The last month has certainly been one of mixed emotions .

 Firstly we were excited to be returning to Easts Club to resume our bridge sessions on Monday and Tuesday afternoons . We were also planning the introduction of sessions on Tuesday nights. We did manage the first session back at Easts on Tuesday  June 22nd  which was the final of the three well received “Improvers’ Sessions” conducted by Nick Hughes. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces returning now that we were back “home”.and were looking forward to others returning over the next few weeks.

BUT then, we like all of Sydney went into “lockdown” due to the spread of COVID 19 infections mainly centered in our local area. The Committee and our Director, Nicoleta sprang into action and hastily arranged some BBO sessions for those members who wished to participate. 

I hope we will be able to resume our Face to Face sessions at Easts before too long. I will continue to update you over the next few weeks but encourage you to participate in the BBO Sessions in the interim.

Finally I would like to thank my fellow committee members for their assistance  with the logistics involved in the return  to Easts and the numerous communications we have had re the lockdown.

Terry Maunsell

Thank you to the members who attended the AGM held on May 17 and enjoyed the light refreshments afterwards.

Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to return to Easts as we we had hoped. I am hoping to meet with management in the next couple of weeks to get a firm date for resumption of or sessions there . When we do return to Easts we look forward to running our Wednesday session as well as Monday and Tuesday sessions. Until then we will continue at our alternative venues when they are available.

We all owe Allen Rosenberg many thanks for all the work, he has done as President . The last year has been particularly difficult with COVID restrictions and the refurbishment of Easts playing havoc with our bridge sessions.  I certainly have big shoes to fill.

Terry Maunsell

President

Easts management have apologised that we are unable to return to the club as envisaged at the beginning of April. However, they believe that the operation of the bridge club while much of the Bondi Room is now used as A Sports Bar and for other activities will be unworkable and of no benefit to the bridge club. This is a major disappointment for our committee and our members. It is unlikely that we can return before renovations are competed in late May. In the meantime, we will use existing alternative venues, and continue discussions with Easts management regarding reopening plans.

To play in our Monday and Tuesday sessions, please book at: https://www.easts.bridge-club.org/bridge/au2065/upcoming-events .

Our Beginners' course starting on April 13th also moved to COA (starting time now is 2pm). 

EASTS LEAGUES CLUB UNDERGOING MAJOR RENOVATIONS

Because the Bondi Room is being renovated, we have had to find new venues for January through March.

Sessions will be held as usual at Easts Leagues Club on Monday 28th and Tue 29th December.

Monday sessions next year:

The first session will be held at Easts on Monday 4th January.

There will be no bridge on Monday 11th January and Monday 18th January.

Subsequent Monday sessions will be held at Church in the Marketplace, corner of Oxford street and Newland Street from 25 January, until further notice.

Tuesday sessions next year:

All sessions from Tuesday 5th January, until further notice will be held at COA Sydney, 25 Rowe Street, Woollahra. This is a five minute walk from Easts and is immediately behind the station carpark.

(The Wednesday BBO game will continue as before. No Saturday bridge)

To play on Monday or Tuesday, you will need to BOOK online. This is because we are restricted to eight tables in play. To make a booking, follow this link:

https://www.bridge-club.org/bcorg/user/upcomingEvents.faces?club=au2065#

Stay tuned for more details via email.

Alerting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2UFOOVR5P8&list=PL9lOXJf9R9em-kAdxhUGxQniqZJm1PpCl&index=6

Undoing a mis-click (if tournament set up allows it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luz8aoeVpIY&list=PL9lOXJf9R9em-kAdxhUGxQniqZJm1PpCl&index=7

Chatting, Undoing and Claims on BBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNH99Ksrrs&list=PL9lOXJf9R9em-kAdxhUGxQniqZJm1PpCl&index=19

Checking Results on BBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-5jB-Ih4LM&feature=youtu.be
 

http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tarchive.php?m=h&h=vABF2065&d=vABF2065

Results are now accessible via the results tab above

Regular online duplicate bridge sessions have been established by Easts Bridge Club together with Randwick Bridge Club and you are invited to join!

Tuesday 12.45pm Supervised Session with Nick Hughes

Wednesday 1pm Regular Duplicate with Nicoleta Giura

Saturday 1pm Regular Duplicate with Peter Cox

Masterpoints will be awarded to the top half of the field. If you need a partner ring Theo on 0411337539, or just turn up half an hour before the session and talk to Compage, shevek, theosauto2 or oze. 

We hope to see you playing !

Our bridge club is likely to remain closed until August or September as it is unlikely that Easts Leagues Club will be allowed to open before then. So it looks like bridge on line is our only option.

IF you have not used Bridge Base Online (BBO)  before please look at these videos for guidance.

These videos will help you to join BBO and also to play online.  There is also a useful guide on our web site .

Thanks to the involvement of the Australian Bridge Federation (ABF) , we are hopeful of starting bridge sessions, in conjunction with Randwick bridge Club. Initially, we will trial formal bridge sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. These are regular but slightly shorter bridge sessions where you can earn masterpoints. A partnership desk will also be available so you may be able to find a partner for any session.

If you want to play but have some questions, please contact Allen (allenrosenberg5@gmail.com)

https://mailchi.mp/6fc30a48bf01/abf-agreement-with-bbo-to-offer-online-games?e=cd01ad1fd7

Following the recommendations of ABF, Easts Bridge Club will close until the end of April, when decision of reopening will be considered.

Until then, we plan to set up some table on BBO (Bridge Base Online) on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12.30. To find how you can join in, click on the following guide to BBO,

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zgSG4nEcZMrUsMy22_5wMSsMcfwmDKETMEXuhsaRZjs 

Some bridge relief courtesy Nick Fahrer

https://www.bridgeshop.com.au/digital-bridge-care-pack/