Newsletter 10 March 2023
In this week’s newsletter...
- President's Message
- Upcoming Sessions
- Friday Night Bridge Trial!
- BFACT Women's Team - enter via MyABF
- BFACT Senior's Teams Qualifiying
- Covid19
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
It has been traditional that more skilled players sit on the West of the room with newer and less skilled on the East. If you feel you are gaining more skills, then try and sit in the middle. It is impossible to grade players so we depend on you all to grade yourselves. My experience has been that I learn more from more skilled players. If you are just here for the social aspects keep sitting East!
That was the message I wrote last week. Since then I have had several members complain that they really do not enjoy being beaten up by experienced players and they would like me to do something about it! My reply has been that far more talented people than I have acknowledged that no one has ever been able to have the room graded at CBC in the past so it will not happen . The fact that every other club in Australia manages to have their rooms graded across the room says a lot about CBC.
Most of us are familiar with each other’s play in the sessions we attend. So, if possible, please sit on the appropriate side of the room for your level of experience. We will be discussing table separation issues and grading issues at the club committee meeting next Tuesday and hopefully together we will come up with a plan to resolves these little ripples before they develop into a fully-fledged storm.
It has also been bought to my notice that some members have been attending games while infected with the Covid virus. This is unacceptable behaviour even if you are wearing a mask. If you have been diagnosed with a respiratory infection or any other infectious disease please do not attend the club rooms. How would you feel if you infected someone who subsequentially died? I certainly would not like that on my conscious and would be very surprised if anyone would. Covid is still infecting people in Canberra, and as we move into the winter months, respiratory disease rates will increase. Please consider others needs and stay away if showing clinical signs of disease.
People are welcome to continue wearing masks if they are more comfortable doing so.
Tim Mather
Upcoming Sessions
Our weekly sessions are almost the same as last week - with the notable exception of Friday night bridge.
Bridge Announcement for Friday Night Trials
Friday Night Bridge (FNB) is having it's second trial at the Canberra Bridge Club at 7pm tonight. Last week went very well and we are hoping for a few more tables this week. It's a great opportunity for any of the younger members who don't have to be at school the next morning. 24 boards with a light supper and a nice drink at the end of play.
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.
The remaining lessons for March are:
15/17 March: Etiquette, Duplicate play, Bridgemates & Scoring
22/24 March:Doubles and overcalls
29/31 March:Opening leads and signals.
The new beginner graduates will join supervised in the week of 15/17 March. We are now offering a “supervised lesson only” option. If you would like to come for the lesson but not supervised play the cost is $6 for members and $8 for non-members. Please advise your teacher on arrival.
No need to have a partner - just come along.
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 $6 for members and $8 for non-members. The lessons run for 30 minutes.
Next Thursday the session is on Defence Signals.
Upcoming Events
Australian National Congress - ACT Qualification Events
Three BFACT events are now open for entry; Womens final, Seniors qualifying and Open stage 2.
The Womens team will be decided by a weekend event on 17, 18 and 19 March. Players can enter the event by logging in to MyABF, and opening the “congress” (ANC Team Selection) in the list of congresses at 17 March and then entering the Womens team event or by emailing “
The 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. Players can enter via the CBC website at: “https://test.canberrabridgeclub.com.au/the-events/entry-lists”.
The Open Stage 2 event to select 3 additional pairs to the final (21, 22 and 23 April) will be on Sunday 2 April. Players can enter the event by logging in to MyABF, and opening the “congress” (ANC Team Selection) in the list of congresses at 17 March and then entering the Open stage2 event or by emailing “
The ANC will be in Perth from 9-20 July, see ABF website.
For all enquiries regarding the tournaments please see the fact/entry pages or email
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.
Covid19:
- Please do not be present at the clubrooms if you are unwell, whether you have possible Covid symptoms or other symptoms. For your own sake and the sake of others, please stay at home.
While there is no longer a formal Covid isolation requirement in the ACT, it is not acceptable to be present at the clubrooms if you have tested positive to Covid. As the ACT Government’s Covid website makes clear, “you should still stay at home and take steps to protect those around you”. Given the chronic health issues of many of our members, wearing a mask does not make it OK to be at the clubrooms. Instead, let your partner know that you can’t play and stay at home. Do play as much RealBridge as you wish while unwell. We will be pleased to see you back at the clubrooms when you have recovered and are well again.
Lighter Moments
I'd like to start with the chimney jokes - I've got a stack of them. The first one is on the house.
I'm friends with 25 letters of the alphabet, I don;t know why.
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
Be kind in all things
Kerry (for Kerry and Tamara)
