What Is Bridge and How Do I Learn?

History Of Bridge

In general, Bridge teachers run their introductory bidding course over a 10-12 week period from the end of September.
This is normally followed by an 8 - 10 week course in declarer play and defence.
On completion of classes, your teacher should introduce you to one or more local clubs
We encourage teachers and clubs to provide a Monitor assisted game to assist Novice players in their transition from class to club bridge.
You are a Novice for five years from the September of the season in which you commence your classes or until you have earned enough points to move on to the next grade.

The game of bridge is a game of two parts:Bidding and Play
There are always four players which for ease of reference are often refereed to as North, South, East and West.
North & South are a partnership and their opponents are the East & West partnership
All the cards are dealt out equally - so every player holds 13 cards
Before anyone plays the cards North / South & East/ West bid the number of tricks they think they will make
The process of bidding is called the auction
The language of bidding is called a bidding system
In order to play bridge in a club you must learn a standard bidding system
The standard bidding system taught to novices in Ireland is Acol - 4 card Majors and a weak NT
The system taught on line is Standard American Yellow Card - 5 card Majors and a strong NT
The differences in the beginners stages between the two systems are very slight so do not let this worry you
You learn a standard system in beginners lessons
Do not worry if this is not the same system as they play in your local club... contact us and we will explain what changes you have to make
A bidding system is like a language, there are mnay varieties and you will keep on developing your vocabulary.