Wellington Bridge Club - "Lets Talk About It" Sessions

From the Wellington Bridge Club

Our winter Saturday afternoon Lets Talk About It Sessions  are aimed at giving “Improver” players (about a year out of the lessons)  an opportunity to learn from a more experienced player at the table.  

Players from all over the region turn up to these sessions, and what they love most about them is the conversation about how to avoid basic mistakes, and how they can improve their game.  

These sessions will start  again on 6 June after Kings  Birthday, and continue till the middle of August.  The focus topics this year will be on play and defence. We teach the NZ Bridge material, so that our improvers learn a consistent approach to the topic: all the learners use the same simple systems, so they are not distracted by trying to remember too many different conventions or approaches with different partners. 

Where: Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Road (parking underneath).
When: Saturdays: 1 pm
Who: aimed at improvers >1 year playing bridge
Cost: $6 to members, $8 to non members (Eftpos only – no cash)

Learning and Development Article

We have recently submitted the following article for inclusion in the next Wellington Region Bridge Newsletter (due out later this month):

I will let you know if/when it is published.

Tip of the Month

Thanks to Maureen Pratchett for this tip (also available on the Club Noticeboard):

  

NZBridge International Coaching Programme

The notice below is for the information of those of our members who might be interested in the programme.

Waikanae Tournament 2026

A very enjoyable and successful Waikanae Tournament was held on Saturday 2nd May.

Play was preceded by a splendid "Pot Luck" lunch, at which we raised a glass to "Absent Friends".  We also welcomed two visitors: our old friend Angela Gattsche (now living in Palmerston North) and Pat Reynolds' sister, Valerie.

Invidious though it may be to single out individuals, special mention must be made of:

• Rae Lutman, who organised and ran the event with her customary efficiency and skill, and
• Graham Cheater, who directed splendidly for the afternoon - with the occasional joke and generous quantities of chocolate handed out as spot prizes.

Thanks are also due to:

• the main sponsor of the event - Hobson Mills Law
• the raffle sponsors:
• Charlie Goodyer (Property Brokers)
• Relish Café
• Waikanae Butchery
• Viv Gray - for organising the decorations
• Maureen Pratchett - for scoring
• Kevin Walker - for organising the "interesting" hands
• Roz King - for managing the catering (assisted by Liz Campbell)
• Everyone who contributed food
• Fiona McDonald-Bates - for organising and running the raffle
• Chris Farrow and Steve Ricketts for running the bar

Special "shout out" and thanks to Pip Waldegrave for her heroic work in the kitchen.

Prizes

For the record -

The raffle winners were:

The third official prize was the 52% prize (because we are 52 years old), won by Shelley Ross and Ann Verboeket. 

The unofficial chocolate prizes were  - 

Highest N/S score:
Sue Crichton and Jane McKegg - bidding and making 6H 

Highest score E/W:
Lori Dianne Fernando and Ryan Crowley, Lorraine Gaffaney and Linda Hair - bidding and making 7NT 

The winners of the Best Novice Pair prize were Ashley Francis and Sandi Mason.

The overall winners of the event were Rae Lutman and Miriam Lewin:

Thank you to all who came and supported the event - I hope you enjoyed the day.

2026 Congress Accommodation - Palmerston North

AirBNB accommodation available in Palmerston North for the National Congress in November:

(advertisement published at the request of Angela Gattsche)

Pink Ribbon Breakfast - Wednesday 20th May

In support of breast cancer research.  Click on the graphic below for further information.