Palo Alto Bridge

Defend Like A Pro
2017-11-06 16:15 - 18:30, 2017-11-13 16:15 - 18:30, 2017-11-20 16:15 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Debbie Rosenberg
(408) 320-4473
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This Intermediate/Advanced -Advanced level course covers the areas of defense where Debbie believes competitive players can make the biggest improvement in their results. While no pro gets every problem right, there are many problems that every pro would get right. Start nailing those, and stop making declarer’s life easy.
Lectures, if any, are short. There is lots of practice, and much discussion of how to defend like an expert bridge player. Instructional notes, as well as copies of the deals played in class, with analysis, will be emailed (hard copy on request).
All of the lesson materials assume “Standard” carding and opening leads. In most cases you will be able to practice your own signaling methods if you attend with a regular partner but you will be required to make standard leads. Signaling discussions will focus on how a particular situation should be defined (count, attitude, or suit preference), rather than which method is best.
While it is ideal to attend this course with a partner, it is not required.
Class size will be limited to 10 tables. Pre-registration is required. Once you are registered, you will be emailed several sets of notes for reference. These will cover “Standard” leads and signals, as well as other basic concepts that intermediate+ players should be familiar with.
Classes include coffee and cookies, only. Bring any additional snacks you desire.
The course instructor is Debbie Rosenberg who is an ACBL Grand Master, six-time NABC winner and three-time World Champion with 25 years of teaching experience.
The course will be held at our Bridge Center.
For more information contact Debbie Rosenberg email (preferred) (408) 320-4473.

Defend Like A Pro
Thursday Afternoons
4:15 PM to 6:30 PM

Counting Points & Distribution
October 2, 2014

Counting Declarer’s Tricks
October 9

Discarding
October 16

Count & Suit Preference Signals in Action
October 23

Second Hand Play
October 30

Third Hand Play
November 6

When to Switch Suits and to What Card
November 13

Drawing Inferences
November 20

Possible makeup date in case of schedule change
December 11

Lessons are not offered on a per-session basis. If you must miss a class please do not send a substitute in your place.

*After registering, please send check in the amount of $200 to hold your spot to:
Debbie Rosenberg
21327 Glen Place Apt 8
Cupertino, CA 95014

Beginning Bridge
2017-11-07 09:15 - 11:15, 2017-11-21 09:15 - 11:15, 2017-12-05 09:15 - 11:15, 2017-12-19 09:15 - 11:15, 2018-01-09 09:15 - 11:15, 2018-01-23 09:15 - 11:15
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
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Learn Bridge the modern way in this course designed by Pat Harrington! Each class includes both instruction and practice play. Start playing the very first day! Children & teens welcome.
For people who have never played bridge and those people who have played for years but want a refresher course or just to learn the basics.
Notes will be emailed for all classes. No make-up classes are offered for missed classes.
Our course instructor is ABTA Master Teacher Kathy Harper. Kathy and our wonderful volunteers give students individual attention which helps our students learn in a fun environment.
Please contact Kathy Harper at (650) 207-1816 email for additional information.

PLAY & LEARN Beginning Bridge
Dates

Introduction to Bridge
September 12

Choosing a Contract
September 26

Opening Bids and Selecting the Best Game
October 10

Opening 1NT
October 24

Major Suit Opening Bids
November 7

Minor Suit Opening Bids
November 21

Dummy Points
December 5

Responder Bids Notrump
December 19

Opener Bids Notrump
January 9, 2018

Takeout Doubles
January 23

Preempts
February 6

Strong 2 Clubs
February 20

Polish Your Basics
2017-11-09 09:15 - 11:15, 2017-12-07 09:15 - 11:15, 2017-12-14 09:15 - 11:15, 2018-01-11 09:15 - 11:15, 2018-01-25 09:15 - 11:15
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
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Review and refine your bidding in this class for second year students or players who have been away from the game. Expand your understanding of the new style of bidding as we explore auctions that are not discussed in many bridge courses. Written by Pat Harrington
This Basic-Intermediate Bridge Class builds upon our Beginning Bridge Classes and prepares our students for our Intermediate Classes.
Notes will be emailed for all classes. No make-up classes are offered for missed classes.
Our course instructor is ABTA Master Teacher Kathy Harper. Kathy and our wonderful volunteers give students individual attention which helps our students learn in a fun environment.
Please contact Kathy Harper at (650) 207-1816 email for additional information.

PLAY & LEARN Polish Your Basics
Dates

Categorize Your Strength! How declarer uses discards. Quick losers.
September 14, 2017

Which Suit do I bid first? Bidding distributional hands.
September 28

Bidding balanced Hands. Stayman.
October 12

When you don’t have game, stop at a reasonable LOW spot.
October 26

Help suit game tries with single raise in the majors.
November 9

Major suit limit raises. Why four-card support?
December 7

“Newplicate”, the “Weak Freak” and how to show a good major raise.
December14

How to avoid rebidding a five-card suit. Reverses.
January 11, 2018

Responder’s only forcing bid.
January 25

When a New Suit by Responder is NOT forcing.
February 8

Intermediate II
2017-11-09 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-11-16 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-11-30 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-12-07 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-12-14 19:15 - 21:30
Frank Smoot
(408) 732-5736
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This course reviews and expands upon topics from Intermediate Bridge I and adds topics covering what to do when the opponents get into the auction (and they will more often in this course).
This course is designed for bridge players who have a minimum of one year of experience playing duplicate bridge.
Using materials from many sources (primarily Richard Pavlicek) you will learn concepts, do exercises in class (homework outside of class) and finish the evening by playing hands relating to the topic. Snacks are also provided. You will be amazed at what you’ll learn, even if you’ve played for years and years!
The in-class exercises are available in electronic format so students can play the hands at home and receive commentary on their bidding and play (requires Bridge Baron software).
Our course lecturer is the very popular Frank Smoot who has taught bridge to beginners and beyond in Palo Alto for 15+ years. Frank and our wonderful volunteers give students individual attention which helps our students learn in a fun environment.
For more information contact Frank Smoot (408) 732-5736 email.

The 12-Week Course Covers

Bidding:

Weak Two Bid
Strong Two-Club Opening
Bidding Judgment – Uncontested
Bidding Judgment – Contested
Competing and Sacrificing (Partscore and High-level Competition)
Combating Weak Openings (Overcalling and Doubling)

Declarer Play:

Declarer Suit Tactics (Loser-on-loser and Elimination Play)
Combine Your Chances
Endplays (Force a defender to Help You)
Entries (new for 2013)

Defense

Third Hand Play (Finesse Against Dummy)
Second Hand Play

Class Downloads**

Lesson 1
Weak Twos

Lesson 2
Strong 2 Club

Lesson 3
Bidding Judgment – Uncontested

Lesson 4
Bidding Judgment – Contested

Lesson 5
Compete

Lesson 6
Combating Weak Openings

Lesson 7
on 10/30/17 Suit Tactics

Lesson 8
Combine Chances

Lesson 9
End Plays

Lesson 10
on 11/23/17 Entries

Lesson 11
Third Hand

Lesson 12
Second Hand

**Downloads may change a couple of days prior to class.
Instructions for downloading and playing files with Bridge Baron
Bridge Baron Support
Bridge Baron Website. We usually have copies of Bridge Baron at class which we sell at a discount.
*After registering, please send a check made out to Frank Smoot in the amount of $175 to hold your spot to:
Frank Smoot
528 S Taaffe St
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Deadly Defense
2018-01-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-01-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-02-05 19:00 - 21:00
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
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Half the time at the bridge table, you will be defending. Don’t let those mean declarers walk all over you! Defend yourself! Learn how to lead, signal, and discard. This course is written by Pat Harrington
This Basic-Intermediate Bridge Class builds upon our Beginning Bridge Classes and prepares our students for our Intermediate Classes.
Notes will be emailed for all classes. No make-up classes are offered for missed classes.
Our course instructor is ABTA Master Teacher Kathy Harper. Kathy and our wonderful volunteers give students individual attention which helps our students learn in a fun environment.
Please contact Kathy Harper at (650) 207-1816 email for additional information.

Deadly Defense
Dates

Leading Against Notrump
January 8, 2018

Leading Against Suit Contracts
January 22

Second Hand Low
February 5

Second Hand Low … Except
February 19

Third Hand High
March 5

Introduction to Attitude Signals
March 19

Using Attitude Signals When Partner Leads
April 9

Opening Leads and Attitude Signals
April 23

Discards and Attitude Signals
May 7

Suit Preference Signals.
May 21

Supervised Play Monday Evenings
2018-01-07 18:45 - 2018-01-08 20:45, 2018-01-08 18:45 - 2018-01-09 20:45, 2018-01-22 18:45 - 2018-01-23 20:45, 2018-02-05 18:45 - 2018-02-06 20:45
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
Send Email

Intermediate III
2018-01-11 19:15 - 21:30, 2018-01-18 19:15 - 21:30, 2018-01-25 19:15 - 21:30, 2018-02-01 19:15 - 21:30
Frank Smoot
(408) 732-5736
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This course goes beyond the topics from Intermediate Bridge I and Intermediate Bridge II. It is designed for bridge players who have a minimum of two years experience playing duplicate bridge.
You will learn powerful and practical bidding, play and defense concept including:

hand evaluation when partner invites slam, balancing, and the latest defenses to 1NT.
Uuse of distribution of the defensive hands to produce extra tricks, and,
Defending safely or aggessively as the dummy suggests.

There are exercises in class, homework outside of class, and each evening finishes by playing deals related to the topic. Snacks are also provided. You will be amazed at what you’ll learn, even if you’ve played for years and years!
The in-class exercises are available in electronic format so students can play the hands at home and receive commentary on their bidding and play (requires Bridge Baron software).
Our course lecturer is the very popular Frank Smoot who has taught bridge to beginners and beyond in Palo Alto for 15+ years. Frank and our wonderful volunteers give students individual attention which helps our students learn in a fun environment.
Please contact Frank Smoot email for more information.

This 8-Week Course Covers

Bidding:

Notrump Slams
Balancing
Defense to 1NT

Declarer Play:

Trump Endings
Squeeze Plays
Throw-in Plays

Defense:

Card Combinations
Win or Duck?

Class Downloads**

Lesson 1
on 1/8/18 Notrump Slams

Lesson 2
on 1/17/18 Balancing

Lesson 3
on 1/22/18 Defense to 1 Notrump

Lesson 4
on 1/28/18 Defensive Combinations

Lesson 5
on 2/8/18 Win or Duck?

Lesson 6
on 2/17/18 Trump Ending

Lesson 7
on 2/25/18 Squeeze Plays

Lesson 8
on 3/8/18 Throw-In

Instructions for downloading and playing files with Bridge Baron
Bridge Baron Support
Bridge Baron Website. We usually have copies of Bridge Baron at class which we sell at a discount.
*After registering, please send a check made out to Frank Smoot in the amount of $175 to hold your spot to:
Frank Smoot
528 S Taaffe St
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
