Palo Alto Bridge

Game ChangersConventions You Need to Play
2026-03-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-11 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-06-08 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
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Useful conventions for basic intermediates including Jacoby and Texas transfers, Stayman and Garbage Stayman, Keycard Blackwood and more.
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.

Conventions You Need to Play
Dates

Jacoby Two No Trump
March 9, 2026

The Negative Double
March 23

New Minor Forcing
April 13

Stayman including Garbage Stayman
April 27

Jacoby Transfers
May 11

Texas Transfers
May 18

Roman Keycard Blackwood
June 8

Control Showing Bids
June 15

March Madness at the Bridge Table
2026-03-26 19:15 - 21:30, 2026-04-02 19:15 - 21:30, 2026-04-09 19:15 - 21:30, 2026-04-16 19:15 - 21:30 | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Frank Smoot
(408) 306-3901
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Combine your chances to win. Remember: You can’t succeed without an entry.
In this five-week mostly-play course, we will combine structured learning with table practice. The deals provide many opportunities to apply what you have learned. You will improve play technique in a fun, supportive environment.
This course is intended for Intermediate level bridge players with at least one year of duplicate experience.
What you will learn

Choose the best response to partner’s suit opening bids.
Manage trumps effectively, drawing them at the right time.
Identify and combine your chances. Try them in the best order.
Use timing and endplays to bring home tough contracts.

How the class works
Lots of bidding and play of the hand (and a little bit of homework).
We will do exercises in class (homework outside of class) and conclude each evening by playing deals related to the topic. In-class deals are available in downloadable format so you can play the hands at home and receive commentary on the bidding and play (requires Bridge Baron Software).
Coffee, tea and snacks also provided.
Our course instructor is the very popular Frank Smoot who has taught bridge to beginners and beyond in Palo Alto for 30+ 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) 306-3901 email.

The 5-Week Course Covers
Bridge Baron Downloads

Respond to a Suit Opening
Important Suit Tactics
Combine Your Chances
Endplays
Entries & Communications

Respond
Suit Tactics
Combine
Endplays
Entries

Bridge Baron Support
Purchase: BaronBarclay
Instructions for downloading and playing files with Bridge Baron
Students: For additional support contact Alan Templeton or Frank Smoot

Payment
After registering, below, you may pay by Zelle or check to hold your spot:
Zelle: Transfer $170 to either franklinsalias-bridge@yahoo.com or (408) 306-3901.
Check: Mail a check made out to Frank Smoot in the amount of $170:

Frank Smoot
15 Tagus Ct.
Portola Valley, CA 94028

Supervised Play Tuesday Mornings
2026-03-31 08:45 - 10:30, 2026-04-07 08:45 - 10:30, 2026-04-21 08:45 - 10:30, 2026-05-05 08:45 - 10:30, 2026-05-26 08:45 - 10:30, 2026-06-02 08:45 - 10:30 | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
Send Email

Beginning Bridge
2026-03-31 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-04-07 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-05 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-26 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-06-02 09:00 - 10:30 | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
Send Email

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 for more information.

Celebrity Bridge Seminar with Adam Parrish
2026-04-11 09:30 - 11:00 | Online Webinar, Link to be provided to registrants
Planning the Play in NT
Adam Parrish Webinar
Saturday, April 11, 9:30-11am PDT
Do you avoid bidding notrump (NT) because you’re uncomfortable playing there? Do you start to sweat when partner passes you in 1NT? Do you score up +600 and get a low score because others are making 630 or 660? You need to work on your notrump play!
This lesson will benefit Newcomers and Intermediate players.
Information & Registration

Adam Parrish is a national champion and has been accredited as a Master Teacher by the American Bridge Teachers Association (ABTA). Adam writes a monthly column for the ACBL Bridge Bulletin called “Parrish the Thought” and has written 6 books, two of which have won the ABTA’s Book of the Year award. Adam is also one of the partners of Bridge Winners. Adam lives in New York City, and when he’s not playing and teaching bridge, is a playwright and composer.

Supervised Play Monday Evenings
2026-04-13 18:45 - 20:30, 2026-04-27 18:45 - 20:30, 2026-05-11 18:45 - 20:30, 2026-05-18 18:45 - 20:30, 2026-06-08 18:45 - 20:30, 2026-06-15 18:45 - 20:30 | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
Send Email

Conventions You Need to Play class will be held at the same time. Details to come.

Free Lecture
2026-05-14 | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Our Unit provides free lectures as part of our education program. Lectures cover areas of interest for new as well as intermediate players. Lectures are held at our Bridge Center. Sign-ups are not required.
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