Just ask me "What's the topic today?"

Of my many pet peeves, the worst (best?) is when students ask what's the lesson about?

The answer, of course, is "bridge."

More specifically, it will be on Declarer Play, Defense or Bidding. In fact, even if the topic is declarer play, we always have some bidding when we discuss the deals.

If anyone reading this is a world champion, you probably won't benefit from my lessons.

Otherwise, I really hope you will.

I always cover lots of important points, and to learn them, most students need to hear them 2,3 and usually more times. Maybe I need to teach better so that they get it the first time? Nah--try as I might, that just isn't possible.

The best way to learn something is by repetition. I can't tell you how many times I've needed to hear my golf instructor remind me to "slow down" or not to "sway." "Don't swing over the top." Hearing it once or twice is never enough.

At bridge (or anything, really), the best way to get good at a topic is to work on it over and over. And over.

On a related note, I sometimes hear: "You gave that lesson last year. Why are you repeating it?"

Two answers:

1) I have about 95 lessons. Inevitably, a student might end up hearing the same one twice. I can't avoid this.
2) The best way to learn is to hear it twice. Or thrice.

Thankfully, most students appreciate that fact and are actually pleased to repeat a lesson.

One teacher I know told me that he gave the same lesson at his Florida class 8 straight years with the same students every time--and they still never mastered it.

One last point -- I love Billy Joel and Elton John music. When I'd go to their concerts, guess what. They'd play the same songs they played at the previous concert. Guess what. I loved it!