Good morning

Tour of Britain Cycling Race

The first stage of the Tour of Britain Cycling Race is coming to Lincoln on Wednesday 2nd September. Whilst it doesn't directly affect the Lindum, there will be a number of road closures in and around the city which might impact on your journey to the club. The list of road closures can be found here, and a map of the route here. Please let us know if you think you will not be coming because of this. We are waiting to hear from the Lindum if they will be offering parking to visitors coming to the event. We will keep you informed.

Next "Mix-In-Monday"

The next "Mix-In-Monday" is scheduled for Monday 17th August. On that evening, members of Bridge School are invited to join in with everyone playing in the main Duplicate Session. The session itself will be more relaxed than usual, with fewer boards played and results not sent to the EBU. Consequently, table money will be £3 for everyone.

We hope very much that you will be able to support us on 17th August, even if you don't normally play at our club on a Monday. To that end, we would be very grateful if you could sign up for the session on the home page of the club website (www.bridgewebs.com/lincoln). If you don't have a partner, we can find you one.

Second cohort complete "Improve Your Bridge in Four Afternoons" course

Well done to Liz Alexander, Penny Mawer and Rosemarie Lawton, who recently completed our "Improve Your Bridge in Four Afternoons" course with flying colours! This new course is aimed at people who have (a) already done our "Learn Bridge in Two Days" course and/or (b) would like to refresh their knowledge and understanding of the "Basics" and/or (c) are already playing in duplicate sessions and want to take their Bridge to the next level. Please let us know if you, or someone you know, might be interested in doing it.

Team rota for August

At the the table: the Directors' Cut

We had a few problems on Wednesday afternoon, mainly to do with the wrong boards being played or boards being played the wrong way round. There was also a suspicion that, towards the end of the afternoon, two hands had been put back in the wrong place on one of the boards.

This week, therefore, we would like to remind you about some of the systems we have in place to prevent these things from happening.

1. It is North's responsibility to check that the correct board (as stated on the Bridgemate) is on the top of the pile and the right way round - before allowing anyone to take their cards out of the board. This applies to every board that is played at your table.

2. It is also North's responsibility, at the end of the round, to pass the boards on to the next table. When they do this they should ensure they have placed them on the next table the right way round - and with the first board to be played on the top of the pile. (Note: the latter also applies if there is a relay between your table and the next one, and the boards have to be placed on a chair between the two tables.)

3. On no account should anyone ever remove someone else's cards from a board after the hand has been played - in order to look at what cards they had. The only cards you are allowed to touch are your own.

If we can all follow these simple rules it should, hopefully, prevent the issues we had last week from happening. Thank you.

Last week at the club

There were four full tables at the Lindum on Monday night. Well done to Jon & Phil B who came top with 59.7%, and to Harry & Patsy who came second with 57.6%.

At Bridge School on Monday night we played some random 1NT and one-of-a-suit opening hands.

There were eight full tables at the Lindum on Wednesday afternoon. Congratulations to Jim & Val who came top with 60.4%, and to Alan & Graham who came second with 56.6%.

This week‘s calendar

Monday 10th August: normal duplicate session at the Lindum; please be seated by 6.20 pm, ready to start play at 6.30 pm.

Monday 10th August: Bridge School at the Lindum starting at 6.30 pm. This week we will (again) be playing some random INT and one-of-a-suit opening hands.

Wednesday 12th August: normal Duplicate Session at the Lindum, but in the Bar area; please be seated by 1.05 pm, ready to start play at 1.15 pm.

Thursday 13th August: Bridge Practice online at 6.30 pm (please let Tina know by at least the day before if you will be able to join us).

Forthcoming county events at Dunholme Village Hall

Please see the Lincolnshire Contract Bridge Association website for more details.