Intermediate Standard American Bridge Lessons

Standard American Bridge for Intermediate Players

Advance your strategy with our intermediate bridge courses

If you’re comfortable with opening the bidding and playing through a hand, our Standard American intermediate bridge lessons on the Online School of Bridge (OSOB) are the next natural step. They’re designed for players who already have a grasp of the basics of the Standard bidding system and are ready to build on that foundation with more advanced tools and strategies.

These courses expand on what you learned in the free lessons and beginner courses, helping you level up your skills through guided instruction and more advanced techniques. You’ll strengthen your strategic thinking and become more confident at the table, whether you're playing socially or in club settings. Get started on mastering bridge with our step-by-step intermediate bridge lessons, created by globally renowned bridge player and teacher Joan Butts.

What you’ll learn in the intermediate courses

The goal of our online intermediate bridge lessons is to help you play smarter and more effectively by building on your foundation.

You’ll learn how to:

Make better bidding decisions with improved hand evaluation
Recognize forcing and non-forcing sequences
Apply popular conventions such as:
- Splinters
- Fourth suit forcing
- Negative doubles
- Lebensohl
- Puppet stayman
Sharpen your defense with better opening leads and signaling
Communicate with partners more clearly using structured bidding
Plan play in both no trump and suit contracts with more confidence

These topics are taught with a practical focus, so you’ll learn not only how a convention works but also when to use it and what it means for your partnership.

A propped tablet on a desk displays the modern bridge playing screen, including bidding and four hands

Who our intermediate courses are for

These courses are designed for players who are ready to go beyond the basics and strengthen their strategic game. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of conventions, refine your bidding accuracy, and feel more confident in competitive settings, the intermediate course is a perfect fit. You might be:

A club player who wants to become more consistent
Someone looking to understand intermediate conventions
A learner who’s ready to compete more confidently online or in person
An individual keen to improve partnership agreements and communication

Whatever your background, the OSOB’s bridge lessons for beginners will meet you where you are, with content designed to accommodate a range of starting points, learning speeds, and personal goals.

Why take intermediate bridge lessons on the OSOB

Our intermediate courses stand out not just for what they teach but for how they’re taught. Designed with the needs of developing players in mind, it offers a thoughtful mix of strategy, structure, and support that helps learners grow in both confidence and competence.

Here's what our online intermediate bridge lessons offer:

Structured, multi-format learning

Structured, multi-format learning
Our intermediate lessons are designed to help you grow your skills step by step. You’ll come back to key topics throughout the course, learning a little more each time and building on what you already know. The content is delivered through a mix of formats, including:

Video lessons

Our intermediate bridge lessons all include video format to provide you with a more visual learning experience. These lessons demonstrate how intermediate strategies play out in real hands, helping bridge the gap between theory and application while building your confidence over time.

Notes

Downloadable resources for easy reference as you practice. These detailed notes are perfect for reinforcing what you’ve learned and serve as a handy guide during gameplay.

Practice hands

Designed to match the lesson topics, these interactive exercises help you apply what you've just learned in realistic scenarios. You'll gain experience recognizing patterns and using new conventions in context, especially bidding conventions like splinters and negative doubles, so you can use them with confidence in club and competitive play.

Video hand reviews

See exactly how to make the perfect play on the hand you just practiced, following Joan’s explanation as she works through the hand. Then, feel free to go back and try the practice hand again!

Quizzes and knowledge checks

You get to test your understanding after each lesson. These tools help you identify any gaps in knowledge and reinforce the material before you move on.

Live Online Lessons

With a Platinum membership, you’ll also get access to live bridge courses taught by Joan herself. You’ll be able to watch real-time demonstrations, hear her explain key concepts clearly, and see examples that bring each lesson to life. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask questions and get personalized answers as you learn.

Whether you prefer to watch, read, or interact with hands-on examples, this approach ensures that you not only understand the concepts but also know how to use them confidently in real play.

Bridge lessons that fit your schedule

Because the intermediate courses are fully self-paced, you can move through each lesson whenever it suits you. There are no deadlines or pressure. You’ll have the freedom to pause, review, and revisit topics as often as you need, giving you a more comfortable and personalized learning experience.

Best of all, the courses are accessible online from any device — no downloads required. You can log in and learn anytime, anywhere. This flexibility empowers you to stay consistent and make progress, no matter your schedule.

Learn from a world-class bridge educator

The courses are created by Joan Butts, a highly respected bridge teacher with decades of experience in both competitive play and bridge education. She was the National Teaching Coordinator for the Australian Bridge Federation for 12 years and created a renowned teacher accreditation program. Joan has played in competitions for decades and has trained thousands of players through her structured, learner-friendly programs.

Her clear, down-to-earth teaching style makes complex topics approachable and easy to apply. Joan's lessons follow a structured progression designed to help learners absorb concepts at a comfortable pace. She focuses on helping players understand the logic behind each play so they can make thoughtful, independent decisions at the table with growing confidence.

Learn with others at your level

Learning bridge on the Online School of Bridge (OSOB) is a shared experience. When you enroll, you get to meet others who are working through the Standard bidding system, aiming to improve their game. With a Platinum Membership on the OSOB, you’ll also gain exclusive access to a vibrant online community of fellow bridge learners. It’s a space where you can connect with others who share your passion, join live lessons, and exchange strategies in real time.

Knowing you’re not learning alone brings a sense of encouragement. Others have faced the same tricky concepts and celebrated similar milestones. This supportive environment helps build confidence that lasts beyond a single lesson and keeps you motivated to return to the table.

Take the next stage in your bridge journey with Joan’s OSOB

You don’t need to be an advanced player to benefit from our online intermediate bridge lessons. You just need the curiosity to explore new strategies and the willingness to build on what you already know. Following the structure and support described above, each lesson will help you strengthen your decision-making, refine your bidding, and approach each hand with greater clarity and confidence.

If you ever need assistance, we’re here to help. Contact us with any questions, visit our FAQs for quick answers, or browse our online shop for printed tools and extras to support your learning.

With Joan’s trusted teaching, practical tools, and a system aligned with US club play, you’ll be better prepared every time you sit down at the table.