play better bridge: your home for online lessons

I have done everything there is to do in bridge, but teaching the game is my passion. I was introduced to tournament bridge at five years old. I soon began caddying at local tournaments until one fateful day when the tournament officials needed a fill-in. I played with one of them and we won. That was the last day I caddied; I dove into studying every book about bridge I could find. I started teaching bridge lessons in high school and began competing on the tournament circuit after graduation. At the time, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up—except that it would involve the game of bridge.

As I pursued my education, I worked as a tournament director throughout undergraduate studies and law school. After trying my hand at practicing law for a few years, the allure of the bridge world pulled me back. In 2002, I bid farewell to law and resumed teaching bridge from my home. What began as a small project soon expanded into an office building nearby, leading to the creation of the Bridge Academy of North Dallas (BAND). This became my teaching oasis, where I developed a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from introductory bridge lessons to the most intricate strategies of the game. 

Over the years, my other bridge projects have included serving as an editor and publisher for a bridge newspaper and magazine, being the NABC Child Care Coordinator for 20 years, and taking on roles as District Board Secretary and Tournament Chairman, all while being recognized as an award-winning journalist. On the competition side, I achieved my first national win at the 2003 Long Beach NABC. In 2010, my partner and I triumphed over 420 pairs to win the World Mixed Pairs at the Philadelphia World Championships. Additionally, as a non-playing captain at the World Level, my teams brought home 8 medals—including 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze.

While my bridge success has been thrilling, my true passion lies in teaching. To continue sharing my love for the game, I've moved my classroom lessons online! Finding a way to integrate teaching into my life became essential, especially as in-person classes were no longer feasible. I am thrilled to utilize Shark Bridge as a teaching tool, which allows us to play practice hands in real time.

Play Better Bridge is where I how fulfill my teaching passion, and I hope it becomes your go-to destination for online bridge lessons. As you engage with the Class Pass Program and Pre-Recorded Video Library, don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions—think of me as your personal virtual bridge coach. We also host a mini lesson via Zoom every weekday morning at 9:45 AM Central Time. Join PBB Online Lessons, and together we can elevate your bridge game to new heights. My personal email is donna@playbetterbridge.com.

Let's explore bridge together!

Donna