Beginners Lessons

 This year's Beginners Lessons start on Monday 2nd March.

(Note: Ady's mobile number as advertised in the lessons flyer above
is incorrect. The correct number is 027 622 9116)

Bridge Lessons - Advertising

The Bridge Lessons Flyer delivery begins on Monday 9th February. The aim is to deliver all the flyers within a week, but we need volunteers to help with the delivery.

If you're willing to help please contact Eileen Queree on 021 293 3920.

Learning and Development

At its meeting on 8th December, the Committee endorsed three proposed initiatives to enhance our learning and development programme:

• Saturday afternoon sessions with a short presentation, an experienced player playing at each table to provide advice and afternoon tea. This format has proved very popular at Wellington Club. This could be run through July and August.

• Short presentations prior to a bridge session. Topics such as scoring, reverses, leads etc where the concepts can be introduced reasonably quickly. They would probably be on Thursday afternoon once a month - players can bring their lunch - have the presentation and then play.

• Improvers lessons - as in previous years these lessons will be offered to meet demand.  Three sessions in April are initially proposed, with a possible second series later in the year. 

What we're looking for is one or more volunteers to act as conveners for these initiatives.  If you're interested, please let me know.

Junior Open Matchmaking 2026

Some players have been asking for opportunities to play a series with an experienced player. In 2026 we will arrange for some open players to be available to play with interested less experienced players. We will not do this at our Monday sessions but of course Monday players are very welcome to sign up – but you will be asked to play on Thursday or Friday.

This is intended for players who have a good grasp of the basics of Acol and currently do not play with open players. If you are interested in being matched up with an open player for a series in 2026 there is a sheet on the table for you to put your name. Alternatively you can ring Helen Walker, her number is in the programme book.

Improvers' Lessons

I’m delighted to announce that Vivienne Cannell has kindly agreed to deliver a series of three Improvers’ Lessons. 

The lessons will be on 15th, 22nd and 29th September.

The topics are:

1. Slam bidding including Roman Keycard Blackwood, splinters and cue bidding.
2. Multi twos, including defence.
3. Pre-emptive bidding, sacrifices, defensive strategies and scoring.

These lessons are aimed at "senior Junior" level players, but needless to say all are welcome.

If you would like to attend these lessons please put your name on the sheet which will be available shortly at the top table and pay $20.00 into the Club bank account.

Separately, NZBridge are running three further on-line lessons aimed at intermediate players. These run from September 29 to October 12 and cover: 

1. transfer responses to 1NT
2. Keycard Blackwood and splinters
3. Michaels cue-bids & unusual 2NT.

Further information may be found here.

Welcome to the Class of 2025

i

It’s Graduation time! Our new learners will shortly be joining Monday sessions for some competitive play!

This year's series of learners lessons has come to an end, and three scheduled evenings of play with the Committee have also been completed.   

We are very much looking forward to welcoming the new group of novice players when they start playing competitive bridge on Monday 7th July.  Given the size of this year's class, there may be as many as 18 new players on that day and in the weeks ahead.

We are trying to achieve as painless a transition for our new members to competitive bridge as possible. Many of these players will be nervous, slow, and needing help with both bidding and card play. In recognition of this, there will be at least one non-playing Director, and some experienced players available to assist.  However, no other special arrangements are being made.

I would like once again to thank Ady Dale and all those established members (too numerous to mention here) who have helped with the lessons - you've done a great job!

Please come along to meet and play with our new members - we'd love to see you!

Alerting

I was asked recently by a member if I could publish some guidance on the subject of alerting bids. Clearly not being qualified to do so myself, I asked Graham Cheater for his advice - this is what he very kindly provided:

All opening bids of 1C and 1NT must be explained by responder as to their shape and strength e.g.

1NT = 12-14 balanced
1C = 12+ points at least 3 cards

All bids that are NOT natural but have a specific meaning and deviate from the standard part of the system played must be alerted.

e.g. 2C bid over opposition 1NT may indicate a 6 card suit and 2D may indicate the majors (Hamilton)

Exceptions:

• 2C response to 1NT if it is Stayman
• 2C if it is an opening bid and game forcing
• All doubles and redoubles
• All cue bids
• All bids at the 4 level and above

If a bid is to be alerted it must be done promptly and before the next player has bid.

If that player has bid or passed before the alert has been made they have the right to change their bid - Call the Director.

A player should not volunteer any uninvited explanations of a call or play by partner.

A player can only ask the meaning of an alerted bid if it is their turn to call.

Laws for Bridge Players - Videos

A series of presentations created by experienced New Zealand Tournament Director Ed Roggeveen explaining some of the key laws of bridge can be found on YouTube here. These videos have been created for players--to help them understand the laws and their rights. For example, what are your choices if someone makes a lead out of turn? They are very clear and FREE for all to use.

The programs were paid for by the committee of the Top of the South (TOPS) region of NZ Bridge.

Improvers' Lessons

Graham Cheater will be offering Improvers' lessons on three consecutive Wednesday evenings in April (16th, 23rd and 30th). The lessons will start at 7.30pm. 

Topics covered will be: 

• reverses and jump bids
• 4th suit forcing
• card reading and inferences 

If you're interested, either register on the sheet on the front table, or let Anne Ricketts know.

These sessions are suitable for people with at least a year of playing experience.

The cost is $20 for the three sessions. Payment can be made to the Waikanae Bridge account or on the night.