Last Wednesday, Peter Finch and Jenny Kinton signed into the Bradenton Bridge Club 2pm session, not the Bradgate one.  Jenny (username "sileby-poet") memorialised the experience in verse:
 

Bridge High-Fliers

>> We thought we’d cracked this online bridge, and managed it with ease.

>> Last week we played at Bradgate:  “Play again?” “Yes please!”

>>

>> This week we registered our names  and waited to begin:

>> We’d done quite well last time, we thought - perhaps this week a win!

>>

>> The game began: it seemed quite strange, the bidding was bizarre.

>> There wasn’t the same ‘feel’ at all. We were not ‘up to par’.

>>

>> Then things got worse.  We struggled on, with very muddled heads; 

>> When partner thought a bit too long, Opponent messaged ‘zzzzzzzs’!

>>

>> When it was over we found out - a long way we had gone

>> And played in Florida, US - the club’s called Bradenton!

>>

>> To try a game another week, we don’t know if we dare

>> And partner dreads a mighty bill  to cover our air-fare!

• Chairman's Message

  Bradgate committee send you all warm wishes and hope that as lockdown eases you are able to see some of your family and friends. Our thoughts are with those of you whom we we haven't met across the bridge table over the last three months. We hope that you are all safe and well. We again extend our offer of help to any of you needing assistance with online play. On line bridge is a great stopgap, but we all miss the weekly face to face contact with members.

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  18th July 2020

• LCBA Saturday Pairs

  The LCBA are starting a fortnightly duplicates starting 10am Saturday 1st August.

  This is aimed at all club players regardless of standard.

   

  In order to play, please register your BBO Login with the LCBA on their website.

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  19th July 2020

• Feedback

  If you've played at our Virtual Bridge Club, then please tell us what you think by completing the feedback form on the right

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  19th July 2020

Online Bridge - Your Checklist

Now that you want to join us by playing at our Virtual Bridge Club then how do you go about it?

Follow the four steps below. If you need any help then click the help button for more information

1	Register on BBO
2	Tell us your BBO Username	Complete the form on this page.
3	Buy your BBO dollars
4	Get familiar with BBO
5	Get a Partner

If you have any questions then please contact one of our Virtual Bridge Club Elves of Jim Wilkinson, Julie Jones, Gail Tillen and David Twells

• Elsie - 90th Birthday

  Congratulations to Elsie Hancock, who celebrated her 90th birthday today. The Club presented Elsie with a bouquet of flowers - such a pity we weren't able to do this on a normal Wednesday afternoon session!

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  2nd July 2020

• Thanks Elves

  A big thank you to the Elves

  • Jim
  • Julie
  • Gail
  • David T

  for all your hard work in setting up our Virtual Bridge Club

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  15th July 2020

• Julie's Tip

  UNDOs are no longer allowed in competitive tournaments. You can protect yourself against mis-clicks by choosing 'confirm bids' and 'confirm play' in Account > Settings. This can slow things down as you will need to click twice when you select a bid or play a card but if you are nervous of making a mistake it may be a good idea.

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  Julie Jones

A great success! You will be pleased to know our first session went very well with 14 tables taking part. Thank you everyone who participated.

The EBU TD William Clennell did very well and in general the session went without any major incident. A couple of people were logged out but soon logged in again. The results appeared very quickly. Remember if everyone is interested in online TDing let us know. You have to be an existing EBU TD to do so.

Some useful tips:-

1. Always self-alert before any unnatural bid i.e. weak twos, transfers, 2D and 2C strong etc.
2. It makes sense to introduce yourself on ‘chat’ especially if your username does not reflect your forename.
3. On ‘chat manager’ you can save a message to introduce yourselves so you don’t have to keep repeating it.
4. On your profile box below real name in the ‘other’ box you can enter your conventions if you so wish.

The session lasted for two and a half hours which was longer than anticipated but I’m sure this will decrease as members get used to playing online.

There will be another game next Wednesday 22nd July 2pmstart with 18 boards with the same TD and hopefully as many people as possible will participate.

Remember if you have problems with BBO etc. please contact one of the 4 BBO elves (Gail, David, Julie and I) who should be able to help you.

I look forward to seeing you ‘virtually’ next week

Jim Wilkinson Virtual Bridge Co-ordinator