Learn + Develop
Bridge Lessons
WABC offers a comprehensive in-house teaching programme. Using the Standard American system, our lessons and workshops are designed for complete beginners right through to advanced players.
The Beginners programme will be taught by Jodie Basham and is suitable for completely new players.
The Beginners - Part 1 course consists of eight lessons. The Beginners - Part 2 course also consists of eight lessons.
The cost of Part 1 is $120 and Part 2 is $120. Cost is payable at the first lesson by cash or credit card.
Courses commence at the start of each quarter:
Semester 1: Early February
Semester 2: Early August
For the current lesson timetable, scroll down (or click here).
“Many games provide fun, but Bridge grips you. It exercises your mind. Your mind can rust, you know, but Bridge prevents the rust from forming.”
– Omar Sharif
Current Lesson timetable for 2026 SEMESTER 1
Here is an overview of the lessons being run at the moment. To register for any of these, please get in touch with Jodie.
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1. Beginners - Part 1
Starting 2-February
Lessons 1-8
(Note: no lessons on public holidays and 1 week break on 23 February)Monday Morning 9:30am - 11:30am
or
Monday Evening 6:45pm - 8:45 pm -
2. Beginners -Part 2
Starting 20-April
Lessons 1-8Monday Morning 9:30am - 11:30am
or
Monday Evening 6:45pm - 8:45 pm -
3. Rookies - Bridge Basics
Starting 20-April
Lessons 1-6Wednesday Morning 9:00am - 10:45am
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Card Play 1 - No Trumps
Starting 9-April
Lessons 1-4Thursday Morning 9:30am - 11:30am
Stand-alone lessons -
Card Play 2 - Suit contracts
Starting 7-May
Lessons 1-4Thursday Morning 9:30am - 11:30am
Stand-alone lessons -
Deadly Defence
Starting 11-June
Lessons 1-4Thursday Morning 9:30am - 11:30am
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4. workshops
Joan Butts
Starting 20-FebruaryWill Jenner-O’Shea
Strarting 16-August
“Bridge is such a sensational game that I wouldn’t mind being in jail if I had three cellmates who were decent players and who were willing to keep the game going 24 hours a day.”
– Warren Buffet
Bridge Course Overview
The Beginners courses will get you playing in supervised sessions. The Rookies course will get you started in Club sessions. The intermediate courses and workshops will improve your skills. You never truly master this game, which is why it is so addictive, but you can give yourself an edge over your fellow players by developing your knowledge and skills. Become a lucky player by knowing more.
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1. Beginners - Part 1
Suitable for players who don’t know one card from another, as well as those who have played before but are inexperienced or just a bit rusty. Logically structured, easy to follow. Focuses on how to play bridge and suit contracts.
Who: Complete beginners
When: Every semester
Duration: 8 lessons - 2 × 4 week modules -
2. Beginners - Part 2
Suitable for players who have just completed the Beginners Part 1 course (or have done so in the past), and would like to further their learning and improvement of the game. Logically structured, easy to follow. Focuses on No Trumps, Overcalls and Card Play.
Who: Beginners Part 1 Course graduates
When: Every semester
Duration: 8 weeks -
3. Rookies - Bridge Basics
Suitable for players who have completed the Beginners course (or have done so in the past). Improve your card play and defending while learning some essential bidding conventions (Stayman, Transfers, Weak Twos, Strong Twos, & Rebids) as well as how the scoring works.
Who: Beginners Course graduates
When: Every semester
Duration: 6 weeks -
4. Card Play Essentials 1
No Trump Contracts
For those who have finished the second beginner’s course, or a previous Rookies course, or anyone who wants to start taking more tricks as declarer in their No Trump contracts. Stand alone lessons, come to one, come to all.
Who: Rookies Course graduates
When: Twice a year
Duration: 4 Stand alone lessons -
Card Play Essentials 2
Suit Contracts
For those who have finished the second beginner’s course, or a previous Rookies course, or anyone who wants to start taking more tricks as declarer in their No Trump contracts. Stand alone lessons, come to one, come to all.
Who: Rookies Course graduates
When: Twice a year
Duration: 4 Stand alone lessons -
Deadly Defence
Defending is Fun! You won’t mind defending all day if you and your partner learn how to defend together and start punishing all those overbidders out there.
Who: Intermediate Players
When: Twice a year
Duration: 4 lessons -
Topics For Advanced Players
Offered intermittently:
How to win at duplicate
Classic Conventions
Master Card Play & Defence
Modern Competitive Bidding
Slam Bidding
Jodie Basham
ABOUT JODIE BASHAM
Jodie first came across bridge as a child filling in at her parent’s bridge parties and has enjoyed it ever since. She has had over 10 years’ experience playing club bridge. During that time, Jodie has competed in International, Country and Metro Congresses. For the last 3 years, she has been involved in supporting our newer players as a Supervisor and Teacher on Wednesday evening and Friday morning supervised sessions. She hopes to pass on her love of bridge in a fun way.
ABOUT Warwick Potter
Warwick Potter returned to bridge in 2025 after a hiatus of more than a quarter of a century. Although he is classically music trained, Warwick also holds a teaching qualification from the English Bridge Union. Warwick makes the game fun when directing and his teaching outlook is equally vibrant. Now a regular player at the WABC, Warwick is delighted to return to bridge teaching.
ABOUT MARTIN DORAN
Fortunate to learn bridge at University, Martin has played internationally and at the National level for four different states. Determined to see you think and play, play, play. Learning from your mistakes is good way to learn, but learning from your opponents mistakes is better.
ABOUT JANE HENDERSON
Our favourite supervisor who is determined to make her players more competitive against the regular club players.
Contact JODie BASHAM
For more information, to register in a course, or to be notified when the next suitable course will be run then contact Jodie on lessons@wabridgeclub.com.au using the contact form below.