner!" 

Alexander Young, age 30, London, July 2023

 

 

"I very much enjoyed my first Bridge course, with our teacher Chris entertaining and patient in equal measure. Both intellectually challenging and thought provoking, the course was certainly manageable, even more so with a glass of wine in hand!  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend."

Nikki Barrington, age 33, London, July 2023

 

 

"Having just completed the Step 1 Bridge course, I couldn't recommend Chris and the West Hants Bridge School highly enough. The combination of pre-provided notes, interactive teaching and supported play makes for a great grounding of the game. I look forward to Step 2!"   

Katie Gordon, age 26, London, June 2023

 

 

"I've just finished the Step 1 course as a complete beginner. For what is a very complicated game, Chris made it really easy to learn, and his enthusiasm for the game is obvious. I highly recommend his classes for anybody just starting out. Can't wait for Step 2!"

Ben Scapens, age 22, Newcastle, June 2023

 

 

"Chris is an absolutely fantastic Bridge teacher. I have taken part in the Step 1 and Step 2 classes and am now doing the Step 3 class. He has made learning the game so enjoyable - his enthusiasm is infectious! The zoom classes work really well. He spends the first hour doing some teaching and then things get interactive - although there is always the option to opt out if you just want to watch. I would highly recommend for anyone looking to learn the game."

Olivia Bracken, 26, London, June 2023

 

 

"I have thoroughly enjoyed Chris’s classes, having completed both the step 1 and step 2 courses, I am now taking part in the step 3 course! Chris is a fantastic teacher. He is very clear and encouraging, and is always ready to clarify any queries. The Zoom classes have been a wonderful tool enabling me to join in from wherever I am, while also taking part in an interactive supportive class. His enthusiasm for the game is infectious and I would highly recommend these courses to anybody interested in learning Bridge."

Amelia Whillans, 22, London, May 2023

 

 

"Really enjoyed the course with Chris! Great teacher and very well organised. Would definitely recommend to others! I am a complete beginner so don't be afraid to take it up!"

James McNeilly, 23, London, March 2023

 

 

"Would recommend for anyone of any age wanting to learn Bridge from scratch or improve their game. Chris’s passion for the game is infectious and his classes are engaging and interactive. His self-made course structure teaches the game in logical steps making it really accessible to all."

Joe Murgatroyd, 30, Bournemouth, January 2023

 

 

"Chris provides all the building blocks needed to enjoy Bridge at any level. Well structured and clear tuition. Never too serious and always smiling this is a great, relaxed, snob free place to learn Bridge. With the classes all online you can participate as much or as little as you like and dial in from anywhere!"

George Harold, 27, Exeter, November 2022

 

 

"Chris provides friendly tuition which is entertaining and never intimidating. Would highly recommend."

Dan Laking, 28, London, October 2022

 

 

"Excellent and entertaining course for all ages. Paced perfectly for beginners, lots of learning by doing and never dull. As one of the younger ones on the group I'd highly recommend giving this a go. Chris is a legend and should be on TV!"

Joe Bunyan, 30, Lancashire, October 2022

 

 

"I would never have taken up Bridge if it weren't for Chris's Zoom classes - partly because I live in London (so am too far away to travel to his in-person classes!) but also because I would never have found time travel to a Bridge Club for a taster session. Zoom classes were the perfect introduction and a great interactive way to learn from home before taking part in some 'real life' Bridge games. Chris is a brilliant teacher, always full of enthusiasm for the game as well as taking genuine delight in teaching others! He is patient and thorough in his teaching but manages to keep the class moving at a good pace with lots of opportunity to 'have a go yourself'. Thanks Chris!"     

Lizzie Totten, 27, London, July 2022

 

 

"I have really enjoyed doing the Step 1 Course for the past couple of months. Chris' style of teaching is both extremely informative whilst also being highly amusing! I am really enjoying the accessibility of doing the course online via Zoom as a young person as I would struggle to commit to being there in person. Moreover, Chris's use of Zoom, 'No Fear Bridge' and 'Bridge Base Online' provides a high standard level of teaching despite not being in person. The homework he sets is a good way to solidify the learning and his approachability means that Chris is very welcoming in responding to questions. Overall Chris' enthusiasm and passion for the game is very inspiring and is making me start to really love Bridge!"        

Georgie Lane, 22, Christchurch, June 2022

 

 

"After a year of maternity leave and then going into lockdown I was looking for a challenge to get my brain working again! Learning to play Bridge with Chris has been just what I needed. The large quantity of information has been broken down into easily digestible sessions with useful recaps at the start of each session. Chris has been a fantastic teacher and always very patient. I have really enjoyed being able to learn online and I look forward to being able to play for real at some point in the future. I would highly recommend the Course to anyone considering playing Bridge."

Alice White, 35, Wiltshire, June 2022    

 

 

“Learning Bridge during lockdown has been been a really fun experience. Chris’s teaching style is very engaging - explaining things simply, not overdoing it, and reinforcing it with examples that are played together with others - even over Zoom! I feel like I’ve learned so much, and it’s a testament to his classes that I’ve kept on to 'Step 2', even after lockdown. Thanks Chris!”     

Louise Burn, 27, London, June 2022

 

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