Newsletter 30 September 2022

 In this week’s newsletter...

  • Vale Len Van Der Hor and Susanita Dudley
  • Bank Deposits
  • AGM arrangements
  • Welcome New Members
  • Results - BFACT Gala Pairs  
  • Upcoming Events 
  • Cootamundra Congress - 15 & 16 October
  • Bairnsdale Congress - 15 & 16 October
  • Lighter Moments

PLEASE NOTE:  There will be no face-to-face bridge at the club today (except for Supervised in the Olive Lott Room) and on Monday 3rd October due to the Canberra in Bloom Congress being held in the Club rooms.

 

 

From the President

 Just a brief reminder that our AGM is on next Wednesday evening (5 October) at 5.30 pm. As members of the CBC you are all welcome to attend. The Committee recommends that attendees wear face masks.

.Stay safe and enjoy your bridge.

Margaret

 

Vale Len Van Der Hor

 It is with great regret that we announce the death of Len Van Der Hor who passed away last Thursday after a short illness.

Len was a stalwart of the bridge club, past president and long term bridge player. Bridge played a big part in his life.

I have known Len probably as long as anyone in Canberra and we first met at Gowrie Hostel in the late 60’s where he met Liz his partner in life.

Len was an exception to the rule that you do not play bridge with the person you sleep with and always manifested a calm disposition at the bridge table whoever he played with or against.

He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and leaves behind his wife Liz and two sons Steve and Geoff and their families.

His funeral will be held at the chapel at Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell on Tuesday 4th October at 3pm and all members of the Bridge club who knew him are welcome to attend.

John Dunn

 

Vale Susanita Dudley

We were saddened to hear of Susanita’s death on 28 September, just a year after her husband Earl, for whom she cared so devotedly during his demanding final illness. Susanita has been stoical and philosophical through her own health problems this year.

A Fulbright scholar, Susanita was committed to the work of the Australian Fulbright Alumni Association. She also ably supported the Women’s International Club in Canberra. For some years she used her considerable talents to run a vintner’s business based in Narrabundah.

Describing her own bridge style as intuitive rather than analytical, Susanita enjoyed confounding her opponents with her unpredictability. Partnering her, Earl was sometimes similarly confounded.

Together the Dudleys gave a very generous donation to the Canberra Bridge Club; the committee plans to use this to further a range of educational bridge activities.

Susanita’s delightful personality is what her long term friends will remember – her friendliness, her zest for living and her sense of humour. When asked by a doctor whether she had enough exercise she replied ‘Certainly, at bridge I always sit East-West.’

We will miss her.

 

Bank Deposits

There have been several bank deposits from AMB (Army Military Bank?) for "weekly fees" with deposits appearing fortnightly. Please contact the club if you can assist us with any details.

 

Notice of Canberra Bridge Club Inc Annual General Meeting

As per the President's message and earlier newsletters, CBC members are invited to attend the AGM to be held next Wednesday 5 October 2022, 5.30pm, at the clubrooms.

The AGM Notice, agenda, the draft minutes of the 2021 AGM, nomination forms and proxy forms and audited statement of the CBC accounts 2021-22 are available from the Committee noticeboard in the clubrooms and the CBC website.

The appointment/election of office-bearers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Tournament Secretary) and eight general Committee members will occur at the AGM.

Please place completed nomination forms and proxy forms in the appropriate labelled box in the Managers' office by midday on Tuesday 4 October 2022.

All AGM attendees are asked to observe the CBC COVID-19 protocols.  Details are available on the CBC website.  Please wear a face mask.

If possible, members are asked to submit their questions in advance of the AGM to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., this will facilitate the provision of a complete answer at the AGM.

   

BFACT AGM - 17 September 2022

Draft minutes of the Bridge Federation of the ACT Annual General Meeting are here and on the BFACT Notice Board.  28 people attended face-to-face and by Zoom.

BFACT farewelled President Justine Beaumont and welcomed Cathy Nichols as Incoming President and returning Committee Members

 

Welcome September Members!

We welcome Sylvia Corby and Declan Ingram as new club members. Please make them welcome.

 We also welcomed back returning Australian representatives fresh home from Poland and the World Championships.  What a month!

 

Sessions in the Club and on RealBridge are outlined below

Upcoming Sessions

Our weekly sessions are almost the same as last week:

  • Monday morning 10.00am at the club - not this week due to Canberra in Bloom
  • Monday 2.00 pm (24 boards) RealBridge
  • Monday 7.00 pm RealBridge
  • Tuesday afternoon 1.00pm at the club
  • Tuesday 7.15pm event RealBridge - Swiss Pairs - 3 week competition commencing 2 August
  • 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 including GNOT finals 
  • Thursday morning 10.00am at the club - Butler and walk in duplicate
  • Thursday afternoon 2.00pm (now 27 boards with Rob Hurst) 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.

Last call on Magnetic Name Badges

We hope to put in an order next week for magnetic name badges. If you would like one please drop $15 into the office.  

 

October Supervised Sessions 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. 

  • 5  & 7 Oct: Doubles

  • 12 & 14 Oct: Overcalls

  • 19 and 21 Oct: Opening leads and signals

  • 26 & 28 Oct: Declarer play

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 on Thursdays at 9.00am.  The topic on 6 October is Bidding: What shape am I?  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.  

Results - Gala Pairs

Congratulations to:

Open winners and runners up

1.  Stephen Fischer & Marianne Bookallil 

2. George Kozakos & Ian Thomson

Intermediate winners and runners up

.1.  Terri Henderson & Atul Hajela

2. Morag Lokan & Chris Lokan

Restricted

1.  Michelle Grant & Simon Grnat

2.  Ruitian Lang & Paul Nelson

Novice

 1. Diya Shah & Dev Shah

2.  Bricet Kloren & Phillip Mitchell

 

Upcoming Events

Director's training 12 & 13 November

BFACT has advised that its next workshop for new directors is scheduled to be held on the weekend of 12-13 November 2022, so now is a good time to express interest in being a director.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Bruce Crossman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0431 828 020 to discuss.

 

Upcoming RealBridge tournaments on Tuesday nights

 

Butler Pairs on 10 and 17 October.  

 

Cootamundra Congress - 15 & 16 October

The Cootmundra Congress is on October 15 and 16 with Swiss Pairs on the Saturday (9.30am  for 10 start ) and Swiss Teams on the Sunday (9.00am for 9.30 start). Bruce Crossman is directing. Entry fee is $50 per person per day or $80 per person for both days. Includes morning tea and hot lunch both days.  A flier is on the Congress table.  Enquiries to Judy Harris on 0429 528 990 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

 

Bainsdale Bridge Club 18th Annual Congress - 15 & 16 October

The Bairnsdale Bridge Club Congress will be held on Saturday October 15 for a 12 noon start ($35 per person) & on Sunday16 for a 10.00am start. (lunch provided for $45 per person)

Contact Alison Farthing on 0428 729 519 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for entries or www.bridgeunlimited.com 

  

Joan Butts Transfers to the Majors

The ABF minutes of 7 September note that Joan Butts will retire from the position of National Teaching Coordinator for the ABF today but phase out gradually as alternative arrangements are made.  Today she looks at transfers to the majors.  

  • Transfers greatly improve the accuracy of responding to no trump openings
  • You and partner agree to play transfers, otherwise there will be misunderstandings (disasters!) 
  • A transfer is made when you bid the suit ranked directly below the suit you actually hold, and it asks partner to bid your suit e.g., if you hold hearts, you bid diamonds, if you hold spades, you bid hearts!
  • Why transfer? It gives us another round of the bidding, and it also ensures that the strong hand is declarer
  • Transfers could contain any number of points, from 0 +, but are always five + cards in their first suit
  • Bid at the most economic level, regardless of how many points you hold e.g. 1NT p 2♥️ p 2♠️ p. No need to jump levels to show stronger hands
  • Just because opener bids your suit after a transfer, it doesn't necessarily say they like your suit. They are simply bidding it because you asked them to
  • Transfers work well with Stayman. The latter shows four-card majors, and transfers show five+.

Responses to Partner's 1NT Opening (Majors)

2♣️is always Stayman (no change to that)
2♦️ (transfer) asks opener to bid 2♥️ (shows five+ hearts)
2♥️(transfer) asks opener to bid 2♠️ (shows five+ spades)

Responder's Next Move

After a transfer when the bidding comes back to them

  • Pass = minimum (0-7), so it’s a partscore in the major eg 1NT P 2♦️ P 2♥️ P P P
  • Rebid 2NT = invitational (8,9 pts), showing five cards in the major eg 1NT P 2♦️ P 2♥️ P 2NT
  • Raise to 3♥️ or 3♠️ = invitational (8,9 pts), showing a six+ card suit eg 1NT P 2♦️ P 2♥️ P 3♥️
  • Raise to 4♥️ or 4♠️ = enough points for game (10+pts) eg 1NT P 2♦️ P 2♥️ P 4♥️
  • Jump to 3NT = five cards in the major, maximum (10+ pts) asks opener to choose between 3NT and 4 of the major eg 1NT P 2♦️ P 2♥️ P 3NT P ?
  • Bid a new suit = natural (four + cards) and game forcing, maximum (10+ pts) eg 1NT P 2♦️ P 2♥️ P 3♣️(shows at least five hearts and at least four clubs)

 

RealBridge Partners

This week, charged with finding a partner for a distance member on RealBridge, 4 people were phoned before we resorted to mass email.   People may recollect that Thursday morning was a particularly grim day with thunderstorms before, during and after play. Unfortunately storm activity took out 3 people's server access prior to play resulting in mayhem as people waited online for partners who did not show.  

Email responses were abundant with excuses mainly pertaining to schoool holidays and golf.  There were 2 people telling us the weather in Darwin was beautiful, and rain had not yet commenced in Victoria - these are not valid excuses for RealBridge!

We did get 3 members keen to partake, including Cathy Sheehan who was new to RealBridge and thoroughly enjoyed it, with stand in partner Diana Keeling.  Norma Swift fulfilled the role of partner to Cyril Reynolds (our mystery partner) admirably and Cyril was highly appreciative of all our efforts. 

Thanks all for your wonderful feedback and willingness to be contacted next time.  

 

Lighter Moments

That's the end of morning lighter moments for the time being as we morph into daylight saving from Sunday morning.  

Since when is less sleep and more daylight a good thing?

I don't think of it as losing an hour of sleep this weekend. I think of it as being an hour closer to breakfast.

Daylight savings is really just some shady accounting.

Daylight savings should be renamed aijedklcjrldhvtqbkcouzlalrbmzkzuwqblr because that's how my brain feels right now

Having kids basically feels like waking up on the first morning of daylight savings time every day for 18 years.

So apparently the Senate just passed a bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. Most people are excited about the change, but I think if it passes the House it'll be hour loss.

I’m not so sure about this daylight savings time thing. I give it six months

Most modern clocks these days auto-update when daylight savings begins/ends. So on Sunday morning I'm walking around my house thinking wow......times have changed!

I've been working 25/7 to come up with a joke about daylight savings time and that's a wrap!

 

Be kind to each other. 

 

Tamara (for Kerry and Tamara)