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Register MentoringWhat is the CBA Mentoring Program?
The mentoring program was established to have more experienced players (mentors) to help newer advancing players (mentees) with less experience improve their Bridge game.    
 
How do I participate?
Both mentors and mentees need to register. You can do so in one of two ways:
(Preferred) Fill out the on-line application:  Click Here to Apply Online (for mentors & mentees)
(Optional) Click to Open and Print the form and then fill out the application.  Return the application to Bob Fisk or Barbara Levinson (Mentoring Program Committtee) or any director at the CBC or NKy games.

Click to see the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

2018 Program
Welcome to the 2018 CBA Mentor/Mentee Program!
 

Opening night at the CBC is Tuesday, May 30th at 7:00pm. Mentees are asked to bring a snack item to share with everyone as a thank you to all of the Mentors who are donating their time and talents. This will not be a dinner as it has in years past.

Opening Day in NKy is Thursday May 17 at 11:30 AM. 

 
The following are guidelines to help you make the most of opportunities offered by the program:
 
Guidelines:
We suggest you play Bridge together at least four times between now and the end of September.

If you play in Cincinnati with your designated partner on one of these dates, you play at half price for the pair, and play one stratification lower than the mentor. Designated Mentor Game dates at the Cincinnati Bridge Center:

Wednesday May 30, 7:00pm

Sunday June 24, 1:00pm

Wednesday June 27, 7:00pm

Sunday July 15, 1:00pm

Wednesday July 18, 7:00pm

Sunday August 19, 1:00pm

Wednesday August 29, 7:00pm

Sunday September 16, 1:00pm  


 
If you play at NKBC, you’ll play in the mentee strat and pay the going rate. Designated Mentor Game dates in Northern Kentucky at the Elsmere Senior Center.

Thursday May 17, 11:30am

Wednesday May 23, 6:30pm

Friday May 25, 10:00am

Wednesday June 6, 6:30pm

Friday June 8, 10:00am

Tuesday June 26, 10:00am

Tuesday July 3, 10:00am

Friday July 6, 10:00am

Thursday July 19, 11:30am

Wednesday August 8, 6:30pm

Tuesday August 14, 10:00am

Friday August 17, 10:00am


None of the above games are mandatory, but they are always fun, educational and enjoyable.
 
If you have any questions, please contact:
Bob Fisk
bobsbbcards@gmail.com
(513) 379-5252
 
Barb Levinson
bsl@fuse.net
(513) 258-8216
 
For those of you in Northern Kentucky, please contact:
Greg Brinker
grefab999@gmail.com
(859)331-1868
(859)322-1969

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should be a mentor?
Any Life Master
Non-Life Masters who feel that they are willing and able to help newer players
 
Who should ask for a mentor?
Any non-Life Master with less than 300 points who has an interest in advancing their skill.
                                                                    
Can I be both a mentor and a mentee?
Yes.  All non-Life Masters who are willing and able are encouraged to become both a mentor and a mentored Future Master.  Some newer players aren’t ready to take advantage of the advice provided by some of the veterans at the center.  They also might be intimidated at the idea of sitting down at the table with someone with 2000+ Masterpoints.  These players would benefit greatly from having an experienced non-Life Master help them improve their game.
                                                                                  
Can I choose my own mentor/Future Master?
Many of you have already spoken to someone about forming a mentor partnership.  If you have already come to an agreement with someone, then you need to make sure you enter each other’s names on the Mentor Pair Application.  If you do, then we will definitely put the two of you together.  It would be best if you choose someone you do not play with on a regular basis to be your Mentor/Future Master, although this is not a requirement.  Please do not choose someone who has been your Mentor/Future Master in the past.
 
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 Future Masters be ACBL members?
Yes.  If someone seeking a mentor is not a current member s/he will be asked to send in their dues to get their membership up to date before being allowed to participate in the mentor pair 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 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/Future Master 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/Future Master 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.
                                     
How much will it cost to play in the specially designated mentor pair games?
Mentor pairs will be able to play for half price, but only during the designated games at the Cincinnati Bridge Center.  NKy runs their Mentoring Games according to their design and costs.  All players are eligible to play in these games, but those who are not part of the mentor pair program will pay full price.

Responsibilities of the Advancing Player:
Contact your mentor to arrange dates for playing Bridge.  Do this as soon as possible.  Do not wait until the last minute.

Tell your mentor what you would like to work on to improve your play.  Ask your mentor for input/suggestions.  Be willing to negotiate/compromise.
 
Responsibilities
Be kind and patient with your new partner.   Mentees are newer, and looking to you for guidance.
The “extent” of your mentoring is up to you.  Be willing to share what you know and direct your Future Master to any other resources s/he might find helpful.  CBA has a great library available, and there's lots of great information on our website! 

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