Good morning

Team rota for March

Please take care when using the new kitchen!

Please continue to take care when you are entering or leaving the new kitchen area - as the temporary, raised floor surface means that there is the possibility of tripping over it!

Polite reminders about the start and end of play

1. Please be seated at your table at least ten minutes before the start of play, particularly on Wednesday afternoons. This enables the Director to count the number of pairs present, decide on the movement and inform the Scorer.

2. Please remember to pack away and depart quietly at the end of a session. This is because there may still be some tables playing, and any excessive noise could disturb their concentration.

Charity Bridge afternoon in Welton on 31st March

Geraldine Johnson is organising a Charity Bridge afternoon at 1.30 pm on Tuesday 31st March in Welton Village Hall. This will include Chicago Bridge, afternoon tea and a raffle - all in aid of Buddies Dementia Café and St Barnabas Hospice. Tickets cost £25 per person and are available from Geraldine via email (annportik@icloud.com) or mobile (07495 725490).

At the table: the Directors' Cut

This week we would like to remind you that, whilst Bridge is a social game, it is generally not OK to talk during the bidding and play of a hand. Here is a breakdown of the rules regarding conversation at the table:

During bidding and play

No commenting: you should not comment on your own hand, your partner's hand or your opponent's bids/cards.

Avoid emotional reactions: sighs, groans or expressions of glee can convey information to your partner - and this is forbidden.

Maintain tempo: talking or hesitating unnecessarily can signal to your partner that you have a difficult decision, which is unfair.

Dummy's role: the dummy must remain silent during play and should not make comments on the cards or suggest what to play.

When talking is permitted

Before the hand: it is perfectly fine (and mandatory even!) to greet your opponents and have a short, pleasant chat before taking your cards out of the board.

Asking about bids: you may ask an opponent about the meaning of his or her partner's bid, but only when it is your turn to bid or at the end of an auction.

At the end of a round: if there is time, and if you have not yet been asked to move by the Director, it is acceptable to discuss the hands quietly - as long as you cannot be heard at other tables.

Why silence matters

Concentration: other players need to be able to concentrate on the game.

Unauthorised information: if you make a comment, you may be telling your partner something about your hand - which is against the rules.

Etiquette: it is considered rude to disturb the concentration of others.

The bottom line is that, if you feel at any time a player is talking too much, you can always politely ask them to be quiet - or call the Director.

Last week at the club

There were five full tables at the Lindum on Monday night. Well done to Keith & Tony who came top with 69.3%, and to Mike & Cos who came second with 66.7%.

At Bridge School on Monday, Beginners and Improvers learned about how to make a plan when you are Declarer and the contract is a No Trump one.

There were eight and a half tables at the Lindum on Wednesday. Well done to Maurice & Jenny who came top with 66.1%, and to Mike  & Cos and Tina & Jon who came joint second with 56.8%.

This week‘s calendar

Monday 2nd March: normal duplicate session at the Lindum; please be seated by 6.20 pm, ready to start play at 6.30 pm.

Monday 2nd March: Bridge School at the Lindum at 6.30 pm; this week, we will be continuing our module on Declarer play by learning how to finesse to make extra tricks.

Wednesday 4th March: normal duplicate session at the Lindum; please be seated by 1.05 pm, ready to start play at 1.15 pm.

Thursday 5th March: 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).

County results

Two teams of eight from our club took part in the Garden Cities Qualifier at Dunholme Village Hall yesterday afternoon. The Eastgate team (Colin, Bill, Mike, Cos, Maurice, John H, Phil B and Alan) came fourth and the City of Lincoln team (Janet, Andy, Jenny B, Geoff, Keith, Tony, Phil H and Jon) came fifth equal. Great to see so many of our members in this event!

Forthcoming county events

Sunday 29th March at 11.30 am: County Championship Teams

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