By Val Rhead
On the longest day of the year, June 21, 2017, the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL.org) conducted fund raisers throughout North America to raise money in support of the Alzheimer’s Society. Over the past five years, they have raised $2 million. I recently read in literature published by the Society that one in three people by age 85 will have this disease. And many of us Bridge players aren’t getting any younger.
This year, my partner and I attended the Bridge event in Orillia. There were 14 tables divided into two sections of 299ers and Open Pairs for players with more Master Points. We began the game by playing against one of the top players in the club who was a Gold Life Master (having more than 2,500 Points.) She was playing with her sister who was new to town, and fairly new to Bridge. Because of the high point count of the top player, the pair had to play in Open Pairs.
We were told the new player had “good card sense” but was working on improving her bidding. At the end of some of the hands, the expert quietly discussed the bidding with her partner. She was careful when she did this to not slow the game down for other players and not speak so loudly that she would give information to players at the other tables. At the end of the game, the pair was in first place. If only most of our clubs could have skilled members available who would be eager to help newer players get started in Bridge.
In our club in Texas one winter, beginner lessons were offered to people who wanted to learn the game. The newbies learned at varying rates. One particular man though was the star pupil. Before long, he was playing with more experienced players and often beating them. His secret was that before he took up Bridge, he was a talented Poker player. He knew how to play the cards.
I remember a lady in one of these beginners’ class who was seated against the wall. I couldn’t figure out what she was doing. She was looking down at her legs as she played. I finally was able to work my way around to her. She had most of her cards lined up along her legs. I patiently explained that it would be best if she kept all her cards in her hands.
So the moral of this story is that if lessons aren’t available, find an experienced friend to help you get started playing Bridge. A good way of doing this is to get together for a relaxed evening of Bridge. Play Duplicate Bridge style putting the cards in front of you, not in the middle of the table, so you can look at them at the end of the hand. Point the cards of the tricks you won at you and your partner, and point the tricks that the opponents have won in their direction. You will then be able to count the tricks that you made and know whether or not you made the contract that you bid. Then discuss what you did right and what you did wrong. It’s not necessary to keep score because the emphasis is on the bidding and play of each hand.
The other point is that you will learn this game more quickly, if you have played card games in the past, whether Rummy, Poker, Euchre or Fish and have good card sense. Well, I really don’t know about Fish.
Happy Canada Day!
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday 7:15 start, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Susan Marshall 705 787-5454 or email [email protected].
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jun 27 with 16 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 4. Art Insley and Don Evans; East-West 1. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 2. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 3. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 4. Earla Burke and Sheila Walker.
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. 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, Jun 26 with 20 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 6. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 3. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 4. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 5. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; 6. Anne Hampton and Bill Hampton; East-West 1. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 2. Gail Lederer and Hazel Bowes; 3. Andrea Killackey and Terry Killackey; 4. Betty Fagin and Kelly Andresen; 5/6. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 5/6. Lyn Walisser and Bev Howard.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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