Declarer Play

In this course, I show you how to play a bridge hand once the bidding is over. Learn to make a plan to take enough tricks for your contract. I focus on where to find these tricks and how to turn cards into winners. You’ll be on the way to being a competent bridge player after completing this course.

Lesson 1 - The Plan & Play in No Trumps
Monday, 4 September: 10-11am AEDT

How to make the plan as simply as possible, and evaluating whether it will bring home the contract is covered here. No trump play is demystified with some simple tips and suggestions.

Lesson 2: Suit Play
Monday, 11 September: 10-11am AEDT

Understanding what losers really are is a skill to be acquired here, and knowing how to actually reduce those losers is the next step covered in this lesson.

Lesson 3 - The Order of Play
Monday, 18 September: 10-11am AEDT

The final part of the plan before declarer makes their play to the first trick is an essential step for permanent success. Acquiring good declarer play habits requires knowing the correct way to attack suits, and this is the order of play. Do I win a trick in my hand or in dummy, or do I win the trick at all? This lesson will help you learn in which order to do these things.

Lesson 4 - Entries
Monday, 25 September: 10-11am AEDT

You can’t count tricks as winners if you can’t reach them, and this lesson helps you to look early for entries to your long suits and winners. Sometimes you have the entry in another suit, other times in the suit itself, but getting over to the right hand at the right time is a skill to be learned, in this lesson.

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Yes! I choose Platinum
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“I really enjoyed our online lesson. And I am learning a lot from practicing the hands on your website. It is already helping me in my bridge play.”

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Learn from Australia's leading bridge teacher

Joan Butts

Joan is a highly respected bridge expert, teacher, and accomplished player with over five decades of experience in the game. Known for a clear and friendly teaching style, she has helped thousands of players - from absolute beginners to advancing experts - build their confidence and skills in bridge. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your competitive edge, Joan offers structured, easy-to-follow courses designed to make learning bridge enjoyable and rewarding. With a passion for helping others discover the joy of bridge, Joan brings both deep knowledge and a love for the game to every lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! You can access course this by buying it outright. The benefit of becoming a Gold or Platinum Member is that membership is a cost-effective way to access all 21 courses in a self-paced learning environment. If you buy each course instead of a membership, it would cost nearly $3,000!
This course is designed for beginners and those who would like to refresh their skills. Intermediate and more experienced players may benefit from solidifying their learning on this topic, or they can look to Joan's other courses for Intermediate and Experienced levels.
Yes! We have bridge players from all around the world in our OSOB community. Plus, Joan has created a cheatsheet for applying the knowledge from her courses to all bridge bidding systems. So whether you play American-style Five Card Majors (SAYC), UK Standard English (ACOL) or another, you'll increase your bridge knowledge and skills in this course.
If you purchase this course outright, you will have full access to the content and any updates forever! If you access this course as a Gold or Platinum Member, you will have access for as long as you retain your membership.
Yes! At the top of this page is a list of the lessons and activities included in this course. We also have a free lesson available to try, which you can access by clicking 'Learn' to view the Online School of Bridge page and free lessons.
We offer refunds in accordance with the ACCC guidelines. Our full refund policy is available in our Terms and Conditions which you can click on at the bottom of any page on our website.