[CarolS]

Our local club's Mentor program was cancelled in March. How could this be best supported online? What do you think?

Factors to possibly consider when designing such a program...

* Different events for: 1) Simple SAYC (pre-set beginner card), 2) BBO SAYC (pre-set), and 3) Any Convention Cards. Newbies do better in environments where the opponents are bidding and playing by the same set of rules the Newbie is trying to master.

* ACBL Level of newbies: 1) Play of the Hand Grads [LTPB 1], 2) Defense Grads [LTPB 2], 3) up to ACBL Life Master/BBO 8.

* Level of Mentors if it matters: 1) less than Life Master/BBO 8, 2) less than Gold Life Master/BBO 25(?), 3) no restriction. This is to encourage mildly talented/experienced players to offer their services as a Mentor with other similar Mentors.

* Recruit bridge book teaching authors like Audrey Grant to provide write-ups for interesting hands. One such teach point could be to reinforce that it was "right" to try finessing the queen, even though this time it lost to a doubleton. These writeups are available after the game for the partnership to review and discuss in a private chat. The author can refer to their book on this teaching point and provide a link for purchasing the book as well as their own website.