Newsletter 14 October 2022

 In this week’s newsletter...

  • President's Message
  • Vale Gabbie Pitcher
  • COVID Update
  • Results 
  • Upcoming Events 
  • Cootamundra Congress - 15 & 16 October
  • Bairnsdale Congress - 15 & 16 October
  • RealBridge Annual Congress - Sunday 6 November
  • Will Jenner O'Shea Workshop - Saturday 26 November
  • Ian Morison - Voids versus Points
  • Lighter Moments

 

 From the President

 

Members will have noticed that we have several businesses who advertise on the playing room television. These businesses would love to know that when you are doing business with them that you are from the Canberra Bridge Club and that you saw their name at the club. Demonstrating your support will encourage them to continue their support of our club and help keep our charges down. Helping them helps us.

 Many thanks to Ian Robinson

This year the committee has lost one of its most tireless and active members for the last 10 years. Many of you would be aware of the care and effort that Ian has put into directing some of our largest sessions. Behind the scenes he has been also responsible for recruiting, mentoring and organising directors and ensuring the smooth running of sessions. His constant quest for perfection and improvement has led to innovations such as CBCPay and Real Bridge which became crucial to the clubs prospects during the pandemic. Beyond his role as chief director Ian has also been an important cog in many other facets of the club including teaching, fund raising, and most other club projects (help!). Ian has always been driven by what is best for the club and its members. The club was delighted to recognise his outstanding contribution with life membership. We are very grateful that rather than taking a well earned break that he is planning on continuing to contribute, not least as one of our most respected directors as well as organising boards being dealt for every session the club runs.

Smile at your opposition

Tim Mather

 

 

Vale Gabbie Pitcher

Gabbie Pitcher (formerly known as Jean Quail), a member of the Club from the late 70’s to the early 90’s died recently after long and tenacious battle with Parkinsons disease.

She took up duplicate bridge after learning the game from a friend, who had in turn been taught by a bridge teacher patient in a hospital she nursed in. Her first Club outings were at what was the original Southern Cross Bridge Club which played on Monday nights. She quickly moved on to playing at Deakin, many country congresses and ultimately in events such as the NOT.

In the early 90’s she moved back to Sydney, and started running sessions at Richard Brightling’s Trumps Bridge Centre in Mosman. After Derrick Brown bought the Club, she remained a very popular figure there until retiring due to illness. She also hosted a number of Bridge Holidays to exotic locations such as Tibet.

She will be remembered by all those who knew her as a warm, kind and effervescent person and will be a great loss to her large network of friends in the bridge community.

COVID update

People attending the club will have noticed, in line with developments nation wide, COVID measures within the club have been reduced. The Club has a new shorter COVID Safety Plan.

Each player at face-to-face sessions will continue to use one bidding box. Where possible given numbers, every second table will continue to be used in face-to-face sessions.

Hand sanitiser will continue to be available on each table and via the touch-free dispenser located near the entry to the main playing room. Players are encouraged to use hand sanitiser, eg, at the end of each round.

Please dispose of your rubbish in the bins provided, and take your mug or glass to the dishwasher in the downstairs kitchen. Please clean-up your own spillages when they occur. If necessary, please assist players who are unable to attend to their own spillages. Kitchen access Players and staff may use the downstairs kitchen. As it is a small space, please ensure there’s no more than three people in the kitchen at any time. Please be responsible and avoid overcrowding in the kitchen.

The Committee believes that the small number of CBC COVID protocols left in place are important for members’ continued protection.  The Committee also notes the Government’s emphasis on the need for individuals to take personal responsibility, and to make COVID-smart decisions.

You can read the new Safety Plan  here.  Please make yourself aware of the new arrangements.  Remember to stay at home if you are unwell.The Committee thanks all members for their compliance with club Covid requirements in the past and in the future.  

A huge thank you to Liz Van Der Hor and the other members who, since June 2020, have washed the clubrooms’ Chux wipes after they had been used.  That's a lot of washing machine loads!  A big thank you also to the members who cleaned the kitchen after sessions.  These contributions have helped with keeping the clubrooms COVID-safe, while minimising the Club’s COVID expenses.

 

Recent Deliberations

The CBC Committee September minutes are available on the website and here.  Also available online and here is  a one-page addendum to the August Committee minutes and the final 2021 AGM minutes. 

 

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 
  • Monday 2.00 pm (24 boards) RealBridge
  • Monday 7.00 pm RealBridge
  • Tuesday afternoon 1.00pm at the club
  • Tuesday 7.15pm event RealBridge
  • 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 (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. 

Please note that there's been no known cases of transmission at the club for the past 2.5 months. Take a bow and thank you everyone for being so responsible.   

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.

 

 Our Cup Runneth Over

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.

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 9.30am.  

Each duplicate is preceded by a short lesson. 

  • 19 & 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 20 October is dastardly - Declarer Play: Hold Up Play - Danger Hand.  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 

CBC Sept Teams

1. David Hoffman, David Wawn, Julia Hoffman & Chris Quail

2. Tony Marker, Barbara Toohey, Lyn Carter & Malcolm Carter

 

September Monthly Eclectics

 Consistent performers at face to face sessions at the club in September are as follows:

Monday Morning

Tuesday Afternoon

Wednesday Morning

Wedneday Evening 

Thursday Morning

Friday Morning

Friday Afternoon

Ken Anderson & Niek Van Der Vucht

John NIven & Patricia McDonald

Steve Kyburz & Nick Vonthehoff

Andrew Kettle & Tony Kedley

Evelyn King & Pauline Lane

Mary Flint & LynnAnne Robinson

Marilyn Dunbar & Elizabeth Yoo
   

 

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.

 

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 

 

Parramatta RealBridge Annual Congress - 6 November 2022

DIrected by Matt McManus under the auspices of the NSWBA, enter via MyABF.  

 

 Save the Date - 26 November Will Jenner O'Shea

 Coming soon .....  Will Jenner O'Shea Workshop

Saturday, 26 November, 10 am - 3 pm

More details shortly.

 

Ian Morison: Voids Versus Points

Here is an interesting Hand from 14 Sept, sent to me by Tony Hedley

Dealer West, all Vul

                                            92

                                            108

                                             986

                                          J107543

K10864                                                                          AJ73

Q964                                                                             J532

A1042                                                                               3

-                                                                                    A962

                                             Q5

                                           AK7

                                         KQJ75

                                            KQ8

               

NS have 21 Points between them, EW 19

How would you bid this hand from each seat, starting with West as Dealer?

The Bidding

OPTION 1: West Opens

Many Wests would open 1S, or 2S (my preference). With the void, it is a very good hand

North passes, East bids 3S

What does South do now with 20 points? I would Double, asking Partner to bid

West may then bid 4S (my preference), or wait and see what North does. If so, North bids 4C, and maybe then East or West would bid 4S. South would probably not overcall 5C, as the vulnerability is unfavourable

Should South Double 4S (it is very tempting…)?

The Play to 4S by West

As the cards lie, there is no play to defeat 4S. Even if North starts with H10 and South cashes HA, HK and gives North a ruff, that is all NS will get on a cross-ruff by Declarer

If North starts with a Diamond or a Club, 11 tricks may be possible on a cross-ruff, though I would play safe, draw 2 rounds of Trumps and then lose 2 Hearts and 1 Diamond. Chalking up 620 is a good score

OPTION 2: West Passes

West decides not to open, preferring to see what happens and bid later. North and East pass

Over to South, with 20 Points. I do not like a 2NT opening – too often there is weak communication between the hands, and you go down

South is not strong enough for 2C. South should just open 1D and see what happens

Maybe NS will get to 4S, maybe not. If EW bid passively, maybe NS will win the bidding at 3C or 4C

Again, should South Double 4S if EW get there (it is very tempting…)?

The Play

As before, 4S will make, but 4C will not (at least 4 losers, maybe also a Diamond Ruff = 5 losers)

OPTION 3: West Passes

Again, West does not open

North passes, East passes

This time, let’s say South opens 2NT, showing 20-22 points balanced

EW are unlikely to find 4S

North should try to convert 2NT to Clubs, as that is likely to be better than 2NT. Many people play a bid of 3S over the 2NT as a transfer to Clubs. Problem is that 4C may be too high to make

The Play

As before, 4S will make, but 4C will not (at least 4 losers, maybe also a Diamond Ruff)

2NT will also not make (7 losers)

 

Moral of the Story

Shapely Hands are worthy of aggressive bidding. The decision is easier if you are Not Vul and the opponents are Vul

On the night, 4S was bid and made for a very good score, South did not Double

 

Lighter Moments

 It's wonderful to see the crimson climbing roses flowering in the garden against the entry wall, also the red azalea and the purple and mauve irises.  Today's pollen count is low. Great news for hayfever sufferers as when the rain stops there's bound to be a bumper season for plant, flower and pollen growth!   

After years of research, scientists discovered bees are allergic to pollen

  • Turns out when exposed to pollen, bees develop hives

 Pollen is what happens when flowers

  • can't keep it in their plants.

 I'm really allergic to pollen

  • But I feel this spring will be breathtaking

How do bees select a new queen?

  • By pollen.

Be kind to each other. 

 

Tamara (for Kerry and Tamara)