COMMON SENSE BRIDGE PLAYING XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Back This is the main home page for learning to play bridge, where you can use the links below to learn how to play, score and bid. Most bridge classes will give a brief overview of the three stages of bridge ( Bidding, Playing The Hand and Scoring) and then proceed to dive right into the bidding systems/conventions. That is not the approach I am taking here. I believe it to be more important to first understand the play of the hand and the scoring, before beginning an in depth discussion of bidding systems. Accordingly, you will notice I have saved any discussion of bidding systems until last. It is important to understand why you choose to bid a certain way based upon the results it will bring, as opposed to learning a diictatorial "This is the way it's done" approach. After you learn all of the ins & outs of the game, then refer to the link in the page preceeding this entitled "THE BIDDING SYSTEM". There you will find a complete reference to what I believe to be the best & most comprehensive common sense bidding system that leaves no stone unturned in terms of being able to describe any hand. BEGINNINGS and MECHANICS     The Basic Bridge Game In A NutShell      Game Setups      Duplicate Player Check List                                                                                    BIDDING BASICS      Bidder Seat Postions & Identities      Bidding Constructs, Vulnerability, & Values      Hand Shapes      Individual Hand Evaluation For Bidding      Determining Partnership Trick Taking Ability      Targeting Your Contact Objectives BIDDING SYSTEMS      American Standard Bidding System      Bidding Tips      Alertable Or Not?      Teds Bidding System PLAYING THE HAND      Principles Of Playing The Hand      Defensiive Card Signals       Defender Ryhmes For Leading  SCORING      Scoring Duplicate & Rubber Bridge      Experimental Scoring Program OTHER WEB SITES      OK Bridge Online      BBO      E-Bridge Online      Greatbridgelinks