Beginner Bridge
Learning Path
Never played bridge before? This path takes you from zero to confidently playing your first hands. Work through the four modules in order — read, practice with Brian, check your readiness, then move on.
Module 1
How Bridge Works
The rules, the deal, and why this game is worth learning.
Key Concepts
- The 4 players and 2 partnerships
- How cards are dealt (13 each)
- The two phases: bidding and play
- Tricks, trumps, and how scoring works
Practice with Brian
Ask Brian to deal you your first hand and walk you through it step by step.
Open Brian →Readiness Check — before moving on
Can you do each of these without looking it up?
- I can name the 4 players and 2 partnerships
- I understand what a trick is and how to win one
- I know the difference between bidding and play
- I understand how trump works
Module 2
Counting Your Hand
Hand evaluation is everything. Learn how to measure the strength of what you're holding.
Key Concepts
- High card points (HCP): A=4, K=3, Q=2, J=1
- Distribution points for long suits and short suits
- When to upgrade or downgrade your hand
- What point ranges mean: partscore, game, slam
Articles to Read
Practice with Brian
Ask Brian to quiz you on hand evaluation — can you open? What's your point count?
Open Brian →Readiness Check — before moving on
Can you do each of these without looking it up?
- I can count HCP quickly for any hand
- I know the point thresholds for partscore, game, and slam
- I understand distribution points
- I can decide whether a hand is worth opening
Module 3
Opening Bids & Responses
Standard American bidding: what each opening bid means and how to respond.
Key Concepts
- Opening 1♣/1♦/1♥/1♠ and what they promise
- Responding to suit openings (raises vs. new suits)
- Opening 1NT (15–17 HCP, balanced)
- Openers rebid: showing strength and shape
Practice with Brian
Practice a full auction with Brian — open, respond, rebid, and reach a contract.
Open Brian →Readiness Check — before moving on
Can you do each of these without looking it up?
- I can open the correct suit with any hand
- I know the point ranges for each opening bid
- I can respond to partner's opening bid appropriately
- I understand what opener's rebid communicates
Module 4
The Four Essential Conventions
Four conventions that handle the vast majority of bridge hands. Learn these and you're equipped.
Key Concepts
- Stayman: find 4-4 major fits after 1NT
- Jacoby Transfers: put the strong hand as declarer
- Blackwood (RKCB): ask for aces heading toward slam
- Takeout Doubles: enter the auction when they open first
Articles to Read
Practice with Brian
Ask Brian to quiz you on each convention — he'll deal hands that require them.
Open Brian →Readiness Check — before moving on
Can you do each of these without looking it up?
- I know when and how to use Stayman
- I can initiate and respond to Jacoby Transfers
- I understand when Blackwood is appropriate
- I can make and respond to a takeout double
Finished the Beginner Path?
When you can open, respond, rebid, and use all four essential conventions without looking things up — you're ready for the next level.
Beginner Path — Completion Criteria
- I understand the rules, dealing, and how a hand is played
- I can count HCP and distribution points for any hand
- I can open and respond correctly in Standard American
- I can use Stayman, Transfers, Blackwood, and Takeout Doubles
Intermediate Path
Competitive bidding, 2/1 system, negative doubles, and more advanced conventions.
Start Intermediate →Explore the Encyclopedia
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