CBA Mentoring Program

CBA Mentoring Program 2020

What is the CBA Mentoring Program?
The mentoring program was established to have experienced players (mentors) help advancing players (mentees) improve their bridge game by playing in duplicate games. Although these are master-point games, the emphasis of the program is on improvement of the mentee’s bridge game. It is anticipated that mentor-mentee pairs play bridge together at least four times between the start of the program and the end of September. Specific information for the mentor-mentee games at each of the two locations is followed by Frequently Asked Questions.

How do I participate?

Cincinnati Bridge Center
2860 Cooper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45341

Northern Kentucky Bridge Club
Erlanger Lions Club
5996 Belair Drive, Florence KY

Both mentors and mentees need to register. Either click on the link below to fill out the application or pick up an application form at the club. Return the paper application to a director at the Bridge Center or return it to John Williams.

LINK PENDING

Dates to bring snacks                Mentee’s last name starts with:

Sunday, May 24, 1:00 pm (kickoff)             A-H
Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 pm                            I-N
Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 pm                          O-Z
Thursday, July 9, 6:30 pm                           A-H
Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 pm                           I-N
Sunday, July19, 1:00 pm                              O-Z
Sunday, August 9, 1:00 pm                          A-H
Thursday, August 13, 6:30 pm                    I-N
Tuesday, August 18, 7:00 pm                      O-Z
Sunday, August 23, 1:00 pm                        A-H
Thursday, September 10, 6:30 pm              I-N
Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 pm                O-Z
Thursday, September 24, 6:30 pm

Cost for all games is half price for the pair and the pair plays one stratification lower than the mentor. As a thank you to the mentors who are donating their time and talents, mentees are asked to bring a snack item to share on those games indicated above.

Contact John Williams williajp@miamioh.edu (513)931-6127

Both mentors and mentees need to register. Either click on the link below to fill out the application or pick up an application form at the club. Return the paper application to a director at the Bridge Center or return it to Greg Brinker.

LINK PENDING

Contact Greg Brinker if you are interested in participating.

2020 Dates Pending

Cost is the going rate and you play in the mentee stratification.
Contact Information Greg Brinker: gregab999@gmail.com
(859)331-1868 (859)322-1969

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may be a mentor?
Any player who is willing and able to help less experienced players.

Who may be a mentee?
Any player with less than 300 points who has an interest in advancing her/his skill.

Can I be both a mentor and a mentee?
Yes, anyone who meets both criteria above. Some newer players will be more receptive and/or less intimidated sitting down at the table with an experienced non-Life Master than with a player with many hundreds of master points.

Can I choose my own mentor/mentee?
Yes. As long as both of you are in agreement and each other’s names are entered on the Mentor-Pair Application, the two of you will be paired together. It is preferred that you not choose someone you play with on a regular basis or who you have been paired in the past, although this is not a requirement.

How will mentors and Future Masters be paired for those of us who haven’t already reached an agreement?
Partnerships will be made based on Masterpoint and experience levels. The committee will look at the information provided on the applications and attempt to make the best pairings possible. For example, the newest players who do not play modern conventions might be paired with non-Life Masters for the most part. An experienced non-Life Master with 200 or more Masterpoints might be paired with a mentor with thousands of points since they are more able to take advantage of the mentor’s Bridge knowledge.

Must Mentees be ACBL members?
Yes. If not, s/he will be asked to send in dues to get his/her membership up to date before being allowed to participate in the program.

When do the mentor pairs play together?
Pairs are asked to play together a minimum of four (4) times between the kickoff event in May and the final event in September. Dates designated for Mentor Pair discounts will be provided when available.

How much will it cost to play?
In the specially designated mentor pair games at the CBA, mentor pairs play for half price. All other games the cost is what that game charges that day.

How will the specially designated mentor pair games be stratified?
The special games will be stratified the same way that most open games at the club are stratified with the following adjustment. Mentor/mentee pairs will play one level lower than the stratification that would be assigned if they were not a mentor pair. For example, if the mentor has over 2000 Masterpoints, the pair would normally play in the ‘A’ strata. Because they are playing as a mentor/mentee pair, they will be placed in the ‘B’ strata. If the mentor has less than 2000 Masterpoints, the pair will be placed in the ‘C’ strata.

What are the responsibilities of the Mentee:
Contact your mentor to arrange dates for playing and to indicate what you would like to work on to improve your game. Before your first game, please share a convention card filled out with your preferred treatments, allowing input/suggestions from your mentor. At your first game, bring 2 convention cards with your agreements filled in.

What are the responsibilities of the Mentor
Be kind and patient with your new partner. Your mentee is less experienced and is looking to you for guidance. The “extent” of your mentoring is up to you. Be willing to share what you know and direct your mentee to any other resources s/he might find helpful. CBC has an extensive library available, and there's lots of information on the CBA website!

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