How Long Does It Take To Learn Bridge?
That’s an interesting question. It’s a bit like asking “how long does it take to learn to play the piano?”.
So how long does it take to learn to play bridge? Learning the basics shouldn’t take most people more than a few months.
The big question is “what level do you want to reach”? Many players are happy playing at a fairly simple level and enjoy fun games with their friends and maybe playing at their local club. Some want to take it more seriously and enter competitions at their local club. Some enjoy inter club competitions and some serious players want to play bridge for their country in international competitions.
As with learning many new skills, the key is to keep practicing and playing. Many new players will start by attending a local class, some will want to learn online. Most classes run once a week and if you don’t get the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned between lessons you will learn more slowly than someone who has the opportunity to practice and revise between lessons.
Ok – revision and homework are words that put many people off – with their echoes of schooldays. I’ve taught adults for many years and I know from experience that many people are simply put off by the very idea that you need to do homework.
Don’t think of it as homework, think of it as an opportunity to practice your new skills. It’s like learning to drive a car – you need to practice. And the more you practice, the better you will get which provides the motivation you need to keep practicing and learning.
If you are able to attend a local class, I highly recommend that you do. Weekly sessions will help provide you with motivation to continue. Plus you will meet new friends and maybe get the opportunity to get together for friendly games of bridge, played at your level.
What if you can’t get to a class? Or you can’t meet other people between sessions? Or you want to reinforce your learning between sessions? You need look no further than No Fear Bridge. This site is run by an experienced bridge teacher, who understands the need for students to work at their own pace in a friendly, helpful environment.
The site has all the activities, lessons, handouts, quizzes, tutorials and videos that you need to learn bridge – from complete beginner, through intermediate to advancer level.
There is even a teacher zone – so your teacher can access a wide range of handouts and lessons to support you and your fellow students.
To join you simply need to sign up for you 2 week, no obligation, free trial. Don’t worry, no credit card details are taken so if you decide not to continue with your membership it will simply lapse.
If you are based in the UK, Ireland or NZ you will probably be learning to play ACOL bridge – so just click here to sign up for your trial.
If you are based elsewhere you will be learning American standard bidding – so click here for your trial membership.
So, to answer the original question – how long does it take to learn bridge? Anything from a few months to a lifetime. Experienced master players are still learning tactics. Social bridge players will continue learning and enjoying games with friends or in their local club. But to get to a standard where you can join your local club and enjoy games should take from a few months to a couple of years, depending on your level of motivation and how much opportunity you have to practice between lessons. That’s where No Fear Bridge is invaluable – you can practice and learn at your own pace, whenever it is convenient for you.