Rebecca’s Bridge Schedule – Fall 2024
Phone: 304-224-3531 ● Email: rebecca.shafer@bridgeteacher.com ● Website: www.bridgeteacher.com
Tell your friends about my classes and earn a free class with every student referral!~
Beginner Level:
Brand New Beginner Bridge Part 1! Wednesdays 10AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. For those who’ve never played before or who haven’t played in many years and want to start over. Topics: point count evaluation, opening bids and responses, basic play of the hand techniques. Six weeks, starts Sept. 4 and ends Oct. 16. No class Oct 2nd. Tuition is $160 in advance ($190 at the door) to be paid by digital funds or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Beginner Bridge Part 2. Wednesdays 10AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. Basic bidding and responses are reviewed as well as an introduction to a few new bidding methods (takeout doubles, preempts, overcalls, and the strong 2C opening bid). This is also a great class for those who played years ago and want to get back into bridge and modernize their skills. Six weeks, starts Oct. 30 and ends Dec. 11. No class Nov. 27. Tuition is $160 in advance ($190 at the door) to be paid by digital funds or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Beginner Bridge Part 3: Introduction to Play of the Hand. Tuesdays 10 AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. Now that you have a basic knowledge of bidding, let us show you how to plan the play of the hand. Usually there is some method that must be used to actually make your contract. We will show you the methods of counting your tricks and recognizing how to find the extra ones that you will need. Includes: Promotion, Length, Finessing, and How to Get Rid of Losers. Six weeks, starts Sept. 10 and ends Oct. 29. (No class Oct. 1 and 22.) Tuition is $160 in advance ($190 at the door) to be paid by digital funds or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Beginner Bridge Part 4: Introduction to Basic Conventions. Tuesdays 10 AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. Topics: Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, Weak 2s, the Strong 2§ Opener and Blackwood. We spend up to 1-1/2 weeks on each topic. These are conventions that you must learn to complete your basic bidding arsenal. After this class you will graduate to intermediate level. Six weeks, starts Nov. 5 and ends Dec. 10. Tuition is $160 in advance ($190 at the door) to be paid by digital funds or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Intermediate Level:
Signaling, Parts 1 and 2—Introduction to Defense. Thursdays 10 AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. Learn how to signal your partner about what’s in your hand. Partner will start playing like a genius after this course (and that should make you very happy). Two six-week courses. Tuition for each is $160 in advance ($190 at the door) to be paid by digital funds or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783. If you are registering for both Parts 1 & 2 (same tuition rate and registration info), please note that on the memo line of the check.
Part 1: Six weeks, starts Sept. 5 and ends Oct. 17. No class Oct. 3rd. Topics: Opening Leads; 2nd Hand Low; 3rd Hand High; Attitude Signals; and Using Attitude Signals
Part 2: Six weeks, starts Oct. 31 and ends Dec. 12. (No class on Nov. 28, Thanksgiving.) Topics: Signaling When Discarding; Leading From Interior Sequences; Leading 4th Best; and Looking for a Ruff.
Intermediate Essentials, Parts 1 and 2 Mondays 10 AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. Having been over Leslie and Charlie’s Library of lessons, I have put together a course intended to bridge the gap between Intermediate level and Advanced Level of classes! Tuition is $160 in advance ($190 at the door) to be paid by digital funds or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Part 1: Topics include: Weeks 1: Michaels Cuebid—Competing with a Two-Suited Hand; Week 2: Unusual Notrump—More Competition with Two-Suited Hands; Week 3: Review of Michaels and Unusual NT; Week 4: Champagne Cappelletti!; Week 5 & 6: Negative Doubles! Six weeks, starts Sept. 9 and ends Oct. 14.
Part 2: Topics include: Week 1: One Level Overcalls, and the Single Raise; Week 2: Cue–Bids by Advancer as a Limit Raise; Week 3: Cue-bids by Responder as a Limit Raise; Week 4: Cue-Bids: The No Trump Search; Week 5: Cue-Bids as Stayman; Week 6: Control Cue-Bids, When Blackwood Doesn’t Help You. Six weeks, starts Oct. 28 and ends Dec. 9. (No class on Nov. 11.)
Advanced Level:
Advanced Supervised Bidding, Play and Defense Parts 3 & 4. Mondays 1 PM—3 PM at the PUMC* site.
Leslie and Charlie spent years collecting hands and organizing them into scenarios which will test your skills. You will not know in advance if it’s a Bidding, Play, or Defense problem. Two six week courses. Please do not send me your tuition for this class yet. If there are enough students to run the class, I will collect tuition on the first day of class. Due to previous low attendance, I am taking registrations for this class only. Tuition: $150 for each part, at the door. If there are less than two tables, I will teach the first week for free, then cancel the class. Please email me your contact information.
Part 1: Six weeks, starts Sept. 9 and ends Oct. 14.
Part 2: Six weeks, starts Oct. 28 and ends Dec. 9. (No class on Nov. 11)
Bridge in the Wild:
Where: Ohr Kodesh 8300 Meadowbrook Ln. Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Press the speaker button to request access to the facility.
When: 7:00/7:30 PM – 10:30 PM First Thursday of every month!
Cost: The first game is free. Normal Entry $5 per person/$10 per pair
Website: You can visit the WBL website here.
Do not bring any outside food or drink. The site is kosher and needs to remain so. Approved snacks and drinks will be provided at the game.
I have formed a partnership with the WBL ( Washington Bridge League) to bring to you a learning opportunity. A sanctioned bridge game, with results and hand records for the boards/hands that you played. This is a unique opportunity to encounter hands in the wild, complete with hand records to go over with your partner later to refine your communication and play skills. I will teach you how to write your score down for reflection later.
Some players are nervous to try duplicate bridge or have had bad experiences. I want to assure you that I will be on hand to answer questions, and ensure things move smoothly. Please make sure to arrive 30 minutes early for a brief tutorial. The game time is 7:30 PM. Please arrive at 7:00 PM, if I have not already taught you scoring and duplicate basics.
Many of us lost connections with friends and family during Covid while we had to shelter in place. Now that we have begun to return to normal, those of us who play bridge have friends to get together and play with in person. The face to face comradery is so very important in our post covid recuperation. Tell your friends about our new beginner bridge class. They need this in their lives!
First time students are always welcome to audit a class to see if it is the right fit for them.
Leslie and Charlie are no longer with us, however I am committed to continuing their legacy. Please be patient with my website as I plan a re-design.
How to register:
Please send me an email to register. Include your Name, Phone number, and Email. Many digital payment systems do not give me your personal information, which I will need in case I have to contact you.
1) Pay by credit card using Zelle or Paypal using the email address rebecca.shafer@bridgeteacher.com
Venmo tag: Rebecca.Shafer@BridgeStudentsRUs
2) if paying by check, please include your telephone number, the starting date, day and time of the class on the memo line.
For Example: Memo 301-555-5555 Sept. 12, Mon. 10 am
Drop-ins are allowed in all Spring classes at $35 per lesson if there is availability.
You may send in your registrations now.
*UMC = United Methodist Church’s Activity Center Building. We hold all classes each week at this site. The address is 9908 South Glen Road, Potomac, MD. It is located at the intersection of Democracy Blvd. and Falls Road. The entrance to the parking lot is on Falls Road. (Facing the building, please park on the left side or in the center of the parking lot.)
Tuition payments can be mailed directly to Rebecca Shafer at 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Tell Your Friends! Absolute Beginner Bridge 1 starts Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10 AM—Noon. Please note the New Time!!