Newsletter 20 September 2024

In our newsletter this week..

Vale Mark Dickerson
BFACT AGM
Wednesday Night Pizzas
Volunteers Party
John Brockwell's Column
Canberra in Bloom
Upcoming Events
Ian Morison
Lighter Moments

Vale Mark Dickerson

I am sad to report the death of Professor Mark Dickerson. He was eighty. With his life partner of forty years, Sylvia Adcock, Mark was a regular at this bridge club, and before that for many years at Grand Slam, where they first learnt to play. Indeed, in one of their last games together, they were proud to come top on Wednesday morning. Although his grasp of some of the finer points of extended Stayman could occasionally prove shaky, the mutual love and respect that bound the pair together, not just at the bridge table but in their many activities and interests, never faltered. In addition to a keen intelligence, Mark always brought to the table an outward courtesy and an inborn dignity which inspired those around him. He will be sorely missed by Sylvia and their devoted family, including Jackie Adcock and the writer.

Des Manderson

BFACT AGM

The Bridge Federation of the ACT (BFACT) AGM will be held this year at CBC, Wed 25th September at 6pm, and you are all invited!

Here are the links for:

The Agenda
The Nomination Form - please consider putting your hand up.
The Appointment of Proxy Form - for those that can’t make it
Contacts to talk to about the roles in BFACT - if you need more information.

The meeting will be a combination of face-to-face and electronic - see the following Zoom link for those that can’t be there in person:

Cathy Nichols is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Wednesday 25th September, 6pm.

Join BFACT Zoom AGM Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3511805528?pwd=t7XT7X0D3TBaaNvtd7oSb2i5x3MqT2.1&omn=89437748947

Meeting ID: 351 180 5528

Passcode: BFACTAGM24

Complementary pizzas, juice and soft drink will be provided for all, especially for the regular Wednesday night players. It is envisaged that the meeting will not go past 40min, to enable people to attend to other commitments (mainly bridge!).

Wednesday Night Pizzas

The next Wednesday night pizza will be on 25th September 2024. The Bridge Federation of the ACT will be holding their Annual General Meeting at 6:00pm on that night and have generously offered to provide the pizzas.

For those unfamiliar with the activity, the Wednesday night pizzas provide the opportunity for social interaction while enjoying a pizza sampling. It provides a great opportunity to talk to and socialise with your fellow players, which is not always the case when engaged in playing bridge. The pizzas will be available from 6:30, which provides ample time to enjoy your pizzas before supervised and walk-in play begins.

A variety of toppings will be available and participants can pick and choose. Vegan pizzas can be made available for those who want them. No drinks are provided, so if you want liquid refreshment you will need to bring your own.

Attendance is voluntary and those wishing to partake should place their name on a list on the noticeboard or contact Jon Pike directly. His email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mobile 0414 272 778.

Volunteers Party

RSVP ESSENTIAL

The Club is supported by a large base of enthusiastic volunteers who graciously donate their time to the Club. The Committee will be hosting a Volunteers Party on Friday 27 September 2024 but we need to finalise catering requirements.

Anyone who has helped the Club in the 2023-2024 year is welcome to attend!

If you haven't already done so it is essential that you RSVP by Monday 21 September 2024.

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John Brockwell's Column

Green/Blue/Red Yellow (3)

In our series about system colour coding, we’ve dealt with GREEN and BLUE. That was pretty straightforward because, in both cases, the coding related just to opening bids. Today, we’ll deal with RED systems.

The defining characteristic of a RED system also relates to opening bids. However, the difference between RED on the one hand and GREEN & BLUE on the other is rather obscure. So, let’s quote directly from ABF Systems Regulations.

2.3 Red Systems. This category includes
(a) All systems employing artificial one-level openings that do not fall under the definition of yellow (HUM) systems (see below), other than Strong Club/Strong Diamond (Blue) systems.
(b) Any system in which the basic 1-level opening structure (other than the length of natural suit bids or the point range of openings) varies according to position and/or vulnerability.

Are you any the wiser? If not, I don’t blame you. I’m certainly unclear myself. If you really need to know whether your system is something other than GREEN or BLUE, ask your director. But don’t be surprised if the director is unsure.

- John Brockwell

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Canberra in Bloom

Canberra in Bloom is being held on 4-7 October with events catering for all levels. It is being played at Canberra Bridge Club, with morning and afternoon tea provided and prizes to win.

There are only a few spots left on the Friday pairs and Saturday teams, so if you want to play those events you will need to enter now.

Click Here to Enter

For further information, contact Roger Brake at rbrakebridge.com.au or 0466009426

Canberra in Bloom - Help Needed

House reserves

Are you able to reserve for any of the events at Canberra in Bloom? We are looking for players at all levels to fill in if needed. If you are called on at short notice, you will play for free! If you can help out as a reserve please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include "Reserve" in the subject line.

Volunteers

We also need volunteers to assist with a range of tasks during the Congress (eg, with setting up for the day, assisting with morning and afternoon teas). Some of these tasks can be done by people who are playing the events (eg work needed to be done following completion of play). If you can help out, even for just an hour or two, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include "Volunteer" in the subject line and include in the email when you would be able to help out. The tasks are not difficult and many hands make light work!

CBC Sessions change October 4-7

Due to Canberra in Bloom being run in our club rooms during October 4-7, the following sessions have been cancelled:

Friday (4 October) morning - OFF
Friday (4 October) afternoon - OFF
Saturday (5 October) afternoon - OFF
Monday (7 October) morning - OFF

We encourage all our members to play in as many CIB competitions as possible but if you are not playing in the events please note that our RealBridge sessions will still be running as per schedule.

The Supervised Session on Friday 4 October will also be on as a special event from the Olive Lott Room.