Hanbury Manor, Ware, Hertfordshire

Friday 13th March - Sunday 15th March 2026

Following on from the More Tips for Intermediates and Improvers weekend, Andrew has constructed six 1hr 20-minute sessions, each covering a different topic that will instruct and delight. Bring extra efficiency to your bidding as Andrew focuses on modernising your methods, the fourth bid, and overcalling, plus improve your understanding of when to draw trumps, the cash-out defence and how to get the best results in duplicate pairs. Our maximum group size is 100 people, ie 25 bridge tables, so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. 

You can purchase Andrew’s book of Tips for Intermediates here – but it is not necessary to have read the book before you attend the sessions. And you needn’t have attended the previous Tips for Intermediates & Improvers weekend to get the most out of these lessons.

 
 
 


Cost per person

Based on double occupancy £795pp

Based on single occupancy £735pp

Based on non-residency £395pp

Booking:

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

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*

  • Six bridge sessions with Andrew

  • Three optional supervised play sessions

  • 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 13 March

·   4.10pm Tea and coffee on arrival. Optional teas and coffees in the Assembly Hall, a chance to mingle before the first of your learning sessions begins.

·   4.40pm-6pm Session One: Modernising your Methods

For our opening session, we look at how various bidding sequences have been updated a tad in meaning – combining extra efficiency with simplicity. As usual, we’ll be playing four carefully constructed deals, one for each of you to declare.

·   6.30pm Three-course set-menu dinner.

·   8.15pm-9.45pm Bridge with Supervision (optional): Andrew and his team supervise play in the Thundridge Room.

Saturday 14 March

·   7am-9am Breakfast (for residents)

·   09.40am-11.00am Session Two – The Fulsome Fourth Bid

In Tips One, we looked at the Crucial Third Partnership Bid. Now we take it one step further, the fourth bid – that rebid by responder that really starts to hone the partnership in on their best trump suit and combined strength.

·    11.20am-12.40pm Session Three – On Overcalling

Andrew will look at when to bid to the level of the fit – and when NOT to. We’ll also be exploring the Unassuming Cue Bid or, as Andrew prefers to call it, BOSS (bidding Opener’s Suit with Support).

·    3pm-4.30pm Bridge with Supervision (optional): Andrew and his team supervise play in the Thundridge Room.

·    5pm-6.20pm Session Four – When to Delay Drawing Trumps

The big question at the start of every single trump contract is: when should I draw trumps straight away, and when should I delay. There are three main occasions for delaying, and we explore them all.

·    6.30pm Three-course sit-down dinner.

·    8.15pm-9.45pm Bridge with Supervision (optional): Andrew and his team supervise play in the Thundridge Room.


Sunday 15 March

·   7am-9am Breakfast (for residents)

·   09.40am-11.00am Session Five – The Cash-out Defence

As usual, Andrew devotes one of the six sessions on defence, such an important and potentially fun part of bridge. This weekend, the focus is on when the defence realise they have to try to defeat the contract straight away, rather than wait; and how to go about doing it.

·   11.20am-12.40pm Session Six – Four Duplicate Pairs Tips

In the final session, Andrew gives you some good tips that apply especially to the unique Duplicate Pairs (“Duplicate”) form of scoring. You’ll soon turn 48% into 58%!

·   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.

DELUXE 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.