Bridge Victoria

ACBL’s new convention card was introduced over a year ago, in the March 2022 Bridge Bulletin.

It’s actually much better than the previous one and takes into account the recent changes in alert and announcement procedures.

However, most of us, myself included, haven’t started using it yet.

Why is that? I can think of a couple of reasons:

• At our age, we’re set in our ways and change is hard.
• Clubs and tournaments haven’t exactly been promoting its use, in fact they still have a large stock of the old ones to get rid of.

So why adopt it?

• You’ll need to do it eventually. ACBL is aware that  it could take several months for the existing cards in circulation to be replaced with the new one and has stated that “During the transition, either card will be acceptable.” No word yet on when the transition period will end.
• It will be a good opportunity to go over your conventions with your favourite partners, and review the new alert/announcement procedures. (e.g. transfers should now be announced by naming the suit transferred to  – for instance, after 1NT, 2D, opener should say “Hearts”, no less, no more).

If you can’t easily find a paper copy, just download it from ACBL and print it.

To help you understand the new CC, ACBL published a series of explanatory articles in the BB over the last year. Local player Esther Wiebe has taken it upon herself to collate all of them within the pdf document below (which you can read and also download by clicking on ) in the title bar, below.

ACBL_ConventionCard_NEW-Wisdom-220311

<span style=”font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; color: #000080;”>As reported in the July ACBL Bulletin, Unit 431, (Victoria/Gulf Islands) was granted $3500 to subsidize player entry fees for an already successful pilot project aimed at bringing aspiring duplicate players to play at clubs games. Called “Duplicate Light,” the program allows new players to practise duplicate in a relaxed environment before moving to the regular game.</span>

<span style=”font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; color: #000080;”>For more information, head to our <a style=”color: #000080;” href=”/tournaments-and-events/duplicate-light/”><u>Duplicate Light page</u></a>.</span>

Abbotsford 2023 55+ BC Games

August 22-26, 2023

Duplicate bridge in the 55+ BC Games is a three day pairs competition with ACBL silver points awarded.  

Stratification is 0-300, 300-1000, 1000+ master points.

If you wish to compete, you must register by June 15th.

Interested? Find complete information and registration instructions on the 55+ BC Games website.

Unit 431’s website, bridgevictoria.ca, is dedicated to bringing timely and relevant information to bridge players in the Victoria area.

The site has grown over the years, so we have added a few tools to help you quickly find what you’re looking for.

The top menu shows the main sections of the website. Hovering over a section will open a dropdown menu with further choices.

If you’re looking for a specific item, the quickest way is to type a word or two in the Search box on the right.

The Unit Directory is found in the Members section. It’s a quick and convenient way to find a local player’s phone number or email. To use it, you need to log in (last item in the top menu).

Have any questions or concerns? Click on the blue “Contact Us” button at the right to let us know.

As Robbie Burns put it, the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley (often go awry)

Regrettably, scheduling conflicts and space limitations right now at the Monterey Centre have resulted in our having to postpone the start-up of Duplicate Light.

We are continuing discussions of the options with the Monterey Centre management this week and will communicate the outcome with you as soon as possible. We may consider playing alongside the Saturday noon game rather than Tuesdays, but will let you know. Check back on the website (bridgevictoria.ca) under “What’s New”.

Sincere apologies for this mix-up and delay.

Jill

250 686-4747

Welcome back to Duplicate Light, a weekly game where social bridge players are gently introduced to the art, mechanisms and protocols of duplicate bridge.

Participants will become familiar with using bidding boxes, numbered pre-dealt decks in boards, electronic registration of scores, and they will get to know a number of other keen players.

Games will be held Tuesdays, starting October 25, at noon, at the Monterey Rec Centre, 1442 Monterey Avenue. We will be in a side room next to an open duplicate game, and we will play about 18 hands at a comfortable rate.

The cost is $5 per participant, kindly subsidized by the Victoria ACBL Unit to encourage the growth of bridge here.

Registration is in the large room overlooking Hampshire Road, near the cafeteria.
Until the Monterey Centre prepares D-Light tickets for sale, please be prepared to pay by cash.

Dear Victoria bridge player,

Like me, you have probably received an email or three concerning Sorry, Partner, a very entertaining and informative bridge podcast.

And perhaps, like me, you had yet not found the time to take a listen, or were not quite sure how to go about it.

Well let me tell you it’s definitely worth your while. The latest episode featuring an interview with Jeff Meckstroth is dynamite. Not only does he give great bidding advice but you’ll find out the shocking truth regarding the demise of the famed Meckwell partnership.

Now if you’re someone in my demographic (over 75), you might not be too familiar with this newfangled podcast thing. Relax, it’s very easy. If you have a tablet, computer or smartphone, you can get set up in no time.  Better still, you can listen to it in your car during those long drives to our far-flung local clubs.

If you need them, you’ll find some instructions on listening to podcasts here.

JP

p.s. I always try to post interesting stuff on the website but rarely get feedback, so it’s hard to tell if anyone actually reads it or finds it useful.  Please help me gauge interest by leaving a short comment. Just click on the comment bubble near the top of this article. It looks like this: