If you know your Major Suit Fits from your Splinters and Weak Twos but need some confidence for putting them into action, a new Bridge holiday at the Budock Vean Hotel on Cornwall’s Helford River could be just the trick.

For 25 years scores of keen competitors have descended for the hotel’s thrice yearly Bridge weeks, run by maestro Bob Blackmore – and now February 23-28 will see the introduction of experienced Bridge teacher Peter White’s first Improvers’ Tuition mini-break.

“Bridge is a complicated, fascinating and challenging game and many beginner players become hooked and want to improve,” says Peter – who trained as an English Bridge Union (EBU) teacher after retiring from a career in specialist dental surgery.

“I devised a course for Improvers, originally within my own club, because there was clearly a cohort of newish players who were very keen but relatively inexperienced and for whom there was little in the way of further training available.”

The five-night break, devised by Peter and the Budock Vean’s own Bridge supremo Ted Barlow, gives players who are fairly new to the game, with perhaps a year or two under their belt, the chance to acquire some serious skills while enjoying the beautiful surroundings, leisure facilities and fantastic food for which the hotel is famous.

A programme of non-competitive practice play with prepared hands, mixed with seven coaching sessions and seminars, is designed to grow players’ confidence and improve their game.

Martin Barlow, who took the reins at the Budock Vean from father Ted 20 years ago said: “Bridge is a nerve-racking game and competitive Bridge is serious stuff: the important thing with this Improvers’ course is there is no pressure to perform – it’s all about building the confidence, knowledge and experience which will take players to a competitive level.”

The sessions will take place in the Budock Vean’s beautifully restored and re-decorated function suites and the cost for the five-night break, including dinner, bed and breakfast and all tuition, is from £510 per person in a standard room to £650 in a signature room.

For more on the Budock Vean and full details of the new Bridge Improvers’ Tuition Break, including a day by day itinerary, visit https://www.budockvean.co.uk/offers-and-breaks/improving-your-bridge or call the team on 01326 250288 to book a place.