Looking for an instructor?
Looking to improve your bridge game?
Connect with experienced teachers and players offering one-on-one lessons, small-group instruction, and professional playing partnerships.
Lessons are arranged independently and may take place online, in your home, or at a location agreed upon with your instructor. The club generally is not available for private lessons.
Browse the profiles below and contact a teacher or professional partner directly to discuss your goals, availability, and rates.
All instruction and professional playing services listed on this page are offered independently by the individual providers, not by 13 Top Tricks Bridge Club. Fees, scheduling, and payment are arranged directly with the provider.
Barbara Nist
Barbara Nist is a Grand Life Master and veteran teacher. Barbara offers 1-on-1 instruction and playing lessons. Email her for more information. bnist2@gmail.com
Jeff Ford
I learned to play bridge in grad school, and I'm pretty sure that delayed my finish by at least a year. What a fascinating game! Since retiring from the tech world I have been able to spend more of my time sharing that love of the game with others. I think that I'm most effective helping those who already have the basics down and are looking to take the next step. I want to help you think through bidding and play and to get an understanding of the "why" of the game, not just a set of rules or a long list of conventions. (But I will teach the conventions necessary to be competitive!)
Locally I am a 2-time winner of the Microsoft Trophy for the most masterpoints at our sectionals in a year. I also have multiple top-10 finishes in national events, and was on the winning team for the national GNT Flight A. I have played many different systems including Standard American, 2/1 with strong and weak NTs, strong club, Polish club, and short club with transfers.
Most of my work so far has been with playing sessions with students and follow-up postgame hand reviews, either verbal or written. I'm also open to working with a partnership that is trying to improve together. I generally prefer playing in person (especially at 13 Top Tricks!), although online is also a possibility. Please contact me directly if you are interested in either.
Email (preferred): jeff.ford@gmail.com
Phone or text: 425-761-8433
James Holzhauer
Bio: James is the 2026 ACBL Honorary Member of the Year and an Emerald Life Master with over 8000 masterpoints.
I offer private lessons, playing sessions and postgame hand reviews.
I can play with partners of any skill level online or in person. I am particularly good at explaining the underlying reasons why experts bid and play a certain way.
I am available most days and times. My rates are $100/hour for online play or lessons, $300 for a club game including postgame analysis and discussion.
Email jeopardyjames@gmail.com
Paul Martin
I began playing tournament bridge in high school in the 1960’s. After a 45 year hiatus, I began playing again in 2017. Since then, I have won over 5000 master points in under 10 years.
My strength is in declarer play, including both high percentage plays and techniques to deceive the opponents. Also, hand evaluation, beyond counting your points!
I offer individual coaching and small group sessions, either online or in person.
Playing session, including one hour of postgame hand reviews - $150.
Private coaching or just hand reviews - $40/hour.
Group lesson prices vary depending upon the size of the group.
David Taylor
I enjoy teaching small private groups of all levels, online or in-person. I'm available most weekdays. I can be reached at David@TournTables.com. Contact David for pricing.
David's ACBL Teacher Profile: HERE
Dianne Cox
Dianne Cox is a Gold Life Master, an Accredited Teacher, and a Duplicate Bridge
Director with the American Contract Bridge League. She graduated from the University
of Washington with a BA in English and a K-12 Teaching Degree. In 2008 she and her
partner, Dennis Duryea, and two ladies purchased the Eastside Bridge Center in
Redmond, Washington. In the five years they owned the club, Dianne was manager,
director, and teacher. Under Dianne’s leadership, the club became the largest bridge
club in Washington. After the club was sold in 2012, Dianne continued teaching and
directing in the Seattle area. During the first two years of covid-19, she directed online.
Presently she teaches classes at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, Sand Point
Country Club, and on many different cruise ships. Her specialty is working with
beginners, although she also enjoys and teaches intermediate players. Dianne is
available to teach private or group lessons either in her home or in the student’s home.
She is also willing to partner with a student at 13 top tricks. For pricing and more
details, please contact Dianne Cox at 425-829-3810. My email is:
Diannekcox@gmail.com.
Al Bender
Albert Bender is an experienced bridge teacher known for his popular Thinking Bridge intermediate courses, focused on practical judgment and clear strategic thinking. He is also the founder and longtime instructor of BridgeWhiz, the national youth program introducing students to modern duplicate bridge.
He works with advancing beginners and intermediate players, offering private lessons, small‑group sessions, playing partnerships, and postgame reviews, available in person at 13 Top Tricks or online.
Kim Eng
Bio: Kim Eng discovered Bridge about 20 years ago and has been hooked ever since. She is now a Diamond Life Master with approximately 6,800 masterpoints, a National Championship title in GNT Flight A, and several strong national finishes: 5th in the Rockwell Mixed Pairs, 7th in the Baldwin North American Pairs, 9th in the Freeman Mixed Board-A-Match, and 28th in the three-day Life Master Pairs.
Kim has taught Bridge for Youth Advanced students and has been auctioned off or hired to teach private individual and group lessons in addition to playing club games. She has also worked with pairs who want to develop a strong, lasting partnership and get better together. Kim is a patient, enthusiastic teacher who loves helping new, improving and advancing players feel comfortable at the table, build their skills, and grow in confidence…both as the declarer and as a defender. Her goal is simple: make learning bridge fun and leave students excited to play more.
Services:
Private Small Group Lessons
Private Partnership Development and Coaching
Playing Sessions/Postgame Hand Reviews
Availability:
In person or Online (although I think in person is more effective)
Weekends and Evenings
Limited Weekday Game Availability due to work schedule (*weekday games available during June/July/August)
Rates:
Small Groups: $80/person for a 2-hour session. This includes prepared lesson materials and pre-dealt hands. *4-6 session package offered at a discounted rate
Bridge Parties (Homestyle Swiss, Individual Games, etc): please contact for pricing
Club Game + Postgame Hand Review: $150
Contact Information
kimlieng7@gmail.com