Release 2.19r

Losing on Purpose: A Love Letter to Bridge Scoring

Duplicate bridge has a curious logic that often surprises its players: sometimes the best result comes not from making your contract, but from deliberately failing

…by just the right amount.

Scoring in duplicate revolves around comparing your result with others holding the same cards. At its simplest, you earn points for making your contract and lose points for going down. The twist lies in relative scoring meaning your score only matters in comparison to what others achieve on the same deal. This creates situations where “less bad” can mean a win. When you declare a contract, you’re aiming to win a certain number of tricks. If you succeed, you score points based on the level and suit. If you fail, you go “down” and incur penalties. These penalties increase with each trick you fall short, especially if the contract is doubled or redoubled. Meanwhile, if you defend and defeat the opponents’ contract, you gain points instead.

Here is where strategy gets spicy. Imagine your opponents can comfortably make a contract worth, say, 620 points. If you let them play it, that’s what they’ll score, and you’ll record a painful negative. But suppose you instead bid higher, sacrificing into a contract you know will fail. If you only go down one or two tricks, your penalty might be 100 or 300 points which is still a loss, but much smaller than 620. My partner calls this a “sacrifice,” and it’s one of the game’s most satisfying acts of controlled chaos. It’s a bit like losing a battle to win the war, dramatic, but effective! Of course, this tactic requires judgment. Go down too many tricks, and your clever sacrifice turns into a generous donation to the opponents’ scorecard. Timing and vulnerability matter too. When you are vulnerable, penalties are harsher, so sacrificing becomes riskier. When not vulnerable, the penalties are lighter, making bold bids more attractive.

Another layer comes from the psychological aspect. Opponents don’t always know whether you’re sacrificing or genuinely optimistic. A confident bid might pressure them into bidding higher than they should, potentially pushing them into trouble. In this sense, bridge is part card game, part poker, and part amateur theater.

Why does this make bridge so engaging? Because it rewards flexible thinking. Success isn’t just about making contracts; it’s about navigating the scoring landscape better than everyone else. Sometimes that means playing it safe, while other times, it means embracing a strategic failure with a grin.

So next time you’re at the table and your partner raises an eyebrow as you

bid one level too high, remember, going down two might not mean you’ve lost

the plot. It might just mean you’ve seen the ending early and decided to rewrite

it in your favor!

I love this game! - Renee Edwards 5.5.2026

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Duplicate bridge has a curious logic that often surprises its players: sometimes the best result comes not from making your contract, but from deliberately failing

…by just the right amount.

Scori ..........

Visiting Grand Cayman?

We would be thrilled to welcome you to our club!

Our games and times of play are listed under the 'Information' tab. Please drop us a line at caymanbridgeclub@gmail.com to sign up and if you need a partner we will endeavour to find one for you. Please arrive 15 minutes early before the scheduled start time, we look forward to meeting you. Your visit....will be the highlight of your trip to the Cayman Islands!

Welcome to Cayman Islands Bridge Club

WELCOME TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS BRIDGE CLUB

Duplicate Bridge has been a social pastime in the Cayman Islands for over 50 years, started by Michael Cantin in the old Cayman Arms pub. Sir Vassal Johnson who lived in George Town was Cayman’s first Financial Secretary, also the first Caymanian to be knighted by the Queen was a quiet, dignified, gentleman who loved to play Bridge. He was Cayman’s Bridge club champion for years.

At the Cayman Islands Bridge Club, we play with the emphasis not so much on winning the game as on enjoying it.

We are primarily a Members' Club, but visitors with at least some experience of playing Duplicate Bridge are welcome to come along and play.

Our Duplicate Bridge sessions are on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings. We offer Beginner Play/Duplicate sessions on Monday afternoon and Thursday evening for those who would like to practice their game and gain experience in a relaxed environment. Please check the information tab for times and our address.

We have ongoing training sessions for Beginners and Intermediate players from time to time, always posted on our website. Please follow us on social media for upcoming training events.

There is car parking available on site and game results are available at the end of play and on this website.

Please join us at the Bridge table!

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER-May 2026

April Highlights
It was an active and enjoyable month at the Cayman Islands Bridge Club. The club
hosted 17 sessions throughout April, including:
· 9 Beginner sessions
· 8 Regular Duplicate sessions

Duplicate Winners
Tuesday Sessions
 April 7: 1st – Alex Wood & Liam Walsh | 2nd – Isabel Mendes & Enfys Nair | 3 rd
– Steve Pettitt & June Williams
 April 14: 1st - Alex Wood & Liam Walsh | 2 nd – Arthur Del Rosario & Imee
Callueng | 3 rd – Shevaun Davies & Sujata Trivedi

 April 21: 1 st – Renee Edwards & Ernest Jehangir | 2nd – Malcolm Todd &
Jennifer Woodford | 3 rd – Alex Wood & Liam Walsh
 April 28: 1 st – Renee Edwards & Ernest Jehangir | 2nd – Angela Garfinkel &
Alison Bennie | 3 rd (Tie) – Malcolm Todd & Jennifer Woodford, Alex Wood & Liam
Walsh

Friday Sessions
 April 3: 1st – Leslie & Paul Patterson | 2 nd – Arthur Del Rosario & Brian Jacomb |
3rd – Stella Wong & Steve Pettit
 April 10: N/S 1st – Helen Haines & Anne Stein | 2 nd – Leslie Patterson & June
Williams | 3 rd – Paul Canham & Elaine Brown | E/W 1 st – Paul Patterson & Bill
Macpherson | 2 nd – Shevaun Davies & Sujata Trivedi | 3 rd – Alison Bennie &
Joanne Akdeniz
 April 17: 1st – Irene Camillo & Mary Boxall | 2 nd – Leslie Patterson & June
Williams | 3 rd – Alison Bennie & Isabel Mendes | 4 th – Alex & Jill Wood
 April 24: 1st – Alex & Jill Wood | 2 nd – Helen Haines & Anne Stein | 3 rd –
Jennifer Woodford & Gordon Bennie | 4 th – Shevaun Davies & Sujata Trivedi
Congratulations to all our winners!

May Schedule
Weekly sessions:
 Monday: 2:00–4:00 PM – Beginner Bridge
 Tuesday: 6:15 PM – Duplicate Bridge
 Thursday: 6:30–8:30 PM – Beginner Bridge
 Friday: 9:15 AM – Duplicate Bridge
As usual, please sign up for all sessions on RSVP Bridge.
If you have difficulty signing up or need help with your username or password, please
email caymanbridgeclub@gmail.com.

Social Events
We’re excited to share seven upcoming social and special events planned for the
club:
June 2026
Rookies & Regulars – and a Little Luck
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
October 2026
Wine, Cheese & Bridge at the Club
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
November 2026
BRINGO: Bridge + Bingo!
Date: To Be Announced
December 2026
Christmas Luncheon
Friday, 4 December 2026
Immediately following the morning duplicate session
�� Angela Garfinkel’s home, Crystal Harbour
January 2027
Bridge & Blooms
Bridge Club with a Garden Party Vibe
Date: To Be Announced
February 2027
Annual Bridge Tournament
Wednesday, 10 February 2027 (Ash Wednesday)
March 2027
Bridge Club Goes to Pom Pom
Social evening at Pom Pom (rooftop bar, Indigo Hotel, Seven Mile Beach)
Date: To Be Announced

2026 Tables Played
A total of 42.25 tables were played in April 2026. This is down from 62.50 tables
played in April 2025 (same month, one year ago).
For the year to date, our tables played is down 14%

Please continue to sign up to play as often as you can. Our club appreciates each one
of you and your presence at the table is missed when you don’t play!

Results

Fri 8th May 2026

Duplicate Session

Tue 5th May 2026

Duplicate Session

Fri 1st May 2026

Duplicate Session

Learn to Play Bridge!

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Bridge for Beginners....our course is designed for players who have little or no experience playing the game!

We guarantee that you will be made to feel most welcome at the beginners class and wi ..........

Taking the Leap into Duplicate Bridge

For many newer players, stepping into a duplicate bridge game can feel a little
intimidating—the bidding boxes, the pace, and the thought of playing against those with
years (or decades!) of experience. But what if that step is the best thing you can do for
your game?
We recently spoke with club member Gordon Bennie, who began his bridge journey in
early 2025 after some gentle encouragement from his wife, Alison. After completing
Audrey Grant classes and additional lessons, he built confidence in beginner sessions
before deciding—somewhat nervously—to try his first duplicate game. “It was a bit
daunting at first,” he says, “but everyone was so welcoming and supportive. Every
partner and opponent has recognized that I’m still learning and has been incredibly
encouraging.”
That supportive atmosphere made all the difference—and for Gordon, taking the leap
changed everything. “Playing in the Tuesday—and now Friday—duplicate sessions has
been the best thing I could have done. I still read books and play online, but there is no
substitute for playing with more experienced players.” And yes, mistakes happen. “Each
one is a learning experience,” he says. “People are very understanding, and I can
already see that the mistakes are becoming fewer and further between.”
His message to newer players is simple: don’t hesitate. If you’ve recently learned to play
and are thinking about joining a Tuesday or Friday session but feel unsure, come
along—you’ll be welcomed, supported, and you’ll improve faster than you think. At the
Cayman Islands Bridge Club, every hand is a chance to learn, and every player—no
matter their level—has a place at the table.

So, if you’ve been watching from the sidelines, consider this your invitation to take the
leap.

Calendar

Mon 11th May 2026

Advanced Beginners Duplicate

2:00

Tue 12th May 2026

Duplicate Session

6:15

Thu 14th May 2026

Advanced Beginners Duplicate

6:30

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