October 2017 - 34

Untangling the Web

Exploring the ACBL website - part 12: The Learn section

BY CHIP DOMBROWSKI

The Learn section stands apart
from the rest of the ACBL website. While most of the website
contains resources for people
who are already ACBL members
or who already know how to play
bridge, the audience for the Learn
section is prospective members
interested in learning bridge, who
may be coming to the website for
the first time. While Bridge Bulletin readers may not need this
information for themselves, we're
letting you know what's available
for any potential new players you
may know. Start by clicking the
center tab in the green row.

1 How to Play Bridge - An introductory article de-

scribes the mechanics of the game and the very basics of
hand evaluation, bidding and scoring.
Additional resources can be found either by expanding
the dropdown menu on the left side or in the color buttons across the bottom of the main Learn page.

A Intro to Duplicate - A primer on what to expect at
a club game: bidding boxes, duplicate movements,
electronic scoring devices, the role of the director
and convention cards.
B Convention Cards - Similar to the page on convention cards found in the Tournaments section
(January, page 32), you will find the "fat free" convention card, Larry Cohen's basic 2/1 card, the Standard American Yellow Card, a blank card along with
instructions on how to fill it out and downloadable
convention card editing tools. The "fat free" card is
the simplest one available for beginning players.
C Commonly Used Conventions - OK, so you just
learned how to follow suit. Time to learn Jacoby
2NT? Not exactly, but if inquiring minds are curious
about conventions, an alternate link to the popular
page found under Helpful Documents (December
2016, page 30) is conveniently provided here.
34 Bridge Bulletin October 2017

D 15 Words - An overview of the limited vocabulary
allowed during the auction period. The numbers
one through seven, the four suits, notrump, pass,
double and redouble are all we have available to
describe 635 billion possible hands.
E How to Keep Score - An explanation of the math
behind how scores are calculated, along with a chart
for looking up duplicate scores. Matchpoints are
also explained, and charts are available for IMPs
and victory point scoring. For social bridge games,
scoring at Rubber and Chicago is detailed.
F Introductory Videos - There are instructional
videos for just about everything on YouTube, including bridge. A series of videos by Max Chauvet
illustrate the mechanics of the game and introduce
various concepts. A series of video lessons by Patty
Tucker is also available.

2 Find a Teacher - Online resources are a great way to

acclimate oneself to some aspects of bridge, but when it
comes to getting serious about learning the game, there
is no substitute for a human teacher. This searchable
directory locates accredited bridge teachers in your
area. Local clubs are also a great resource for people
interested in becoming a part of the bridge community.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2017