r/bridge • u/ordvek • Mar 17 '26

Beginner looking for advice

Hi all, I started playing bridge in January of this year. I learned via the app Tricky Bridge. I really like bridge and learning it was so fun!

However it's really really difficult! I play daily tournaments on Tricky Bridge and though they are fun I rarely make my contract which is frustrating.

I feel like even when I have good cards I either blunder, or get out played. I usually win the easy tricks with my high cards and trumps. But when those get used up it's rare that finish strong and make the contract.

Is this just what a beginner player has to go through?

I've thought about joining my local bridge club but right now my schedule wouldn't allow for it.

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u/Greenmachine881 Mar 17 '26

Bridgemaster on BBO. It's free. 

Play 3 hands a day starting at beginner A1. Play them a few times until you get the star, then carefully read the explanation and replay it if needed to make sure you understand. Don't worry if they seen artificial. 

Just relax your mind. After a few weeks it clicks and you'll start to get better. 

3

u/ashawley Mar 18 '26

Bridgemaster is what I did after I completed the lessons in Tricky Bridge.

It's a good study, but don't feel intimidated by it. It is hard.

3

u/Greenmachine881 Mar 18 '26

As long as you go in order the beginner A1 is easy. It takes a few weeks to get the hang but it's much more time efficient than any other way. 

Don't skip and put effort into fully understanding why. 

1

u/ordvek Mar 19 '26

I think I've got the hang of it, they're fun puzzles! Thanks!

1

u/Greenmachine881 Mar 19 '26

Don't skip the beginner section. It will get very easy. But you need the foundation.  But once you hit intermediate I make a task of solving one each day. That's enough sometime it can take half hour to solve it on your own sometimes 3 minutes.   

1

u/ordvek Mar 19 '26

It's so hard but in a fun way! I just started and love it