Good morning

Our first Monthly Mitchell

Last Wednesday we held our first Monthly Mitchell. Many thanks to Bill for directing the session and ensuring it ran smoothly. The reason for trialling Monthly Mitchells is to see if the reduced amount of movement between rounds leads to a more efficient session and, thus, an earlier finish. We will see. As always, please let us know what you think - your thoughts are always welcome.

Next Annual General Meeting

Our next AGM is on Wednesday 28th January 2026, prior to our normal duplicate session. Any items for inclusion on the agenda should be submitted in writing to the Secretary by Sunday 7th December 2025.

Amendments to the constitution

A proposed revised constitution can be found here.

The committee has decided that the best way to deal with the proposed changes (in order to reach a consensus in the time available) is as follows:

• Comments and proposed revisions must be made in writing to the Secretary before the end of December.
• Any responses will then be distributed to members, via email and the club noticeboard, at least two weeks prior to the AGM.
• At the AGM in January, votes will be taken on any proposed amendments to the revised constitution via a simple majority vote; this will be followed by a vote on whether to accept or reject the proposed constitution (plus any amendments) for which a two-thirds majority will be required.

At the table: the Directors' Cut

This week, we'd like to link together why you should leave your bidding cards out until the opening lead has been faced with what happens when you call the Director because the opening lead has been made out of turn.

One of the reasons for leaving the bidding cards out, which we may have mentioned before (!), is so everyone can check the right person is actually making the opening lead before the opening lead is turned face upwards. If an error is spotted at this stage, all that happens is the opening lead reverts to the correct person.

However, if an opening lead is made out of turn and turned face upwards, it is not such a simple exercise to correct the error. First of all, the Director has to be called - as this is not something a table can sort out for itself. Assuming the offender is one of the Defenders (which is usually the case), the Director has to read out five different options for Declarer to choose from. Declarer has to listen to all five options before choosing and is not allowed to ask for Dummy's opinion on the matter.

Yes, it's a right palaver if an opening lead is made out of turn - so please leave your bidding cards out until the opening lead has been faced!

Last week at the club

There were six full tables at the Lindum on Monday night. Well done to Cos & Philip who finished top with 60.8%, and to Rob and Babs who came second with 54.6%. 

At Bridge School on Monday, Beginners and Improvers practised overcalling with a take-out double when an opponent has opened the bidding with one-of-a-suit.

There were nine full tables at the Lindum on Wednesday afternoon for our inaugural Monthly Mitchell. Congratulations to Bill & Colin who finished top North/South with 63.7%, and to Roger & Margaret who came top East/West with 60.4%.

This week‘s calendar

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

Monday 10th November: Bridge School at the Lindum at 6.30 pm; this week, we will be practising three different ways of overcalling when an opponent has opened one of a suit: overcalling with a suit, a take-out double or 1NT.

Wednesday 12th November: normal duplicate session at the Lindum, please be seated by 1.05 pm, ready to start play at 1.15 pm.

Thursday 13th November: 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

Mixed Pairs - Sunday 23rd November at Dunholme Village Hall

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