Teaching made Fun and Easy by Richard Pavlicek

Bridge Teaching Material


Richard Pavlicek has taught bridge for more than 30 years, during which he has created a huge amount of material for students of all levels. All material is handsomely typeset and is now available by license to other bridge teachers. If this might interest you, read on.

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Pavlicek Methods

Before outlining the material, it would be wise explain the Pavlicek methods. The general approach is based on Standard American bidding, including strong notrumps, five-card majors, weak two-bids and a strong artificial two-club bid. Certain essential conventions (Stayman, Blackwood, negative doubles, etc.) are included, but emphasis is on general principles and developing good judgment.

Perhaps the most controversial area in bridge teaching is hand evaluation or point count. Richard studied this area in great depth when he began teaching and devised a method that is both simple and accurate in giving the true value of a bridge hand. See Pavlicek Point Count for details.

Another controversy is the range of a strong notrump: 15-17 or 16-18? Richard’s method is to teach 16-18 to novices. After they become experienced, he recommends switching to 15-17 but not changing the responses, the idea being that 15-17 is preferable only if you play your cards well. Therefore, his Beginner/Intermediate material assumes 16-18; and his Advanced material assumes 15-17.

The Pavlicek methods also stress the importance of accurate card play, both as declarer and defender. Bidding ideas may change over time, but card play will always be the same. Learning the right way will benefit you for life. One of Richard’s most ardent philosophies is to plan all contracts by counting winners. See Planning the Play for an insight.

The Material

The bridge teaching material consists of 739 printouts, comprising 1328 pages and 7470 deals, all professionally typeset in PDF format for exact printing on any printer. About 200 of the printouts also have cartoon artwork, which adds humor to the teaching process. The material is divided into four main levels (plus miscellany pertinent to all levels) as summarized below. Clicking on each level will bring up a complete index of what is included.

LevelPrintoutsPagesDeals
1. Beginner113166870
2. Intermediate1722361461
3. Advanced Bidding2273982883
4. Advanced Play1893922102
Miscellany38136154
Totals73913287470

Below are some samples of the actual printouts (first digit is the level 1-4). Click on the Title for the student version. Where answers exist, click on the Type for the master version. Also, clicking on the No. shows an HTML version, and Deals an RBN data file.

No.TitleTypePagesDealsLayout
1A17Opening One-BidsExercise112Hand Evaluation
1E41Planning the PlayExercise(art) 13Declarer Play
1F01Bidding Review IPractice14Deal Summary
2C41Points To PonderExercise112Eval & 2 Calls
2N23It’s Your Play!Exercise19Declarer Play
2PFinessing TechniqueLesson(art) 18Play Lesson
3G53Match the NotrumpExercise(art) 112Matching
3K29Weak-Two AuctionsExercise112Bidding E-W
3RNotrump Slam BiddingLesson(art) 212Bidding Lesson
4G41Lead On, MacDuffExercise112Opening Lead
4H53Beat Four Hearts!Exercise16Defensive Play
4K93When Partner SwitchesExercise(art) 112Suit Query E-W

Boxed answers are also included for each exercise. Click here for a sample.

Two booklets are included, printable by topic or as a whole. Click here for a sample.

How To Obtain

Bridge teaching material by Richard Pavlicek is licensed for a one-time fee of $1500, which allows lifetime commercial use of the material in your bridge teaching. Certain restrictions apply (see Purchase Agreement). To order:

1. Print the Purchase Agreement. Fill out and sign.
2. Include your check for $1500.00 payable to Richard Pavlicek.
3. Mail to: Richard Pavlicek, 1050 NW 21 Street, Fort Lauderdale FL 33311.

Upon receipt of your check and signed agreement, Richard will e-mail you instructions to download the material.

For further information e-mail: richard@rpbridge.net

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This material is proprietary and may not be distributed in any form.
Commercial use requires a license. Copyright © 2010 Richard Pavlicek.