[derwerff]

I began playing bridge in January by enrolling in a class using Audrey Grant's Better Bridge Series. I have been through Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction and Bridge Basics 2: Competitive Bidding. I will begin a class using Bridge Basics 3: Popular Conventions in August. In May I began playing twice a month in an ACBL sanctioned 99er game at my local bridge center.

I find that I can read and study the books, but the minute I sit down at a table with three other players (real people at the bridge club or BBO robots), I forget everything I thought I knew. I expressed this concern to my bridge teacher who told me that the best way to build confidence is to play a lot of bridge.

I'd like to find a partner who would be willing to work with me to help me better understand what I am doing and why I am doing it. My learning style is to perform a task a number of times until I can explain it to someone else. That way I know I've got it.

I love this game and am serious about learning to play it well. If there is anyone out there who might be willing to help me, I would be most grateful.

Thanks for your help.

[kenrexford]

Keep playing and getting destroyed.

The first time my wife actually was dealt a hand of bridge was on the first board of a stratified regional tournament. We had her kibbitz a few hands one evening, and then we drove to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and she and my father bought an entry to the regional event. They ended up with two 30% games.

A few months later, she enrolled in a formal class and found it to be a waste of time, because the instructor was too basic and was often wrong. I agreed, when she asked for clarification.

Learning bridge is like learning a foreign language. You could spend years taking classes and reading books, or you could work for three months in a kitchen in a country where they speak that language.

Lessons are only OK as a starting point, IMO. Books are best left for fine-tuning areas where you later know that you need help or want to improve. Play is exactly where it is at. So, I think your plan is perfect.

[chasetb]

Welcome to the forums Dennis!

It would help if we knew exactly when you were available and what you were able to play currently. Since I have the first two Audrey Grant books and plan to go into teaching one day, I think it would be safe to say you probably play 16-18 1NT, Stayman, Blackwood, maybe Gerber, Strong 2s, and negative doubles. I sent you a message on BBO with more information.

[matmat]

There is a private club/lounge on BBO commonly referred to as the BIL (beg. interm. lounge) that is geared precisely at getting people through some of the early growing pains. I think it used to be free but now there is some sort of a charge associated with it; I also think that some of the forum posters went through this thing so they might be in good position to give you an honest opinion of how good that experience was and how much they benefited. My understanding is that they have some sort of lectures/classes and pair you up with more advanced players to try to bring you up to speed.

disclaimer -- i'm in no way affiliated with BIL.

[Siegmund]

I second the suggestion for the BIL. I've had a couple of (real-life) students who felt they more than got their money's worth out of it, as far as online mini-lessons and supervised play goes. They will pair you up with a supposedly compatible mentor to play/discuss with weekly, if you choose to join. Or of course you can find your own.

[MrMoxy]

I am in a somewhat similar beginner situation to derwerff. In my case, I took a couple of courses from an ACBL teacher a few years ago using the original Audrey Grant series, completing the first two books (bidding and play of the hand). Then, with little real opportunity to play at an appropriate level it fell away. With renewed interest now, over the last couple of months I have pretty thoroughly reviewed the books and played a bit with the demos of BB21 and Jack5. However, I have little 'real' experience and an a strong aversion to looking like an idiot while holding others back. The key is finding a situation where my level is appropriate, as most bridge clubs seem for experienced players. The comments in here about the BIL group might suit me as well.

At the beginning is it is difficult to know what you actually do know and what you don't. Further, as a teacher by profession I see great value in class and mentoring type training. Seeking that has been a somewhat discouraging exercise so far.

Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.

[medtor]

 derwerff, on 2011-July-05, 16:41, said:

I began playing bridge in January by enrolling in a class using Audrey Grant's Better Bridge Series. I have been through Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction and Bridge Basics 2: Competitive Bidding. I will begin a class using Bridge Basics 3: Popular Conventions in August. In May I began playing twice a month in an ACBL sanctioned 99er game at my local bridge center.

I find that I can read and study the books, but the minute I sit down at a table with three other players (real people at the bridge club or BBO robots), I forget everything I thought I knew. I expressed this concern to my bridge teacher who told me that the best way to build confidence is to play a lot of bridge.

I'd like to find a partner who would be willing to work with me to help me better understand what I am doing and why I am doing it. My learning style is to perform a task a number of times until I can explain it to someone else. That way I know I've got it.

I love this game and am serious about learning to play it well. If there is anyone out there who might be willing to help me, I would be most grateful.

Thanks for your help.

[medtor]

Hi send me an email medtor@rogers.com I like your enthusiasm!
I'm experienced ...but not expert...

[sharon j]

Join the BIL. You won't regret it. You will get a lot of help from the BIL classes and lots of stress free practice with other members.

[gwnn]

I hate to be that guy, but I should say that even though BIL is very friendly, too much BIL will possibly hurt your development. When I used to play there, there was an automatic "wdp nto" (if our side made the contract/defeated their contract)/"wdo ntp" (if we didn't make the contract/they made their contract) after every hand, and there was absolutely no mention of possible mistakes made at the table. It is nice to be polite but being too polite and striving for an absolutely sterile environment can create a false sense of how good you are.

[aguahombre]

For live Bridge, I believe your progess will be more rapid if you try for the open club games, rather than the 99'ers.

You might start by approaching the Director for suggestions of players who would be willing to partner a player of little experience but a great attitude. This will get you acquainted with other regular players willing to answer questions and assist in your development.

There are some quite respectable Bridge players in Bakersfield; and they are pretty much your age, as well.

[inquiry]

For players in the situation like derwerff and MrMoxy, I have to agree with gwnn. Playing in a game where there is no criticism of their bidding and play is not useful for learning. The frequent WDP, GTO statements or vise versa does nothing to improve ones game. I am not saying yelling at your partner "you had 12 tricks off the top, what the hell were you doing" yelling at a partner who goes down in slam doesn't help and is counter productive. However, an informative, you took a finesse you didn't need and went down when you already were assured of 6♠+3♥+2♣ +1♦ would be a better approach. Along with a talk about counting winners.

Of course, both these players seem to looking for a partner/tutor. I assume that the partner/tutor is one person who will offer help improving the bidding and ESPECIALLY the play. At this point criticism of play mistakes is the most important (but don't ignore major bidding issues, things like making reverses on 12 hcp, and not opening a minor and jump raise partners suit on 4432 and 12 hcp).

For the person seriously trying to improve rapidly, book review of play is very helpful so that the lessons the playing-tutor points out will probably be reinforcing what the student reads about in the book(s). And for the really serious beginner they should have someone review the hands they play and point out their mistakes, hand by hand. The playing tutor could do this, or someone else with the aid of online bidding/play records. What I think they would find most useful is a formal written critique that points out strengths and weaknesses a player (or partnership) displayed in recent events. We all understand that online it is sometimes hard for a beginner to get a better partner, so beginners most often play with beginners. There is still a lot that can be learned from that arrangement. However, two beginners could go together and pay a tutor to write up such a critique of their playing session. Such sessions would be very helpful. I assure you that if someone looked at the hands of people just learning the game (even after a Audry Grant type course) they will find plenty of hands to point out where things went wrong. Especially if the lessons were all book based. In fact, it is not unusual for more than one mistake on hand after hand after hand. It is a fairly rare hand where there isn't some teaching point.

[medtor]

 derwerff, on 2011-July-05, 16:41, said:

I began playing bridge in January by enrolling in a class using Audrey Grant's Better Bridge Series. I have been through Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction and Bridge Basics 2: Competitive Bidding. I will begin a class using Bridge Basics 3: Popular Conventions in August. In May I began playing twice a month in an ACBL sanctioned 99er game at my local bridge center.

I find that I can read and study the books, but the minute I sit down at a table with three other players (real people at the bridge club or BBO robots), I forget everything I thought I knew. I expressed this concern to my bridge teacher who told me that the best way to build confidence is to play a lot of bridge.

I'd like to find a partner who would be willing to work with me to help me better understand what I am doing and why I am doing it. My learning style is to perform a task a number of times until I can explain it to someone else. That way I know I've got it.

I love this game and am serious about learning to play it well. If there is anyone out there who might be willing to help me, I would be most grateful.

Thanks for your help.

[medtor]

Hi ...send me an email....I'm a good teacher...certainly have spent enough money on Bridge and I love the game
medtor@rogers.com
Include name and time available to play
JIm