Newsletter 25 October 2024
In our newsletter this week..
- Message from the Committee
- CBC AGM
- Youth Day
- Advanced Bridge Series
- New Members
- John Brockwell's Column
- Upcoming Events
- Ian Morison
- Lighter Moments
Message from the Committee
TRIAL SCORING FORMAT DISPLAY IN THE WEDNESDAY EVENING DUPLICATE SESSIONS
Last Wednesday (23 October), the Committee began a trial to change the scoring format in the Wednesday Evening Duplicate sessions.
The trial will focus on removing per-board percentage as shown on the BridgeMates in between boards.
The trial will run until the end of 2024.
What does this mean for the Wednesday Evening Duplicate session?
- %s will not be shown on the BridgeMates at the end of each board;
- You still can see the other contracts played so far in the session;
- You still can see your final overall % score on the screen at the end of the session; and
- You still will receive a Pianola email with your individual per-board %s after the session.
Experienced players can see this as returning to the way handwritten Travellers used to record scores (e.g., no % but show the contracts played).
What is the purpose of this trial?
- to reduce unkind conversations at the table which can make players uncomfortable (e.g., "they got zero percent on that one!");
- to reduce post-mortems at the table which give additional information to other tables;
- to subsequently, increase the speed of play as there are fewer post-mortems;
- to reduce misinformation (e.g., the %s are often wrong and will change over the course of the evening - a 100% on your second board can very easily be a 30% by the end of the evening).
If you have any comments or questions please email the
Call for nominations to the Canberra Bridge Club Committee
As members will be aware, the Club’s AGM is scheduled for 29 October 2024. We are now calling for nominations from members to join the new Committee. All of the positions on the Committee are available for members to nominate and these include the office holders that include the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Tournament Secretary and 5 ordinary Committee members.
We would encourage members who are interested in actively supporting the Club and its running to nominate. This is a great way to contribute to the business and management of the Club, as well as learn more about the Club. Being a member of the Committee is not only a great way to support the Club but is an excellent way to meet other Club members and help our Club be a vibrant active organization supporting the learning and playing of bridge.
The nomination form will be circulated to all members and nominations need to be submitted by 2pm Monday 28 October 2024.
- Nomination by 28 October 2pm - place in the yellow box in the office
- AGM 29 October 2024 - 5:30pm
Youth Day
The next Youth day with Will Jenner-O’Shea will be held on Sunday, 3 November from 11:00am - 1:00pm at the Canberra Bridge Club. These sessions are available to anyone under 30 for free. And if there are “Youth” who are not too far on the other side of 30, please let them know as they will also be very welcome.
Please contact Mary
- Sunday: 3 November 2024
- Venue: Canberra Bridge Club, 5-7 Duff Place, Deakin.
- Time: 11:00am-1:00pm
~Youth Bridge is Bridge’s future~
Advanced Bridge Series
Advanced Bridge Series is back with Will teaching the first week and the club hosting the mentored play in the second week. The final topic in this series will focus on Improved Declarer Play.
- Count the Opponents Points and Shape When you play.
- Which Is The Safe, or Dangerous Opponent.
- Improve Your Knowledge Of Suit Combinations
Lesson including a booklet of notes.
- Sunday 3rd November 1:30pm. Cost: $25 (Free for players under 30)
- Click here for more information
New Members
Canberra Bridge Club welcomes the following new and returning members to our club:
- Beverley Hamilton
- Christine Jansz
- Mary Burton
John Brockwell's Column
WITH A FRIEND LIKE THIS, WHO NEEDS AN ENEMY?
Long ago in the days when the National Open Teams was played over morning, afternoon and evening sessions, my team mates and I were sipping our beers having just scored up the afternoon session. The result was disappointing. Instead of a good win against average opponents, we had prevailed only narrowly. My partner and I hadn’t done much wrong at our table, but we hadn’t brought in much either. Everyone was hoping for a far better result in the evening session.
As we finished our drinks and prepared to go out for dinner, a team mate (let’s call him Tony) asked me where I was going to eat. I mentioned a seafood restaurant and added “I’m going to have a piece of barramundi”. “What a good idea” said Tony, “fish is brainfood, so I want you to have a really big piece”.
Four tricks or three?
Dummy KJ32 You A54
If you need four tricks from this common combination, the play is straight forward: Play the Ace, then finesse against the Queen, then hope that the suit breaks 3/3. The 3/3 break rates to be 36% and the Queen onside rates to be 50%. So, the overall chance of success is only 18%. But it’s the best chance for four tricks.
If, on the other hand, you only need three tricks, the play is quite different: Start with the King, then play the Ace, then lead low towards the Jack. This will get you three tricks whenever the suit breaks 3/3 and whenever the Queen is doubleton offside. The overall chance of success is more than 75%. (A mathematician amongst us will tell us exactly how much more.)
- John Brockwell
Upcoming Events
Halloween Bridge Night and Pizza Night
Bring a plate of Halloween themed food to share, dress up if you wish, bring your best Halloween jokes!
Normal Bridge session at 7:15pm with chief Ghoul John directing. Incantations and wand waving permitted.
Small prizes will be handed out by the Chief Ghoul.
If you have additional Halloween decorations that you would be happy for the club to use please drop them in to the office on Tuesday 29th October or before lunch on Wednesday 30th October.
- Wednesday 30th October 6:30pm
** Volunteers wanted on Wednesday 30th October at 1:30 pm to help decorate the room.
Pizza night is being held on the same night, so put your names down in the list or let Jon Pike know if you are hoping for some pizza!
Melbourne Cup
Get ready - it's "The Race that Stops a Nation"
Please come and join us on Melbourne Cup day, Tuesday 5 November 2024. The afternoon Bridge session will include Melbourne Cup fun.
We will have $5 and $2 sweeps on arrival, so start stockpiling small change.
The Club will supply refreshments - bubbly, juice and light nibbles. The Director will adopt a session that allows us to stop, have a drink and something to eat while we watch the race. Bridge will then continue.
Dress in style (or not). There will be a prize for the best outfit, hat or fascinator announced at the end of the session.
- Tuesday 5 November 2024
- Barbara Bialowas
Barry Turner Teams
Next Tuesday night competition is a 3 weeks teams event starting on 29 October.
- 29 October- 12 November
- Click here to register
Ian Morison
Lighter Moments
At Real Bridge: A player "mis bid"; apparently the dog disturbed her; after the game came the explanation.
- George Mclean
This week we lost most of our directors to the Spring Nationals in Sydney but Adam, Bricet and John have done an excellent job holding down the fort. You guys earned a well deserved rest, have a great weekend everyone!
Elizabeth
