Trickstarter
Take a FREE One-hour Crash Course!
Ready to dip your toes into bridge?
Trickstarter is a live, one-hour Zoom session that introduces you to the basics of this classic card game. You’ll learn key concepts, get a feel for how the game works, and see why so many people fall in love with bridge. It’s a fun, no-pressure way to get started.
For the best experience, plan to attend on a computer or laptop with speakers. Most tablets will work too, but phones won’t provide the same functionality.
Classes are Free! Register Now! All times are Eastern.
Note: You will receive an automatic confirmation email upon registration that contains a 'JOIN MEETING' link. Your confirmation email will also be resent a few hours before class. The class handout will be provided in class.
Wait! I don't know how to play bridge yet. What do I do?
Search Our Directory of Teachers
Our directory lets you search for a teacher based on zip code, your skill level, if you want group or individual learning and in-person or online classes. Simply click on a teacher’s name to view their profile, course descriptions and more.
Join One of Our Upcoming Classes
The ACBL Online Intro to Bridge courses are offered throughout the year. Even though the classes are virtual, it’s still a very hands-on experience. Series 1 starts at the very beginning and carefully takes you through the basics.
Learn at Your Speed with an App
Tricky Bridge is a one-stop-shop for your smartphone. With this app, you can make your way through short, self-guided lessons and then practice for free with an endless supply of hands. You’ll play with three bots, so no partner needed.
Where can I play bridge?
Play Online Anytime
Minibridge is a great choice if you are just starting out. You choose which suit, if any, will be the most powerful suit and then make a guess as to how much you’ll win by. After that, jump right into putting down cards. You’ll see your hand and your partner’s during the game and also get to choose which cards are played.
If you’ve already been playing the game a while, try Just Play Bridge. It offers the complete bridge experience in solitaire form.
Play in Your Neighborhood
There are thousands of bridge clubs across North America! Finding one near you is simple with our directory. Just search by city, state or zip code and then click on the name of a club. You’ll be taken to that club’s listing, which always has the basic details of where and when you can find a game, but usually also has other information, like if there’s a beginners program or the club’s website.
What’s the ACBL? Can I join for free?
The ACBL stands for the American Contract Bridge League (that’s us!). We’re a membership organization with more than 130,000 bridge players all over North America. We not only put out a monthly magazine about all things bridge, but we also exclusively award masterpoints.
What’s a masterpoint? Basically, when you do well in a game (you don’t have to win), you’ll win masterpoints. Depending on the type of game – at a neighborhood club, in an online tournament, etc. – you’ll score masterpoints of different colors. Collect enough and you’ll climb the ranks from Rookie to Life Master!
We offer a guest membership that is FREE where you can:
- • Play in games just for newer players
- • Get weekly bridge tips emailed to you
- • Receive a monthly newsletter with advice from longtime players and, of course,
- • Earn masterpoints (up to 20)
What makes this deal even sweeter is that guest members can join the ACBL as full members for just $29 for their first year – that’s a savings of $30!
What is an NABC?
This stands for North American Bridge Championships – kind of a grand name, but really just a place to play and learn about bridge. NABCs last about 10 days (but you don’t have to stay the whole time), and no matter how long you’ve been playing bridge, there are games for you. Plus, free lessons and celebrity speakers!
Three NABCs are held each year (spring, summer, fall), and the locations change each time. Mostly they’re in the U.S., but sometimes in Canada. It’s such a unique experience! Thousands of bridge players come together to have fun and meet other players from all over.
I’ve got more questions. Where should I go?
We’re here and ready to help you on your bridge journey!
You can visit our virtual help desk Monday through Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern,
Or shoot us an email at membership@acbl.org,
Or call us at 662-253-3191,
Or peruse our website, acbl.org.
