February 2025 News

Hello Fellow Bridge Lovers!
We had our first party of the year on Monday 22 January to welcome 2025. There was a good turnout, nice food and company in a convivial atmosphere. More parties to come!
Our table numbers are increasing, and I am pleased to see new players and visitors playing with us, who I know you all make feel welcome.
Some Changes to Play from February
From Monday 3 February, we are introducing a couple of changes which we hope will make for quicker play and movement between rounds.
The first change will be that bidding boxes will remain on the table and not be moved by East/West players when they go to the next table. This we hope will avoid delays caused by forgetting to take the bidding box, dropping the bidding box while moving or at the new table.
The procedure when arriving at the beginning of the day will be unchanged. You should find your bidding box or one with a green dot on it (unallocated) and then proceed with it to your starting table. The bidding box will not move from the starting table. After the last round, please return the bidding box at your last table to the bidding box crate.
The other change will be that after the score is entered into the Bridgemate after each hand, the result will only show percentages for each side but not the contracts, leads and results for other tables. This is to avoid post-mortems, spending time after each hand studying and discussing the other results and what should have, could have been. This can be done at the end of the day when reviewing the results and score sheets. Make a note of the board numbers that you might want to review as you go. This adjustment to the Bridgemates is for a trial period for the month.
We hope both changes will lead to faster play and movement so that all hands can be played rather than having to throw in hands due to delays.
Please let committee members know what you think of the changes during the month.
Next Beginner’s Course starts Tuesday 18 February
We have 2 courses during the year run by Nick Hughes, a very experienced and much-liked teacher. The next course begins in just 2 weeks’ time. These is our main source for new players. Please think of relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours who you think would enjoy learning this wonderful game we all love.
There are yellow flyers at the front table of each session. Please take a few to hand out or put on a noticeboard.
January Winners
Congratulations to the monthly winners below.

Player of the Month (average of best 5 scores with 2+ partners)
PAT WALKER 63%

Monday Winners (best 3 of 4)
Pat Walker & Wally Malaczynski 62.20%

Tuesday Winners (best 3 of 4)
Terry Simmons & Sonia Onshow 65.33%

Wednesday Winners (best 3 of 4)
Allen Rosenberg & Ralph Davis 57.1%

Most Improved Rating
Denise Gassenheimer +1.22.

Using our website
Here is a link to our web page
https://www.easts.bridge-club.org/
If you just want to go straight to results, here’s that link
https://www.easts.bridge-club.org/bridge/au2065/all-results-index
You can go into each hand to see which contracts were makeable, see the results for other tables and even re-play a hand with guidance on making the optimum contract. Just click on the Replay and Analyse link at the bottom of the details for the particular board.

FROM THE CHIEF DIRECTOR, NICK HUGHES
DO YOU KNOW THESE OFFICIAL BRIDGE RULES?

Keep the bidding cards out until the first card is led
As was the case with written bids, the bids should remain on the table so all players, including the one leading, can see the bidding until the first card is led when they should be put back in the respective bidding boxes.
If you are passing, please put down a green Pass card, do not tap the table or say Pass. In this way, the bidding sequence is clear from looking at the laid out bidding cards. It avoids any misunderstanding or dispute. If there is, the director can be called and immediately see the bidding.
Ideas and Suggestions Welcome
Please let me or any Committee member know if you have any ideas or suggestions how we might do things differently and of course, if you are pleased with how we have done something. We are all volunteers giving our time for our members to have their most enjoyable experience in our club.
I look forward to another enjoyable month of bridge at Easts and to seeing you at the bridge table!
Warm regards
Ted Popper
President