Dear Members and Friends,

November is a wonderful time to reconnect at the bridge table! After a busy October of classes, duplicate games and social activities, we look forward to more friendly competition, opportunities for newer players and preparations for our December celebrations. Thank you for helping make the club such a welcoming community.

October Highlights and Duplicate Winners

October’s nine duplicate sessions brought 42 tables into play: 19 tables across four Tuesday evening games and 23 tables across five Friday morning games. Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who joined us at the tables!

October brought new faces and enthusiasm to the club through our Audrey Grant beginner bridge program. Twenty-two people attended Book 1, and ten attended Book 2, building their skills through classroom instruction and follow-up practise sessions.

A heartfelt thank-you to Claude Yonnet for his teaching and to the many club volunteers who gave their time to guide and encourage our newer players. It’s especially exciting to see some beginners already joining our regular duplicate games!

Our relaxed Monday and Thursday beginner sessions provide a welcoming place to practise, ask questions and build confidence. We encourage all our students to keep playing—every session helps put those lessons into practise.

Wine, Cheese & Bridge Evening

Claude Yonnet hosted a lovely Wine, Cheese & Bridge evening on Tuesday, October 6. Guests enjoyed wines shared by Claude and Trish along with a generous selection of cheese, meat and crackers. Thank you, Claude and Trish, for your hospitality, friendship and continued support of the club!

BRINGO:  Bridge + Bingo!

Alison Bennie organized BRINGO: Bridge + Bingo! on Friday, October 30. The day’s duplicate session drew seven tables.  Great fun was had by all.  Special thanks to Alison and Gordon Bennie for organizing the fun, and to all the members who generously donated prizes. Together, we raised CI$270 to support future improvements to the club!

Tuesday Evening Duplicate Results

October 6 (6 tables): 1st – Alex Wood & Stella Wong | 2nd – Claude Yonnet & Ernest Jehangir | 3rd – Angela Garfinkel & Alison Bennie

October 13 (4 tables): 1st – Angela Garfinkel & Alison Bennie | 2nd – Malcolm Todd & Jennifer Woodford | 3rd – Steve Pettitt & June Williams

October 20 (4½ tables): Joint 1st – Renee Edwards & Ernest Jehangir; Cliff Shaw & Malcolm Todd | 3rd – Arthur Del Rosario & Imee Callueng

October 27 (4½ tables): 1st – Ernest Jehangir & Imee Callueng | Joint 2nd – Renee Edwards & Ken Sellinger; Steve Pettitt & June Williams

Friday Morning Duplicate Results

October 2 (4 tables): 1st – Alex & Jill Wood | 2nd – Liz Watkins & Derek Haines | 3rd – Jennifer Woodford & Sidney Coleman

October 9 (4½ tables): 1st – Peter Cunningham & Angela Garfinkel | 2nd – Elaine Brown & Madge Ashenheim | 3rd – Shevaun Davies & Sujata Trivedi

October 16 (4 tables): 1st – Angela Garfinkel & Arthur Del Rosario | 2nd – Shevaun Davies & Peter Cunningham | 3rd – Mary Boxall & Madge Ashenheim

October 23 (3½ tables): 1st – Mary Boxall & Madge Ashenheim | 2nd – Renee Edwards & Lindsey Macfee | 3rd – Shevaun Davies & Peter Cunningham

October 30 (7 tables)
North–South: 1st – Renee Edwards & Elaine Brown | 2nd – Irene Camillo & June Williams | 3rd – Shevaun Davies & Sujata Trivedi
East–West: 1st – Paul Canham & Jenny Vanbergen | 2nd – Angela Garfinkel & Sharon Stainrod | 3rd – Gordon Bennie & Sinan Akdeniz

Thank you to everyone who participated in October. Every game, whether a big field or a small one, helps sustain our friendly club!

In Loving Memory of Alison Dunnett

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Alison Dunnett, a longtime and valued member of the Cayman Islands Bridge Club.

Alison was part of our bridge community for many years, and her passing is a loss to all who had the pleasure of knowing her and sharing time with her at the bridge table.

Our club is more than just a place to play bridge. It is a community built on friendships, shared experiences, and the connections we make over the years. Alison will always be remembered as part of that community.

On behalf of the Cayman Islands Bridge Club, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Alison's family, friends, and fellow bridge players.

She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.

November Playing Schedule

Mondays, November 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30: 2:00–4:00 p.m. – Beginner Duplicate / supervised play. Please RSVP; a minimum of four players is needed.

Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17 and 24: 6:15 p.m. – Duplicate Bridge. Everyone welcome!

Thursdays, November 5, 12, 19 and 26: 6:30–8:30 p.m. – Beginner Duplicate. Please RSVP; a minimum of four players is needed.

Fridays, November 6, 13, 20 and 27: 9:15 a.m. – Duplicate Bridge. Everyone welcome!

Sign up through RSVP Bridge for each duplicate game or beginner session you plan to attend, and cancel if your plans change. Prompt use of the RSVP system helps the club coordinate players and volunteers and fill tables whenever possible. For help logging in or using RSVP Bridge, email caymanbridgeclub@gmail.com.

2027 Annual Membership Dues

Annual membership dues for 2027 are CI$120 and are payable in December 2026. Your membership helps support the club's ongoing operations and ensures we can continue offering enjoyable bridge sessions, educational opportunities and social activities throughout the year at a reasonable cost.

Dues may be paid in cash at the club or by bank transfer to the club’s Butterfield Bank account. Thank you for your continued support!

Club Banking Details

For payments by bank transfer, please use the following details:

Bank: Butterfield Bank
Account Name: Cayman Islands Bridge Club
Account Number: 1361793940015

Play Your Reds and Blacks… Then Go GREEN!

At the Cayman Islands Bridge Club, we're taking a few simple steps to make our club more environmentally friendly. And just like in bridge, every little contribution counts!

Here are a few ways we can all play our part:

• Reduce Paper Waste: Canon Place is now helping the environment by separating paper for recycling. Please help by placing paper waste in the appropriate collection area.
• Bring Your Own Water Bottle: Help us cut down on single-use plastics by bringing a reusable water bottle. Forgotten yours? No problem! We have colorful, reusable cups available at the club.
• Choose Recyclable Packaging: Whenever possible, choose packaging accepted by local recycling facilities. Small purchasing decisions can help reduce the club’s waste.

Small changes can make a big difference. Together, we can make our club a little greener, one hand at a time! 🌎

Keeping Our Club Well Stocked

A special thank-you to Sujata Trivedi, who coordinates the essential supplies that keep our club running smoothly. She maintains a comprehensive supply list, helping ensure consistency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in our purchases.

If any member would like to contribute by purchasing items from the club's supply list, please contact Sujata at sujatatrivedi@me.com.

Thank you to everyone for helping make the Cayman Islands Bridge Club a welcoming, well-organized, and environmentally conscious place to play!

Christmas & Holiday Bridge Luncheon

Friday, December 4 • 12:45 p.m. • CI$85 per person

Join your bridge friends for an afternoon of holiday cheer at the home of Angela and Dean Garfinkel, 19 Hoya Quay, Crystal Harbour, immediately following Friday morning duplicate.

We’ll celebrate another year of bridge and friendship with a traditional Christmas lunch served outdoors on the fully shaded pool deck. Enjoy festive decorations, Christmas crackers and a holiday menu featuring pumpkin soup, roasted turkey breast with stuffing, Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, followed by apple pie with ice cream.

Red and white wine will be generously provided by Claude and Trish Yonnet, with water, sparkling water, iced tea and coffee also available.

Please RSVP by noon on Friday, November 20, by signing up at the club or emailing caymanbridgeclub@gmail.com. Advance payment of CI$85 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Pay by bank transfer to the Cayman Islands Bridge Club account or in cash to Alex Wood or Angela Garfinkel at the club.

A vegetarian option is available upon request. Please advise of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when registering.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Additional Upcoming Social Events

We have some lovely opportunities to connect beyond our regular duplicate games. Please make a note of these dates!

Mulled Wine & Pie • Tuesday, December 15, 2026 during our normal Tuesday evening duplicate game.

Bridge & Blooms • January 2027 • Bridge with a garden-party atmosphere • Date to be announced

Annual Bridge Tournament • Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (Ash Wednesday)

Bridge Club Goes to One GT • March 2027 • Social evening at the One GT Rooftop Bar • Date to be announced

Upcoming Bridge Training – Books 2 & 3

Book 2 – Competitive Bidding: Additional Classes Being Considered

Due to continued interest, the Bridge Club is considering offering another round of Audrey Grant's Bridge Basics 2: Competitive Bidding for those who were unable to attend the October classes.

A short survey has been emailed to recent Book 1 participants who were unable to attend Book 2, asking them to indicate their preferred schedule:

• Option 1: Saturday & Sunday, November 21–22, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM each day (lunch included)
• Option 2: Wednesday evenings, November 18 & 25, 6:00–10:00 PM

The survey results will help us determine which schedule works best for the greatest number of participants. Dates will be confirmed once responses have been reviewed.

Instructor: Jennifer Woodford

Book 3 – Popular Conventions: January 16–17, 2027

Mark your calendars! Our next Bridge Basics 3: Popular Conventions course is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, January 16–17, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day, with lunch included.

Book 3 introduces some of the most useful conventions in bridge, helping players improve their bidding accuracy and partnership communication. Topics include:

• Stayman Convention – Finding a major-suit fit after a 1NT opening.
• Jacoby Transfers – Allowing the stronger hand to become declarer.
• Strong 2♣ Openings – Bidding with exceptionally strong hands.
• Blackwood & Gerber – Asking for aces when exploring slam contracts.

The course builds on the foundations established in Books 1 and 2, giving players additional tools and confidence at the bridge table.

Instructor: To be determined.

Anyone interested in attending the Book 3 course, please sign up using RSVP Bridge.  These classes are added to each member’s RSVP Profile for your convenience. 

2026 Tables Played

October’s nine Tuesday and Friday duplicate sessions totaled 42 tables, compared with 35 in September—a 20% increase. In addition, we had great participation in our Monday and Thursday beginner sessions representing a total of 8.25 tables.  Thank you, everyone!  Every table matters, and your participation helps keep our club welcoming and enjoyable.

Member Spotlight – Berna Cummins

This month, we're delighted to shine the spotlight on Berna Cummins, a lifelong Caymanian whose deep family roots, love of gardening, and enjoyment of people make her a wonderful part of our bridge community.

Berna's Caymanian heritage stretches back eight generations to her Scottish ancestor, Thomas Thompson, who arrived in the Cayman Islands in 1773 to grow cotton. He settled in the Red Bay/Prospect area and, according to family history, gave Prospect its name. It's a fascinating connection to the early history of our islands!

Berna's introduction to bridge came in 1977, following the sudden passing of her mother. Her father was an enthusiastic and competitive bridge player who hosted Monday evening games in his office at The Village in town for many years. Berna began playing a little bridge with him, starting a connection to the game that continues today.

For Berna, one of the greatest pleasures of bridge is the people—and watching the dynamics between partners! When asked about a favorite funny moment at the table, she shared, "I just smile when my partner, June, whips out the X card!" Anyone who has played against June can probably appreciate that observation!

Away from the bridge table, Berna enjoys gardening, which she finds both relaxing and rewarding. Family is also especially important to her. With her loved ones all living within about ten minutes of one another, she appreciates how fortunate they are to be so close. "We are blessed to be that close to each other when I hear others with family all over the world," she says.

Something fellow bridge players might not know about Berna is that she speaks Spanish! She studied the language in high school and earned a minor in Spanish at university. Although she doesn't have many opportunities to use it these days, she finds that it comes back whenever she meets someone who speaks the language.

When asked what advice she would give to someone learning bridge, Berna offered two simple but valuable suggestions: "Take lessons," because they can make such a difference to your game, and perhaps most importantly, "Always trust your partner!"

Berna's appreciation for family, friendships, and the personalities around the bridge table reminds us that bridge is about much more than cards. It's also about the connections we make along the way.

Thank you, Berna, for sharing your story with us. We're delighted to have you as part of the Cayman Islands Bridge Club and look forward to many more enjoyable games together! 

Bridge Bites

Bridge Tip #1 – Draw Trumps… But Make a Plan First

Drawing the opponents’ trumps is often a priority—but doing it automatically can cost you tricks.

Suppose dummy has three small trumps and a singleton heart. You may need dummy’s trumps to ruff your losing hearts. Drawing every round of trumps first could remove that opportunity.

Before leading a trump, ask whether you need to use dummy’s trumps for another purpose.

Remember: Don't rush to draw trumps. Sometimes you need them to turn your losers into winners!

Bridge Tip #2 – Cover an Honor Only When It Helps

“Cover an honor with an honor” is a useful guideline, not an automatic instruction.

The purpose of covering is to promote a lower card in your hand or partner’s into a winner. For example, forcing declarer to use an ace to capture your king may eventually make partner’s ten a winning card.

But if declarer leads the queen from a visible queen-jack sequence, it is often right to wait and cover the last touching honor instead.

Remember: Before covering, ask, “What card might this promote?”

Bridge Tip #3 – Count Shape, Not Just Points

Every player starts with 13 cards. As suits are played, you can gradually work out the shape of the unseen hands.

Suppose an opponent showed five spades in the bidding and has followed to three rounds of hearts and three rounds of clubs. Those 11 known cards leave room for at most two diamonds.

That information may help you decide whether to finesse, cash your top cards, or guard against a ruff.

Remember: Each card played is another clue to the cards still hidden.

Thank you for being part of the Cayman Islands Bridge Club. Whether you play every week or join us whenever you can, your participation helps make our club welcoming, vibrant, and fun. We look forward to seeing you at the bridge table soon!

Warm regards,
Cayman Islands Bridge Club
Management Committee