Newbie News is designed for 0-5 and 5-49 players and is your source for news, classes and special events.  
Look for Newbie News in your Sunday morning inbox each week!
Your Weekly News & Updates
  

Jane is having a great time getting to know the newbies during the Wednesday morning Play N Learn.  Shuffle and play starts at 9:30am.  Introduction to Bridge students play for free and otherwise the entry fee is $4 for BPM and $8 for non members.  Come meet new friends, practice with other players working on their game and Jane will be happy to answer your questions along the way.

BAND has a new Introduction to Bridge Course starting this week!  Susan's class begins Friday, June 23rd at 10am.  Tell your friends...Retakes are free!

Have friends who played long ago and want to get back into the game?  Jane is starting a Modern Bidding Course on Tuesday, June 20th at 6:30pm.  Retakes are 1/2 price.

Is it time for the Defense Course? Then Join Susan on Monday, June 19th at 10am.  Defense is my favorite part of the game.  The more you learn, the more interesting the puzzles.  Retakes are 1/2 price. 

Thank you for making BAND your home for bridge!

Donna Compton
BAND Owner, World Champion & Master Teacher
Special Limited Point Games This Week

Sunday, June 18th at 1:30pm
Silver Bonus + Points 299er & 49er Pair s

Wednesday, June 21st at 12:30pm
New Rankers' Party
Light Lunch at 12pm & Mini Lesson at 12:10pm

Wednesday, June 21st at 6:30pm
Bonus Points 299er Pairs

Thursday, June 22nd at 12:30pm
Bonus Points 299er Pairs

Thursday, June 22nd at 6:30pm
1/2 Red and 1/2 Black Bonus Points 2500er Pairs

Friday June Special for 49ers ~ $4 for BPM $8 for Non Members

Smiley Surf
Games for New Players

Play & Learn BAND has three Play & Learn games which are great opportunities to introduce the game to new players, practice new techniques from class and meet new friends.  ACBL Certified Instructors are on hand to answer your questions. No partners needed.

Mondays 6:30-9pm
Tuesdays 12:30-3pm
Wednesdays 9:30am-12pm 

49er Pairs BAND has three 49er pairs which are perfect for those who are wanting to play a few more hands in a more structured atmosphere.  18 hands are played in a three-hour time period. You may still ask questions of our ACBL Certified Instructors but you actually have a chance to win masterpoints (rating points)!

Sundays 1:30-4:30pm
Wednesdays 12:30-3:30pm
Fridays 12:30-3:30pm 
 
Contact Sharon Lux with questions and/or partners.
Smiley Rainbow
Fundamental Classes ~ Still Time to Join

Fundamental II ~
Modern Bidding with Jane
Tuesday at 6:30pm

Fundamental IV ~
Defense with Susan
Monday at 10am
Retakes are 1/2 Price!

Mentor/Mentee Program

BAND new Mentor/Mentee Program is growing like crazy and we hope that you will join in the fun and become a mentee and perhaps even a mentor to someone who has less experience at the game than you!

Some goals you may have that the BAND Mentor/Mentee Program can help you meet:
1. To feel more comfortable playing up at the next game level
2. To get to know more players
3. To understand the etiquette and proper behavior at the table
4. To understand director's rulings
5. To recognize strengths and identify areas of the game which may need more work.

If you think the BAND Mentor/Mentee Program is for you then 
 and we will find you a mentor to help you with your goals!
0-5 Free-Play Punch Card

A new program for 0-5 players is up and running and it includes a free play for you!

Just ask a BAND director for your very own 0-5 punch card and present it to the director each time you play.  Once you accumulate five punches, your 6th game is free!  Already used up one punch card, just pick up another one...It's that simple.
Smiley Book
New Intro Class Starting Soon...

Intro to Bridge ~  Tell Your Friends!

Starting June 23rd 
Fridays 10am-12pm
Instructor Susan Bates

Retakes are FREE!
Bridge on the Santa Fe Plaza
July 11-16, 2017
Still Time To Join the Fun!

No partners necessary!  We have lots of singles who we will mix and match throughout the week.  We have morning lessons designed for different levels of players and afternoon duplicates for all to play.  There is still time to join and we would love for you to come along with us for a fun-filled week of learning, playing and meeting new friends from all around the country!

World Champion & Master Teacher
Donna Compton
Tips with Donna

Opening Leads vs Notrump

Defender's opening lead strategy vs a notrump contract is to develop tricks before declarer reaches her trick goal.  In other words, it's a race to the finish line.  Since there is no trump suit, long suits are a great place to start because declarer cannot stop you from taking defensive tricks in that suit once they are good!

The long suit could be in partner's hand and you know about that long suit because partner showed it in the auction.  Great defenders always review the auction before choosing an opening lead.  If partner bids a suit, then you lead that suit unless you are dead or void ~ even with your own long suit!  The idea is that once the long suit is set up, partner is more likely to have an entry to cash the winners since he had enough points to bid.  When leading partner's bid suit, lead top of a doubleton or low from three or more cards.

If partner was quiet during the auction, then lead your longest suit.  First, look to see if you have one of the following sequences:
  • Three-card Sequence ~ K Q J 6 3
  • Broken Sequence ~ Q J 9 5
  • Interior Sequence ~ K J 10 8 4

The lead of an honor against a notrump contract promises at least a four-card suit!  If you do not have one of these honor sequences, then lead the 4th best card in the suit.

  • Q 9 5 3
  • K J 6 4 3
  • A 7 5 3 ~ Notice it is fine to lead low from an ace against a notrump contract!

When you have a choice of suits, then follow these guidelines:

  • Lead the unbid suit
  • Lead the stronger suit
  • Lead the major suit rather than the minor suit.

Don't forget to use your Rule of 14, 17 and 19 after you review the bidding! 

 

Got questions? Email me at [email protected]  
BAND | 972-960-6700 | B[email protected] | www.BridgeInDallas.com
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