| Information |
The Melville Bridge Academy is the teaching arm of The New Melville Bridge Club where all our lessons are taught. Within the club we have a dedicated teaching room which is equipped with a modern IT system and we are able to use both the large and small playing rooms as and when they are available. The club has a large social area where students may chat or discuss hands with their teachers and other students.
The club is home to players of all abilities from beginner through grand-master to internationalist. It is not unusual for the majority of a Scotland squad to be members of the club. The common link is the desire to play and enjoy the game of bridge.
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| Programme |
We offer a full three year SBU programme of classes covering sixty lessons.
Classes for the summer term will start in the week beginning 22 April.
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| Contact The Bridge Academy (for information about classes) |
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| First Steps: Tranche 2: Lessons 12 - 20: Tuesday 7 - 9 pm |
This course, which is aimed at absolute beginners, assumes little or no knowledge of playing bridge, though you will find it a little easier if you have played some card games in the past.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Introduction and basic terminology |
Responses (I) |
| 2 |
Mini-bridge as a lead-in |
Responses (II) |
| 3 |
Basic Play (I) |
Rebids |
| 4 |
Basic Play (II) |
Declarer Play |
| 5 |
Bidding |
Defender Play |
| 6 |
Scoring |
Signalling to partner |
| 7 |
Bidding |
Overcalls |
| 8 |
Bidding Systems(I) |
Coping with overcalls |
| 9 |
Bidding Systems (II) |
First Convention (Stayman) |
| 10 |
Bidding and play in 'No Trumps' |
Take-Out Doubles |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE for an on-line application form or you can click on the First Steps header above to download a PDF form which you can print and submit by post.
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| Next Steps: Tranche 1: Lessons 22 - 30: Monday 7 - 9 pm OR Friday 10.30 am - 12.30 pm |
This course is for those players who have completed a beginner's course or who play at home or in a local club. It will give you the opportunity to develop your understanding of the game and improve your play.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's second bid |
Fundamentals |
| 2 |
Use transfers to enable partner to play in your preferred suit |
Stayman revisited |
| 3 |
How to play in 'No Trumps' |
When to compete in the auction |
| 4 |
How to play in a trump suit |
Double for take-out |
| 5 |
Double for penalties |
Declarer play |
| 6 |
Opening and subsequent leads |
Defender play |
| 7 |
2NT as an opening bid |
Limit bids in 'No Trump' |
| 8 |
Opening bids at the 2 level |
Pre-empts |
| 9 |
Finding Major suit fits |
More Declarer play |
| 10 |
Hand Evaluation |
When to make a sacrifice |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE for an on-line application form or you can click on the Next Steps header above to download a PDF form which you can print and submit by post.
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| Improvers: Tranche 1: Lessons 41 - 50: Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 pm OR Wednesday 7 - 9 pm |
This course is for more experienced players who would usually have played in club tournaments. Your aim is to be more successful in your game.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's Rebid |
Opener's strong rebids |
| 2 |
Responder's Rebid |
Negative Doubles |
| 3 |
Cue Bids |
Defence: Second hand play |
| 4 |
Blackwood |
Card Play: the danger hand |
| 5 |
Card Play - communication |
Bidding Opponents' Suit |
| 6 |
Defence - counting |
Coping with Interference |
| 7 |
Transfers - Minor Suits |
1NT response revisited |
| 8 |
The takeout double revisited |
Card Play: Elimination & Endplay |
| 9 |
Card Play - cross ruff |
Defence: More about Signals |
| 10 |
Quantitative no trump bidding |
Ready for the Real World |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE for an on-line application form or you can click on the Improvers header above to download a form which you can print and submit by post.
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| Improvers: Tranche 2: Lessons 51 -60: Monday 10 am - 12 noon OR Thursday 7 - 9 pm |
This course is for more experienced players who would usually have played in club tournaments. Your aim is to be more successful in your game.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's Rebid |
Opener's strong rebids |
| 2 |
Responder's Rebid |
Negative Doubles |
| 3 |
Cue Bids |
Defence: Second hand play |
| 4 |
Blackwood |
Card Play: the danger hand |
| 5 |
Card Play - communication |
Bidding Opponents' Suit |
| 6 |
Defence - counting |
Coping with Interference |
| 7 |
Transfers - Minor Suits |
1NT response revisited |
| 8 |
The takeout double revisited |
Card Play: Elimination & Endplay |
| 9 |
Card Play - cross ruff |
Defence: More about Signals |
| 10 |
Quantitative no trump bidding |
Ready for the Real World |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE for an on-line application form or you can click on the Improvers header above to download a PDF form which you can print and submit by post.
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