Houston Card School
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These are the classes currently scheduled by Houston Card School. If you have an interest in something particular that is not listed you can be added to my Notifications email List. Members of this list get an email when a new class is posted. If there is a class topic you would like to see you can email me with your request. gary@houstoncardschool.com. |
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To pre-register for any class.... |
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Beginning Fundamentals of Contract Bridge |
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The absolute best way to become successful at this game is get a solid foundation
in the fundamentals. Most bridge players learn from friends or family and I
find they have large gaps in basic understanding. These gaps cause problems
with later progress. |
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Dates: Eight (8) Lesson – Wednesday Evenings – February 10, 17, 24 March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
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Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm |
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Where: Houston Bridge Studio |
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Class Fee: $125 |
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Constructive Bidding for the Intermediate Player |
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Six (6) weeks with a close examination
of the bidding approach on those hands where your partnership opens the
bidding. Centered around Standard American five-card major style; the class
will cover opener and responder responsibilities, bidding balanced hands,
major suit auctions, minor suit auctions, forcing 2C openings, preempts, hand
evaluation, and passed hand bidding. The topic each week will cover not only
the natural bids and developments but a presentation of treatments and
conventions that will improve your bidding accuracy. This is a must for the
duplicate student of the game.
Bidding Balanced Hands
Point
count works very well on balanced hands so it is critical to have narrow and
specific ranges to describe balanced hands. Together we will build a set of
tools that allows for appropriate exploration.
Major Suit Auctions
The
major suits are critical for success so we need more ways to support and
raise opener’s major opening. We will discuss the many nuances of responses
and rebids.
Minor Suit Auctions
If
you do not have a major suit after partner opens a minor then many players
get off into uncharted territory. Tools will be presented that allows for
weak and strong action.
Strong 2C Openings and Responses
What
hands qualify and how should responder act? Just who is in charge anyway?
Preempts
A
different requirement for every seat. We will define the expectations so that
it is no longer a guess.
Passed Hand Bidding Everything changes once you are a passed hand. What is a jump shift? Is Drury really worth it? |
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Dates: Six (6) lessons – Thursday Evenings – February 11, 18, 25 March 4, 11, 18 |
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Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm |
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Where: Houston Bridge Studio |
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Class Fee: $100 |
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Beginning Play of the Hand |
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- Perfect for those
players just starting the game
- Ideal as a review for those that have played but have never
taken formal instruction
- Designed as the follow up class to Beginning Bridge
Fundamentals
- Complete coverage of all the fundamentals of declarer play
- Improve your skills
- Take more tricks
- Make more hands
- Learn about trick development
- Making a Plan - Take it as an individual, with a partner, or a group |
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Dates: Eight (8) lessons – Saturday Mornings – March 13, 20, 27 April 10, 24 May 8, 15, 22 |
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Time: 10:00am – Noon |
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Where: Houston Bridge Studio |
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Class Fee: $125 |
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Conventions You Should Know
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HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME?
When players first enter the world of
duplicate bridge one of the first things that becomes obvious is the number
of conventions that most every partnership plays. Unfortunately, most players
learn these conventions by word of mouth and fail to understand the reasoning
behind their use. The tendency is also to never get a true depth of
understanding about follow-ups, interference, proper application. This class
will correct that problem.
DO I NEED A PARTNER?
An understanding of these conventions
is necessary for successful duplicate play and if can take the class with
partner your effective use of these tools will be enhanced. However, simply
studying these techniques will also improve your game as you will have a
better understanding of the opponents auctions. The class will be a
discussion style, so no partner is necessary.
WHICH CONVENTIONS WILL
BE COVERED?
A total of six conventional bidding
tools will be covered in depth. These six conventions represent what I
believe to be the most useful and most frequently seen in actual play. A
solid understanding of these is necessary even if you choose not to play them
with your regular partner. Understanding what the opponents are bidding is
just as important.
Negative Doubles
Responsive Doubles
Class #2 - Apr 1st - No Trump Auctions
Jacoby and Texas Transfer Bids
Lebensohl
Jacoby 2NT
Splinter Bids |
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Dates: Three (3) lessons – Thursday Evenings – March 25 April 1, 8 |
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Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm |
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Where: Houston Bridge Studio |
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Class Fee: $50 |
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Supervised Practice for Beginning Players |
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WHAT IS SUPERVISED
PRACTICE?
This class is designed specifically
for those students just coming out of any of the Beginning classes or for
those just starting out playing the game. Each you will play randomly-dealt
hands. On some of the class meetings I will bring a few pre-dealt hands for
you to play. I will be moving from table to table to help where needed,
answer questions, or to keep things on track. This is an ideal way to put
into practice and learn material that was presented in the various beginning
classes.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN?
The pre-dealt hands have been selected
to reinforce fundamentals including opening, responding, rebids, overcalls,
doubles, opening leads, declarer’s plan, signals, and discards. The
randomly-dealt hands might be anything.
DO I NEED A PARTNER?
Obviously taking the class with a
regular partner will improve your partnership, but a partner is not required.
I will arrange partnerships for the class as required. As much as possible I
will match up players of similar experience. This is also a great way to meet
other players and form your own partnerships!
HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE HANDS?
Each hand is planned to illustrate a lesson on some aspect of bidding, play, and defense. Depending upon your prior experience each participant may take away different things. The hands will range from challenging to simple fundamental reinforcement, but the things you take away from this workshop will improve the various aspects of your game and your understanding of partner. |
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Dates: Six (6) lessons – Wednesday Evenings – April 7, 21 May 5, 12, 19, 26 |
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Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm |
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Where: Houston Bridge Studio |
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Class Fee: $75 |
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