BridgeMojo

Bridge II is ready for registration on the PCC Extended Learning web site. Follow this link to sign up online.

Bridge II is subtitled The Play of the Hand in the 21st Century. While the focus is on the play of the hand, the course will also add new tools to your repertoire for bidding and defense.

The textbook/workbook continues in the ACBL Bridge in the 21st Century series.

Bridge II will be held at Arcadia High School on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., beginning April 11, for eight consecutive Wednesdays.

For bridge students and beginners, I've created an email list called "Social Bridge" with the intent of providing a place for students to ask questions and make arrangements to play bridge socially.

Clearly the best way to improve at bridge is to play as often as you can, but finding a game that isn't too competitive or intimidating can be difficult.

The list members should all be local to the Pasadena/Arcadia area, and mostly current or former students of my bridge classes at PCC. So it should remain a small list of folks who mostly know each other and would like to discuss bridge or get together to practice.

You can join the list by clicking http://mail.bridgemojo.com/mailman/listinfo/social and using the "Subscribing to Social" form -- or just drop me a note at the Contact link.

I'd like to be able to offer Bridge III this summer, ideally on weeknight evenings, for my continuing bridge students. I'm looking for an inexpensive venue with room for (at least) four bridge tables. If you have any leads for such a location, somewhere in the Pasadena area, please drop me a note!

I'll be offering the next eight-week course in the ACBL's "Bridge in the 21st Century" series through Pasadena City College this spring.

Bridge II focuses on declarer play -- how to win those extra tricks that you need to make a contract.

It also adds more bidding tools, and adds some topics on defender play each lesson.

Bridge II will be offered for eight consecutive Wednesday evenings at Arcadia High School, beginning April 11, 2012, and continuing through May 30, 2012, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

(The course is not yet published in their online catalog. I'll post a new note here when registration is open.)

Just a note for those who might be on the fence, the class starting February 1 through PCC is what I expect to be the last opportunity for new bridge players to get started with Bridge I until fall quarter (September or October).

This spring I will offer Bridge II (focus on declarer play) and this summer (if I find a venue) Bridge III (focus on defender play).

Bridge is a card game for four players working as two partnerships. It is known the world over as one of the most challenging and satisfying games. Like the best games, the rules are simple, but the depth and fascination can continue for a lifetime. This class introduces bridge to newcomers, and also serves to reinforce the fundamentals of Standard American bidding for current players. No bridge experience needed, but newcomers should not miss the first lesson!

Bridge I is offered this winter (2012) on Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m., at Arcadia High School, beginning Feb. 1 for eight consecutive Wednesday evenings.

Registration is through Pasadena City College Extended Learning, online at the PCC website or by calling PCC Extension at (626) 585-7608.

Registration for the course is $95, and there is a $15 materials fee for the textbook/workbook payable in class.

Our textbook is the first in the ACBL Bridge Series, Bidding in the 21st Century. (Please bring the book to class if you already own one, and save the $15 fee.)

For questions, contact Morris Jones online here or by telephone at 626-755-5415.

The first class is absolutely essential for students who have never played bridge, and will introduce the fundamentals of the game.

Each class following will introduce a new concept of Standard American bidding, and the play of the hand, in the first hour. The second hour will feature bridge hands based on the lessons in the first hour.

Though bridge is a partnership game, no partner is required to attend class. The class is a great opportunity to meet new players and form new partnerships to play at home or at bridge clubs.

As I mentioned above, this course is also great for students who have played a little bridge and want to review and reinforce their bidding fundamentals. The course teaches the modern Standard American 5-Card Major bidding system popular all over the world in tournament play and online bridge.

Bridge students Michael Perera and Tor Hyblom won their first red points Sunday July 3, 2011, at the Pasadena "Bridge Week" Regional. Congratulations!

In viewing the landscape of "online bridge" these days, I thought I'd tell some of my history with SAYC. It's sort of my fault. See the full story here:

http://mojo.whiteoaks.com/2010/09/27/how-sayc-happened/

Mojo

This great article in the Pasadena Star-News, Pasadena goes all-in on Bridge, highlights the interest and the need for bridge teachers in the area.