National Pairs

National Pairs - Heat - on RealBridge (please note that the final is 11-12 April)

Organised by First Class Bridge Barleylands

Sunday 22 March, 11.30am (until 6pm) 

See https://www.bridgewebs.com/firstclassbridge/

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Dordogne Festival of Bridge

Essex members have been invited to an event in the Dordogne on Saturday 13 June.  See  http://as-de-lembras.fr// for details.

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Important Notices

If you think there is a problem with the website, please contact the ECBA Webmaster (click here) .   Any feedback is gratefully received. 

General Data Protection Regulations

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Welcome to Essex Contract Bridge Association
Essex and International Invitation Events

🌍 Play Bridge Around the World – International RealBridge Pairs

⭐ International Online Bridge Event

Sunday 29 March – 1:00 pm (UK time)
30+ Boards on RealBridge
Open to players worldwide

💷 Entry Fee: £25 per pair

A Golden Opportunity to Play Against International Pairs

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play bridge against players from other countries, using different systems, conventions, and styles of play?

Here is your chance.

Players from across Essex and around the world are invited to compete in this exciting online RealBridge pairs event, organised by the Essex Contract Bridge Association.

Whether you are curious about international play or simply looking for an enjoyable and competitive Sunday afternoon, this event promises a friendly but challenging field.


Event Details

📅 Sunday 29 March
🕐 Start Time: 1:00 pm (UK time)
💻 Platform: RealBridge
👥 Format: Pairs Event
🃏 Boards: 30+ boards

💷 Entry Fee: £25 per pair


Prizes

🥇 1st Prize: £50
🥈 2nd Prize: £35
🥉 3rd Prize: £25


Why Play?

✔ Compete against players from around the world
✔ Experience different bidding systems and styles
✔ Enjoy the friendly RealBridge playing environment
✔ Test your partnership against an international field


How to Enter

Payment may be made by bank transfer:

ECBA Account: 63373487
Sort Code: 20-72-89

For other payment options (PayPal, Revolut, Wise), please contact:

Marc Chawner
marc.chawner@aol.com

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Championship Pairs

Congratulations to Pat Johnson and Peter Scotting winners of the Championship Pairs.

Second were Chris Chorley and Paddy Murray, Colin Scott and Simon Moorman in third and Gary Waller and Ashley Sawyer in fourth. 

All qualify to play in the Corwen.

See Essex Results for full results

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BREAKING NEWS!!!

John Curry becomes Britain's first Olympic gold medalist in figure skating.

The Muppet Show premiers on ITV.

Southampton FC claim a famous FA Cup victory at Wembley, defeating Manchester United 1-0.

Unheard of scandal with the Royal Family, with Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon announcing their separation.

"Save your Kisses for me" - Brotherhood of Man is the best selling single of the year.

The Essex Bridge Team wins the Eastern Counties Bridge League.

Loaf of bread: 19 pence.

Litre of Petrol: 17 Pence.

Average House Price: £12,704.

All of these events occurred in 1976.

Guess which one of these events occurred on Sunday for the first time since 1976?

Yes, you have guessed correctly. By beating Bedfordshire with a scoreline of 15-5, last Sunday, the Essex 'A' team won the Eastern Counties League for the first time since 1976.

 

Congratulations to all the team. ♠   ♣   

 

 

 

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Boot camps - Marc Chawner
Boot camps - Marc Chawner

Following the Boot Camp on 12 May  Marc Chawner has now produced a new guide Know your Percentages to add to; Defence, Play in a No Trump contract and Play in a Suit contract 

 

Most of the best players in Essex were set the task of playing the hands in each category -  not always successfully.

 

See if you can do better, if not with Marc's hands maybe the next time you play at the club.

 

 Download the PDFs Defence, No trumpSuit contractsKnow Your Percentages

 

They will give you everything you could ever want to know!

 

Once again the ECBA would like to express their sincere gratitude to Marc for this formidable work.

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Essex County Matches

Essex County Matches Availability 2026-2027

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Uppsala Series On-line

Mixed fortunes for the two Essex teams in the first week of the Spring season. 

The Essex Saxons lost by a score line of:    2.75 VP's to 17.25 VP's.

The Essex Vikings won by a score line of: 15.39 VP's to 4.61 VP's.

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Essex County matches
Congratulations to the Essex teams. The final table shows:

Division 1 Essex were clear winners having won every match with an average of 76%.

Division 2 Essex were 2nd behind Herts who won by more than a match.

Division 3 Essex were 4th, but showed considerable resilience after a poor start.

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Margaret Curtis International

The Essex Bridge Academy organises the fortnightly Essex International Pairs as part of its training and coaching portfolio.  The Academy was able to set-up these sessions without charging players because of a generous bequest from the late Margaret Curtis. Our International Pairs has proven to be a popular and challenging event and continues to be free to players who meet the admission criteria. Consequently, invitations to join our Wednesday evenings, and the session links, can only be issued by the organisers in Essex.

All current players continue to be welcomed. If you wish to invite other players, please email Marc (marc.chawner@aol.com) first to confirm eligibility. 

From 11 June and running until 18 February 2026 we are holding a Ladder Competition. The average of your 8 best scores in the above period will determine your final position on The Ladder. You need to play at least 8 sessions in order to have them count towards your final overall place. The progress of The Ladder is available on-line. The player, or pair, with the highest qualifying average at the end of the season (18 Feb 2026) will receive a special prize: Free Entry to the Essex Invitation Pairs on RealBridge 29th March 2026!!

The latest Ladder Table can be viewed here: Essex International Pairs.xlsx

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New Essex Club

NOTLEY BRIDGE CLUB

Newly affiliated

Monday 13:30 at Great Notley Community Hall, currently in the small hall using the entrance nearest the playground.  The address is Great Notley Community Hall, Great Notley, Braintree, CM77 7US.

Contact Chris Smith chris.smith2000@live.co.uk  077 3939 7842 for information     

 

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Director Course

We have another directors course at Barleylands on the following dates 

Day 0.  April 5th

Day 1. April 19th

Day 2. May 24th

Day 3. May 31st 

Gary Conrad is the Director 

All enquiries to Clive Turner at the EBU. 01296-317212  Tues-Fri

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Essex Contract Bridge Association
..... see less

The ECBA was formed in 1946. We have around 1,500 members and 15 affiliated clubs. ..........

..... see more
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Essex Leagues

The Essex leagues started in September. For details see Essex Leagues

Bernie Hunt ran a seminar on teams play on 10 September. Here are the Teams seminar notes

For results see here

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Results
Championship Pairs BP
Barleylands
Essex International Pairs
RealBridge
ECL v. Bedfordshire (Home)
RealBridge
Essex International Pairs
RealBridge
Calendar
Wed 18th Mar 2026
Essex International Pairs
RealBridge 7pm
Sat 21st Mar 2026
Friendly team of 8 v Lancs
RealBridge 11am
Sun 29th Mar 2026
Essex and International Invitation Pairs
RealBridge 1pm
Sun 19th Apr 2026
ECL v. Cambs & Hunts (Away)
RealBridge 1pm