Saturday Advanced Improvers/Intermediate lesson series with Phill Fent.

Held each Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, these sessions will address a range of topics, including declarer play, defence, competitive bidding, and bridge strategy.

Series is $160 or $25 for an individual lesson. Come to one or come to all. You are sure to learn an enormous amount. Lessons will include lots of practice.

Tuesday Intermediate lesson

All lessons are just $18 for VBC members—no partner needed! Come with a willingness to learn.

11-Nov-25 Strategies for Competing with opponents' Weak Two and Multi 2 openings

When faced with an opponent's Weak or Multi Two opening, it is essential to evaluate your hand carefully and consider the vulnerability, suit quality, and position at the table. Effective responses often involve competitive bidding to disrupt the opponents' communication or making tactical double bids to indicate strength and encourage partner participation. Knowing when to pass, bid, or double can greatly impact your team's ability to find the optimal contract and defend successfully.

18-Nov-25 Declarer play: Managing unfavourable distribution (Part 3)

Handling difficult distributions as declarer requires both careful planning and adaptability. Anticipate potential bad splits early, and consider safety plays to protect crucial contracts. Techniques such as counting the defenders' cards, ducking strategically, and rectifying the count are invaluable in overcoming obstacles posed by adverse distribution. Strong declarers utilise these skills to ensure that even challenging hands yield the best possible result.

25-Nov-25 Techniques for raising partner's major suits; No Trump raises, and Bergen Raises

Raising partner's major suits appropriately signals support and strengthens partnership bidding. Various conventions, including limit raises, Jacoby transfers, and Bergen Raises, help communicate both point count and level of fit. Similarly, accurate No Trump raises can clarify hand strength and distribution for smoother auction outcomes. Mastering these techniques allows partnerships to reach their best contracts with confidence and precision.

2-Dec-25 Cue bidding: Demonstrating controls and inquiring about stoppers

Cue bidding is a powerful tool used to convey control of specific suits and assess whether the partnership holds stoppers. By sequentially bidding new suits, partners can show first- or second-round controls and gauge slam exploration possibilities. This nuanced approach enhances communication and helps avoid contracts where critical suits may be unguarded, leading to more informed decision-making in competitive auctions.