Here's our plan to get started in Duplicate, assuming you play contract bridge now.
You can be playing Duplicate Bridge by the end of this week, even if you read this on Thursday night!
Step 1. Find a partner
He or she has to be able to play decent bridge - just like you. Duplicate games are definitely not for beginners -- however Duplicate Clubs often offer lessons for beginners.
Most players find a number of partners - some have a dozen or more. That way, you can play on Monday with Mary and on Friday with Fred, etc.
Couples often start out together, but some find a better game with other partners, or prefer not to play bridge with their roommate. Many couples only play together, as we do. With a good bidding system, there's no reason to argue -- much.
Good partners will work at it --they'll read books, talk things over, deal hands, practice bidding, etc. And they'll be gentle when correcting your bidding and play shortcomings !
The more you put in, the more you get out -- no surprise there, is there?
Step 2. Find a Duplicate Game
A Duplicate club is usually a commercial business that runs Duplicate games. They charge $3.00 to $6.00 for a Duplicate session lasting several hours -- about the same cost as a movie, but without popcorn.
Or look in the Yellow Pages in any major metropolitan area under Bridge Clubs. Call the ACBL - American Contract Bridge League -- and ask them to send you a nationwide directory of bridge clubs. They're at 1-901 332 - 5586, fax (901) 398 - 7754 in the USA.
There are also Duplicate games run by employee associations of larger companies; by churches, YMCA's, City Recreation Departments, Senior groups, etc. Some are free.
Or, ask any Duplicate player you know where there's a club or where they play. Everyone's welcome -- they're not private (in the USA).
Here's a link to the ACBL Clubs in the USA: http://www.acbl.org/clubs/clubusa.stm
and world-wide: http://www.acbl.org/clubs/clubs.stm
You can even check your masterpoint status on-line at: http://www.acbl.org/members/default.asp
Step 3. Start Playing Duplicate Today
There's no reason you shouldn't play tonight - this very night - if you have a partner and can find a Duplicate game. You may not win but you'll have a good time.
Club Directors always welcome new players and they'll even find you a partner if they can. Don't be intimidated about playing with experienced Duplicate players -- they are playing for the same reason you are - to have fun. There's no money in it, there's only the fun of playing and beating the other players.
If you can't find a club game, maybe you can organize your own or play at your home.
(We've run a Duplicate game at our tennis club for 15+ years, and there are 12 to 20 people there every Monday night, even during Monday Night Football season.)
Step 4. Play as often as you can
You may be nervous when you start because there's so much new to learn. Just remember there is no reason to play except for the fun of good, hard bridge and you'll do just fine. Don't worry -- be polite and you'll be welcomed back to any Club.
Like any game of skill, you need to play against good opponents to improve and keep your skills up.
Play two or three times a week if you can.
Step 5. Study this series
Work your way slowly through this series -- but don't read it all before starting to play Duplicate. Start right away.
Work first on playing whatever system you and your partner now play -- 'Standard American', for instance. Think about it and talk about it and write down how you bid and play in situations that come up as you start to play Duplicate . You'll rapidly become a much better bridge player.
The more you study and play Duplicate , the better you'll become and the more you'll enjoy it.
Step 6. Practice Bidding
(We've found an excellent way to improve quickly and develop good partnership understanding is to deal out hands and practice bidding them. See the section on Practice Bidding for some tips. It's actually more fun than it sounds. )
In it's simplest form, you and your partner just deal out four hands and practice bidding.
Be sure not to play results -- it doesn't matter what might happen on any particular hand when it's played -- whether or not a finesse works has nothing to do with how your bidding should go.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved