Mastering the Fine Points
2017-05-04 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-05-18 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-05-25 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-06-08 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-06-15 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-06-22 19:15 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Bridge Center, 432A Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA, 94043, United States
Frank Smoot
(408) 732-5736
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The opponents love to intrude after we open the bidding. This course discusses ways to overcome hurdles the opponents put in our way, and to penalize them when they bid too much. The auction often suggests which points will be working fully and which will be of little value. See how partner’s and the opponents’ bids identify the fine points and the shabby points. Learn special matchpoint play techniques.
This Intermediate-Advanced course is designed for players with three years of bridge experience (or a healthy sense of adventure).
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.
Please contact Frank Smoot email for more information.

This 6-Week Course Covers

Upgrading after a Raise
Slam Bidding Judgement
Working Honors versus Wasted Values
Hurdling Intererence
Penalizing Interference
Matchpoint Play Strategy

Class Downloads**

Lesson 1
Bidding After a Raise

Lesson 2
Slam Judgement

Lesson 3
Winning Tips

Lesson 4
Penalty Doubles

Lesson 5
Overcome Interference

Lesson 6
Matchpoint Play

**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 $150 to hold your spot to:
Frank Smoot
528 S Taaffe St
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Six Weeks to Superior Slam Bidding
2017-05-05 16:15 - 18:30, 2017-05-12 16:15 - 18:30, 2017-05-19 16:15 - 18:30, 2017-06-09 16:15 - 18:30
Debbie Rosenberg
(408) 320-4473
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This is an Intermediate course, leaning toward advanced intermediate. At least two years of duplicate bridge experience is assumed, along with sound fundamental knowledge of both bidding and card play.

When is 4NT Quantitative?
How can my partner and I get more value out of the conventions we are already playing?
Should I bid RKCB, cuebid a control, or neither?
How can I go beyond counting points, and start thinking about slam bidding like a pro?

This course will answer the above questions and more!
Each lesson will contain practice deals. Lecture notes and copies of deals played, with analysis, will be distributed via email. Some basic familiarity with the slam bidding conventions covered will be assumed.
Lessons are not offered on a per-session basis. While it is ideal to attend this course with a partner, it is not required. If you miss a class, please do not send a substitute.
Class size will be limited to 12 tables. Pre-registration is required. You will need to send payment to hold your place after registering.
Classes include coffee and cookies – please bring additional snacks you desired.
The course instructor is Debbie Rosenberg who is an ACBL Grand Master, six-time NABC winner and three-time World Champion with 30 years of teaching experience.
The course will be held at our Bridge Center.
For more information contact Debbie Rosenberg email (preferred) (408) 320-4473.

Six Weeks to Solid Slam Bidding
Friday Afternoons
4:15 PM to 6:30 PM

Quantitative 4N & Gerber
April 21, 2017

Splinters
April 28

Jacoby 2N
May 5

RKCB 1430
May 12

Control Bidding
May 19

5 of a Major Slam Try & Review of Course
June 9

*Possible makeup date in case of schedule change
June 16*

*After registering, please send check in the amount of $150 to hold your spot to:
Debbie Rosenberg
21327 Glen Place Apt 8
Cupertino, CA 95014
Or send electronic payment(sorry, no PayPal) to Debbie at debrose5900@gmail.com.

Playing for Keeps
2017-05-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-05-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-06-05 19:00 - 21:00
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
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Master the art of playing a bridge hand. (Or at least give it a try!)
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.

Playing for Keeps
Dates

Discarding Losers
February 27

Trumping Losers
March 6

Fancy Finesses
March 27

Dangerous Opponent
April 10

Trump Management
April 24

Choices
May 8

The Cross Ruff
May 22

The Master Hand – Trumping in the Short Hand
June 5

Learn Bridge In A Day?
2017-06-18
Do you like to play games or solve puzzles? Would you like to learn a challenging new game? Would you like to meet others who like the same things? Do you want to refresh skills you learned in college? If you answered yes to any of these, here is a marvelous opportunity to learn the ‘Best Card Game Ever’.
Do you have friends or family members who don’t know how to play bridge – but who wish they could enjoy it as you do? Here is your chance to introduce them to the game you love to play.
The Learn Bridge in a Day?™ seminar offers a new method for teaching the basics of bridge. In just four to five hours, students become confident with basic bidding, scoring, and the mechanics of play. The seminar design ensures all information is delivered in a quick, stress-free yet comprehensive manner. Both students and teachers rave about the effectiveness, ease, and enjoyment of the experience.
The seminar will be taught by ABTA Master Teacher Kathy Harper. The seminar includes instruction, student handbook, and light snacks (please bring a lunch).
Registration

Registration is required to ensure you can attend. Your registration is not complete until we have received your payment.

Fill out and submit the form below (one per person), or,
Print a registration form, fill it out (multiple people OK) and mail it to Kathy Harper with your payment.

If you registered online you can check to see if you have already registered. If you registered directly with Kathy you will need to contact her to verify your registration.
Payment
Write a check payable to Kathy Harper and mail it to:
Kathy Harper
1681 Stone Pine Lane
Menlo Park CA 94025
If you are paying for more than one person please include the names of the people for whom you are paying.
For more information contact Kathy Harper kharper100@aol.com, (650) 207-1816.

Beginning Bridge
2017-06-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-06-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-07-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-07-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-07-31 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-08-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-08-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-08-21 19:00 - 21:00
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
Choosing a Contract
June 19

Opening Bids and Selecting the Best Game
Opening 1NT
June 26

Major Suit Opening Bids
Minor Suit Opening Bids
July 10

Dummy Points
July 24

Responder Bids Notrump
Opener Bids Notrump
July 31

Takeout Doubles
August 7

Preempts
August 14

Strong 2 Clubs
August 21

2 Over 1
2017-07-06 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-07-13 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-07-27 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-08-03 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-08-17 19:15 - 21:30, 2017-08-24 19:15 - 21:30
Frank Smoot
(408) 732-5736
Send Email

Want to save bidding space? Learn the 2 Over 1 system. It is intended for Intermediate level bridge players with at least one year of duplicate experience who want to learn this system or want a refresher course on it.
Using materials from 2 Over 1 Game Force by Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell you will learn concepts, do exercises in class and finish the evening by playing hands relating to the topic. There will be light homework consisting of puzzlers at the end of each section in the text.
The in-class hands will be available in electronic format so students can play them at home and receive commentary on their bidding and play (see below – requires Bridge Baron software).
Dessert, coffee and tea are also provided.
Our course instructor is the very popular Frank Smoot who has taught bridge to beginners and beyond in Palo Alto for almost 20 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 6-Week Course Covers

Introduction to 2/1
1NT Forcing
Rebids
Choose Game or Slam
Variations (1NT semi-forcing, etc)
Add-on Gadgets

Students are expected to provide their own copy of 2 Over 1 Game Force by Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell which may be purchased at Amazon.com, Barns & Noble and Baron Barclay among other sources. Frank Smoot may be able to order the text at a discount if arrangements are made by May 1.

Class Downloads**

Lesson 1
on 7/2/17 Introduction (Deals 1-4)

Lesson 2
Forcing 1NT (Deals 5-8)

Lesson 3
Rebids (Deals 9-12)

Lesson 4
Review (Deals 17-24)

Lesson 5
Game or Slam (Deals 13-16)

Lesson 6
Review (Deals 25-32)

Bonus Deals
Bonus Deals 1-6
Bonus Deals 7-12

**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

Beginning Bridge
2017-09-12 09:15 - 11:15
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 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
2017-09-14 09:15 - 11:15
Kathy Harper
(650) 207-1816
Send Email

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
