Newsletter 10 February 2023
In this week’s newsletter...
- President's Message
- A Word on Governance inlcuding updated COVID requirements
- Results of the State Open Teams
- Wednesday night - Pizza Night
- Hugh Hudson Pairs
- BFACT Women's Teams Qualifying
- BFACT Senior's Teams Qualifiying
- BFACT Open Teams Qualifying
- Tony Bembroke Travel Insurance
- Ian Morison Escape Mechanisms
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
The committee met for the first time since before Christmas on Tuesday evening this week. A major topic was the wonderful increase in table numbers we have been experiencing in the last couple of weeks. Thank you to everyone who have recently returned and are enjoying the buzz being generated.
If you glance at the Covid policy document on the front notice board or on the website, you will notice that there has been a change in the management of the bidding boxes. Those choosing to sit East/West no longer are required to use the same bidding box for the entire game. This removes the requirement to carry a bidding box between tables. Many of you have been requesting this change for several weeks and committee have listened and obeyed!
Many partnerships arrive at my table complaining that they are having a really bad day. Does this sound familiar to you? So, I have conducted a straw poll to find reasons for why we all continue to play bridge. The variety of responses is very revealing. Many come for the social interaction or because we are a friendly club. Others have a sado/masochistic approach to life and bridge supplies both! Others enjoy playing cards and enjoy the challenge while simultaneously hoping to get better. There are even those who strive for perfection and bridge is a recreational activity where perfection is always available. Some come for the competition, brain training, health benefits and mental discipline imposed. Whatever your reason, I really hope you will continue to focus on our great game’s positive benefits and minimise the occasions you are having a really bad day and you keep your partner happy.
Thank you John Kelly and helpers who are completing the reticulation and repairs to the parking area.
Tim Mather
A Word on Governance
Please find linked the Minutes of the Committee meeting of 15 December 2022 as approved at this week's meeting. These are also on the website and Committee noticeboard. A copy of the updated COVID Safety Plan is there too.
Upcoming Sessions & CBC Pay
Our weekly sessions are almost the same as last week.
As many will be aware, we issued CBC Pay Statements for January 2023 last week. There was a system glitch that impacted on approximately 100 of our 800 members. During this week we reissued corrected January 2023 statements to the relevant people.If you didn't receive a revised statement, then the original one was correct.
Supervised Lessons
Supervised Lessons are on Wednesday nights or Friday mornings. A 15 minute lesson commences at 7pm and 9.30am respectively followed by up to 20 boards. Please just turn up if interested.
Here is the program for Feb
- 15/17 Feb: Strong 2C openings
- 22/24 Feb: Slam bidding, Blackwood
No need to have a partner - just come along.
Master the Basics
Master the Basics virtual lessons will resume on 2 February 2023 on Thursdays at 9.00am. Please email Barb Toohey if you want to be added to the Zoom class. It's $6 for members and $8 for non-members. The lessons run for 30 minutes.
Competitive Bidding & Play - continues Tuesday 14 February
Barb Toohey will again present face-to-face our Competitive Bidding and Play course this year. This is the next step after the beginners lessons, and is suitable for Novice & Supervised Players.
Each week is a 2-hour lesson on a Tuesday morning from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon and will cover an aspect of bidding or play when the opponents have opened or are playing the contract. Notes and practice hands will be included. You've just missed doubles.
The remaining topics are:
- Overcalls - 14 Feb
- Leads - 21 Feb
- Signals - 28 Feb
Costs are $15 each week or $55 for 4 weeks paid in advance. If you are making a specific payment please put your ABF number and CB&P in the reference field.
Results of the State Open Teams
The result of the 3 week round robin and final is:
1. Stephen Fischer, George Kozakos, David Lilley, Khokan Bagchi, Brad Coles & David Appleton
2. Darryl Whitfield, Andrew Spooner, Christy Geromboux, Sebastian Yuen
3. Niek Van Vucht, Bruce Crossman, Michael Cullen & Bernard Waters.
Congratulations to all!
Upcoming Events
Good luck to everyone participating in the Not-Quite Valentine Day Congress tomorrow at the Club!
Good luck to all the people travelling to the Gold Coast for the Gold Coast Congress from 17-25 February.
Wednesday Nights - Pizza Night!
Wednesday night pizzas will return on 22 February. 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 6:30pm, which provides ample time to enjoy your pizzas before supervised and walk-in play begins.
The cost of the pizzas is a nominal $5 payable on the day. This entitles you to half a pizza. 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.
For those attending please remember to wash your hands after eating and before play.
CBC Hugh Hudson Pairs
As President of the ACTBA, Hugh Hudson presided over the rationalisation of bridge administration in Canberra. This annual competition acknowledges Hugh Hudson's contribution. This year the 3 week competition will run from 2 March 2023
Thursday evenings - 7:15pm, 2, 9 & 16 March 2023
Location: Canberra Bridge Club, Deakin
- Major Butler Honour Board Event - run in accordance with CBC Supplementary Regulations
- 2 night qualifying and 1 night final and consolation
- RED Masterpoints, B4c GW 2.5 (3 Sessions)
- Butler scoring
- Entries close Wednesday, 1 March, 12pm midday
- Late entries accepted only if convenient
Australian National Congress - ACT Qualification Events
BFACT has recently advised us of the Womens, Seniors and Open selection events for 2023. These events are generally a little earlier in the year as the National Congress is in Perth in July this year.
The BFACT Womens team will be decided by a Friday night and weekend event on 17, 18 and 19 March; eligible BFACT affiliated players can enter via MyABF with a link to appear shortly or by emailing “
The BFACT Senior team selection will involve a qualifying event held on 27 March and 3 April to qualify 12 pairs to a weekend final on Fri., Sat., Sun. 14, 15, 16 April. If less than 12 pairs enter the qualifying event by 17 March, the qualifier will be cancelled with all pairs playing in the final.
Open team selection will have a Stage 1 event to select 9 pairs to a final, and a Stage 2 event to select 3 additional pairs to the final:
Open Stage 1 – 27 February, 6 and 20 March
Open Stage 2 – Sunday 2 April
Open Final – 21, 22 and 23 April
For all enquiries regarding the tournaments please see the fact/entry pages or email
Tasmanian Festival of Bridge
After a tree change? The Tasmanian Festival of Bridge will be held in Hobart on 23-26th March 2023 at the new MyState Bank Arena in Glenorchy, 15 minutes north west of the Hobart city centre.
Information and entries are on: https://www.myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/424. New this year: a Rookies’ event and a very reasonably priced onsite Saturday evening dinner – a great chance to relax with fellow players.
March is a lovely time to be in Tasmania so if you want to experience Tassie, this is a great way to do it.
AWT - Save the Date
Australia Wide Teams on RealBridge commences Tuesday 13 June for 6 weeks. Finals in December. Enter via MyABF. Clubs can enter up to 4 teams with one in each Division (the Under 100 division has sub-divisions for larger and smaller clubs). Prize money is paid to the club, but the clubs and players negotiate entry and prizemoney sharing.
Save the Date: Illawarra Chris Diment Pairs and Teams - 17 and 18 June 2023
For more information visit Illawarra.bridgeaustralia.org or email Jill MacRae. Online entry www.nswba.com.au.
Tony Bembroke Travel Insurance
The ABF and Tony Bembroke Insurance Brokers have competitive rates for ABF members' needs and needs. See https://abfinsurance.com.au/
Ian Morison: Escape Mechanisms
To Read Ian's regular column please press here.
Lighter Moments
English from around the world:
In a Bangkok Temple: IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.
Cocktail Lounge, Norway: LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.
Doctor's Office, Rome: SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.
Dry Cleaners, Bangkok: DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.
A Nairobi Restaurant: CUSTOMERS, WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE, OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.
On the main road to Mombasa, leaving Nairobi: TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.
On a poster at Kencom, Nairobi: ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP
Be kind in all things
Tamara (for Kerry and Tamara)
