By Val Rhead
On previous occasions, I have remarked that a person who plays both Bridge and Golf is a masochist. The same thing applies to the person who plays both Bridge and Curling.
Canada has just completed a very successful 2018 World Womens’ Curling Championship in North Bay, Ontario. In honour of this event, The ACBL Directors recently adopted one of the rules of Curling to our cherished game of Bridge.
The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL.org) in Horn Lake, Mississippi near Memphis, Tennessee is our parent body for Bridge and is a member of the World Bridge Federation. The ACBL Board of Directors has representatives from USA, Canada, Bermuda and Mexico.
The new rule resolves a long-standing belief that a Bridge partnership which accurately bids and makes exactly its contract should be better rewarded for its efforts. The partnership that bids Two Spades and makes Two Spades should be rewarded more than the partnership that bids Two Spades and makes Four Spades.
You will be pleased to learn that the new rule accommodates this argument. In Curling, the rock closest to the button wins the point. So, in Duplicate Bridge, only the partnership that bids and plays closest to its contract gets a point. If only one pair bids and makes exactly its contract, only that pair will get one point. If three pairs bid and make their exact contract, the three pairs will get one point each. If no partnership bids and makes its exact contract, the partnership closest to doing so gets one point.
It is believed that with this new rule, all Duplicate Bridge players will enjoy the challenges of greater accuracy in the wonderful game of Bridge.
ACBL Directors will release the new rules effective April 1, 2018. Happy April Fool’s Day!
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 try to include it in this column.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – BRIDGE LESSONS – SAVE THE DATES STARTING APRIL 9
Tips on Bidding and Playing To Bring Success At The Table
These lessons by Marilyn Kalbfleisch of Orillia will be for all interested players who have some knowledge of the game. Both men and women are welcome, so bring your Bridge playing spouse as well as all your Bridge partners. No partner is required for the lessons; singles will be accommodated.
Lessons will start on Monday, April 9 and will run Mondays for 6 weeks. They will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Royal Canadian Legion 168 Muskoka Rd, in Bracebridge (Just South of the OPP Station, off Cedar Lane). The price is $75 for all six weeks, or $15 for single lessons by cash or cheque (payable to “Nancy Barber” at the first lesson). Contact Nancy Barber – [email protected] or at 705 375 3620. Attendance must be confirmed in advance of the first lesson.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Please NOTE: EVENING PLAY for the Summer begins Tuesday, April 3, 2018 7:15pm
Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Liz Graham (705) 789-7187
The following winners are for Tuesday, Mar 27 with 10 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Dorothy Russell and Joanne Garvey; 2/3. Heather Hockin and Chris Karn; 2/3. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; East-West 1. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 2. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell
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, Mar 26 with 14 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; East-West 1. Art Insley and Don Evans; 2. Gail Lederer and Nancy Barber; 3. Joyce Payne and Malcolm Payne; 4. Barb Forth and Vern Foell
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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