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How JumpStart Bridge is Introducing Bridge to Thousands of Young Players

JumpStart Bridge - a Mindsport for Gifted Kids

How JumpStart Bridge is Introducing Bridge to Thousands of Young Players

JumpStart Bridge is an initiative by Atlanta Junior Bridge, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, designed to introduce the game of bridge to students, teachers, schools, and parents. The program provides free teaching materials, resources, and support to integrate bridge into educational settings, helping young players develop strategic thinking, teamwork, and mathematical skills.

The Origins of JumpStart Bridge

JumpStart Bridge began in November 2023 when the program exhibited at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) conference. The positive response from educators led to 36 teachers starting bridge programs at their schools within a few months. The initiative has expanded rapidly, participating in multiple state gifted teacher conferences. As a result, according to a recent ad in the ACBL Bulletin (February 2025), 284 programs have been offered to 12,718 students.

Patty Tucker, a renowned bridge educator, co-founded Atlanta Junior Bridge in 2006 to offer free bridge education to children. Building on this mission, she launched JumpStart Bridge, an initiative aimed at integrating bridge into school curricula.

Who is Patty Tucker?

Patty has devoted the past few decades to a search for new and innovative ways to make the game of bridge accessible. Aside from the AJB, and JumpStart Bridge, she developed ‘Learn Bridge in a Day?’ (with Melissa Bernhardt )—a program designed to introduce newcomers to bridge through interactive, coached play. This initiative allows players to grasp the fundamentals in a single session and has become a popular method for learning bridge quickly.

Patty also created ‘Bridge in a Box,’ a structured learning set that provides a self-paced way for individuals and groups to learn the game. The kit includes instructional videos, player workbooks, practice hands, and additional resources, making it a comprehensive tool for beginners of all ages.

Patty has received several honours, including the ACBL’s Blackwood Award in 2019 and being named ACBL 2016 Honorary Member of the Year. She also served as president of the American Bridge Teachers’ Association during 2016–2017. All this highlights her deep commitment to bridge education.

In addition to her teaching and advocacy, Patty is an expert bridge player – a Grand Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and has authored over 40 bridge books and workbooks. Patty has one national title, the North American Pairs Championship in 2000 where she played with her husband, Kevin Collins.

The Role of Fundraising

JumpStart Bridge is funded primarily through donation campaigns allowing JumpStart Bridge to finance free materials and supplies to schools, ensuring that teachers and students have everything needed to integrate bridge into their curriculum. Moneys are also used to support teams of volunteers at state-wide education conferences where they introduce teachers and parents to the mindsport bridge and the JumpStart programs. Contributions to the campaign benefit Atlanta Junior Bridge which supports JumpStart Bridge.

The Benefits of Learning Bridge for Students (and adults)

Bridge is a strategic, math-based card game that offers numerous benefits:

For Teachers

  • Provides an engaging way to reinforce math and logic skills in the classroom.
  • Comes with free lesson plans, teaching materials, and ongoing support.
  • Encourages students to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.
  • Teachers receive stipends and professional support for integrating bridge into their programs.

For Students

  • Enhances critical thinking, math proficiency, and strategic decision-making.
  • Helps improve focus, memory, and problem-solving skills.
  • Offers opportunities to participate in competitions and social activities.
  • Encourages collaboration, sportsmanship, and communication.

For Schools

  • Adds a structured, free extracurricular activity that promotes student engagement.
  • Encourages ethical behavior and teamwork among students.
  • Requires no prior experience, as all teaching materials and resources are provided.
  • Supports STEM and gifted education programs by reinforcing logical reasoning.

For Parents

  • Provides children with an intellectually stimulating and screen-free activity.
  • Can improve academic performance, particularly in math and critical thinking.
  • Offers a way for families to bond over a shared game.
  • Helps children develop social confidence and interaction skills.

Getting Started

JumpStart Bridge provides schools and educators with free, downloadable materials to introduce bridge to students. These include step-by-step teaching guides, workbooks, and lesson plans. The program also offers instructional videos to assist teachers in learning how to teach bridge effectively, making it easy to incorporate into school activities and clubs.

How Schools Can Get Involved

Schools interested in joining JumpStart Bridge can register for the program and access free teaching materials. The initiative provides step-by-step guides, player workbooks, and teacher support videos to facilitate the introduction of bridge in schools.

Supporting JumpStart Bridge

JumpStart Bridge relies on donations to sustain and expand its programs. Contributions help provide free bridge education to students across North America. Donations can be made through GoFundMe, PayPal, or by check, with all proceeds supporting the growth of the initiative.

For more information or to get involved, visit JumpStart Bridge.