Newsletter - 9 July 2021

From the President

I am sure that we were all grateful that from 11.59 tonight (Friday 9 July) we will not longer have to wear face masks. While masks are still recommended, they will no longer be compulsory. People who wear glasses are especially happy about this advice, as I am sure that like me, you have had your glasses fog up, making seeing hard. As well, I also found that masks made my face very hot.

However, it was good news that the ACT has no COVID cases.

Please continue to practice hand sanitising between rounds, and sanitise the side tables, bidding boxes and bridgemates at the end of play. Please also remember to use the Check-in-Canberra App.

Stay safe and enjoy your bridge.

Margaret

Unknown deposit

We received a bank transfer from Harold Clarke "transfer for mum and dad" on 1 July.  If this was your transfer please contact the office asap.  We want to ensure the correct member is credited.  

Welcome Tamara Cutcliffe, Office Manager

As foreshadowed in previous newsletters the Club has taken action to recruit a new part time office manager to assist Kerry and Emily. This role is important for facilitating the smooth functioning of the game and works in concert with the technical directing side of bridge and the Committee’s governance.

Tamara Cutcliffe has been appointed and will generally work 2 shifts a week. Many of you will know Tamara (rhymes with camera) already from the bridge table. Aside from good administrative skills, a handy bridge game and a ready smile (hard to see beneath the mask), Tamara is a failed comedian who would appreciate any jokes you can throw her way. Extra points for bridge jokes. 

Tamara commenced in the role this week and is thrilled to be working with such a talented team.

Welcome John Spooner, Director

I'm retired after many years in the APS as a programmer.   I first learned to play bridge in my late teens in Tasmania, when we used to play cards in the breaks in the chess tournaments that I frequently played in at the time.   After several years of working hard on my game, I realised that there wasn't enough high quality bridge played in Tasmania for me to improve as much as I wanted to, so I came to Canberra in the late 1980s.    I met Judith at the club in 1988, which proved that the move was an excellent one.    We have two children and they both earned some money by caddying at the South West Pacific Teams for several years when they were teenagers.  That experience put Isabelle off being a bridge player for life, and inspired Andrew to become heavily involved.  It seems that I'm now more recognisable as "Andrew's dad", rather than as a player in my own right, which is fine.  :-)

The move worked well for my bridge too and I was fortunate enough to play in the ACT youth team which won the ANC in 1989 and to represent Australia in youth events in 1989/90/91 and in the open team in 1991, but then family and career took precedence and I've barely played since the mid 1990s.

These days I indulge my love of cooking regularly, as well as walking our two Jack Russells every day.  I try to find time to get out on my bike as often as I can manage, and I'm a keen parkrunner, although injury is causing me issues there at the moment.

Sick? Please stay home

As winter continues so does the increase in the common cold and flu. If you are feeling at all unwell (with any potentially contagious illness!) please stay home and do not come to play Bridge. We will look forward to your return when you are well, and thank you for helping prevent others from sharing in your illness. This is even more important in light of COVID-19 and especially whilst there are some community cases in the Greater Sydney and Wollongong areas.

New members in June

Welcome to our new members who joined us in June. If you see them around, please give them a warm welcome and help them settle in as needed.

• Marcia Murphy
• Elizabeth Schwartz
• Jane Cook
• Vivienne Hook
• Frances Aarnio
• Catherine Elton
• Deborah Hamilton
• Darry Powell
• May Powell
• Roger Banks
• Rosie Phillips

Learn to Use Pianola - How to get the most out of Pianola 101

Would you like to learn more about how Pianola can best serve you?

It will be a step-by-step run through of the basics and projected on the TV screen.It is not essential, but if you have one, please bring your internet enabled device to the session that suits you. 

You can connect to the CBC Guest wifi for internet access.

Did you miss the earlier sessions?  If there is sufficient interest another session will be held on a date to be advised.

Please let Rick Nehmy know via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you would like to attend such a session.

Magnetic Name Badges

We will be placing another order for magnetic name badges soon.  If you would like one they are $15 (cash or bank transfer; not via CBC Pay).  To order one please see the director or manager. Those people who have ordered one in May can pick up badges at the whiteboard next to the director's desk.

In-Club Session Times

Reminders for in-Club sessions:

• It is a condition of entry that you have read and agree to abide by our COVID-19 Safety Plan.
• One person ONLY in the kitchen at a time. You are welcome to gently remind others if you see they have forgotten.
• Government laws require every person to be registered through the Check-In CBR App when visiting our Club. The scan and number code for the App are on the sidetables, so you do not need to gather in the doorway or foyer to sign in.

• Monday morning 10:00am
  
• Monday evening 7:00pm (walk-in & supervised) & Monday evening 7:15pm (event)
• Tuesday afternoon 1:15pm
• Wednesday morning 10:00am
• Wednesday evening 7:15pm
• Thursday morning 10:00am (MP and Imps)
• Friday Supervised Lesson: 9:30am, then Play at 10am
  
• Friday (regular walk-in) 9:45am
  
• Friday afternoon 1:15pm
  
• Saturday afternoon 1:15pm

Upcoming Events

Clothes Swapping Function

A chance to get rid of your unwanted clothes and perhaps replace them, while having fun, will be held on Saturday 17 July 2021 from 10:30am-12:30pm in the upstairs room at CBC.

Format: People bring items of clothing or accessories and they can choose roughly the same number of items to take home. There will be a flat fee of $2 entrance fee at the door. All items not exchanged will need to be taken home by the owners, or if not required we will donate these to charity. Please note that the usual CBR signing in will be required and the kitchen is not to be used.

It would be helpful if people could bring clothing along a few days before the function so that we can set up the room. Note that items can be brought along on the day if people can’t bring them earlier. Non-bridge players are welcome to attend, so please tell your friends, and bring them along.

Please contact Nikki Riszko on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0451187494 with any questions.

Require on loan: One long mirror and several free standing clothes racks upon which hangers can be hung to display the clothes.

Volunteers are needed to help with the set up and clean up. Please contact Nikki.

Teams of Three - Sunday 1^st August - fundraiser for Beyond Blue

Cast off the woes of winter and frolic at the Bridge table and support CBC's charity Beyond Blue!

• Sunday 1 August - 12:30-5:00pm
• Gather 3 member players of a similar standard (limited to players who individually have fewer than 300 Masterpoints), come and have fun, get tips on play. The Club provides an experienced player as Captain to help and advise you.
• Scrumptious food, drinks, fun prizes.
• Cost: $20 via CBCPay
• Queries? Please email Pam Crichton: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Pre-Entry Essential via the online event entry form. Entries close 12:00 midday, Wednesday, 28 July.
  The event is limited to 36 teams. This is a CBC Members Only event.
  Everyone who signs up must turn up on the day to ensure its success.

Wagga Wagga Annual Congress

• Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th August 
• Walk in Pairs and Swiss Pairs 
• For further information see the NSWBA event page

Upcoming Education / Lessons

More Bridge Basics for Continuing Students (Competitive Bidding)

Barb Toohey will run two 4-week courses on Competitive Bidding and Defence. This is the next step after the beginners lessons, and suitable for Novice & Supervised Players.

To register to attend, please fill out our online entry form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Dates          :	Tuesdays 17th August - 7th Sept
Time:	10am - 12noon
Cost:	$15 for an individual lesson or $55 for all four (4) lessons Members - Payment will be deducted from CBCPay Table Money. Visitors - Cash, cheque or bank transfer
Program:	Week 1: Doubles Week 2: Overcalls Week 3: Leads Week 4: Signals

Master the Basics

Are you aware of our weekly "Master the Basics" lessons, taught by Barb Toohey? No pre-registration necessary, except if you plan to join via Zoom and need the link.

Master the Basics, at 9:00am on Thursday mornings before the duplicate sessions, for approximately half an hour.

The course caters for a range of abilities and each week covers a fundamental concept to an increased level of mastery. Students who have done a Beginners Course and/or some Supervised play and have limited experience are welcome to attend. With more experience you will still benefit from a deeper understanding of the concept being discussed. 

No registration is needed. Just turn up for any or all of the lessons in the schedule below. There is no requirement to stay on for the duplicate session too. Cost is $6 for CBC Members (paid via CBCPay) and $8 for Non-Members.

The lessons are also available each week on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Download the MTB Lesson Schedule

Supervised Lessons

The supervised lessons are on Mondays 7pm and Fridays 9:30am.

Beginner Lessons in August

Our next Beginners Lessons are schedule for August 16 (Monday Evenings, 7-9pm) and August 20 (Friday Mornings, 10am-12pm).

$69 for the 6 week course, including textbook and 3 free Supervised Play vouchers post-completion.
Pay before 9 August to get a $10 early-bird discount (pay only $59).

Individuals, couples and groups welcome to book!

We will print flyers for these lessons in the upcoming month, and you can direct anyone you know to view our website page "New to Bridge?" for full information and a contact form.

Produce Table

It's wonderful to see the array of lemons, limes and stationery and bridge books donated for Beyond Blue Fundraising.  Keep an eye out for a bargain or bring in excess fruit, jams or other donatable items.  

Results

Swiss Imp Pairs

1. David Hoffman & David Wawn
2. Adrienne Stephens & Peter Kahler
3. Roy Nixon & Emlyn Williams

June Promotions

The large number of Promotions this month is a result of the members who have transferred from GrandSlam recieving their ABF-equivalence, as well as some of our existing CBC members.

Graduate	Bronze Local	Life	Bronze Life	Silver Life	Grand
Jane Andrews Carol Bates Margaret Callan Billy Headon Shiela Jacobs David Kenny Minerva Lam Sue Larkey Hugh Lawrence Mary Montgomery Olivia Witkowski Jan Woods	Debra Birkby Jane Young	Helen Andrew Marisa Bisa Joy Bryant Roger Busch Robyn Carol Phil Creaser Tamara Cutcliffe Genevieve Dooley Marilyn Dunbar Jan Goodall Mieling Huisken Doreen Johns Judith Jones John Kay Diana Keeling Evelyn King Pauline Lane Rosemary Matley Teresa Maynard Prue Merrifield Michael Migus Chris Migus Barbara Priest Warren Smith Robyn Stanhope Peter Talsma Chris Taylor Elizabeth Voveris Jenny Walpole Jennifer Yeats Brett Yeats	Bruce Chapman Chris Lokan Morag Lokan Liz Shonk Johanna Thomas	Rowan Corbett Anita DeLorenzo Helen Little Trish O'Keeffe Elizabeth Yoo	George Zuber

Play: Managing to Play Safe - by Joan Butts

Sometimes declarer is able to protect a contract from bad breaks or an unfriendly location of missing cards by making what's called a "Safety Play". The way to find these is to ask yourself when you're declarer, "What could possibly go wrong?" Will I still be able to make the contract in spite of bad breaks?  

Sometimes you need to prevent a "dangerous" opponent from gaining the lead.  You might need to play a suit in a different way, possibly giving up a trick to the "safe" opponent.   

Unless you have all your winners waiting there to be taken, you'll need to develop extra winners. And this often means losing a trick in the process to the opponents. 

You might think that both opponents are equally dangerous, so that when you must let them gain the lead, they will both be in a position to damage your contract.

But often one opponent is more "dangerous" than the other.

For example, one opponent might have winners in one suit but the other opponent mightn't have any cards left in that suit. In these situations, if you need to lose the lead, lose it to the "safe" (i.e. non-dangerous) opponent.