Newsletter 8 July 2022

 

In this week’s newsletter...

  • New Members
  • Promotions in June
  • Pianola Explained
  • Beginners Classes - Starting Mid August!!!
  • Results - BFACT Interclub Teams - 3 July 
  • GNOT Qualifying Teams -  Tues 19 and 26 July 
  • Bridge Tips by Joan Butts
  • Lighter Moments

From the President

 Please remember to let the managers know if you test positive for Covid and were at the clubrooms during your infectious period (as defined by the ACT Government, so up to 48 hours prior to your first symptoms or your positive Covid test, whichever came first).  If you were playing in a session at the clubrooms during that time, the managers will email the other players and let the director know, without identifying you.  Other players and the director will then be aware of their potential exposure, and can manage their risk according to the advice on the ACT Government’s website for people exposed to Covid.

Wearing a face mask at the clubrooms is a constructive Covid-safe behaviour which reduces the transmission risk for both yourself and those around you.  It certainly is a relief to hear that a Covid-infectious player was wearing a face mask at the clubrooms.  At the same time, if you have any symptoms, stay at home - It is not acceptable to wear a face mask and think that makes it safe to be at the clubrooms when you have symptoms.  Please be considerate of others.

Stay safe and enjoy your bridge.

Margaret

 

 

Welcome New Members

We welcome the following new members:

  • June Cullen
  • Brigitte Kestermann
  • Megan Laurence
  • Ludmilla Milo
  • Lynn Robinson

Please make our new members feel welcome if you meet them at the table.  

 

Promotions in June

The ABF has advised of the following promotions:  

                                                           To                                                      From

  • Barry Jones                             Graduate                                          Nil
  • Margaret Callan                       Club                                                Graduate
  • Mark Wood                              Club                                                Graduate
  • Jan Woods                              Club                                                Graduate
  • Roger Brake                            Local                                               Club
  • Pamela Hannaford                  Local                                               Club
  • Marion Myers                          Local                                               Club
  • Ian Pryor                                 Bronze Local                                   Local 
  • Penelope Shilling                    Bronze Local                                  Local 
  • Paul Birkby                             Silver Local                                     Bronze Local
  • Phil Young                              Silver Local                                     Bronze Local
  • Andrew Gibbs                         Regional                                         Silver Local 

 Congratulations to all the promotees!

 

Pianola Explained

 Pianola is the software package that helps with analytics on the bridge being played at the club.  We've had it for over a decade and it also aids with club management. 

  • Ever wondered how to ask for a partner via Pianola to an established session?
  • Ever wondered how a session report varies depending on type of movement...
  • Ever wondered whether your bridge is improving and how to improve it more?  
  • Ever wondered how to broach with your partner that they need to lead your bid suit?  

 Info on all the above questions and much much more will be revealed in the Pianola explainer to be held next week.  We are delighted to advise that our own Rick Nehmy will hold a free Pianola lesson for beginners in the Olive Lott room on Wednesday, July 13 at 9.15am - 9.45am.  So come along and join Rick and manager Tamara to discuss the ins and outs of Pianola.  If you're curious, bring a cuppa to what will be a scintillating discussion.  

 

Beginner's Classes

In the CBC Garden, the daphne's about to flower and it's still wonderful weather for bridge! Our next beginner’s classes start in August on 17 and 19 August.  We have two sets of classes -  Wednesday – 7pm to 9pm (generally for people who can't commit during the day) and Friday 10am to 12 noon.  The classes run for 6 weeks. If you know someone who would like to learn to play bridge please tell them about our classes.  They can register interest on the club website or by talking to the managers. The cost is $69. 

Encouraging a younger cohort of players is beneficial and will ensure succession planning for our great game.  So if you know someone that you think may be interested in learning please consider a gift of lessons or just plant the seed that face-to-face lessons kickoff in the middle of next month.  

 

Gardening News

In other gardening news,  most of the new plants planted at the end of summer have survived with only the smaller helleborus passing.  The wood iris (dietes) have this week been planted across the top of the property by John Kelly and assistant.  Gordon McAlary has volunteered to water them.  Thanks guys!

 

Sessions in the Club and on RealBridge are outlined below

Upcoming Sessions

Our weekly sessions are the same as last week:

  • Monday morning 10.00am at the club
  • Monday 2.00 pm (24 boards) RealBridge
  • Monday 7.00 pm RealBridge
  • Tuesday afternoon 1.00pm at the club
  • Tuesday 7.15pm event RealBridge - Winter Butler Pairs
  • Wednesday morning 10.00am at the club
  • Wednesday morning 10.15am RealBridge
  • Wednesday evening supervised at the club 7pm (18 boards following lesson) 
  • Wednesday evening 7.15pm at the club
  • Thursday morning 10.00am at the club - Butler and walk in duplicate
  • Thursday afternoon 2.00pm (24 boards) RealBridge
  • Friday morning supervised 9.30am at the club (18 boards following lesson) 
  • Friday morning walk-in session 9.30am
  • Friday afternoon 1.00pm at the club
  • Friday afternoon 1.15pm RealBridge
  • Saturday afternoon 1.15pm RealBridge

Watch the newsletters and website for advice on face-to-face sessions at the club, and RealBridge sessions as these are fluid, depending on COVID developments and demand.  At this stage it is intended that the Monday and Thursday afternoon RealBridge sessions will continue indefinitely.  

Member table money will be deducted from players CBCPay accounts. Visitors' fees will be paid for by their member-partner, or via prior arrangement by emailing the office.

Cost: face-to-face $10 members/ $13 visitors, concession $9.  RealBridge $8 members and $7 concession (including event) $10 visitors

Links to sessions are on our RealBridge page.

Monthly statements went out last week. Hopefully we have it right for you?  Please email us if you didn't get a statement or have any concerns.  

 

July Supervised Sessions happening Wednesday nights and Friday Mornings at the Club

We run supervised duplicates on Wednesday evenings starting at 7.00pm and Friday mornings starting at 9.30 am.  

Each duplicate is preceded by a short lesson. 

Our supervised lessons in July will cover:

  • 13 & 15 July: Pe-emptive openings
  • 20 & 22 July:  Weak 2D/2H/2S openings
  • 27 & 29 July:  Strong 2C openings

If you are interested, please come along.  You don’t need a partner.   There is no need to book.  If you would like a copy of the notes, please contact Morag Lokan.  Morag’s email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Master the Basics

 Master the Basics virtual lessons are onThursdays at 9.00am. The topic next week is Competitive Bidding - Partner they have stolen my bid!  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you want to be added to the Zoom class. $6 for members and $8 for non-members. 

The lessons run for 30 minutes.  

 

Upcoming Events

  

Grand National Qualifying Teams

The Qualifying round for the Grand National Open Teams are on 19 and 26 July on RealBridge.  There are non compulsory ACT finals face to face on Wednesday night in August.  If you make it to the Finals they are in Brisbane in November.  

Consider forming a team of four to six people and entering. 

 

 Wagga Wagga Bridge Club 42nd Annual Congress

The Wagga Wagga Bridge Club is holding its Annual Congress on Friday19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of August. There are entry forms at the club.  

 

Results - BFACT InterClub Teams - 3 July 

The BFACT InterClub Teams is an annual event that has been impacted by COVID in recent years.  This year was no exception and Christy Geromboux rose to the fore to direct the session with Sebastian Yuen assisting handle technical issues on the day.at the Southern Cross Club. 

Congratulations to Jenny Bell, Jane Andrews, Billie Headon and Belinda Moss who took out the Novice Teams event for CBC last Sunday!  Well done girls!

Other results are available on CBC's results page here.  

 

Inferences and Clues from Declarer Play with Joan Butts

 Quick tips

  • If declarer holds both the ♦️A and the ♦️QJ10 (in different hands), they will cross to the hand with the ♦️QJ10 and finesse against the ♦️K
  • If declarer doesn’t play as above, you can bet they don’t hold the ♦️A, so if you hold the ♦️Kx, your partner may hold the singleton ♦️A
  • Declarer may play the ♦️Q hoping you  will cover with ♦️Kx
  • If declarer has five cards of a suit, and dummy five cards too (that's 10), and you hold two cards (that's now 12), your partner will hold only one card 
  • You will condense two tricks into one if you rise with your ♦️K (partner's ♦️A will fall)  

Lighter Moments

With thanks to George Zuber for inspiring an electric car theme this week.

Are you sweating putting petrol in the car, feeling sick when you're paying for it?  

  • Like millions of others, you probably have the car owner virus!
  • Yet another reason to look at electric cars!!

 What do you call a Tesla’s new car smell?

  • Elon’s Musk.

What’s Tesla’s new lawnmower called?

  • E-lawn.

Why are Tesla cars expensive?

  • They charge a lot.

If Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink became one company, what would it be called?

  • The Three Musk-ateers.

What did Peter Parker say when he got a Tesla?

  • With great power, comes great electricity.

Who would leave a gas-powered car running?

  • A Tesla owner (or for that matter an Ioniq owner like Julia Richards!)

What do you call a Tesla vehicle drifting?

  • It’s doing the electric slide.

If Tesla created a car that also acts as a boat, what would it be called?

  • A Cyberduck

What was the Tesla driver charged with?

  • Battery.

What would Tesla call its honey-producing machine?

  • Model Bee.

Why did the pedestrian get scared when a Tesla drove by?

  • She didn’t hear it coming.

How does it feel after getting hit by a Tesla?

  • It Hertz.

What do you call a stolen Tesla?

  • An Edison.

What do you call Elon Musk with ivory teeth?

  • Elon Tusk.

What do you call a long Tesla?

  • Elon-gated.

  

Be kind to each other.    

 

Tamara (for Kerry and Tamara)