Newsletter - 12 February 2021
In this week’s newsletter...
- CBCPay
- Committee Meeting Minutes
- Next week at the Clubrooms
- Next week on BBO
- Next week on RealBridge online
- Upcoming Events
- Upcoming Education
- Results
- Lighter moments (jokes)
- Preemptive Bidding: Responses to Weak Two-Bids
From the President:
I am sure that many of you will know by now that the Grand Slam bridge club will be closing in early March. What a loss to bridge in Canberra. Anne Weber has operated Grand Slam for over 30 years, first from her home, then in Kingston and finally at it premises in Fyshwick. However, before Anne starting Grand Slam, Anne, and other members of her family, were members of the Canberra Bridge Club.
I would like to welcome to the Bridge Club all new members. I hope that you will find our club very welcoming. However, if you have any concerns, remember that the director is there to help you.
I would like everyone who plays at the Club to introduce yourselves to the other players at the table, and remember, bridge is just a game.
Happy Bridging.
Margaret
Reminder: We have upcoming lessons for Novice/Supervised (Competitve Bidding) and advanced Kantar Lessons.
Details in the "Upcoming Education" section below!
CBCPay
CBCPay has arrived, and along with it many questions from members. Please read our CBCPay webpage to answer many of your questions!
Need to hand in a CBCPay form? Please hand it to the Director at the start of session (or email to the managers).
When making bank deposits, it is important your reference field is "CBCPay" and your ABF Number. Please sign up for CBCPay before you deposit money!
Please note, in-Club visitors cannot use CBCPay (unless they have it due to online play). It is for members and online players.
Thank you to all our members who are using CBCPay, and those who correctly label their deposits. It is much appreciated by Emily, Kerry and the Directors.
January Committee Meeting Minutes
The committee minutes from the January 11 meeting are now available for download on our Committee webpage.
Next week at the Clubrooms
- Monday morning 10:00am
- Monday evening 7:00pm (walk-in) & Monday evening 7:15pm (event)
- Tuesday afternoon 1:15pm
- Wednesday morning 10:00am
- Thursday morning 10:00am (MP and Imps)
- Friday afternoon 1:15pm
Reminders for in-Club sessions:
- One person ONLY in the kitchen at a time, after start of play. You are welcome to gently remind others if you see they have forgotten.
Next week on BBO
- Monday Morning 10:15am
Please note the transition of the Thursday AM BBO to now be a Thursday Afternoon RealBridge session.
The Committee has decided to transition from BBO to RealBridge in the near future. Please stay tuned for more exact details of dates and session changes. If you haven't already, we encourage you to join in a free Taster Session on RealBridge to familiarise yourself with the new platform.
Next week on RealBridge Online
- Wednesday Evening 7:15pm - No registration required.
Directed by John Donovan - Thursday Afternoon 1:30pm - No registration required.
Directed by Sally Barber
Free 30-minute taster sessions:
- Monday 2pm
- Thursday 9am
A link to the sessions will be posted on the RealBridge information page 2 hours before the start of session.
Upcoming Events
The Not Quite Valentines Congress: Open Teams / Novice & Restricted Butler Pairs
Please keep in mind our COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- Saturday 27th February 2021
- 9:30am start (doors open 8:45am), seated by 9:15am - kitchen closed until after start
- Enter online - Including which section you are playing in!
BFACT Selection Events for the ANC
- Womens - 10-11 April 2021, (plus evening of 9 April if required)
- Open - There are 2 events:
- a qualifying event over 4 Monday evenings from 15 February
- a final on 17-18 April 2021
- Seniors - There are 2 events
- a qualifying event over 4 Mondays evenings from 15 March
- a final on 1-2 May 2021
- Youth - TBC
Upcoming Education / Lessons
Kantar-based Lessons
Plan Ahead: Manipulate Your Entries - Tomorrow!
- Saturday 13 February 2021
- 1pm start
- Taught by Jodi Tutty
- Last-minute walk-ins are allowed.
Plan Ahead: Using Inferences to Plan the Play
- Saturday 20 February 2021
- 1pm start
- Taught by Ian Robinson
Please register attendance using our online form - and list you partner too!
Competitive Bidding and Play (More Bridge Basics for Continuing Students)
- Tuesdays 10am-12noon.
- 4 weeks, starting Tuesday 16th Feb, ending on 9th March 2021.
- Cost: $15 per class, or $55 for all 4.
- Please register attendance using our online form
These classes are suitable for Novice players - must have completed a Beginners Course or equivalent. Covers bidding by the opponents focusing on Doubles and Overcalls and the plan for defending focusing on Leads and Signals.
- Week 1: Doubles
- Week 2: Overcalls
- Week 3: Leads
- Week 4: Signals
Master the Basics
Master the Basics is on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th February.
There is a new start time of 9.00am.
Both sessions will be available face-to-face in the Club rooms and on Zoom.
To receive the zoom link, please email Barb Toohey.
Supervised Lessons
The supervised lessons are on Mondays 7pm, and Fridays 9:30am.
Results
CBC Swiss Matchpoint Pairs
- Pam & Ross Crichton
- Vanessa Brown & Will Jenner-O'Shea
- Adrienne Stephens & Peter Kahler
ABF Nationwide Online Pairs
29 January - Novice
4th : Fran & Graham Pollard
29 January - Restricted
2nd N/S : Dan Danton & Odette Mayne
31 January - Open
3rd E/W : Ross & Pam Crichton
7 February - Open
1st E/W : Malcolm Carter & Tony Hutton
Did we miss a member's result? Please let us know via email so we can publish it next week.
Lighter Moments
If you ever find yourself chased by a pack of Taxidermists... Never play dead.
My neighbor grew tired of being a taxidermist after 15 years, and went to veterinarian school.
His new business never got off the ground so he decided to operate both his taxidermy and vet business together to save money.
His new slogan was: "No Matter What Happens - You Get Your Cat Back."

Preemptive Bidding: Responding to Weak Two-Bids - by Joan Butt's Guided Paths
- Raising partner’s weak two-bid to three (2♥️ p 3♥️) could be preemptive (♠️102 ♥️AJ10865 ♦️Q54 ♣️72 partner's hand ♠️AJ7 ♥️Q32 ♦️86 ♣️K9853)
- Raising partner’s weak-two bid to three (2♥️ p 3♥️) is NOT asking partner to bid four. It’s called RONF (Raise is the Only Non Force) and shows three trumps
- Raising partner’s weak two-bid to game shows four trumps (2♥️ p 4♥️) and could be preemptive too (♠️102 ♥️AJ10865 ♦️Q54 ♣️72 partner's hand ♠️AJ7 ♥️Q932 ♦️6 ♣️K9853)
- Change of suit by responder (2♥️ p 3♣️) is forcing and the weak two bidder will raise or rebid the original suit (♠️102 ♥️AJ10865 ♦️Q54 ♣️72 partner's hand ♠️AJ7 ♥️Q9 ♦️62 ♣️AK9853)
- 2NT is a forcing response (2♥️ p 2NT = 16+ points) asking opener to describe their weak two-bid further (♠️102 ♥️AJ10865 ♦️K54 ♣️72 partner's hand ♠️AJ7 ♥️Q9 ♦️AK6 ♣️K9853)
After the 2NT enquiry, show a feature with a better hand, 8,9 points (2♥️ p 2NT p 3♦️) ♠️102 ♥️AJ10865 ♦️K54 ♣️72 , rebid the trump suit with a minimum, 6,7 points (2♥️ p 2NT p 3♥️) ♠️102 ♥️AJ10865 ♦️J54 ♣️72 , and bid 3NT with a solid suit (2♥️ p 2NT p 3NT) ♠️102 ♥️AKQ1065 ♦️Q54 ♣️72
Want weekly tips and quizes? You can also sign up for Joan Butt's newsletter.