[News] Bridge courses for July/August

Pasadena Bridge Club Logo <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Learn and play bridge! Mojo ABTA Master Teacher 649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201 Pasadena CA 91103 (626) 247-4457 pasadenabridgeclub.com <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com> Greetings all from the American Bridge Teachers Association annual convention in Minneapolis this year. I'm here with 50 bridge teachers from all over North America (and even Portugal). We're hearing talks from notable bridge pros on materials and techniques for teaching bridge. The ABTA also gives out annual awards for "Bridge Book of the Year" in different categories, and certifies Master Teachers. (You can see my own badge right there under my picture!) ABTA also designates a Teacher of the Year. The winner this year was Lorraine Eaglesham from Ontario, and the runner-up was Jan Weber from Vero Beach, Fl. I felt like I had a strong application, but I'm really delighted that we have great bridge teachers like Lorraine and Jan in their parts of the world. Here are the three courses that are starting up the coming week: Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction Here we go on a new adventure! This is the course for /non-bridge players/ to learn the basics of the game. By the end of the first class, the mechanics of bridge and much of the vocabulary. During the six sessions, we'll practice analyzing bridge hands, finding extra tricks, and introduce the the language of Standard American bidding. * Six Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 PM, starting July 15 * Enroll for $85 to PCC Extension, plus $15 materials fee for book * Full lesson plan here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/bridge-basics-introduction> * Register for the course here <https://pasadena.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=71634&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0> Improving Your Judgment - Doubles In /Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding/, we introduce the concept of the takeout double. Most newer players miss opportunities to use the double call to their benefit, and this class gives you lots of practice in doubling in different contexts. We also learn guidelines for advancing partner's double, and potential rebids by doubler. As always there are great "play of the deal" puzzles and defense tips as well! * Six Wednesday afternoons, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, starting July 15 * $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Full lesson plan here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/iyj_doubles> * Register for the course here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> Bridge Basics 3 - Popular Conventions There are a handful of bidding conventions that are the most useful and ubiquitous for helping partnerships discover HOW HIGH and WHERE. We'll study Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids, strong hand openings, and slam bidding. Pasadena Bridge Club's resident wizard Zachary Vedro is instructor for this course. * Six Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, starting July 16 * $120 includes textbook by Audrey Grant * Full lesson plan here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/course/popular-conventions> * Register for the course here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/contact/course_enrollment> More tidbits ... If you're waiting for a daylight (or semi-daylight) session of Bridge Basics 1, we have one in the fall catalog for PCC Extension. It'll be on Wednesday afternoons starting October 28. Don't forget you can always drop in for a single session of any course for $25. Each class usually stands along fairly well, and I try to keep the topics visible on the front of the web site <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com>. For the full novice/intermediate program at the club, including workshops, games, and casual bridge, see the schedule here <https://pasadenabridgeclub.com/schedule#novice>! Hope to see you soon at the bridge club! Best regards, Mojo, Jane, Zachary, Lisa, Susan