Newsletter 31 January 2025
In our newsletter this week...
- President's Message
- New Members
- Friends Returning to Bridge?
- Competitive Bidding & Play
- Mentor Pairs Evening
- Workshop with Will Jenner-O'Shea
- Upcoming Events
- RESULTS
- Ian Morison
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
Good luck to all our members who are heading north for the 63rd Gold Coast Congress next week. There are also a number of our Directors going as well. I would like to thank the directors who are staying in Canberra to ensure you can still enjoy your games of bridge every day!
Beginners’ classes started last week with around 40 “enthusiastic” people registered. If you see some new faces around please make them feel welcome. We hope they enjoy their bridge journey, and we look forward to seeing these “budding” beginners at our tables very soon.
-Mary
New Members
Canberra Bridge Club welcomes the following new and returning member to the club:
- Suz Wilkinson
Friends returning to bridge?
Do you know people who are interested in returning to bridge after a break? Or social bridge players who lack the confidence to join a club duplicate? In addition to Barb's Competitive Bidding & Play course (advertised below), the club offers two options aimed at those groups.
Foundations course
This course is aimed at those players who know the basic mechanics of bridge. For example, they might be returning to bridge after a long gap. The course will help players to consolidate their bidding and play as well as introducing duplicate play.
Supervised Bridge
This is aimed at those who play a social game of bridge but feel that they are not yet ready to play a full duplicate. This program aims to help players to build the capability and confidence to play a standard duplicate.
Supervised play runs twice a week throughout the year. Each session includes a short talk, and then a chance to play bridge.
Competitive Bidding & Play with Barb Toohey
- Tuesday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon workshops
- Start: Tuesday 4th Feb - Finish: Tuesday 25th Feb
- How much does it cost: $15 per session (or $50 for all four)
One course only this year (4 weeks x 2 hours) ideally suited for players who have completed a Beginners Course in the last few years or those returning to Bridge and anyone wishing to improve their defensive play.
Once the opponents have opened the bidding, how can you get into the auction? And if your opponents win the auction, how can you and your partner develop a defence plan? Are you always missing that extra vital trick in defence? Come and learn how to improve this important area of your play.
For further information, please contact:
Players are welcome to attend as individuals or as a partnership. If you are unable to attend all sessions, please feel free to just come to those that suit. The lessons are given on a walk in basis, there is no need to pre-register.
Mentor Pairs for Advancing Players
On Tuesday evening 11 February, the Club will conduct a Mentoring session for members who are interested in advancing their bridge towards competition level. Regular Tuesday night competition players will pair up with advancing members who wish to move to a more competitive environment. We are encouraging our regular competition players to invite other members who they know to play with them on the night. We will also arrange partnerships for any other members who are interested.
- When: Tuesday 11 February, 7.15pm
- Cost: $15 for mentees and free for mentors - will be charged on the day, the cost to register through myABF is zero.
- Format: One session, Butler (teams style) scoring
To enter:
- For all Mentees intending to enter, please do so via myABF (Click here). List your partners as TBA. We will arrange partnership.
- For all Mentors, please email the office to register your interest.
Workshop with Will Jenner-O'Shea
The much anticipated Will Jenner-O'Shea's workshop is back on 23 February at 10 am.
The topic is "Getting To Good No-Trump Games More Often":
- Using the Fourth-Suit Forcing Convention
- Showing Stoppers, and Asking for Stoppers
- Improve Your Hand Evaluation
- Play and Defence Tips at No-Trump Contracts
- 10 am - Sunday February 23rd
- Cost: $60
- click here to register
This whole day workshop includes morning tea and lunch.
Upcoming Events
Mentor Pairs for Advancing Players
- 11 Feb 7:15pm
- Click here to Enter
RESULTS
The winners of the Margaret Bourke Pairs 2025 are:
- PAUL NELSON and NIEK VAN VUCHT.
Ian Morison
Game of bridge takes more social direction
The following article printed in the Riotact is an interesting read about how the game of bridge takes more social direction written from Goulburn Bridge Club's perspective.
Lighter Moments
Q. How many managers does it take to pin a poster high up on a noticeboard?
A. None, I was too short and afraid of heights so it got delegated to a volunteer from the House Committee.
Our noticed that our noticeboards have been updated! Information regarding upcoming courses, red and gold masterpoint events, winners of the Tuesday night competitions, interstate congresses and masterpoint rankings/promotions have been posted and shuffled around. Please take a look next time you are in the club, it will make the manager happy.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Elizabeth
