When should you hold a game?

Dear Jump Start Teacher,
As the end of the school year approaches, you’ve been diligently teaching your students, and whether they’ve mastered bidding and playing a hand of bridge or not quite finished all eight lessons, one thing is clear — they deserve a treat. What better way to celebrate their progress than with a game! Jump Start Bridge would love to help make this happen. While the details must be managed locally, we can assist by providing funds for refreshments, trophies, ACBL Junior Memberships, and more! Local bridge players and clubs are also eager to help you plan a game if needed. We want to make this process as easy and fun as possible. Just let us know what you need!

When should you introduce your students to a game?
As soon as your students grasp the mechanics of playing hands, it’s time to introduce them to a bridge game. We know they will make mistakes — and that’s okay! We all do, but that’s how we learn. Simply attending classes doesn’t convey the competitive thrill of bridge the way playing in a game does. If some of your students are further along in their understanding than others, consider offering two separate games: one for mini-bridge and one for full bridge. This will allow everyone to participate at their level. I believe one reason teachers hesitate to let students play in a game is because we care so deeply about ‘our kids’ that we don’t want them to lose or look inexperienced in front of others. However, kids are accustomed to winning and losing, whether in sports, video games, or even in school. They understand this dynamic, and they’re ready to play — it’s often us, the teachers, who hold them back because of our concerns. If you’re interested in hosting a game, I’d be happy to guide you through the process or connect you with a local bridge club or player who can help plan and provide hands-on support during the game. It’s sure to be a fun experience for the students!
Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best regards,
Patty Tucker
Director
Jump Start Bridge
Patty@jumpstartbridge.org