Newsletter - 8 September 2023
In our newsletter this week...
- President's Message
- Farewell to Kerry
- CBC AGM Notification
- Promotions
- Upcoming Sessions and Events
- BFACT Gala Pairs - 16 September - Entry via MyABF
- Women's Training Camp Repechage - Sunday 15 October
- Will Jenner-O'Shea Upcoming Workshops - September to November
- President's Teams
- Canberra In Bloom - 29 September to 2 October - Entry via MyABF
- Golden Canola Spring Congress - Cootamundra 23/24 September
- Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Rewards
- Results
- Ian Morison: The Con Job
- Lost Property
President's Message
It is now that time of the year when we have our annual appeal for volunteers willing to put up their hand to serve on the CBC Committee. There is an old saying about “ the more you put in, the more you get out”. This is never truer than when you serve on our Committee. We are entering an exciting new phase of the Club now that Covid is beginning to leave us. The are plans afoot to develop the Olive Lott room which was initially built way back in 1974 and is very much in need of refurbishment. The same is true of the commercial kitchen which is very much under utilised and is also in need of upgrading.
If you would like to be part of this exciting time and have your say in how we do this. then now is your opportunity. Details on nominating are further on in this newsletter.
Observant members will notice there are no longer any small black tables dressing the Barry Turner room, but we have bought down more green tables. Now all playing tables have 4 side tables each, so there is plenty of room for everyone to place handbags, drink bottles and bidding boxes.
In the past few days of playing, I have been at the top of the field, and wallowed right down the bottom. Psychologically this can be very damaging if you let it. There seems to be no rhyme or reason why the outcomes are so different. I am still playing the same way, I am still bidding the same way, and the players are the same. So, what is going on? Duplicate competitions results are influenced by other player actions totally out of your control so if you spend some time analysing your game after each session and identify any common issues (like persisting in under, or over, bidding) then over time your positions in the field will level out. We do have mixed sessions, and we also have some fields less competitive than others, so just remember - Bridge is a game, and we are here to enjoy ourselves. Enjoy and thrive within the competition, exercising our minds, and celebrating our little victories.
Tim Mather
Farewell Kerry Butcher
Members are invited to join us to bid Kerry farewell following the morning session of bridge on Wednesday 13 September. Light refreshments and cake will be provided. For catering purposes please email Michele Grant or Mary Tough or sign up on the sign up sheet if you can come. There is a card to Kerry to sign next to the Director's Desk if you would like to sign it.
You may have noticed several people in training to replace Kerry. Please make them welcome and be patient while they come up to speed. Putting ABF numbers on payments via CBCPay will really help them. Monthly statements went out on 1 September. If you have any queries please send an email or see the Office.
Notice of Canberra Bridge Club Inc 2023 Annual General Meeting
CBC members are invited to attend the AGM to be held on Thursday, 5 October 2023, 5.30pm, at the Clubrooms.
The AGM Notice, Agenda the draft minutes of the 2022 AGM, nomination forms and proxy forms are available from the Committee noticeboard in the Clubrooms and the CBC website.
The election of office-bearers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Tournament Secretary) and eight general Committee members will occur at the AGM.
Please place completed nomination forms and proxy forms in the appropriate labelled box in the Managers' office by midday on Wednesday, 4 October 2023.
The 2022-2023 audited statement of the CBC accounts will be available on the Committee noticeboard and CBC website as soon as possible.
If possible, members are asked to submit their questions in advance of the AGM to the office. This will facilitate the provision of a complete answer at the AGM.
We hope to see you there.
Promotions
ABF have advised of the following promotions in August
Promoted to
- Helen Burfitt Graduate
- Josh Schwartz Graduate
- Mark Dickerson Club
- Margaret Henderson Club
- Peter Jones Local
- Sydney Rowan Local
- Pamela Mathie Silver Local
- Simon Grant Bronze State
- Anita Delorenzo Gold Life
Congratulations to all!
Supervised Lessons
These happen on Wednesdays from 7pm, or Fridays from 9.30am.
- 13/15 September: Etiquette, duplicate play, bridgemates and scoring. : [new beginners join supervised]
- 20/22 September: doubles and overcalls
- 27/29 September: Opening leads and signals
- 4/6 October: Declarer Play: Making your plan
- 11/13 October: Declarer Play: Using side suit winners to discard losers
- 18/20 October: Declarer Play: Taking a finesse
- 25/27 October: Better minor responses and rebids
The new beginner graduates join supervised in the week of 13/15 September.
Master the Basics
Master the Basics virtual lessons are on Thursdays at 9.00am. Please email Barb Toohey if you want to be added to the Zoom class. It's $8 for members and $10 for non-members. The lessons run for 30 minutes.
Next Thursday the session is on Competitive Bidding: More About Doubles
Upcoming Events
BFACT GALA "GOLD" Pairs - 16 September - Entries close 10am on 14 September
The Bridge Federation of the ACT is holding a Gala "Gold" Pairs Day on Saturday 16 September 2023 at the CBC starting at 9.45am.
The top two placed contending pairs will form the ACT 2 Team at the GNOT.
The ACT Provincial Team will be the top 2 contending pairs that qualify with ACT Provincial status, i.e. those from provincial areas or those with less than 300 masterpoints per person.
Entries should be submitted by 10.00am on 14 September. The cost is $15 for full-time students and pension concession card holders and $40 for all others.
Entry by MyABF. If you need help accessing MyABF please chat with the Directors.
NB the BFACT AGM - Saturday 16 September, immediately following the Gala Pairs.
Women's Training Camp - next on 15 October 2023
This is the second of a series of workshops that looks at the tactics and skills involved in competitive bridge.
Run by Will Jenner O’Shea, this session will focus on competitive auctions. After a short talk at the start, we will then play butler pairs. Following the play, there will be a short discussion, looking at both the bidding and play.
$5 plus a small plate (per pair) to share.
You will need a partner. No partner? Let Jodi or the office know and we will try and match you up.
Enter online, or email Jodi Tuitty or tell the office. We do need to know numbers so we can organise sufficient boards and handouts.
Will Jenner-O'Shea Youth Training Days
Will is intending on holding some more Youth Days in the coming months of 2023. A baker's dozen turned up for the session last Sunday.
The idea is to continue the format from previous Youth days starting at 11am (with a lunch break) and finishing around 3pm.
These sessions are available to anyone under 30 for free. If there are “Youth” who are not too far on the other side of 30, they will also be very welcome!
Please email Mary Tough if you are attending so we have an idea on numbers.
The dates are:
Sunday - 15 October.
Sunday - 26 November.
Venue: Canberra Bridge Club, 5-7 Duff Place, Deakin.
Time: 11am-3pm
~Youth Bridge is Bridge’s future~
Will Jenner-O'Shea Workshops
How Do Competitive Bids Change at Different Levels - Saturday 14 October 10am to 3pm
Topics include
- Doubles at the One-Level and the Two-Level
- Overcalls at the One-Level and the Two-Level
- No-Trumps at the One-Level and the Two-Level
- Responding to All of Those Things
End of Year Summary - Saturday 25 November 10am to 3pm
Topics include
- Practice a Variety of Topics and Revise 2023
- Revise Bidding, Play and Defence Topics from Throughout The Year
- Replay Many of the Interesting Hands From All The Workshops This Year
President's Teams - Thursday nights
The President’s Teams is on 14 and 21 September so pin down team-mates and enter. And we are happy to help with team-mates, especially if you are a newer player.
Both events will suit any up and coming players looking to challenge themselves on a Thursday night.
Canberra In Bloom - including Special Novice Event
Starting Friday 29 September, right here at Canberra Bridge Club! A national Gold point event with Pairs & Teams events for players of all abilities! See MyABF for more detail (or entries) and direct enquiries to
Note this year has the inaugural Butterfly Orchid Novice Pairs event on the Friday afternoon for beginners with less than 5 masterpoints - it lets you put your toe in the water to see what a congress is like:)
If there is no room in your Inn and you have friends or relatives coming to town for Canberra in Bloom (CiB) (or for other events held at CBC) make sure you mention Forrest Hotel and Apartments, 30 National Circuit. They are a proud sponsor of CiB this year, just a short drive or you can get your steps up with a leisurely half-hour walk to Deakin.
Visitors can quote “Canberra Bridge Club” to receive the member discount rate. Alternatively people can go to the website https://www.forresthotel.com. On their website you then can go to Book Now and sign up to be a member to get the same member discount.
For any further enquiries/assistance ask to speak to Yvonne Sun, Front Office Manager, directly.
Canberra In Bloom - Volunteers needed!
Canberra in Bloom Needs You! You can help our very own congress to run smoothly and be a terrific success by making yourself available as a partner for players wanting to enter an event or as a substitute.
Regular partner/s may not be available to play in the event for a variety of reasons, so the Partnership Desk tries to match up players of similar skill levels.
Substitutes play for free, and are usually called in at short notice, because someone registered to play can no longer play in a particular session or event. Substitutes may be asked to play for a session, or for an entire event, depending on circumstances, including the substitute’s availability and preferences.
The events are:
- Friday, 29 September - Pairs, morning and afternoon sessions - Novices (U100MP), Intermediate (U750MP), Open (anyone can play!) Pairs, afternoon session - Rookies (U5MP)
- Saturday, 30 September and Sunday, 1 October: Teams, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning - Mixed and Open (any number of Masterpoints)
- Sunday, 1 October and Monday, 2 October: Swiss Pairs, Sunday afternoon, and Monday morning and afternoon - Novices (U100MP), Intermediate (U750MP), Open (anyone can play!)
Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered to help out at our very own congress Canberra in Bloom from Friday 29 September to Monday 2 October. Thank you particularly to the rookies who’ve already put their hands up!
We need players at all levels available for one or more sessions. You might be playing in a particular event, say the Spider Orchid Pairs on Friday, but you might be available to substitute on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Substitutes might be asked to play just a few hands, a session, or a whole event, depending on whether the person they are subbing for is delayed in traffic, or has fallen ill, for example. And, bonus, substitutes play for free!
If you can help out, please contact Bricet Klören. Don’t forget to include your best phone contact number, and which sessions you are or are not available.
Cootamundra Bridge Club - Golden Canola Spring Congress 23/24 September
Swiss pairs on the Saturday and Swiss Teams on the Sunday. Details here. Enter https://www.bridgewebs.com/cootamundra/home.html
Interested in becoming a Bridge Director? Or just want to improve your knowledge of the rules? In either case, Sebastian Yuen is an international director who will transport you to new levels of knowledge and learning.
Saturday/Sunday 18 & 19 November - for aspiring new or in-training directors.
Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Rewards
The Community Rewards Program is an initiative of the Canberra Southern Cross Club that launched in 2015. The program empowers CSCC members to help Community Groups that matter most to them. When you nominate a Community Group participating in the program and link it to your membership, CSCC will calculate the equivalent of 7.5 cents for every dollar you spend on food and beverages at Woden, Tuggeranong, Jamison and Yacht Club to be donated to that group. Canberra Bridge Club is proud to be associated with this endeavour. If you have not already, please nominate CBC as your preferred community recipient.
Results - CBC Matchpoint Swiss Pairs
Congratulations to the following place getters:
1. Adrienne Stephens and Peter Quach
2. Christopher Quail and Julia Hoffman
Equal 3. Patricia McDonald and Simon Grant / Pam Crichton and Peter Grant
Ian Morison: The Con Job
To read Ian's column please press here .
Lost Property
There is a lost property bin under the table near the Directors desk. Please check if you have lost an umbrella, jumpers or water bottles.
We will take to an Op Shop at the end of the month.
Missing Lighter Moments? Check out the lost property or maybe someone can send me some...
- Bob Cox must have heard me...
Where do bad rainbows go?
- Prism.
It's a light sentence, and gives them time to reflect.
Be kind in all things
Tamara
