Hanbury Manor, Ware, Hertfordshire

Friday 22nd November - Sunday 24th November 2024

Inspired by his book and DVD-download, The Next Level, Andrew has constructed 10 sessions, each covering a different topic that will instruct and delight. The 1hr 20-minute lessons include Transfers, Fourth Suit Forcing, Weak Two, Showing Your Shape, Overcalling and the Unassuming Cue Bid, Bidding Big hands, Tricky Leads, Cheat Seat, Elimination & Throw-in, and Suit Establishment. Our maximum group size is 100 people, ie 25 bridge tables, so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Some will have read up on the lessons beforehand. You can purchase Andrew’s book of The Next Level here, or download it in film format here. Others prefer to learn afresh – it is not necessary to have seen The Next Level before you attend these sessions.

 
 

SOLD OUT
Cost per person

Based on double occupancy £655pp

Based on single occupancy £765pp

Based on non-residency £365pp

Booking:

Pay a £135 deposit per person and fill out the booking form to secure your place:

Book now

Reservations are made on a first-come-first-served basis. Please note that we will refund deposits wherever we are able to find a replacement for you. 

For any queries, call 07787 505072.

Cost includes

  • Two nights’ accommodation at the four-star Hanbury Manor Hotel, inc breakfast*

  • Ten bridge sessions with Andrew

  • Three-course sit-down dinner on Friday** 

  • Three-course sit-down dinner on Saturday**

  • Full use of Hanbury Manor’s leisure facilities, including swimming pool, gym and access to the golf course (green fee payable)

    * Breakfast included for residents only

    ** Drinks are not included

Weekend itinerary

Friday 22nd November 2024

·   3.30pm Optional teas and coffees in the Assembly Hall, a chance to mingle before the first of your learning sessions begins.

·   3.50pm-5.10pm: Transfers

Based on Lesson 3 in my orange Next Level book, Transfers are my second favourite convention (as those who have read by red book, Top Tens, will already know). Let’s open up the weekend by practicing this vital bidding tool and playing some fascinating contracts.

·   5.20pm-6.40pm: Fourth Suit Forcing
Based on Lesson 5 in my orange Next Level book, Fourth Suit Forcing (or FSF) is my fourth favourite convention (as per my red book, Top Tens). But FSF is much misunderstood – it’s so much more than a mere Notrump probe, as we’ll discover.

·   6.50pm Three-course set menu dinner  

·   8.30pm-9.50pm: Weak Two

Based on Lesson 14 in The Next Level. Everyone loves Weak Twos – they happen such a lot and are easy to play, and tricky to play against. We’ll do both in a fun and instructive after-dinner session.

Saturday 23rd November 2024

 7am-9.30am Breakfast (for residents)

·  09.40am-11am: Showing Your Shape

Based on Lesson 9 in The Next Level. The key to good bidding is showing your shape. In our first session of the day, we’ll be getting straight into the nuts and bolts of the uncontested auction, focusing on getting the fourth and fifth bids right, to ensure the partnership don’t veer down a false trail.

·   11.10am-12.30pm: Overcalling and the Unassuming Cue Bid, or should I say BOSS

We feature another of my top 5 conventions this session. It’s all very well bidding to the level of the fit with a weak hand when supporting an overcall; but what do you do with a decent hand? Learning to stay on top of the competitive auction is a hugely valuable skill at the table.

·   3pm-4.20pm: Bidding Big hands

Based on Lesson 6 in The Next Level. We feature another of my top five conventions this session. It’s all very well bidding to the level of the fit with a weak hand when supporting an overcall; but what do you do with a good hand? Learning to stay on top of the competitive auction is a hugely valuable skill at the table.

·   4.30pm-5.50pm: Tricky Leads

Based on Lesson 33 in The Next Level. My favourite lesson of all on the Next Level DVD, Nick Boss has to make several opening leads – without cards in his hand. And that’s the point: often, it is the opposing auction which is more telling than the 13 bits of plastic-coated paper you are staring at.

·   6pm-7.20pm: Cheat Seat

Based on Lesson 35 in The Next Level. In this post-prandial session, we learn when to cheat ‘legally’, of course. To push the opponents up a level, and then scupper their contract. This lesson alone will help to turn your 48% sessions into 56%.

·   7.30pm-9pm: Three-course set menu dinner


  

Sunday 24th November 2024

·  7am-9am Breakfast (for residents)

·   09.40am-11.00am: Elimination & Throw-in
Based on Lesson 27 in The Next Level. In this fascinating session, we learn how to force the defence to do the dirty work for us in the endgame. There’ll be much to learn from the four auctions, too.

·   11.10am-12.30pm: Suit Establishment

Based on Lesson 11 in The Next Level. A lovely lesson to round off the weekend, where we learn the winning formula to make extra tricks from length. Be oh-so- careful with those entries, mind.

Depart at your leisure

 

HANBURY MANOR:

Set in 200 acres of Hertfordshire parkland, the historic Hanbury Manor, Marriott Hotel & Country Club is a four-star hotel within an hour’s drive from London. Dating from the 16th century, this English country estate is the perfect place to relax. 

 

MARRIOTT HOTEL:

Stay at the four-star Hanbury Manor Hotel, with breakfast and dinner included in your stay. The hotel is furnished to a high standard: all rooms are en suite, with television, mini-bar, tea and coffee-making facilities. You'll have complimentary use of Hanbury Manor’s leisure facilities, including its gym, swimming pool, steam room and sauna. The hotel also has an 18-hole championship golf course.