Remember, as a teenager, your first go on the Dodgems. You were told, “This pedal to go, that to stop and the wheel for steering.” Off you went happily driving a motor vehicle. Of course, before going on the road, you still needed lots of experience (practice) and to learn the Code, and it is the same with Bridge.

 However, when you are actually playing the game, it is much easier to pick up the theory as you can understand the point of it, just as it soon becomes obvious why you have to slow your car before turning a corner.

I used to run a School Bridge Club, affiliated to the English Bridge Union. They sent me a way of teaching the game without the complicated theory of bidding, so that beginners can be playing within about 10 minutes.

We will need sessions of two hours, at least and I think once a week to begin with. I would prefer a group of about 8, but can cope with up to 12 if you promise to be good and pay attention.