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for movie greeting  When you see the image: Right Click, hit "PLAY", then BACK to return here |
Gail "GAIL37" Wix |
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Various Mentoring Options
The Fifth Chair Mentoring Program
The 5th Chair Mentoring Program, run by Marcia "Tarsh" West,
involves pairing novice players with volunteer mentors. This is a truly wonderful organization. Not
for a second do I regret having volunteered my time to the cause. I have met many wonderful people
through it and would recommend it to students and prospective mentors alike. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank Marcia for her tireless contributions
to this fine organization. You may wish to do the same when you are contacting her.
Once the 5th Chair pairs novice with mentor, the two players then arrange games
together as their schedules permit. There are also 5th Chair "lecture" sessions
every day on OKBridge at 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Pacific time. OKBridge also
arranges monthly Novice-Mentor tournaments.
Unfortunately, there are usually many more students than
mentors. For this reason, we entreat experienced players to contact Marcia and devote some of
their time to developing new talent. Let us never forget what our bridge teachers did
for us! The imbalance between mentors and beginners also means that those
who can afford to do so may find it quicker and easier hire professional teachers.
Click HERE to email Marcia and put yourself on the waiting list
for a 5th Chair mentor of your own. Remember to mention your OKBridge nickname and your time zone!
Professional Bridge Teachers
At a "going rate" of $25 per hour,
those who can afford it will hire their own bridge tutor. This gives the
student the chance to learn from an experienced professional teacher (not to be confused with
a professional player) in a one-on-one setting, in a game
environment, and at their own schedule.
Compatibility is the key issue in finding the right teacher. Are you
looking for a teacher to make you a better social bridge player? Or
are you hoping for more competitive coaching? Do you prefer Standard
American, Acol, 2-over-1 Game-Forcing or some other system?
Click HERE to email for a
free consultation and referral to the teacher that is best for you!
The FireSide Bidding Practice Sessions
These sessions are quickly becoming
one of the most popular OKBridge attractions for newcomers to
Standard American Yellow Card
and 2-Over-1 Game-Forcing
bidding systems. The spotlight is on bidding
only. Novice players bid the hands in practice
mode. Once the auction is over, the hands become visible
to all the players. There is no play involved. An experienced
commentator will comment on the bidding and suggest alternatives to the
bidders. Questions are welcome. Since these games are in
Non-Competitive mode and scores are not
kept, "table talk" is not only permitted, it is encouraged!
This is a friendly learning game. After a few hands, the players
are replaced by four more from the Spectator gallery.
If you would like to see this series continue by becoming a Supporting Attendee,
please contact Kaltica at
kaltica@mts.net. Your support
will be greatly appreciated!
Mentoring Games Those who prefer a more collective approach should consider Mentoring Games. This involves organizing a game with you and your fellow OKBridge novice friends and hiring a qualified professional teacher to spectate and comment after each hand, with detailed analysis of what everyone did right...and wrong! Sessions usually last 2 hours and cost $25 per hour. The next day all four participates are emailed the hand records in lesson format. A great and friendly way to develop your bridge skills -- and those of your friends! Click HERE to order a mentor-analyst for your next OKBridge game!
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The Rainbow Series, at 8:00 A.M. and either 3:00 P.M. (Monday and Wednesday) or 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday and Thursday) PST from Monday to Thursday, is a lecture program on the SAYC system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of SAYC. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Rainbow Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students. Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and "eavesdrop" on the discussion from the Spectator's Loft. The Rainbow Series has been very well received by attendees. At $60 for twelve lessons ($100 for both Rainbow and Spectrum), it may be the least expensive bridge course you will find anywhere! CLICK HERE to email your registration. In the meantime, why not click on the lessons below and start learning the OKBridge version of Standard American Yellow Card now ? |
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The Spectrum, at 8:00 A.M. and either 3:00 P.M. (Monday and Wednesday) or 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday and Thursday) PST from Monday to Thursday, concentrates on aspects of the 2/1 Game Forcing system in its various flavours. This new series is presented by Colin "Kaltica" Ward and Shelagh "Shep" Paulsson. All are welcome! Registration for this 4-lesson course is $60 ($100 for both Rainbow and Spectrum) and includes admission to the Rainbow Series for its lessons #4-12 on themes common to both systems. Those who have previously enrolled in the Rainbow Series can register in the Spectrum for a mere $40 . CLICK HERE to email your registration. |
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Students who have OKScript can run their own refresher Spectrum classes. Just click on the links below and hit "SAVE AS..." on your web browser to save these text files to your OKS40 folder. Then log onto OKBridge and open up a hidden table. With your printout of the lesson in from of you, these button panels will allow you to flash up the Prepared Remarks, quiz questions and answers section-by-section. |
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The KaleidoScope Series, at 8:00 A.M. and either 3:00 P.M. (Monday and Wednesday) or 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday and Thursday) PST from Monday to Thursday, is a lecture program on a variety of subjects: Bidding Light, Maximum Flexibility, Defensive Doubles, LOTT versus "Got More, Bid More", Squeezes and IMPs versus MatchPoints. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Kaleidoscope Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students. Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and participate. The KaleidoScope Series, directed more at that intermediate player than the Rainbow and Spectrum, has quickly become one of our most popular. For $60 for five invaluable lessons ($100 for two series, $150 for all three series) this may be the best bridge instruction available anywhere! CLICK HERE to email your registration. In the meantime, why not click on the lessons below and start learning now ? |
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Please email me
any questions or comments you may have. If you would like a professional
bridge tutor please make your cheque or money order payable to:
Colin Ward and send it to:
One last word: If you cannot afford professional tutoring and simply cannot wait to get a 5th Chair mentor, email me anyway and I will do my best to include you on our mailing list and in our sessions.
Just click on the name of any of the following articles to read it. These articles are in unformatted text for ease of printing. |
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