Recommended Web Sites for Beginners
Teach yourself to play:
Learn to Play Bridge software -- Start your self-teaching program by downloading this free software package from the American Contract Bridge League. You can take the lessons offline, at your own pace. You need no prior card-playing experience.
Richard Pavlicek's Beginner Lesson -- An excellent overview for the complete beginner, with a link to the full text (12 chapters plus quizzes) of Pavlicek's Bridge Basics textbook.
Learn Bridge in 9 Minutes -- A "quick-start" lesson from Bridge Today magazine. You can also download a version for Adobe Acrobat.
Bridge World Magazine Introduction to Bridge -- Detailed articles on the basics (even on how to deal the cards!), written by well-known bridge writers.
Beginnersbridge.com -- A bridge "Start-Up Kit" with tutorials and reference materials, plus lessons for intermediate and advanced beginners.
Improve your skills:
Fifth Chair Bridge Lessons -- Guidelines, tutorials and quizzes on beginner topics, hosted by a foundation devoted to attracting new players.
The Bridge Companion -- Newsletter articles and lessons on the basics of bidding, defense and declarer play.
Dave's Bridge Guide -- Bidding guidelines and tips on hand evaluation -- with an interesting article titled "What is bridge?" -- from Dave Fenwick.
Learn about scoring and proprieties:
How to Keep Score -- A rubber-bridge scoring chart, examples and instructions for Chicago four-deal bridge from Richard Pavlicek.
Play Time -- Rules and scoring for different types of games, including rubber, duplicate, Chicago and Swiss teams.
Rubber Scoring -- A handy, one-page scoring chart for rubber bridge from Baron-Barclay Bridge Supplies.
Bridge Proprieties -- Ethics guidelines and a listing of "to-do's" and "not-to-do's" during the bidding and play.
Take lessons:
Bridge Teachers -- Find a bridge teacher or class in your hometown in this listing from the American Contract Bridge League.
American Bridge Teachers Association -- A state-by-state listing of ABTA member teachers.
Bridge Today University -- Weekly email lessons from leading bridge writers, including Matthew & Pamela Granovetter, Larry Cohen and Marshall Miles. Class fee (about $4-$5 per lesson) includes a book.