♣            ♦            Etobicoke Bridge Centre          ♥            

Teaching/Learning Programs

Last revised: Nov 26, 2023
In addition to providing duplicate games, we are committed to bringing new players to the game, and providing appropriate venues for their game to grow. Text in red means starting soon, sign up now. Courses are afternoons unless stated otherwise

Program Offerings - Overview

Program When Duration Details Links
Level 2 Course Next Offered Jan-March 2024 (F2F and hopefully also online) F2F = Mondays; 12:30 - 3:00
OL = Tuesdays; 10:00-12:00
10 weeks Click here
Absolute Beginner Course Sept-Dec 2024. Monday 12:30-2:45 10 weeks Click here
Shuffle & Play (At Olympium) Mondays 12:30 - 3:00 Supervised Recent Level 2 Graduates (or equivalent) Click here

We also offer a complementary advanced seminar aimed at Open players. This runs on the first Monday of months Oct thru June. It starts at 11:00 before the open game, and is run by Dave Colbert, a international-level Canadian player. Just show up, no registration required.

Below are descriptions of courses offered

Shuffle & Play

Open to any novice players who have completed Level 1 and 2 or equivalent. Come and practice your game by playing shuffled hands. Ideal for those who prefer this casual learning environment over a gentle but formal duplicate game. A bridge instructor will be supervising by answering any of your questions. Runs every Monday from 12:30 to 3:15. $8 per session

Absolute Beginner Bridge: Lesson series

This course will start from the very beginning and take participants through the basics of the game. Topics include ....

*  Basic mechanics of the game
*  Bidding basics; suits/rank/auctions
*  Counting points in your hand
*  Starting to bid your hand - Opening Bids
*  Bidding - Evaluating your hand
*  Bidding - Responses
*  Scoring
*  Starting to Play the Hand
*  Card combinations
*  Bidding - Overcalls
*  Intro to Defence - Opening Leads

The following applies to the Absolute Beginner course starting September 25 2023.

Register by calling Steve Overholt at 647.897.6179 or emailing Steve



Beginner Bridge Level 2: Lesson series

This course is for those who have specifically taken Beginner Bridge (Level 1) at EBC or an equivalent first bridge course. (Those wishing to verify equivalence, please check the course description above). Topics for Level 2 include ....

*  Review of Beginner course
*  Bidding: Opener's Rebids
*  Competitive Bidding: Overcalls & Doubles; review and responses
*  Playing the Hand: Building Blocks of Declarer Play
*  Playing the Hand: Analyze and Play Trump & NT contracts
*  Defense: Basics
*  Defense: Talking with your cards
*  Bidding: Big Hands
*  Bidding: Adding some conventions (Blackwood, Gerber)
*  Last week: Supervised Play & Casual competition

The following applies to the Beginner Level 2 course starting January 2024.

Register by calling Steve Overholt at 647.897.6179 or emailing Steve





May/June 2023 Lessons

Topic At EO Date OnLine Date Level (Advanced Novice=easier   Intermediate=harder)
     $20 per lesson Mondays 12:30-2:30 Tuesdays 10:00-12:00
Vulnerability; Why does it matter? Apr 24 Apr 25 ALL       Movie Posted
Negative Doubles: IntroductionMay 1 May 2 Advanced Novice
Reverses: Introduction
May 8 May 9 ALL
Play & Analyze 6 Hands May 15 May 16 All
Advanced Defensive Strategies (Forcing,Passive, etc NA-Victoria Day May 23 Intermediate
Signaling & Discarding May 29 May 30 Advanced Novice
Reasons NOT to Draw Trump June 5 June 6 ALL
Defense: Do I switch suits now? Lounge NA June 13 All
Third Seat Opening Bids June 19 June 20 Intermediate

Take 6+ courses and save $10 and improve your average game by 3.2%
Intermediate approximately corresponds to 0-750 and strong 299ers
Advanced Novice approximately corresponds to upper 0-20 and most 299ers
Email Steve to register, list course names or dates
Once MayJune 23 courses are over, please E-transfer (etobicokebridge@gmail.com)
Fees: $20 per at EO or on zoom course, $10 if you just watch the movie. Pay by E-transfer
or cheque at the end of all classes taken.

What a game!!