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Resources for Learning the Very Basics

Bridge Base Online gets thousands of brand new visitors every day – and many aren’t just newcomers to BBO, but also newcomers to bridge. Everyone at BBO is always happy to welcome new players and anyone who has developed (or rediscovered) an interest in joining the table.

Here are some of the best resources out there (including lessons, lesson plans and dictionaries) for picking up bridge.

Bridge Bears

(Source: Bridge Bears)

This is hands down one of the best resources I’ve ever found for teaching bridge, and it’s one of the first places I refer beginning bridge players to. Bridge Bears takes you through everything you’d want to know stepping into the game – and makes sure that you’re paying attention with little puzzles and Q&A sessions throughout the lessons. (If your answer is wrong, Bridge Bears also explains why – helpful for any new player!)

It’s great for kids, and I’d even recommend it to adults who don’t mind the concept of a stuffed bear teaching them bridge online. Specific, crucial concepts are covered, including how to win tricks, blocking and unblocking suits, leading master cards and everything else you’ll need to know without being overwhelming.

Learn To Play Bridge (LTPB)

(Source: Learn2PlayBridge.com)

Learn to Play Bridge is a combined effort between the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and Bridge Base Online (BBO) to introduce more players to the game. It’s interactive, and allows players to work their way through bridge games with step-by-step instruction of what you’re doing any why. Download Learn to Play Bridge to, well, learn to play bridge. 

It’s incredibly useful for people who learn better by doing things themselves rather than watching lecturers or YouTube videos – and it’ll make even more advanced bridge concepts click faster than you imagine.

ACBL: How to Play Bridge

(Source: ACBL)

This “How to Play Bridge” rule and lesson page is the accompanying resource to Learn to Play Bridge described above, and it’s an extremely useful starting resource for showing anyone what bridge is all about. With the above link, it’s a definite recommended bookmark for any new player (right next to BBO, of course!).

The ACBL Bridge Terminology Dictionary

(Source: ACBL)

Need a bridge dictionary on-hand? New players might often have the need to refer back to see what this or that means, and it’s often easier to search it online than it is to grab the nearest book. You can find a searchable and extensive bridge dictionary from ACBL, official partners of Bridge Base Online.

Bridge Bidding Cheat Sheet

(Source: No Fear Bridge)

Bidding is one of the first concepts presented to beginners – and can feel like one of the most confusing ones, especially if they have only ever played Solitaire and Go Fish. (“But what are we bidding about?!”) This handy cheat sheet from No Fear Bridge covering opening (and responding) bids can be a great way to make sure the concept of bidding sticks for beginners. Start by printing it out and putting it in an obvious place.

How to Play Bridge: YouTube

(Source: YouTube)

There are many “beginning bridge” videos available on YouTube – but a lot of them rush into more advanced bridge concepts before properly running anyone through the basics. Here’s a great introductory video that won’t scare off new players, and will explain everything a new bridge player wants to know about the game in a little over five minutes.

From there, you’ll also find plenty of other useful videos (and plays) on Peter Hollands’ website – including resources for more advanced players, and looks at previous notable games. The main link to his channel is available here.