https://esther-bridge.com/bbw.html
LAST Updated: 09/20/25 07:45


          The "Bridge Bruce's Way" ("BBW") Lessons were developed assuming that the Learners had no background whatsoever as regards playing duplicate bridge. However, the "BBW" Introductory Bridge Lessons do assume that you know elementary bridge concepts, such as how many cards there are in a deck, how many cards there are in a hand, and how bridge results are scored (e.g., a 4 Spade bid making 4 Vulnerable yields a Bridge Score of 620, a 1NT contract making 2 yields a Bridge Score of 120). These "BBW" Introductory Lessons only include conventions played under "Standard American Yellow Card" ("SAYC") Convention Card. Thus, the "BBW" Lessons do not include discussion of more specialized conventions played by Advancing players.
          The "Bridge Bruce's Way" ("BBW") Lessons emerged from the earlier "Esther Bridge Lessons", which were created during the pandemic to teach new and rising players within the Savannah Bridge Club once in-person lessons were no longer possible. The "Esther Bridge Lessons" include roughly 200 downloadable lessons/quizzes on a wide range of topics, including bidding, selecting a line of play, bridge probabilities, the so-called (and mis-named) 40 or so "Rules of Bridge", and various bridge conventions (e.g., "2 Over 1", Jacoby 2NT, Roman Key Card 1430, Roth responses to 2C openings by Partner, Bergen Limit Raises, Flannery). For coverage of these somewhat more advanced topics, Click on the highlighted words to GO to the:
"Esther Online Bridge Lessons".
          You also may wish to check out the:
          "Esther Bridge 'Pop' Quizzes".

Click go to the ACBL Website to register for a **FREE** 4 month "Guest" ACBL Membership, including an ACBL Membership Number used to play in Club and other ACBL games. Or, you can call ACBL to speak to a human person: 662/253-3100, and when the irritating menu of choices is presented, Press '1' for Membership, and then tell the human ACBL representative that you would like a FREE 4-month Guest Membership. BE SURE TO RECORD YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER, which you will need to play in games.

REMINDER. Within whatever browser (Edge, Firefox, GOOGLE, etc.) you prefer to use, you can BOOKMARK, or "Add to Shortcuts", this present "BBW" web address, so that you can more easily in the future return to this page, without having to again search for the page, or having to type the web address URL into your browser's search box each time you wish to return.

Click JUMP to the "BBW Lessons" to go directly to these "BBW Lessons.

Recommended Bridge Books for Beginners
          If you are interested in a very gradual, gentle introduction to bridge, I recommend the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Beginner's Book Series. The series includes 5 spiral-bound paperback books, which "go slowly," and include helpful exercises intermittently. I particularly recommend the first 3 titles, which will provide a pretty comprehensive start: Bidding in the 21st Century, Play of the Hand in the 21st Century, and Defense in the 21st Century. You can order individual books at the Barion Barclay website, or buy new or used single copies from Amazon. Or, you can order a "bundle" of all 5 books for about $90. GOOGLE search for "baron barclay acbl series bundle", or Click on the following link:
https://baronbarclay.com/acbl-series-bundle/
          Another fabulous, wonderful print resource for Beginners (and Advancers as well) is a little "pocket book" (so-called because this 121-page book is small enough fit in your pants or shirt pockets). This pocket book is replete with bridge wisdom. The author, Marty Bergen, is a 10-time National Bridge Champion, and creator of numerous bridge conventions, including "Bergen Limit Raises", "DONT", and the "Rule of 20", and has had a regular column in the ACBL Bridge Bulletin since 1976! This wonderful little 2011 "pocket book" is Pocket Posh Tips for Bridge Players, and can be found new or used online from various vendors, including Baron Barclay.
          Esther insists, "Even in an internet age, bridge books remain a hugely important learning resource for the new and advancing bridge player! To see my personally preferred lists, CLICK my personally curated list of 6 of the most important bridge books of **all** time and of the 2021-2025 Best and Runner-Up Bridge Books identified by my personal friends at the American Bridge Teachers' Association (ABTA)."

Recommended Bridge Websites for Beginners
          And if you prefer web-based lessons as againt books, if you are an absolute novice Beginner, Esther very strongly recommends the highly structured and immensely clear video lessons (and student notes, quizzes, Hands, and PowerPoints) in the 10 lessons prepared by the New Zealand Bridge Association. Great stuff for the absolute beginner! Here is a link to Lesson #1 so that you can easily check out the first of these lessons!
          Esther also strongly recommends the "Bridge Doctor" bridge website currated by New Zealanders Lee Asher-Simpson and Dennis Asher. Their free 22 SAYC Beginner lessons are highly structured and absolutely clear, and are especially well suited for absolute beginning novice bridge players!
          Beginning Bridge Players may also want to check out 4 FREE Bridge Bidding / Play Practice Websites. The best of these is the BBO Bridge Master website. The BBO Bridge Master website is the best of these sites because that site (1) allows you to select your Skill Level, and (2) then allows you to play as Declarer, and finally (3) then shows you step-by-step the best way to have played your Hand. The "Solutions" are presented Trick-by-Trick, and the explanations are both visually presented and spoken. Good stuff!

Some Mechanics of Duplicate Bridge of Possible Interest to Some Newer Players
          ACBL duplicate bridge games award ACBL MasterPoints ("MPs") to top-ranking duplicate Pairs competitors. In Pairs competitions, about 40% of the top-ranking Pairs receive MPs. Top-ranking Pairs receive disproportionately more MPs the closer the Pairs are to the top of the rankings.
          ACBL-sanctioned games are run by ACBL-licensed Directors. The duties of ACBL Directors include (1) structuring each given competition so that the competition is a fair as possible, given the number of competitors, and time constraints, and (2) making rulings whenever infractions of the ACBL Rules, the ACBL Laws of Bridge, occur. The purpose of Director rulings is not to punish players who violate the Laws, and instead rulings are merely intended to try to restore the situation to be as close as possible to what would have been if the infraction had not occurred.
          An optimally "fair" competition occurs when every duplicate Pair (1) plays every other Pair and (2) every bridge Board. For example, a "perfectly" fair competition might involve 8 Pairs, each playing all 7 other Pairs, and during 7 Rounds of play each involving 3 Boards, every one of 21 Boards. But "perfectly" fair competitions are not always logistically possible, and so Directors make certain compromises to come as close as possible to a "perfect" competition when "perfect" isn't an option.
          Newer duplicate bridge players may be interested in Esther's discussion of "Bridge Pairs 'Movements' (e.g., 'Mitchell', 'Howell') and ACBL MasterPoints: What's It All About Alphie, and What is 'Stratification'?". ["movement.pdf"] Newer duplicate bridge players also may be interested in Esther's discussion of "Where Do ACBL Directors Come From?". ["directors.pdf"]

          In response to requests from a group of Savannah Duplicate Bridge Club (SDBC) Novice players, Bruce developed the "Bridge Bruce's Way" ("BBW") Lessons. The Lessons were developed assuming that the Learners had no background whatsoever as regards playing duplicate bridge. These "BBW" Introductory Lessons teach Bruce's approach to bidding and playing duplicate bridge. Others may play using different systems. These Lessons only include conventions played under "Standard American Yellow Card" ("SAYC") Convention Card.
          Critically Important Bridge Principle. The key to success when playing duplicate bridge is not what conventions you and your Partner play. What instead is IMPORTANT is that whatever conventions you and your Partner play, you both understand what you are both clearly communicating to each other. As you play more and more duplicate bridge, you will increasingly realize that when you and Partner are "on the same wavelength," and "communicate well" on a given day, you will inevitably do well. But when one Partner is tired, or distracted, or feels not quite well, and especially if the two of you are playing different and incompatible conventions, you will not have a good day! In short, BRIDGE is all about THE COMMUNICATION! And not primarily about the conventions!

About Bruce...

          Bruce Thompson is a retired university professor. He taught graduate students at the University of New Orleans applied statistics for 11 years. He then moved to Texas A&M University (TAMU), where he taught applied statistics again to graduate students for 27 years. He retired in 2016 holding the academic titles, Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology, and Distinguished Professor of Library Science. He also held academic rank at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston).
          Upon retirement, Bruce moved to Savannah, at which point he joined the Savannah Duplicate Bridge Club (SDBC). He subsequently passed the ACBL test enabling him to direct Club games. Prior to the old SDBC Club burning down, and the pandemic, he directed "human" (in-person) Novice games. Each game was preceded by a brief lesson.
          During the pandemic, Bruce began directing on-line SDBC Bridge Base Online (BBO) 99er games on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Because in-person instruction was not possible, Bruce began writing bridge lessons that could be e-mailed to players. For a couple of years these went out to roughly 60 players on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This led to the creation by Bruce of Esther. Subsequently, a group of brand new Bridge Players in Savannah later asked Bruce to teach a series of Introductory Lessons, so Bruce then developed these, the "Bridge Bruce's Way" ("BBW") Bridge Lessons.

Endorsement of the "BBW" Online Bridge Lessons by Esther Klinktoast-Houstonhousen...

          Esther Klinktoast-Houstonhousen is a Quintuple Gold Emerald Life Master (20 Million+ ACBL MasterPoints), who engages in dialogs with Bruce about various duplicate bridge topics, in the "Esther Online Bridge Lessons." Esther has graciously agreed to review the "BBW" Bridge Lessons, and has offered the following endorsement:
          "Bruce is a pretty good guy (not great, but somewhat OK). He seems to care about (in rank order): (1) being responsible/moral, (2) being 'of service', and (3) being silly/hilarious. He often suceeds in doing some of these. His lessons are pretty good. His lessons include some 'bridge wisdom', even if do say so myself."

A Few Words About How People Learn Duplicate Bridge

          The primary way that you learn to play duplicate bridge is "by putting your feet, and legs, under the bridge table." As you learn bridge, which is a life-long process, you will make numerous mistakes, which are inevitable, and painful, but that is how you learn (anything).
          As a serious student of bridge, you will soon realize that learning bridge requires some effort, and some study. You will have to do some reading of books, articles, and/or the numerous web pages devoted to teaching bridge, some viewing of on-line instructional videos, and/or some listening to in-person lectures in organized lessons.
          Also, you won't master any bridge concept after hearing about the concept only one time. Instead, in my experience as a Professor who taught graduate students for 37+ years, in order to master any given concept, you must hear/read the concept or lesson 10 times. In my experience, not 9 times! And not 11. 10!
          This means you have to listen to, or read, lessons multiple times. And you have to talk to other bridge learners. And you may end up having to talk to yourself. The other day I noticed someone in the produce department of the grocery store who was talking to herself in an extended soliloquy. "Ah...," I said to myself. "A rising new fellow Bridge Player! She is so distracted, she probably will end up taking home 15 cucumbers, and 47 potatoes!"

The foci in both bidding and play when executing suit contracts versus NT contracts tend to be very different. Thus, the "BBW" Lessons initially are structured to focus seperately first on these two flavors of contracts, prior to turning to other bidding and play topics.

Click on the highlighted Lesson Title to go to a given "BBW" Lesson.

(#1-#2) Bidding Suit versus NT Contracts. A primary consideration when setting a NT contract is HCPs, because "Points are for NT!" The primary focus in setting a suit contract is trump card count and card distributions (both trump and side suits) in the two hands held by the Pair securing the contract, and somewhat less so the points held by the contracting Pair. In the words of Marty Bergen, Points Schmoints!. Two "BBW" lessons cover these considerations.

          Lesson #1: "Bidding when Bidding Suit Contracts". And click 2 Boards to bid and play Boards that illustrate the principles of Bridge Bruce's Way versus traditional bridge as taught in Lesson #1. Bid and play Board #01.1 first using the "Rule of 20", and then second using the traditional standard that sitting first or second you must have 13+ HCPs in order to open. Bid and play Board #01.2 first using the standard that sitting third you can open with 11+ HCPs, and then second using the traditional requirement that you must hold 13+ HCPs in order to open.
          Lesson #2: "Responding to Partner's Opening Suit Bid". And Board #02.1 teaches that (1) Responder must not lie to Opener about holding a 4-card Major, and (2) Opener in subsequent bidding must not lie to Responder about holding Diamonds.

Lesson #3: "Bidding NT Contracts and Responding to Partner's NT Bids". Expanded/Revised 9/23/23. A primary concern when setting a contract in NT is High Card Points (HCPs). As ACBL Grand LifeMaster Yoda teaches, "Points are for No Trump! [and less so for suit contracts].""BBW" Lesson #3 covers these considerations when setting a NT contract. To see Boards that illustrate these concepts Click Boards #03.1 through #03.3 that illustrate some of these concepts. Also, please consider, Lesson #3-Sup: "A Brief Digression into Making Overcall Bids", including discussion of Ron Klinger's "Suit Quality Test Score" or "SQT Score".

#4-#5: "Play of the Hand as Declarer". The next 2 "BBW" lessons cover some of the approaches that are helpful when playing as Declarer. Regardless of the contract type, important considerations are always maintaining "transportation" between Dummy and Declarer's hand, and "unblocking" long winning suits. However, as might be expected, the considerations when you are Declarer in a NT versus a Suit contract are generally quite divergent.

          Lesson #4: "Play of the Hand as Declarer in a NT Contract". Your fondest hope when playing as Declarer in a NT contract is that you have first-Round control in all suits, or second-Round "protected" control in all suits, or at least third-Round "protected" control in all suits, so that Opponents cannot get the lead and run a long suit holding. You also should generally try in a NT contract to "promote" into winners even lowly cards in a long 8+ card suit holding, or if you hold 7 cards in a suit and the Opponents' "split" may be 3-3, thus raising the possibility of "promoting" the 13th card in the suit into a "winner". Also discussed in this Lesson is how duplicate bridge is scored, and how duplicate scoring procedures should affect your "line of play." Board #04.1 illustrates the importance of "promoting" low cards while playing as a Declarer is a NT contract.
          You also may want to check out "Esther Bridge 'Dialogue' Lesson #143: Larry Cohen's '3-Step System' for Planning Declarer's 'Line of Play' for a NT Contract".
          Lesson #5: "Play of the Hand as Declarer in a Suit Contract". In Suit contracts, an important consideration is deciding when to draw trump. But at least as important (and more likely a more important) consideration is from where you want to trump as Declarer playing a Suit contract. Also considered is when not to draw trump, when and how to finesse, and when to play for drops of Opponents' honors. Board #05.1 illustrates the importance of from where you as Declarer trump.

Lesson #6: "Communicating with Partner While on Defense". Defense is without question the hardest aspect of playing bridge. The Declarer can see, and controls, 26 cards, or exactly half the deck. Each Defender can only see and control 13 cards. Therefore, Defenders must use every possible opportunity to communicate with each other to try to offset Declarer's advantages. This Lesson covers selecting the opening lead, and "signaling" information to Partner during play on defense. "Signaling" includes: (1) showing Partner "Attitude" towards suits, (2) suggesting "Suit Preference" for Partner's leads when defending against suit contracts, and (3) telling Partner "Card Count", either an even-card count in a suit, or an odd-card count.
          Also see Esther Klinktoast-Houstonhousen's article, "Esther Discusses Tips on Playing and for Teaching Defense to New and Advancing Bridge Learners", in the Summer, 2024 issue of The American Bridge Teachers' Association (ABTA) Journal.

Lagniappe
          As "Lagniappe", Esther also discusses "A Primer on the Basics of Bidding, and Making the Initial Lead: The First Steps of Bridge Play". "Lagniappe" means "a little something extra," a term which is used frequently in New Orleans, especially in restaurants.
          As additional "Lagniappe", you at some point may also wish to consult: "Esther's Bridge Bible of 'Tips' About Bridge Bidding and Play: Everything (or At Least All the Basics) that the New or Advancing Bridge Player Needs to Eventually Know".

Esther opines, After You Are Familiar with Bridge Basics, What's Next???
          Esther says, "So after you are familiar with the bridge basics, what's next??? Well, I always tell new bridge players that the first new conventions I would promptly add to my bidding arsenal are (1) '2 Over 1', and (2) 'Jacoby 2NT', because these conventions (a) emphasize precision in showing Partner card counts, and points, and (b) help Partners quickly communicate whether a Game contract is, or is not, makeable. These are the first two conventions presented in the Conventions Section of the 'Esther Bridge Lessons'. The 'Esther Bridge Lessons' are an excellent resource for printing or reading short lessons on myriad bridge topics, if I, Esther, do say so myself!"
          Other good resources are two excellent books published by ACBL, and available on the Baron Barclay website. First, there is a very popular, excellent bridge book titled, 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know – 2nd Edition, Revised and Updated, by Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith, with additional material by David Bird. This book has sold more than 200,000 copies in English alone! Second, there is a subsequent book, 25 More Bridge Conventions You Should Know, by Barbara Seagram and David Bird. Barbara ran one of the largest bridge schools in North America, and David Bird has written more than 125 bridge books, and has won the American Bridge Teachers' Association Book of the Year Award a record nine times.

Practice, Makes, Perfect!!!
          Practice makes perfect!!! You may wish to check out various 4 FREE Bridge Bidding / Play Practice Websites:
    1. Solitaire Minibridge. On each Board you are shown both your and Partner's Hands. Select the Trump Suit, how many Tricks you will take, and then play your contract.
    2. Just Play Bridge. You are shown only your Hand, the bids as they occur along with brief explanations of the bids, and then the lead is made, Dummy comes down, and you play out the Board.
    3. Just Declare. The contract is already set and you then play the Board as Declarer against robots.
    4. BBO Bridge Master. The BBO Bridge Master website is the best of these sites because the site (1) allows you to select your Skill Level, and (2) then allows you to play, and finally (3) then shows you step-by-step the best way to have played your Hand. The "Solutions" are presented Trick-by-Trick, and the explanations are both visually presented and spoken. Good stuff!
          Many of the more recent "Esther Bridge 'Pop' Quizzes" on Play as Declarer use examples drawn from the BBO Bridge Master website. You can read one of these Esther Bridge Quizzes on Declarer Play, then practice the play on the Board on the Bridge Master website, or vice versa, over, and over again!

Go to the "Esther Bridge 'Pop' Quizzes" website.