BEGINNERS’ LESSONS Welcome Teacher:…………………………….. Telephone:……..…………………….. Email:……………………………………… © Copyright Reserved New Zealand Bridge Inc. 2015 Prepared by Amanda Smith

Lesson One Introduction to Bridge

Lesson One – Introduction to Bridge The Game of bridge is played in 2 distinct phases: PHASE 1 The Auction … each person in the partnership ‘talks’ to each other to describe what they have in their hand to work out the best contract Demonstrate playing of cards … get them to play one board … no interference

Lesson One – Introduction to Bridge PHASE 2 The Play … the winning partnership now needs to fulfil their contract Demonstrate playing of cards … get them to play one board … no interference

Clubs  MAJOR suits No Trumps Spades  Hearts  Diamonds  Ranking of the Suits No Trumps Spades  Hearts  Diamonds  Clubs  MAJOR suits MINOR suits Emphasise Major / No Trumps / Minor ... Talk about this as often as possible

You must bid suits in order … at a level higher than the last bid made Ranking of the Suits 1 1 1 1 1NT 2 2 2 2 2NT 3 3 3 3 3NT 4 4 4 4 4NT 5 5 5 5 5NT 6 6 6 6 6NT 7 7 7 7 7NT You must bid suits in order … at a level higher than the last bid made Bidding at the 1-level = (6 + 1) 7 tricks, 3-level = (6 + 3) 9 tricks, etc

Value of the Honour Cards Add your High Card Points (HCP) together Ace A = 4 points King K = 3 points Queen Q = 2 points Jack J = 1 point Each suit total = points Each deal total = points 10 40

How many High Card Points? 13 How many High Card Points?

How many High Card Points? 8 How many High Card Points?

How many High Card Points? 19 How many High Card Points?

Which suit has a fit? 8+ cards between the two hands

Which suit has a fit? 8+ cards between the two hands Mention suit quality not relevant Which suit has a fit? 8+ cards between the two hands

What is the Partnership looking for? STEP 1: Find a fit – 8+ cards in the same suit between both hands. Look for a MAJOR FIT STEP 2: Decide the level to play the contract Partscore total points <25 Game total points 25 – 32 Slam total points 33 +

Ace = 4 King = 3 Queen = 2 Jack = 1 WHICH SUIT? Trumps - Major (need a FIT = 8+ cards combined) Notrumps – no Major fit but could have a minor fit WHAT LEVEL? Partscore(6+1=7 tricks) Game – need 25+ HCP GAME 3NT = 9 tricks 4Major = 10 tricks 5Minor = 11 tricks HCP Ace = 4 King = 3 Queen = 2 Jack = 1

Practice and Review Review tonight’s lesson notes as soon as possible Review lesson notes again before next week’s lesson You can practice online … more about that next week as you need to be able to bid first Do your homework – Quiz 1 ….. Please

Please contact me if you have any questions BEGINNERS’ LESSONS Please contact me if you have any questions Teacher: Your Name Here Telephone: 123 4567 Email: email@address.co.nz Demonstrate playing of cards … get them to play one board … no interference