New Player Apprehension

[ozzstyl]

I've unfortunately had a couple of instances as a Beginner in competitive play that have proven to be discouraging to me as a new player. My initial experience indicates that there can be minimal leniency given to a Beginner when mistakes are made.

I would like to know if it is possible for players to be matched in competitive play at the same level?

[thepossum]

I find this issue something of a catch 22

 

Nobody wants to play with a table of beginners

 

Everyone wants to play with 3 decent players who are very tolerant of their beginner errors

[pescetom]

I would suggest a three pronged approach, mixing the following:

1. rent a robot to play in a pairs tournament against (mainly) human pairs

2. find another committed beginner and play together at a table you open

3. join a local bridge club and take advantage of their tuition and mentoring opportunities, playing with good players as often as possible.

[jgelman]

I've unfortunately had a couple of instances as a Beginner in competitive play that have proven to be discouraging to me as a new player. My initial experience indicates that there can be minimal leniency given to a Beginner when mistakes are made.

I would like to know if it is possible for players to be matched in competitive play at the same level?

 

Please consider joining our friendly Wednesday BBO game from 11am-1pm pacific. We use the “undo” bid button if a goof occurs.

juliegelman@me.com

[moga321]

A couple of suggestions for you (in addition to the ones previous):

• Use the BBO Challenges. They are free, and you can challenge a friend, a stranger, a star, a group of people. All in all it's a great tool.
  
• Playing bridgemasters is a good strategy to practice certain techniques.
  
• Try the 499er games on BBO (those are limited to those with less than 500 MP) or the 0-1500 ACBL games on BBO (up to 1500 MP)
  

[MichCart]

I've had a similar situation. I just had an experienced player message me to 'stop playing bridge - you cannot learn". I happened to beat him in the BBO Express competition, but it is very demoralizing! Is it possible to have a few BBO Point competitions based on a BBO Range? Example: 0-2; 3-5; 6-14; 15+

 

That way the novices can learn in a "safe" place and build up BBO points, without annoying experienced players.

[jillybean]

I don't know if BBO, "express competitions", random partners and opponents is the best place to gauge your level of play or learn.

I think you need to find a trusted mentor who plays the same system as you do, or the system you would like to play.

 

IMO, the best way to learn is to play against the strongest pairs you can find and study the results but for this you do need thick skin.

[P_Marlowe]

I've had a similar situation. I just had an experienced player message me to 'stop playing bridge - you cannot learn". I happened to beat him in the BBO Express competition, but it is very demoralizing! Is it possible to have a few BBO Point competitions based on a BBO Range? Example: 0-2; 3-5; 6-14; 15+

 

That way the novices can learn in a "safe" place and build up BBO points, without annoying experienced players.

# Put the player on a black list. Chances are high, the exp. player is less exp., than he likes to think about himself,

and the blacklist stops this kind of *****.

And after optimizing your black list, move on.

 

# There are comp. for "strong" players, if reached and honor rank, or have start, they are open for you, it is certainly a

an idea to have comp. for players with less points. There exist comp. with a stratified field, my take is, most are paid comp.

Finnally, for what's it worth: My cureent BBO Point rank is 5+, I dont think myself of an expert, but equally I am no a N/I

player either, and I know quite a few equally ( or even stronger player, that have the same amout / or less, i.e. it is

debatable, if you would achieve, what you want to achieve.

[P_Marlowe]

I've unfortunately had a couple of instances as a Beginner in competitive play that have proven to be discouraging to me as a new player. My initial experience indicates that there can be minimal leniency given to a Beginner when mistakes are made.

I would like to know if it is possible for players to be matched in competitive play at the same level?

 

There used to be the BIL, I guess, it is less active now.

There used to be the IAC, similar.

 

 

A common option is to enter the comp. with a robot, the robot does not

complain, and the opponents dont mind, when you make a mistake.

[helene_t]

If you play Acol, the Acol club is good fr beginners, but even if you play 5-card majors you are welcome their also although you may have to bring a partner as most beginners in the Acol club don't know 5-card majors