Rebecca’s Bridge Schedule – Spring 2025
Phone: 304-224-3531
Email: rebecca.shafer@bridgeteacher.com
Website: www.bridgeteacher.com
Dates and times have been updated.**
Beginner Level:
Brand New Beginner Bridge Part 1! Thursdays 12:30 PM—2:30 PM 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 Mar. 6 and ends Apr. 10. Tuition is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Beginner Bridge Part 2. Thursdays 12:30 PM—2:30 PM at the PUMC* site. Basic bidding and responses are reviewed as well as an introduction to a few new bids (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 Apr. 24 and ends Jun. 5. (No class on May 1st.) Tuition is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Beginner Bridge Part 3: Introduction to Play of the Hand. Wednesdays 10 AM—Noon at the PUMC* site. Now that you have a basic knowledge of bidding, let me show you how to plan the play of the hand. Usually there is some method that must be used to actually make your contract. I 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 Mar. 12 and ends Apr. 23. (No class on Apr. 16.) Tuition is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Beginner Bridge 4: Introduction to Basic Conventions. Wednesdays 10 AM—Noon at PUMC*. Topics: Stayman (2 weeks), Jacoby Transfers, Weak 2’s, the Strong 2§ Opener and Blackwood. 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 May 7 and ends Jun. 11. Tuition is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Intermediate Level:
Signaling: Intro to Defense, Part 1 Tuesdays 10 AM—12 PM at the PUMC* site. Defense is 50% of your games! Don’t let Declarer have any more tricks than they are entitled to, or even better, prevent them from making their contract! Topics include: Week 1: Leading against NT; Week 2: Leading against Suit Contracts; Weeks 3 & 4: 2nd Hand Low; Weeks 5 & 6: 3rd Hand High. Six weeks, starts Mar. 11 and ends Apr. 22. (No class on Apr. 15.) Tuition is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Signaling: Intro to Defense, Part 2 Tuesdays 10 AM—12 PM at the PUMC* site. Show your partner how you feel about their opening lead with ATTITUDE! Topics include: Week 1: Intro to Attitude; Week 2: Using Attitude; Week 3: Opening Leads with Attitude; Week 4: Discard with Attitude!; Week 5: Leading 4th best and the Rule of 11; Week 6: When to look for a ruff and how to get it. Six weeks, starts May 6 and ends Jun. 10. Tuition is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783.
Polishing Your Bridge, Parts 1 and 2. Thursdays 10 AM—12 PM at the PUMC* site. One of my most popular classes; students are amazed at the amount of new information that they acquire. You don’t have to take both parts; each chapter stands alone. Two six-week courses. Tuition for each is $175. To be paid digitally or sent to: Rebecca Shafer, 9200 Edwards Way #1115, Adelphi, MD 20783. If you are registering for both Parts 1 & 2 (same tuition & registration info), please note that on the memo line of the check.
Part 1: Six weeks, starts Mar. 13 and ends Apr. 24. (No class on Apr. 17.) Topics: Categorize your Strength; Which Suit Do I Bid First?; The Best Opening Bid Ever; Bidding With Minimum Hands; New Ways to Invite Game; and Major Suit Raises (and the Losing Trick Count).
Part 2: Six weeks, starts May 8 and ends Jun. 12. Topics: The “Weak Freak”; Don’t Rebid a Five-Card Suit When You Have a Reasonable Alternative; Responder’s Only Forcing Bid; When a New Suit by Responder is not Forcing; and the Decider and Describer (2 weeks).
Wednesday Afternoon Student Supervised Play, Every Wednesday 1 PM —3 PM at PUMC*.
This is an Unsanctioned game with no results. We will play 10-12 boards, and I will answer questions during play.
Join in the fun while gaining experience in playing bridge. $20 ; no reservation needed.
You must have completed Bridge 2, or have equal knowledge.
12 games, Starts March 12, ends June 11. (No games on Apr. 16, Apr 30)
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.
First time students are always welcome to audit a class to see if it is the right fit for them.
Private classes are available by request. Please email or phone me for further details.
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.
You may send in your registrations now.
*UMC = United Methodist Church’s Activity Center Building. I 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 Thursday, Mar. 6, 12:30 PM—2:30 PM. Please note the New Time!!