Beginner's Guide

New players are always welcome and do not need to be a member to play.

The Cincinnati Bridge Center is home to several different club games and is the focal point for bridge in Cincinnati.  There are several other club games in the Cincinnati Unit of the ACBL held at other venues.

Education:
If you need to learn how to play, or would like to improve your game, the Bridge Center offers a variety of classes.  Beginning and Review the Basics lessons are suitable for both duplicate and rubber bridge.  Intermediate and advance lessons are designed for duplicate play.  See lesson schedule.  Please contact one of our bridge teachers for information or reservations.  A teacher will be able to judge your abilities and guide you to the best class.  Private lessons are also available.   Nancy and Linda have years of teaching experience and excellent reputations.

The CBA's library is another way to learn.  The library contains over 400 bridge books.  Members may check out books for 3 weeks for free.

Club Games:
For those interested in rubber bridge, the Bridge Center has two games per week.  The "Home-Style" games are on Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings.  These games are suitable for the "social" player.  Standby partners are available.  Kay Mulford is the director. 

In duplicate bridge, the same hands are played at many tables.  You are scored based on how well your partnership played/defended the hand compared to the other tables.  Therefore, winning is not dependent on getting "good hands."  This form of bridge is fun, very popular, and highly recommended for those serious about improving their game. 

For those interested in duplicate, the Tuesday night newcomer/intermediate game is a great place to start.  The director, Tom Deddens, is very helpful and makes new players feel comfortable.  This is a good place to learn about duplicate procedures such as scoring, convention cards, movement, bidding boxes, and alerts.  Don't worry!  These procedures are easy to learn.

If the 0-50 master point game is too easy, then you might want to try Kay Mulford's intermediate, non life master, game on Thursday evenings.  It is a larger game and you might find it more enjoyable.

Novice players  may play in the open games, but they are expected to have a basic understanding of standard bidding and duplicate procedures.  It is important to be able to bid in tempo and to be able to complete the round of play on time.  It is considered good for your game, but bad for your ego to play in open games.  Open games are usually stratified, which means low point players may win points by beating other low point players.  Don't be intimidated. Give the open games a try when you feel you're ready.

Please check the local game schedule  for exact game times and director information.  Club games are normally cancelled when there is a tournament in Cincinnati, so you may want to check the tournament schedule.  Some games close on holidays. You may call the director before coming the first time.  The director can answer all your questions. 

You are expected to have your own partner.  If you do not, please call the director in advance.  S/he may know someone in need of a partner. 

Bridge Center:
The Bridge Center opens no later than ½ hour before game time.  Buy your entry no later than 5-10 minutes before game time so that the game can start on time.  Don't be late, it is discourteous.  Sometimes a late pair cannot be admitted into a game.  The duration of a typical game is 3½ hours.

Sometimes two different bridge games are taking place at the same time.  Be careful not to buy an entry for the open game when you want Home-Style or Novice. 

The fee for a club game entry is $5.00 per person.  Charity or other special games may cost  more, but they pay more masterpoints.  About 40% of the players in a club game will win masterpoints (usually a fraction of a point). 

Computer Scoring:
Most duplicate club games are computer scored.  A computer printout, called the Press/Recap, is generated at the end of the game.  The press  identifies the players and the recap is the results on each hand (board).  A pair is given 1 matchpoint for each table they beat and  ½ matchpoint for each table they tie.   

Some of the clubs use a computer driven machine to duplicate hands.  At the end of the game, these clubs provide the players a paper listing of the hands, called a handrecord, .  Club game results are posted on this website.

ACBL:
Joining the ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) has many benefits.  You must be a member to have your masterpoints recorded (registered into your permanent record).  Winning masterpoints in a club game is the first step toward becoming a life master.  A ranking and award system has been established by the ACBL based on masterpoints.  The ACBL mails its membership a monthly magazine that contains the latest bridge news.  There are many articles written by experts for all levels of players including Novice.  Included with the magazine is your monthly masterpoint statement.

A portion of your membership fee is given to the local unit, the CBA.  The CBA uses this money to mail its quarterly newsletter, Alert, to members in its jurisdiction.  It is best to join the ACBL through your director or bridge teacher.

Awards:
The CBA has an award night in April for new life masters and players in the Cincinnati Unit  who won the most masterpoints in their category for the previous year.  Other awards are presented at the  CBA's Holiday party.

   
Join the fun and come out and play.  I hope to see you soon at one of our local club games.