Paraparaumu Bridge Club Fundraiser

Following Bob Jennings' visit to the club on Monday afternoon I have attached both a "flyer" for the Paraparaumu Bridge Club's gin fundraising initiative and also an order form. If you or anyone you  know would like to purchase a bottle from Imagination you can complete the form and make an online payment as per the details on the form. 

The key points are to specify the delivery address as "Waikanae Bridge Club", and to email a copy of the completed form to Imagination. They have an email address on the form but it is a very small font. It is "orders@imaginationgin.nz ".

The Role of the Recorder

Our Recorder is Graeme Norman.

Contact Graeme to discuss in confidence any problems at the club that are hard to resolve.  Graeme’s email address is candgnorman@hotmail.com.

The Recorder’s role and duties are detailed on the Club website under “How we Work”.  For those who might like to know more, detailed information concerning the role of the Recorder is available on the Club website here and on the NZBridge website here.

Alerting

I was asked recently by a member if I could publish some guidance on the subject of alerting bids. Clearly not being qualified to do so myself, I asked Graham Cheater for his advice - this is what he very kindly provided:

All opening bids of 1C and 1NT must be explained by responder as to their shape and strength e.g.

1NT = 12-14 balanced
1C = 12+ points at least 3 cards

All bids that are NOT natural but have a specific meaning and deviate from the standard part of the system played must be alerted.

e.g. 2C bid over opposition 1NT may indicate a 6 card suit and 2D may indicate the majors (Hamilton)

Exceptions:

• 2C response to 1NT if it is Stayman
• 2C if it is an opening bid and game forcing
• All doubles and redoubles
• All cue bids
• All bids at the 4 level and above

If a bid is to be alerted it must be done promptly and before the next player has bid.

If that player has bid or passed before the alert has been made they have the right to change their bid - Call the Director.

A player should not volunteer any uninvited explanations of a call or play by partner.

A player can only ask the meaning of an alerted bid if it is their turn to call.

Hawke's Bay Congress 2025

 
Our big contingent to this weekend's Hawke's Bay Congress saw some notable successes:

Pairs Events (Saturday)

John Donbavand and his partner placed 4th in the Welcome Pairs.

Karen Eriksen and Jude Lucas were 2nd in the Intermediate Pairs with a score of 59.32%.

Graeme Norman and his partner were 4th in the Open Pairs.

Team Events (Sunday)

Graeme Norman's team won the Open Teams Qualifying event with a 6-0-1 record.

Karen Hutchins and Miriam Lewin's team placed 3rd in the Intermediate Teams competition.

Pairs and Teams Events (Monday)

Swiss Pairs

Nicky Bradley and Pryor Rowland were 4th E/W with a 4-0-2 record.

Karen Hutchins and Miriam Lewin won the best Intermediate Pair.

Open Teams (Final)

Graeme Norman's team were the overall winners with a 5-0-0 record.

Many congratulations to all concerned on what has clearly been a very successful King's Birthday Weekend.

Matariki

To celebrate Matariki (Māori New Year), we will be repeating last year's successful "Soup Night" event.

The list is now available, so please add your name for what I'm sure will be an enjoyable evening.

Please come along if you can.

Paraparaumu Bridge Club - Fundraiser

As many of you will know, the Paraparaumu Bridge Club has an urgent need to raise funds for the repair and renovation of their clubrooms. 

The Club’s latest fundraising event is the launch of its very own bespoke club gin, "BRIDGIN THE GAP".

 A local distillery "Imagination" is making and selling the gin and the club is promoting it to anyone who is interested. The cost is $85.00 for a 750ml bottle.

The launch event is on Friday 6th June 2025 at 7:15pm at the Paraparaumu Bridge Club. Waikanae members are warmly invited to attend.

Chris Charteris from Imagination will speak about the company and the making of the gin. There will be a (small) tasting opportunity with tonic, soda, lemonade and water on hand to add. A cheese board with cheese and crackers will be included. Chris will also have EFTPOS etc and supplies to take away. 

Every bottle sold will raise the club around $24.00.

 

If you would like to attend and support our friends at Paraparaumu please let the president, Bob Jennings know by email or text [rjennings@xtra.co.nz, ph. 0211150008].

As the 6th June launch clashes with our scheduled Friday Pairs event that evening, I have also invited Bob to attend one of our playing sessions next month to promote this initiative and to take orders.  I will let you know in advance when this is happening.

Interesting Articles

 Podcast

Kate Terry, an NZ Bridge Board member, recently participated in a radio discussion with Matt Heath and Tyler Adams on Newstalk ZB on the benefits of playing bridge.  

You can listen to the podcast here.

Articles

Follow these links for two recent bridge-related articles in the NZ media:

83 year old and 21 year old to represent New Zealand at Bridge Championships

Sweet deal: is popular card game Bridge the new Tinder?