Beginners' Lessons
A new course will be starting in October on Wednesday after noons or Monday evening. Brochure
Fast Track Course - 2019
Fast Track Bridge is a course for complete beginners who want to learn to play and get started quickly. It will also suit people who have learnt before but need to refresh their knowledge and anyone who cannot commit to a longer course of weekly lessons. The pace is more intensive than my longer beginners courses so it may suit faster learners.
Fast Track is a new course which is part of the National Learning Programme of English Bridge Education and Development CIO*. (which the *charitable organisation for bridge education)
For more details see http://www.bridgeclassbristol.
Club History
In mid 1950's Graham Griffith, John Spielman, Stephen Thomas and W. Morley Burry used to play bridge in a house on 41 Oakfield Road, just off Whiteladies Road. It was run by a lady as a business. She was charging them too much for the use of the premises. So they moved, with many others, to Aces Bridge Club.
Graham Griffith was the driving force behind the BBC being formed. He, John Spielman, Stephen Thomas and others loaned or donated money to the new club and subsequently bought the lease for the new premises on The Promenade in Clifton (close to the Mayor's residence) and registered it as Bristol Bridge Club. Graham was the first chairman of the club 1958-1960.
In the early 80's, they were approached by the landlords to see if they would sell the lease as they had a buyer for the whole building. The lease still had 7 years to run so they were in a strong position to get a good deal. After finding new premises it was put to the members at an EGM. Only a few did not like the idea mainly because it was "Hotwells " and not Clifton. They raised extra money by way of loans/ gifts from members and a bank loan.
After many months searching for new premises and further negotiations, they bought the lease of the present building in March 1981. Many members gave their time to get the building in shape. It took around six month to get the place ready to be used as Bridge Club. So in November 1981 they moved from The Promenade to Grenville Hall, Oldfield Road, our present premises (this was done over one weekend).
This building was previously used as a printing works, and store for printing materials.
Welcome to Bristol Bridge Club
Bristol Bridge Club aims to provide facilities and opportunities for all its members to enjoy playing and learning bridge, no matter at what level. Beginner or international.
We are a large club and are able to offer playing sessions that suit all levels of ability. Non-members are always welcome.
The club has its own premises and we are situated near the centre of Bristol in Hotwells. The club consists of a large playing room with a smaller area for classes and a licensed bar that also offers light refreshments.
The club plays duplicate bridge on most days of the week, usually with a qualified director.
The club is affiliated to the English Bridge Union (EBU), via the Avon Contract Bridge Association (ACBA).
BRISTOL BRIDGE CLUB is a charity and it has been entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1167959.
There is car parking close by.
For directions and map, click here.
Latest News
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Christmas Party
Congratulations to Sandra Cooper , Mike Brady , Oli Noel and Sue O'Hara... read more...
Posted 17 Dec 2018 by Sue O'Hara -
Christmas Decorations
The Xmas tree is up and all Xmas decorations in place... The club is ready... read more...
Posted 09 Dec 2018 by Sue O'Hara -
Some Pictures of 60th Aniversary Winners
Posted 01 Dec 2018 by Sue O'Hara
Hand of the Week
Week 44
It is nice to be back following the Christmas and New Year break and I should like to wish everyone a happy 2019.
The penalty double is a subject about which not very much is written but there are at least two situations where the double has this meaning. You pick up
K9xx
KTxx
x
QJxx
the bidding starts pass - pass -1d (dbl ) you opt to redouble (showing 9-11 points and looking for a possible penalty). The bidding continues
(1s) 2d (2h)? A double here would be penalty and the alternative would be to pass.
Partner suggests a hand with 6 + diamonds which is minimum or sub minimum in strength for the opening and so with a hand suitable for defence partner would either pass or double. Right hand opponent shows a strong hand with hearts. At matchpoints a double would be clear, at teams the conservative (or feeble in my case) may pass in classical pass the buck style arguing that they have described a hand of this type already.
Then
xx
AQ
QT8x
JTxxx
p-p -1s (2d) ? you have a hand where seeking a penalty against 2d is an excellent option on this hand. Most pairs play that a double here is for takeout showing the unbid suits (hearts and clubs) and since bridge is very much a major suit orientated game that is not a sensible choice here without any heart support and no other bid is practical so you choose to pass. It continues -p to partner who holds
Axxxx
Kxxx
Kx
Ax
partner does indeed double and as planned you opt to defend 2d and you score 500 on a part score board . Note that double is much more flexible than 2h or pass on this hand and caters for the main possibility that partner wished to defend the diamond contract.
The hallmarks of a successful low level penalty double are threefold
1 Your side has the balance of power
2 The hand is a misfit
3 The hand choosing to defend has 4 or more decent trumps.
Week 43
A pair of bidding hands for you this week which were of interest. Firstly
xxx
AQTxx
Axx
Ax
AKQJxx
xxx
x
KQx
Playing a 14-16 No Trump the sequence at the table was as follows
1nt -2h -2s -4d -4h -4s -5c -6s
A good sequence. 2h was a transfer and the jump to 4d (the key bid) showed a singleton or void diamond with 6 or more spades and a hand with slam interest (amusingly called a "self agreeing splinter") Since a 3d rebid would be natural and forcing to game the jump rebid in another suit is not needed in a natural sense. 4h and 5c were cue bids.
Playing weak no trumps you may start 1h -2s -3s and I think a cue bidding sequence should take you comfortably enough to 6s.
AKxx
AJxx
xx
KJx
x
KQxx
Axx
ATxxx
a reasonable enough 6h here since if you do not receive a diamond lead it is nearly cold and even if you do you can still make it if you can find the CQ.
Playing strong no trumps there were 2 approaches employ Stayman and if partner responds 2d try 3c in case you have a good fit when 6c might be available. The alternative approach was to show clubs (playing minor suit transfers 2s for clubs and 2nt for diamonds) and then continue with a natural 3h bid (1nt -2s -2nt -3h) this shows 4 hearts and 5 or more clubs.
I shall be taking a break over the festive season and returning in the New Year so would like to wish my readers (or should it be reader!) the compliments of the season.
Week 42 and 41
Weeks 2 and 1
Up and Coming Events
February
Saturday 9th - Sociable Saturday
Thursday 14th - ACBA Championship Teams Qualifier
Tuesday 19th - Club Ladies and Mens Pairs
Saturday 23rd - Charity Bridge Day
Sunday 24th - ACBA Championship Teams Final
March
Saturday 9th - Sociable Saturday
Sunday 10th - EBU National Pairs Qualifier
Thursday 14th - Hockey Cup, Club Mixrd Pairs
Tuesday 19th March - Everett Cup Qualifier, Club Teams Competition
Sunday 24th - EBU National Pairs Qualifier
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