By Val Rhead
A stately flock of Canada Geese cruised the shoreline of Lake Simcoe. However, we didn’t have much time to enjoy the ambiance. We were attending a Bridge Weekend, led by the esteemed bridge teacher, Barbara Seagram at the Briars Resort just north of Toronto. We were kept very busy.
Nine of us, members of the bridge section of Muskoka CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women), including some spouses and friends joined the group of 120 for the weekend. There were players from towns and cities throughout Ontario with some guests from elsewhere in Canada and the United States. Together, we enjoyed the facilities of the lavish Briars resort, and at the same time, mastered some of the finer points of bridge. What could be better?
Instruction included an in depth discussion of accurate No Trump bidding. Aspects of the game including hand evaluation and re-evaluation, the danger hand and the safe hand, the hold-up play and others were discussed and demonstrated. All this was delivered in Barbara’s polished, but very humorous, style.
Between bridge lessons and bridge games, in which we could practice the new skills that we were learning, we were able to enjoy the delicious cuisine and the comfortable environment of the resort. I doubt that many of us had the time or energy to explore some of the other facilities of the resort, such as the golf course, the swimming pool, the spa etcetera.
The games were all duplicate bridge games. This challenged some of the players who were more familiar with playing social bridge. They adapted easily, though, and by the end of the weekend, most had come to the conclusion that duplicate bridge provided an enjoyable alternate challenge. In fact, one of our group, who hadn’t previously played duplicate bridge, joined our CUFW monthly non-sanctioned duplicate game after she got home and, she told me, felt quite comfortable.
Somewhat similar retreats, led by bridge professionals, are available throughout North America. Locally, Fern Resort near Orillia gives such weekends in the spring and fall. Barbara will offer a similar weekend at the Briars next fall. And, of course, there are cruises. The Bridge Bulletin (the monthly magazine published by ACBL – American Contract Bridge League) contains many advertisements for bridge cruises. This experience would be similar to a weekend at a resort, except you are on the water. Also, you can space out your bridge instruction with tours of exotic cities and locales.
There are many ways to improve your bridge game, taking lessons at your club, reading bridge books, and importantly, learning from your mistakes as you play. Bridge weekends at a resort or a bridge cruise may not be the cheapest way to learn the game, but they do help you hone your skills, and at the same time, you have fun while you are doing it.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
CFUW MUSKOKA BRIDGE FOR BURSARIES FUNDRAISER
LUNCH AND BRIDGE PARTY WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL
October 21, 2016 saw 100 participants clear approximately $1000 at the Gravenhurst Senior’s Centre. They enjoyed bridge, companionship and supported young women in Muskoka to go to college and university. Thanks to all who participated.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesdays, 7:15pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. Contact Jan Roberts 705-635-2522 or [email protected] for information and partnerships.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Oct 25 with 8 tables playing a bump Mitchell movement. 1. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 2. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 3. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 4. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 5. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 6/7. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 6/7. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 8. Beryl Clayson and Paul Clayson
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Oct 24 with 8 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Fay MacDonald and Mary Whitehead; 2. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 3. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 4. Gail Lederer and Hazel Bowes; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Betty Rintoul and Bev Howard; 4. Art Insley and Don Evans
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