Abbey is playing for England in the British Isles Mixed tournament this weekend. It is an online tournament and Abbey will partner Tom Paske in a team with Diana Nettleton and David Gold as team Nettleton.

You can view play on RealBridge and the link is here:  https://kibitz.realbridge.online/

All you need to do is put a user name in, the name isn't stored anywhere or used for anything, and it is free there is no cost associated with it. This will get you in to the list of available matches to view, when the match is 'live' there will be a 'runner' icon on by the match. Abbey's first match is at 4.30pm today (13th March) and I'll add daily updates with any news from Abbey.

*Update 7* team Nettleton won the tournament by 30 points, winning 77-2 on the final match!

*Update 6* News from Abbey 'We won [round 7] 20-0 so we need a good win next [round 8] to take the pressure off the last match [round 9]'. Scores after Round 7: Nettleton 108.71, 2nd place team have 95.55 and 3rd place 85.70. It's still close but team Nettleton are increasing the gap!

*Update 5* News from Abbey 'We got quite a few tough teams out of the way yesterday, 3 more matches today. We are only 6 VPs ahead so need a solid day today. It's quite tight although 2nd and 3rd play each other in the final round'.

*Update 4* After round 6, the final round of Saturday 14th March, Team Nettleton are still at the top with 88.71 with the 2nd placed team on 82.32 and third placed on 77.28. It's getting close at the top!

*Update 3* Match 4 in the bag! Team Nettleton are at the top with 71.40 with the 2nd placed team on 57.00 and third placed on 53.05. Exciting times!

*Update 2* 'At the end of match 3 we're top of the table (56.55) but matches 4 and 5 are important as they are the teams that are second (41.54) and third (40.59). Come on team Nettleton!

*Update 1* 'Couldn't have been a better start' Abbey reports, 'we won 20-0 our first two matches!' And the table of ten teams has Team Nettleton at the top after the first two rounds. Round 3 starts at 11am this morning.'

Abbey welcomes ASBC Members to a Master Class in Hand Evaluation taking place on Saturday 28th March 2026 and the same session on Wednesday 8th April 2026. Abbey will provide an entertaining and informative mix of teaching, practical advice and exemplar hands. ASBC members have priority! and on 14th March Abbey will invite members from other bridge clubs, so ASBC members are encouraged to book now to ensure your place. All levels of experience are welcome, you don't need to be partnered. The usual facilities will be available to you - tea coffee and biscuits, and of course, the bar will be open at the end so you can chat to each other and to Abbey. £20pp for ASBC members and £25pp for non members. For non members that don't know Abbey, Abbey regularly plays for England and her style of teaching is relaxed, fun and the Abbey Smith Bridge Club has excellent accessible facilities in Buckinghamshire 8 miles from Milton Keynes. The ASBC is one of the fastest growing bridge clubs in England and is thriving with more than 250 members that play regularly.

The duplicate Weekly Winners at the Abbey Smith Bridge Club W/c 2nd March 2026 Congratulations go to:

George Normand and Ian Lauder (Monday online)

N/S Mark Greaves and Patty Greaves (Wednesday)

E/W Steve Viney and Martin Flynn (Wednesday)

N/S Carol Harris and Pete Rowling (Thursday am)

E/W Shirley Webb and Katharine Saunders (Thursday am)

N/S Robert Last and Richard Devas (Thursday pm)

E/W Jo Raven and Paul Higgins (Thursday pm)

N/S David Lynch and John Haseler (Friday)

E/W Tracey Giddings and Richard Dolman (Friday)

It’s EBU Masterpoints promotion time and Abbey is proud and delighted to congratulate the ASBC promotees for February 2026!

Sheilagh Fahy District Master

Lynne Button Master

Helen Roos Area Master

Jackie Hopgood Club Master

Ken Wilson Club Master

Sarah Haughey Local Master

Gill Brazier Local Master

Gail Walshe Local Master

Brian Fahy Local Master

Peter Reimer Local Master

2026 has started well! Two beginner's courses with a combined total of 50 learners, and the club saw 149 tables of four in January duplicates! Friday afternoons are becoming the place to be, with one player commenting that it's 'the happiest place to be on a Friday'! This post originally appeared on Facebook on the 26th February, follow Abbey Smith Bridge Club on Facebook for regular updates and 'Abbey's Anecdotes' (coming soon!).

Weekly timetable at the Club

Duplicates - Held all year round, just a short break at Christmas. All Face to Face duplicates are £5 per session for members starting September 2025. Online duplicate is £4.50 for members. 

MONDAY 2PM ON BBO - 18 Boards, finishes approximately 4pm. 

WEDNESDAY 7PM  Face to Face session at Drayton Parslow Sports and Social Club, 18 boards, finishes at 9.30pm. Bar is open, please email or use the WhatsApp group if you'd like to partner for this session. 

THURSDAY 10AM Face to Face session at Drayton Parslow Sports and Social Club,  finishes at 12.30pm. You can turn up without a partner for this session as a host is provided.

THURSDAY 7PM  Face to Face session at Drayton Parslow Sports and Social Club, 24 boards, finishes 10pm. No host, but do email or text if you need a partner. Bar is open.  

FRIDAY 2PM Face to Face session at Drayton Parslow Sports and Social Club, 18 boards,  finishes 4.30pm You can turn up without a partner for this session as a host is provided. Bar is Open. 

Lessons - Held Term time only. Autumn Term start date week commencing 8th September 2025. 

MONDAY 7PM - IMPROVERS level 1.

TUESDAY 11.30AM - 1PM IMPROVERS level 3.

TUESDAYS 1.30PM - 3PM IMPROVERS level 2.

WEDNESDAYS 12NOON - 1.30PM IMPROVERS level 4+

WEDNESDAYS 1.45PM - 3.15PM IMPROVERS level 3

THURSDAYS 1.15PM  -2.45PM NEW BEGINNER COURSE STARTING 8th January 2026

If you are interested in starting lessons then please email abbeybridgelessons@hotmail.co.ukor call/text 07891 586 410, to find out which group is the best option for you. All lessons are £12.50 if you pay for the whole term of lessons or £15 if you wish to pay as you go. 

Abbey is playing for England in several international competitions in 2026 and these can often be viewed on BBO or RealBridge. Nearer the time there will be detailed instructions, and answers to 'how to' questions that members have asked about. The next competition will be the 2026 Online International Mixed Teams championship, 13-15th March. We will be able to watch Abbey play on RealBridge!

February 17th 2026 - Prague Day 3

In case you're just finding the Abbey Smith Bridge Club website for the first time, Abbey is playing in the European Bridge League European Winter Transnational Championships in Prague, and pairing with Tom Paske in the mixed teams. The team name is Nettleton, and the picture above is Abbey and Tom (left) and Diana Nettleton and David Gold (right).

It's day 3 and the format for the competition has changed ('again!' Abbey reports). 'Now everyone is in the semi-final A and the top 20 qualify for the final. The semi-final is over two days again. There is a carry forward from the previous two days but not much so it's a bit like starting afresh - a little behind'. Photo is Team Nettleton, Abbey and Tom Paske, Diana Nettleton and David Gold.

Live Results Here

The area to look at on the results section, I think, will be 'purple' section, European Winter Mixed Team Championships SEMIFINAL, update here if that isn't true!

February 16th 2026 - Prague Day 2

It's day 2 of qualifying for Team Nettleton who ended day 1 in 37th place, but Abbey is confident day 2 will be better. As every one of us says after a dreadful first 6 rounds at any duplicate 'the only way is up!!', and I'm sure its no different at Abbey's level (we'll find out when Abbey gets back, how do the team approach day 2 after a tricky day 1?).

Live Results Here

Abbey's working environment today is very cold and picturesque outside, and very dull and bridge-like inside, as the pictures show us.

February 14-15th 2026 - Prague arrival and Day 1

Abbey just arrived in Prague, its cold (-2!) and we all know Abbey doesn't like cold! But the hotel is, I am sure, warm. Anyway, Abbey is playing in the European Bridge League European Winter Transnational Championships, and pairing with Tom Paske in the mixed teams. The team name is Nettleton, it's Diana Nettleton's team. The schedule is hectic: qualification rounds are on the 15th and 16th, the semi-finals are on the 17th and 18th, and the final is on the 19th. if the team don't qualify, then Abbey will play with Tom in the mixed pairs starting on the 17th!

Live Results Here

**Update** Team Nettleton are 16th out of 47 after Round 2!

The Nettleton Team are qualifying today and tomorrow, Abbey is partnered with Tom Paske and Diana Nettleton is with David Gold. On the results section it is the Mixed Teams Qualifying you need to look at.