Masterpoint statistics for September 2015

The number of Unit members reached the 500 mark earlier this year. Since then,
there has been a steady progression to the current count of 528.

Screenshot 2015-09-02 15.07.14

Note: ACBL members who joined before January 2010 need only 300 points to become Life Master. Members who joined subsequently require 500. They become “Advanced NABC Master” upon reaching 300. The “Bronze Life Master” status is only applicable to those in the first category. Of course, any rank also has requirements for pigmented points. Full information is available on the ACBL site.

Using FastResults at the Fall Sectional

FastResults is a service which delivers pair results from Sectional or Regional tournaments electronically to web and mobile devices immediately after events.

Both the Spring Sectional and the Victoria Regional tournaments have successfully used FastResults, allowing players to see not only their personal score and standing, but also hand records and double dummy analysis of the games just played.

To take full advantage of FastResults, you should register (for free), by accessing the site and entering your ACBL number. You have the option of being notified by email as soon as your results are available.

With the Fall Sectional (in Sidney, Sept 10-12 this year) just around the corner, why not register now? When you’re at the tournament, just use your tablet or smartphone for real-time results.

Here’s the detailed procedure:

1) Access FastResults website (www.bridgefinesse.com/FastResults/D19/)
2) Enter your ACBL number in the ACBL # Login box.
3) You will now have the option to Enroll or Modify Profile.
4) Enter your email address (left panel).
5) Select email notification (right panel).
6) Click “Submit” button (bottom left).
7) Enter your ACBL.org password when prompted.

FastResults is sponsored by ACBL District 9 (Florida).

D-Light — a new game to introduce bridge players to duplicate

Screenshot 2015-08-25 10.26.24Screenshot 2015-08-25 10.26.38
Screenshot 2015-08-25 10.35.26

 

 

Thanks to Nev Hircock for photography and montage.

If you have friends who might like to try duplicate without having to jump in at the deep end, bring them to our new D-light sessions.  All are welcome who have some knowledge of bridge and who want to find out how duplicate works. The following sessions are offered:

  • Every 4th Friday of the month at Capital City Bridge Club at the Lakehill Lawn Bowling clubhouse at 9:00 am.
  • Every Sunday evening from September 13, 2015, at Island Bridge Club in St Aidan’s church hall at 6:30 pm

The cost per person is $5 and there will be a director there introducing participants to the way duplicate works while they play 15 or more hands. These will NOT be bridge mentoring sessions — they will just allow newcomers to duplicate to ease in. Ideally people will arrive in pairs but for information about finding a partner, please call the club directors.

 

 

The club websites and addresses of the venues are:

Bridge etiquette

Playing bridge means never having to say you’re sorry, ’cause you’re always on your best behaviour. So you probably don’t need to read the following:

Bridge Etiquette (from Cornhusker Bridge, Omaha)
Bridge Etiquette (from Anchorage Bridge Center)

Likewise, you’re not the one to hold up the bidding or the play of the hand. For instance, you always make your lead before writing the contract on your private score sheet. Or better yet, you write it down at the end of the round together with the result. As the author of Playing Fast (below) puts it, “if you can’t remember the trump suit, bridge may not be the game for you.”

Playing Fast (thanks to Monterey Bridge Club)

Victoria Regional a huge success!

Ably chaired by Jan Galenza, the Victoria Regional, held April 13-19, was a huge success with a total attendance of 1116 tables. Local participation was over 35%, much higher than the usual rate of 15-25% at Regionals. For full details of the tournament, head to tinyurl.com/d19vic2015, where you will find Bruce McIntyre’s daily Bridge on the Island bulletins, as well as pictures from the event.

ACBL Unit 431, Victoria