Jess is a player and teacher in New York City.

Luckily for me, bridge was a family game. It was part of the social atmosphere when my family visited my grandparents or my great aunt and uncle.

It wasn’t until college that I undertook bridge as a serious hobby, once I realized the game had a strong strategic, and scientific, aspect. I started devouring books on all elements of the game, and practiced using game software.

In fact, when it came to the language of bidding, I learned faster by writing my own summaries of the many nuances of bidding. From this process, I honed my ability to distill the complexities of the auction (and later, declarer play and defense, as well!) into clear, logical ideas, that I now share with all of my students.

Whether solo, with a partner, three, or four people (or maybe more!), private lessons are your chance to learn the nuances of the game in the comfort and immediacy of a small group.

Our lessons may focus on the randomness of real bridge: deals are dealt, and we discuss anything that comes up—ask whatever comes to mind! Test yourself in the safety and relaxed atmosphere of our small group of friends, learning on the job.

Alternatively, our lessons may confront specific topics and problems: how to describe your hand in the auction; understanding the logic of the bidding language; how to evaluate (and re-evaluate) your hand during the auction; planning the play as declarer; learning to spot where extra tricks are made; learning the defensive leads and signals necessary for communication… ANYTHING to gain the experience we all need.

Most of all, I help you take that vital step in any bridge player’s growth: using imagination and visualization to picture the hands you cannot see. Once you do that, other bridge players (except your partner) will fear you!

Although there is no substitute for playing bridge in person, online lessons (for example, talking via Zoom and playing via Bridge Base Online (BBO)) offer the best chance of learning quickly and efficiently. Learn without leaving your home!

I have been a teacher in the clubs of New York City for over 10 years. Beginning at the Manhattan Bridge Club, I joined the staff of the world-famous Honors Bridge Club, for years the largest bridge club in North America. Needless to say, the pandemic was tough, but Bridge and Games has kept the game alive, and I’m proud to have taught online classes with them.

The future is bright for live bridge, and I hope to return to in-person club lessons soon!

Bridge tournaments, whether at the club, sectional, regional, or national level, are any player’s chance to test their mettle. Yet bridge, like music, is a skill (and a pleasure) that you never completely master—you are always a student.

Far from allowing that to intimidate you, I want my students to be inspired to continue that journey, gaining experience. The game constantly tests you, and from each deal you recognize what you know, and most importantly, identify the holes in your knowledge. EVERYONE has these holes—even experts. Of course, they have fewer of them…

One of the best ways to gain experience is to play with your teacher as your partner. As my client in an ACBL tournament, we work together, doing our best (maybe even winning!), but our results help guide you directly and immediately towards those holes in bridge know-how, discovered by us in practice, so that you are prepared in the future when—always “when”—that challenge recurs.

As you progress in your bridge education, and become comfortable with club tournaments, one of the best ways to improve your partnership is through the eyes of a teacher who watches every card you play. No pressure! I’m on your side.

Of course, I can’t guide you during the game, but afterwards we discuss every deal played in the event, referring to the copious notes I have taken. By recalling exactly what occurred, I point out exactly where improvements can be made, as well as reinforce all the good things you did. Talk about learning on the job!