BRIDGE - YOUR NEXT LIFE

So you’ve always wanted to play Bridge? Welcome to the Bridge World. This could be the best move you’ve ever made.

If I tell you that, as well as playing this fascinating game, you can have glamour, travel. admiration from you peer group AND your children, companionship, parties and social weekends. You’ll know this is for you. So how do you start?

Tell as many people as possible that you want to form a bridge four to have weekly lessons at home. You can have five or six, teacher willing, to cover absences, but reluctant husbands can be a drag.

Find out from your local Bridge Club the name of a local teacher. Rates are usually reasonable for a two hour session varying between £7-10 per person. Your local teacher may also help by giving you names of others keen to share lessons.

If you have no success at the local club, ring the English Bridge Union at Aylesbury (01296 317200) or website www.ebu.co.uk. They are always very helpful.

A group meeting in each other’s house can be great fun, particularly with a glass of wine. A good teacher will provide notes, expect some commitment and hope that you will have practise session between lessons.

Do NOT give up. Remember this is the beginning of the rest of your life.

Another way is to ring your local Adult Education College. Most will have Beginner’s Classes, also Intermediate and Advanced when you reach that stage. This way you know many people with whom you can arrange social games.

You can learn to play Bridge on the Internet. Contact www.bridgeclublive.com or again the E.B.U. and that will get you started. Recently on A bridge Cruise to St Petersburg, yes, this will be yours when you master the rudiments of the game (Ring Mr Bridge on 01483 489961 for the travel brochure and free magazine) I plated with a lady who had never sat at a bridge table with living, breathing players. She had only played with people hundreds of miles away – and she played a very good game. Incidentally they are all having a get together at the end of the year. Some dating agency!

When you finally feel ready for the local Bridge Club, you will find that people who have had a life time’s pleasure from the game will be pleased to help and encourage you. I cannot promise that your heart won’t be pounding; your mouth dry and you’ll be scared witless. I do know that when you survive the evening you will have a tremendous sense of achievement, ready to redouble your efforts to master this great game.