The promising 20-year-old made his first-class debut for Otago towards the end of last season and was part of the squad which contested the Champions League in India this month.
Otago bowed out of the $US6 million ($NZ7.9 million) twenty/20 tournament after losses to the Cape Cobras and Bangalore Royal Challengers.
With Black Caps offspinner Nathan McCullum and part-time legspinner Aaron Redmond in the side, Beard did not get on the field.
But the former New Zealand Under-19 player should get plenty of game time for Otago this summer.
The Volts will be without five Black Caps, including McCullum and Redmond, for their opening four-day game.
That is bound to mean Beard will add to his two first-class matches for the province.
"With five guys out it is going to open up opportunities for quite a few guys, especially the batsmen," Beard said.
"Hopefully, that also opens up an opportunity for me as well."
With the focus shifting from the razzmatazz of twenty/20 to the more sedate four-day cricket, Beard will have to quickly adapt.
Bowling dot balls might create pressure, but in the longer form of the game it is all about taking 20 wickets.
That means tossing it up and giving the ball more of a tweak.
Knowing when to flight the ball up and when to spear in a quicker, flatter delivery is a skill, Beard said.
"I'm trying to get to know the game a little bit better by talking to other spinners and getting inside their heads.
Nathan has been really good and is always willing to help out and discuss things."
Beard had a chat with South African left-arm spin bowler Roelof van der Merwe after his side's loss to Bangalore but did not get the opportunity to talk with Indian great Anil Kumble.
But watching the master bowl was worth the trip.
"I sort of just watched from the sideline what Kumble was doing, the speed he was bowling and what his field was.
"I think you can learn a lot from just sitting there watching."
Beard is unlikely to be sitting down watching when Otago opens its four-day campaign against Northern Districts at the University Oval on November 10.
