Learn from a world-class bridge educator

Joan Butts brings decades of experience, international playing credentials, and a trusted teaching style to every lesson. She has represented Australia at world championship level and has taught thousands of students across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the United States. Her teaching materials are trusted by clubs and learners alike for their clarity and practical approach.

The Online School of Bridge

Launched in 2017, the Online School of Bridge was created when Joan saw the need for an online bridge school that offered top-quality teaching that could be accessed from anywhere in the world. In addition to moving to a modern education platform where students can track their progress, she has also introduced support for several bidding systems including Standard American, Acol and Two Over One Game Force.

The Online School is home to the largest library of online, curated bridge lessons divided by skill level. It uses a spiral learning approach to introduce each topic in small steps that build over time. This method supports learners from absolute beginners to experienced players, making bridge skills easier to develop through simple, achievable activities.

Whether you prefer watching videos, reading notes, practicing interactive bridge hands or testing your knowledge with a quiz, each course is designed for players to learn at their own pace, in their own direction, with Joan as their guide. And when you want to take a break from lessons you can play unlimited random bridge hands using Standard or Acol.

We hope to see you join our Online School of Bridge to learn, play, and connect with fellow players — everything you need to improve your game, all in one place!

The Joan Butts Bridge Team

Tom Butts, Operations and Accounts

Joan’s son Tom works tirelessly in the background of Joan Butts Bridge to keep everything running smoothly for our incredible community. He’s been an integral part of the growth of the Joan Butts Bridge business and has been at his mother’s side throughout. Tom’s 20-years’ experience as an entrepreneur in online business, digital technology and accounts make Joan and Tom the perfect team to deliver the very best overall experience.

Sophie Sonnenwirth, Marketing

If you’ve ever come along to one of Joan’s luxury bridge holidays, or joined us for our popular Live Online Lessons, it’s likely you will already know Sophie! Sophie has been working with entrepreneurs like Joan for many years to help ensure all the backend logistics run like clockwork.

Carmi Gari, Customer Support

Carmi is our superstar customer support liaison! When you email us for assistance, it will be Carmi who sends you a friendly reply. She will go to all lengths to make sure your questions are answered.

Danielle Bejr, Course and Membership Management

Every team needs an organiser who understands the technology, and Danielle makes this role look like a breeze! She works hard in the background to make everything run as seamlessly as possible so that you can enjoy playing bridge online.

Joan's Bridge Achievements Since 2022

2025 Bridge Championship Titles

ABF Interstate Pairs (July) - 1st with Michael Courtney

TBIB ABF Mixed Butler Pairs (July) - 2nd with Peter Buchen

ABF Interstate Teams - NSW Open Team (July) - 3rd with partner Michael Courtney and team members Yumin Li and Simon Zhang

Selected to represent NSW in the Open Team for the National Bridge Championship (March) 

Winner of the NSWBA 2025 Senior Teams Championship, with her team members Michael Courtney, Liz Sylvester and Peter Gill


2024 Bridge Championship Titles

Spring Nationals (October) - 2nd with Michael Courtney

Australian Championships (July) Orange Welcome - 1st with partner Michael Courtney

Interstate Senior Teams (July) Orange - 1st with partner Michael Courtney and team

NSBC GNOT Qualifying (May) - 1st with partner Michael Courtney and team

NSBC Morgan Swiss Pairs (April) - 1st with partner Michael Courtney

NSW Seniors Trials (April) - 1st with partner Michael Courtney

NSWBA State Mixed Pair Championships (April) - 3rd with partner Michael Courtney

Pairs Championship Final, 2024 Gold Coast Congress - 6th place (out of 1600 players)


2023 Bridge Championship Titles

NSWBA State Mixed Pairs Champions

South Pacific Teams SFOB ABF Nationals, Canberra - Quarter Finalists

Ivy Dahler Swiss Pairs Gold Coast Congress - 3rd Place


2022 Bridge Championship Titles

ABF Victor Champion Cup Mixed Pairs Winners

NSWBA State Mixed Pairs Champions

NSWBA State Mixed Teams Champions

ABF Gold Coast Rescue Open Swiss Pairs Winners

NSBC Falls Estate Mixed Teams Champions


National Events (Australian Bridge Federation)

 Open Swiss Pairs Gold Coast Rescue - 1st Place

 VCC Australian Mixed Pairs - 1st Place

Open Swiss teams Gold Coast Rescue - 2nd Place

Open Swiss Teams Gold Coast Rescue - 3rd Place

Australian Mixed Team playoffs – semi finalists

South Pacific Teams SFOB ABF Nationals, Canberra - Quarter Finalists

NSW State Events (NSWBA)
  • State Mixed Teams - 1st Place
  • State Mixed Pairs - 1st Place
  • State Open Pairs - 2nd Place
  • State Swiss Pairs - 2nd Place
  • State Open Teams Final - 3rd Place

NSBC Events (North Shore Bridge Club)
  • Falls Estate Mixed Teams - 1st Place
  • Watermark Club Teams - 2nd Place
  • Morgan’s Swiss Pairs Championship - 2nd Place
  • Mixed BAM Teams - 3rd Place
  • Mixed Teams Championship - 3rd Place