Newtown Bridge Club will host three programs beginning this month for bridge players who would like to polish their skills.

Sessions will be offered in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, where the club also hosts five sessions of games each week.

Play of the Hand, an eight-class course to offered on Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am, starts August 15. Whether the game is party bridge, rubber bridge, or duplicate, the secret to becoming a good bridge player is to play cards better. This class will show players how to become confident declarers.

Tuition is $12 per class. The recommended textbook, Play Of The Hand In The 21st Century by Audrey Grant, is available from the instructor for $12.

Bridge Studio, a weekly Tuesday evening program that will run 6 to 8 pm, is for newer players to enjoy a relaxed bridge game. After a short bridge lesson, each table will play privately and at their own pace, with no competitive scoring. A director will be available if the players have questions.

Card fee is $5 for the first three studios. Advance registration is requested and can be done by e-mail to director@newtownbridge.org or by leaving a message at 203-733-8525.

Chat Bridge, an ongoing Wednesday afternoon program from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, provides another opportunity to play and learn. Players have the chance to ask questions about bidding and play during the Chat Bridge game, while an instructor stands by to help; cost is $10 per game. The game is preceded by a free bridge lesson that starts at 2:10 pm.

Susan Fronapfel, club manager and an American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) accredited teacher, who leads the classes, says Newtown Bridge Club and its programs “emphasize fun and learning from playing.

“Not only will players polish their bridge skills, they will meet others who share their enjoyment of the world’s most popular card game,” she added.

Newtown Bridge Club is affiliated with ACBL. The club holds five ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games each week at Edmond Town Hall: 12:30 pm Mondays, 12:30 pm and 7 pm Tuesdays, 10 am Wednesdays, and 12:30 pm Thursdays.

Visit [naviga:u]newtownbridge.org[/naviga:u] for additional information about Newtown Bridge Club.