Our club has been offered a 30% discount on all Andrew Robson's books and flippers etc provided we place a bulk order and have the order delivered to one address.

The details of the books available can be found at https://www.andrewrobsonbridgestore.com/

If you are interested in buying any of the books, flippers etc please let me know the title and price (full) by 1st December and I will place the order. You will get a 30% discount on the full price.

Please email me grasan30@gmail.com

Thanks Susan

The club will be closed for Christmas from Friday 19th December to Friday 2nd January inclusive

SANTA CLAUS PAIRS

SUNDAY 14^th DECEMBER

Doors open 1pm for mulled wine and mince pies accompanied by carol singer

Bridge will start promptly at 2pm

This is a Two Session Pairs Event with lavish buffet between sessions.

Open to all

CASH PRIZES!

….and everyone goes home with a gift!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

We managed to get out of jail, promising to stay out of Stirling during daylight hours

So here we are visiting the Kelpies, mythical sea creatures, near Falkirk

We also paid a visit to the Falkirk wheel, a boat lift linking the Forth&Clyde and Union Canals

Here is the prototype wheel, built to prove the engineering concepts involved 

We had only come to play bridge, but fell foul of old Scottish laws forbidding activities that are certainly not even arrestable offences in England 

We are currently locked up in Stirling jail. Can members please raise raise this with their MP as we are facing some apparently serious charges

FESTIVE BRIDGE PARTY NIGHT

THURSDAY EVENING 18TH DECEMBER

DOORS OPEN AT 6.15PM

WELCOME FESTIVE DRINK & BUFFET

ACCOMPANIED BY A CAROL SINGER

A VERY RELAXED GAME OF BRIDGE

WILL START AT 7PM

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 16 BOARDS

Prize for best Xmas jumper/outfit

£10 PER PLAYER

PLEASE REGISTER BELOW

We have now reached our maximum number of players.  If you haven't entered yet but would like to play please still enter and add your email address (which won't show on the website) in case any pairs drop out.  We will email you during the day on 18th December to let you know if any-one has dropped out.

We are very pleased to announce Michael's Seminars for Autumn 2025.  Please put these dates in your diary.

November 14^th - Declarer Play at Duplicate Pairs 

December 12^th - (Special Christmas seminar) Defending against conventional bids 

Michael's next seminar on Friday 14th November at 1.30pm looks at the strategy you should adopt as Declarer when playing at Duplicate Pairs and how your strategy differs from how you would play if you were playing in a teams match or in a rubber bridge game.

As usual Michael will introduce the concept and then we will play 8 boards to practise the techniques.  Copies of the seminar notes and hands will be available. The cost is £10 for members and £12 for non members.  All are welcome and you do not need a partner to attend this seminar.

Please fill in the online form below if you will be attending this seminar.

With regret the Committee have decided that the Thursday evening Swiss Pairs is currently not viable. Attendance has fallen away such that, last Thursday, despite 5 of the Committee playing we could only muster 3 tables. Thank you to those who have turned up and supported us in the past but unfortunately it just hasn’t worked out as we had hoped. We will of course re-assess should demand return

Michael's next seminar is on Friday 12th December starting at 1.30pm.  

Michael will look at how you can 'Defend against Conventional Bids'.  When the opposition bid 2NT over your partner's opening bid of 1 heart, how can you continue the bidding to find your spade fit with your partner?  What are the best ways to still find your contract when the opponents use a transfer bid?  And finally - a very relevant one for Manchester Bridge Club players - how do we still find our contract when the opposition use Bergen Raises?

Michael's seminars are always very informative but also really enjoyable.  We had over 30 people at the last seminar.  As usual there will be notes for the seminar and details of the hands played.  Michael will also be baking special Xmas treats.

Please complete the form below if you will be attending this seminar or email grasan30@gmail.com

Thanks Susan

It is with great sadness that  we announce the passing of Dorothy Bailey. Until recently Dorothy had been a regular member of the Monday afternoon group along with her best friend Christina Heneghan. Dorothy and Christina worked together for many years and upon retirement decided to learn bridge with Susan Triggs in March 2016. As a partnership they brought a lot to the Monday group - always a friendly smile - always ready for a friendly chat. Dorothy will be much missed by us all. We send our deepest condolences to her husband Brian and family and also Christina.

Dorothy's Funeral will be held on:

Wednesday 13th August

11am at Southern Cemetery Crematorium, 

and afterwards a wake at 11 Didsbury Park (Near to Didsbury Hotel). 

Michael Byrne's next seminar will be on Friday 24th October when the topic will be ...." Hand Evaluation - when are my high cards working ? A chance to improve your judgement, and look at ways to value your hand not only on the point count but also taking into account shape and honour structure. "

The session begins at 1.30  - £10 for members and £12 for non members 

Michael is also sure to delight with something tasty as well 

Please sign up below if you are planning to come  

Nicholas has now finished a very successful Summer School - thanks first to Nicholas but also to all the members (and non members) who attended these seminars and made them so enjoyable.

Nicholas covered a wide range of topics - requested by the Wednesday morning players - and topics included Trial Bids, Michaels Cue Bids, Unusual Two No Trump, Landy and Using the evidence from Bidding and Opening Lead to plan your play

During the Autumn we will be running a special duplicate on the 4th Wednesday morning in each month.  These duplicates should help you practice everything you have learned during the Summer Seminars.  The duplicate will contain a number of hands each month will relate to a topic covered by Nicholas over the summer. Nicholas will be providing supervision for these duplicates and we will provide hand records and an analysis for each of the 'special' hands at the end.  All are welcome to attend these duplicates which will start at 10.30am and last to around 12.30pm.

The next supervised duplicate is on Wednesday 22nd October.  As well as some random computer dealt hands there will also be hands for practising Trial Bids.  If you are coming to this duplicate and want a copy of Nicholas' notes on Trial Bids please email Susan on grasan30@gmail.com

On Tuesday 9th September at 1.15 pm our usual Tuesday afternoon duplicate  will now include a Cream Tea ( that's scones with cream and jam - applied  in whatever order you prefer !) .  As in previous years all the table money , which is £10 pp , will be donated to charity and this year it will be for "Save the Children" - a charity supported by Dorothy Bailey, a Club Member ,  who sadly passed away recently. 

Nicholas Greer's next Seminar is on Splinter Bids.  This is when you have support for partner's suit and also a shortage in another suit.  Making a Splinter Bid helps the partnership to find out whether just game is on or whether a slam may be possible.  The seminar will help you to get further practice with using Control Bids - something Nicholas covered in the Summer Seminars.

The seminar starts at 10.30am on Friday 12th September.  The cost is £8 for members and £10 for non members.  All are welcome.  You do not need a partner to attend. Copies of the notes and hands will be provided at the seminar.  If you are coming to the seminar please complete the online form below or email grasan30@gmail.com

Michael's next seminar is on Friday 19th September starting at 1.30pm.  The topic is Weak Jump Shifts.  Weak Jump Shifts are good addition to your bidding strategy because they are pre-emptive and take away bidding space from the opponents.  They can also be constructive, potentially helping you to reach a game contract that you might have otherwise missed.  This is a valuable bid as it occurs frequently and gives different inferences about other bidding sequences which will help you to get to the optimum contract for your partnership.

The cost is £10 for members and £12 for non members.  All are welcome and you don't need a partner to attend.

Michael's seminars are always informative and entertaining.  As well as finding out more about Weak Jump Shifts you also have the opportunity to ask a World Class Bridge Player questions about any aspect of bridge.  You inevitably pick up tips about other aspects of bidding and play from Michael during the seminar (as well as a piece of chocolate fudge cake or apple pie).

Please add your name to the online form below if you are attending this seminar

Nicholas Greer will be delivering a seminar on
Interesting Plays in the Trumps Suit
on Friday 08 August 2025, 10.30am - 12.30pm

at Manchester Bridge Club

The normal way to make extra tricks by ruffing is to ruff in the
hand with shorter trumps. It is, however, possible to make
tricks by ruffing in the long trump hand if enough ruffs can be
taken that it becomes the short trump hand.
This is known as a “Dummy Reversal”.
When you count the tricks needed to make your contract and
realise you have been a little ambitious with the bidding (e.g.,
bidding to 5C because you had sufficient points for game, but
could not play in a 3NT contract), a Cross-Ruffing Technique
could come in very useful.
Come and see how both Dummy Reversals and Cross-Ruffing
can work to your advantage!
There will be an input from Nicholas Greer followed by Eight
Practice Hands played at the table to reinforce learning.
Seminar Notes and strategies for playing the Example Hands
will be available to take away at the end of the session.

If you will be attending, please sign up below so we have an idea of numbers to
prepare materials for.
All Welcome!
(Cost is £8 for Members and £10 for Non-Members)

We are holding a duplicate for improvers this Thursday morning - to give players who normally just come to supervised play classes a chance to play in a duplicate.  The session will be v relaxed.  We will play around 12 boards in the two hours.

Everyone is welcome to play - to either get more experience of playing in a duplicate or to support our improvers.

The duplicate will start at 10.30am and will finish at approx 12.30pm.

We have held a number of very successful seminars on a variety of topics over the summer.  Many members have said they don't get the chance to practice what the have learned.  We are trialing a number of special duplicates this autumn on the 4th Wednesday morning of each month.  We will be running a supervised duplicate - and Nicholas will be available for advice.  The hands will include some of the topics we have covered over the summer and some of the hands will be the usual random computer deals.  In the September duplicate you will find some hands relating to Michaels Cue Bid, the Unusual Two No Trump and Landy - all two suited overcalls.  Whether you have attended the seminars or not, everyone is welcome to attend the duplicate.  It would be helpful if you could sign up for the duplicate (but it's not essential).  When signing up for the duplicate, if you want Nicholas' notes for these 3 seminars please include your email address (which won't show on the website) and I will email you copies of the notes for Landy, Unusual 2NT and Michaels.

Any queries please email me - grasan30@gmail.com

Thanks Susan

Manchester Bridge Club competed in the final of the national Team of 8 Garden Cities Trophy at West Midlands BC in Solihull on Saturday June 7th

The Garden Cities Trophy is a prestigious tournament which (for Manchester County based clubs) starts by winning the Gazette Cup in February to qualify to represent the County at the regional qualifiers, which this year were held at Sheffield Bridge Club, four weeks ago. Our team won the regional 'semi-final' and therefore qualified for the final for the third time in four years.

On Saturday June 7th our Team of Eight was John Hassett & Rhona Goldenfield; Jeff Morris & David Sarabowski; Paul Hackett & Mike Goldsmith and Paul Murray & Andrew Woodcock (pictured minus Andrew).

Despite some chances to catch The Avenue Bridge Club representing Sussex, our team couldn't quite overtake them during the course of the 56 board competition.

Thanks to our Team of Eight as well as Justin Hackett & Martin Taylor who played in the Gazette Cup and the semi-final but could not play in the final due to holidays.

Onwards to next year!

We are saddened to let members know of the death of Mike Barlow on 3rd June after a long illness. Despite his illness, Mike set himself a personal goal to reach his 88th birthday, which he achieved on May 16th this year.

Mike was an active member of the club for over 40 years and played regularly at the Wednesday evening duplicate, in the league and in local competitions. Like all of us he adapted to on line bridge during the pandemic and was still playing on line when illness prevented him getting to the club.

He was a quiet, unassuming and mild mannered man with an engaging smile and an infectious laugh, which those of you who played with him will well remember.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife and family.

The funeral will be held on Monday 23rd June at 1.00pm at Vale Royal Crematorium, Shurlach Lane, Davenham, Northwich. CW9 8RP and afterwards  at Room One, Hartford Golf Club, Burrows Hill, Hartford, Norwich. CW8 3AP.

Any donations can be made to MacMillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie.

NB could anyone planning to join the family for refreshments afterwards, please email 

s.braid@hotmail.com

On Wednesday 2nd July we held the 3rd Juggler's Cup event in memory of Ben Beever. Vera gave a warm and moving account of her time being taught by Ben before play commenced. We had 11 tables spread over 2 rooms and the ( to some at least ) complicated arrow switch movement was superbly managed by David Sarabowski and Ray Ashleigh. A selection of high quality cheeses  were sourced by Dave and Vera  and it wasn't long before they were gone !   In a high quality field Tammy and Chris climbed into first place as the final scores were recorded - congratulations to them both. Runners up  were Eddie Thornton-Chan and Ray Ashleigh. We were pleased to welcome Ben's Mum Pru and his sister Beth.  Pru expressed her delight that the Club continue to remember Ben's legacy and presented a very happy Tammy and Chris with the magnificent trophy.  Thanks to all of you who came and to the many who helped make this another event to remember.          

Tuesday 9th saw the annual charity pairs held at the club, a full house with 13½ tables. Everyone enjoyed (at least ) one scone plus jam and clotted cream provided by the club. All the table money this year goes to Save the Children, in memory of Dorothy Bailey, a longstanding member who sadly passed recently.  This was her preferred charity, and so far we have raised over £550, with more yet to come in.

The bridge was excellent for those sitting E/W, with 5 slams including 2 grands availble . N/S pairs were less impressed, and one pair complained they defended 19/20 hands, including all 4 on the arrow switch. Congratulations to the winners Jon Middleton and Andy Brocklehurst seen receiving their bottles of wine from club chairman Paul Murray

We will be running a celebratory duplicate on Wednesday evening 15th January to show our appreciation for Jeff Morris and his very significant support for Manchester Bridge Club over 50 years. 

Jeff gave up a secure job 50 years ago to take over the management of the Central Bridge Club which later became Manchester Bridge Club on Palatine Road, which he (latterly with David Debbage) owned and managed for over 20 years. - one of the few private bridge clubs in the country. 

The Club developed and attracted many expert bridge players.  After Jeff and David's retirement, Manchester Bridge Club became a 'members club' and Jeff is still a very active member of our Committee.

Our Wednesday evening duplicate on 15th January will be a special event to commemorate Jeff's longstanding involvement in our club - there would be no Manchester Bridge Club without Jeff! 

As well as a Duplicate Pairs, there will be cheese and biscuits during the break (just like we used to have at Palatine Road) and a display of photographs of significant events from the Club's history - including many of the many excellent bridge players that have helped carve Manchester Bridge Club's special place in the history of contract (and rubber) bridge in the UK.

Everyone is welcome to a nostalgic but very competitive evening. Play will start at 7.15pm with the normal table fee of £4.00.

To help with catering please add your name to the list below.

Huge attendance for 50^th anniversary of Jeff Morris’ management of Manchester Bridge Club

Wednesday January 15^th saw our Club celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Jeff Morris taking over the management of Central Bridge Club, which then became Manchester Bridge Club when Jeff relocated it to Palatine Road.

The Club was packed out with 20 tables for a celebratory duplicate competition which was won by Tracy Sherman and Boris Ewart.

It was also great to see so many long-standing members return to honour Jeff. Fittingly, this is the largest attendance for a duplicate bridge competition we have ever had at our current Fallowfield location.

Jeff gave a short speech on the history of Manchester Bridge Club and his life’s work at the Club to develop bridge in Manchester. He reflected not only on the many world class players who are still members of the Club but also the dozens of members who have learned their bridge at the Club over the years.

An extensive selection of cheeses and biscuits were served at the interval and a good time was had by all.

I’d like to thank the Club committee – especially Anne Naylor, Mike Wood, Dave Fernley, Susan Triggs and Jeff himself - as well as Vera Lowson, who returned to help us ensure a very busy day and evening were a tremendous success. Thanks also due to TD David Sarabowski (assisted by Jeff Smith), Michael Byrne for his commemorative cake and Isaac Porteus for his help on the night.

The Manchester Bridge Club could not continue without the work of the Committee and our team of volunteers – if you’d like to help, please get in touch!

Paul Murray

Chairman,

The Manchester Bridge Club

All paid up members of TMBC should now have received an email about the  Club AGM. on 19th March 2025 at 18.15. If you are intending to come please add your name below. 

The AGM will be followed by a duplicate pairs starting at around 19.30. 

Any Non members who wish to play in this event should also add their names so we  can manage refreshments and table set up.  

Breaking the Rules on Bidding - Michael will look at times when it is right to cast off the traditional rules and realise the hand you hold is an exception and should be treated as special.  Many everyday situations will be looked at closely, and analysed to reveal which traditions should be upheld and when.

The seminar will cost £10 for members and £12 for non-members.  All are welcome and you do not need a partner to attend this seminar.  Notes and copies of the example hands will be available at the seminar.  Book this seminar in your diary and come along to get great advice from the Number One Bridge Player in England ( Michael has the highest NGS rating with EBU).

Please complete the online form below if you will be attending this seminar.

Manchester Bridge Club were well represented at the MCBA Green pointed Swiss Teams on Sunday 27th July at Altrincham Bridge Club.  The event was won by Rhona Goldenfield's team ( Raymond Semp, Joy & Irving Blakey), but an MBC team of John Middleton, Andy Brocklehurst, Jeff Morris and David Sarabowski finished 3rd overall (pictured above)

while a team with Chris Hine, Angela and Ray Ashleigh, and Ann Thornton took the non-expert prize. 

John Holland's team (Gillian Whyte, Michael & Sally-Ann Rothwell) picked up the prize for the biggest win in the last round

Congratulations to our team playing in the Gazette Cup on Sunday February 16th at Bramhall & Cheadle Bridge Club,. We managed to win in an exciting finale by only 3 Victory Points over the hosts, Bramhall & Cheadle BC.

Manchester Bridge Club has now earned the right to represent Manchester County in the next stage of the qualifying process for the national Garden Cities Trophy.

The Club will seek to qualify for the national final at the regional qualifying event held on Saturday May 10th at a club to be announced.

The Gazette Cup is a Team of Eight competition with 2 Teams of 4 playing the same boards with their scores aggregated. 

Our first team was 

John Hassett & Rhona Goldenfield

Paul Hackett & Mike Goldsmith

Justin Hackett & Martin Taylor

David Sarabowski & Jeff Morris

Well done also to our other team that competed - Tammy & Chris Lam; Louise Davies & Anne Super; Mike Wood & Usha Murugan and Anne Wood & Dee Connolly who finished 7th.

Thanks for representing the Club and congratulations!!

Hopefully we can qualify for the finals on May 10th

As we approach the 50^th Anniversary of Jeff Morris' management of Central and then Manchester Bridge Club, Jeff will be writing a short series of articles covering the history of the Club over its long and illustrious history leading to his Anniversary Event to be scheduled for early 2025

Jeff Writes   

I find it incredible to think that it was 50 years ago I found myself in Manchester taking over the management of the Central Bridge Club at 81 Central Road West Didsbury.

What was I doing giving up a secure job as an information scientist in the research labs of Laporte Industries Ltd on the Humber Bank to come to a new city to start a new career working for myself with an uncertain future?

I suppose that it was a rash thing to do but I was young and  fancy free and I loved playing bridge and what the hell!.......spend the rest of my life in the confines of a  research lab as some of my contemporaries seem to do?

The Central Bridge Club was a unique club in the North of England I t was the only club outside London that played rubber bridge - in fact rubber bridge was the main activity with only one duplicate session per week on a Wednesday night. That duplicate session was incredibly strong with many  top  players participating along with many of the talented university students. After the duplicate, players would retire to the bar to analyse the hands. Frank Wood was  the main guru- he sat on the radiator at the back of the bar dispensing words of wisdom to the assembled  acolytes .Frank Wood? Bet none of you have heard of him? Well think 'Steptoe 'and that will give you an idea of what he looked like. A painter and decorator by profession he was actually a talented pianist, owner of a Grand Piano -and a very good rubber bridge player. Most days he would come into the club at about 1.00pm, have breakfast(egg and chips) before playing in the £5 game .On one of the rare occasions he was persuaded to play in an international duplicate tournament he finished 2nd playing with Paul Hackett  in one of Europe's top pairs event held in Juan les Pain. 

Playing rubber bridge is a game that gives the participants a level playing field. Everyone plays basic Acol so nobody has any system advantages and at the end of each rubber you change partners.  Over an extended period you would expect your high card holdings to average out.  Frank Wood said it was the players who could minimize their losses with bad cards that ultimately end up being winners. Different stake games were played ranging from 5p per hundred up to £5 per hundred. What was so interesting were the fascinating  characters that came to play. In the 5p game(and don't forget 5p a hundred was not inconsequential in those days) I particularly remember Charlie Woolfe and Lottie Oppenheim. If you have read Victor Mollo's classic book the Bridge Menagerie there are a number of notorious characters. One was the Hideous Hog who would try and play all the hands regardless-well that was Charlie Woolfe! Lottie was a remarkable lady who came to England as a refugee from Vienna in the 1930s and is mentioned by Terence Reese in one of his books as a regular player at his London club. She was a harridan at the bridge table forever chastising her partners for doing the wrong thing('NEVER lead trumps' she would always say).I remember her moving out of her Manchester Old Peoples Home at the age of 94 because the residents were 'dying like flies'!

Monday afternoons was partnership rubber bridge at 5p per hundred and would attract between 5 and 10 tables of ladies with the occasional husband . Eve Lighthill's mother in law Elaine used to be a regular and the standard was pretty good. Oh and by the way those 'acolytes' I mentioned earlier -what became of them?-Michelle Brunner (Multiple World and European Champion,),John Holland (Double World Champion),Rosie Hudson (European Champion),Gary Hyett(Gold Cup winner and international)Alan Mould (Gold Cup winner and international)Barry Myers(International player).......and many more!!

We are saddened to learn that Louise passed away last week. The photo shows Louise winning the Tuesday night non-expert competition at Palatine Road with Farokh Engineer

She kept a remarkable photo record of her opponents and teammates which Jeff has collated for members to view in the club. Her team players include Shirley Leak and Philippe Noel who still play regularly in the club.

Louise was an accomplished artist and donated two of her still life painting to the club when we were at Palatine Road. She also produced another painting entitled 'The Bridge Masters' which was a wonderful collage of all the bridge club management and bridge teachers including Michael Byrne, Michael Newman, Dave Debbage, Jeff Morris and others.

The funeral will take place at 1:15pm on Wednesday 26th February at Southern Cemetery, North Chapel with a reception following the burial at The Spread Eagle function room in Chorlton

The Gazette Cup is the Manchester County qualifier for the national Teams of Eight competition - the Garden Cities Trophy. 

The winners will represent Manchester County in the final in the summer.

Traditionally, Manchester Bridge Club has entered more teams in the Gazette Cup than any other club in the county - and we'd like that tradition to continue in 2025.

Please mark the day in your calendar.

If you are interested in playing then let me know by registering via the entry form below. 

Please don't worry about forming your team as the Committee can help once we can assess interest.

Please enter - the format is a lot of fun and played in a friendly but competitive spirit.

If you have any questions, please email or call me or speak to any of the committee members.

Thank you very much

Paul Murray

Chairman

The Manchester Bridge Club

Michael's next seminar is Leading Trumps - a look at auctions where you should and shouldn't lead a trump, which card you should lead if you are going to lead a trump and the reasons behind it.  Improve your defence by understanding more about the opening lead, one of the most fascinating parts of the game.

This subject will be suitable for both improvers and more experienced players.  Michael is a great teacher and his seminars are always enjoyable.  You have the opportunity to ask the Number One rated player in England advice about opening leads and any aspects of your play or defence.  Make the most of this opportunity - we are so lucky to have such an expert player available to help us all improve.

The seminar costs £10 for members and £12 for non members.  You don't need a partner to come to the seminar.  Everyone is welcome - and please complete the online form below if you will be attending.  Notes for the seminar and copies of the example hands will be available. 

Please put Friday 21st February, seminar start time of 1.30pm in your diary.

We were pleased to hold the Cantor Cup on behalf of the Manchester County Bridge Association.  The Cantor Cup is for players who have recently learned to play bridge and play mainly in supervised play sessions and is held annually at the end of February.  We are very grateful to the Cantor family for sponsoring this event in memory of their parents Trudy and Oliver Cantor who taught bridge in the south Manchester area.  We had a good turn out of players with players from Bramhall/Cheadle Bridge Centre, Trafford Bridge Club and Manchester Bridge Club.  The Winners were Steve Dauncey and Jackie O'Donnell, with John Dunn and Carole Gavin in 2nd place, Jean Kirsten and Julie Johnston in 3rd, Andreas Kotsinagis and Kathryn Morley in 4th and Jennifer Dunn and Prakash Mehta in 5th.  

Michael Byrne's next seminar will be on Friday 28th March at 1.30 pm . £10 for members and £12 for non members 

"The seminar will be on  "Jump Raises in Competition"  

"A look at the competitive auction, where both sides are bidding and you might hold hands that can raise partner in a variety of ways. Stretch raises, good raises and fit jumps will all be covered, as well as knowing the times when it is right to raise partner and the times it is right to pass"

As usual Michael will be bringing along a tasty treat  

If you are coming please add your name in the box below 

Nicholas' next seminar is on Discarding on Friday 13th June at 10.30

Nicholas will look at which card you should discard.  Which card will give your partner the most information about your hand?  Or is it more important to keep your winners and discard a loser (which is much easier to say than always achieve).

The start time for each seminar is 10.30am and will finish at approximately 12.30pm.  As usual there will be notes of the seminar and copies of the 8 example hands.  This topic is suitable for both improvers and intermediates and for more experienced players who want to improve their success when defending.  You do not need a partner to attend this seminar.  The cost if £8 for members and £10 for non-members.

If you will be attending this seminar please either add your name to the list below or email me via grasan30@gmail.com.

Thanks to Anne Jerrold for all her work on helping to arrange these seminars.

There will be no seminar in July but we will be holding a seminar in August.  Please email grasan30@gmail.com with any suggestions for topics for future seminars.

Andy Brocklehurst and Dave Sarabowski finished 2nd by one point in the consolation final of the Fuengirola Internatioal Bridge Tournament. The consolation final was between 30 pairs that remained after the top 14 pairs in the original field of 44pairs played an all play all final at the same time. Stuart Shalom and Barbara Easterbrook finished 6th and David Debbage and John Sansom finished 7th.

            A big thank you to all those who attended our Swiss Pairs event on Thursday Evening. We had 8 tables with a wide variety of experience ranging from world championship winning Paul Hackett to a number of relatively inexperienced players. We also had Dave and Barbara Viscochil from Utah joining us for the evening. For a number of people this was their first ever Swiss Pairs event. Ray Ashleigh had the unenviable task of trialling our first use of the Swiss Pairs movement . All went well until round 3 when a glitch arose which required the need for support from Dave Fernley who unselfishly came in to help out. Tean and Paul Hackett also helped contribute getting us back on track and we finished the evening shortly after 10.00 having played 16 of the planned 20 Boards and getting all the results posted on the web site - no mean feat ! Everyone was very good natured about the delay and throughout the whole evening there was a buzz in the room as so many people met so many other members they hadn't played against before. Class always tells and Paul Hackett and Rose Davenport came first but a new pairing of  Michael Donegan and Jake Heeckeren did fantastically well to come joint 2nd together with Jenny Allwright and Debra Segal. We are seeking feedback from all those who played to see what we could do better and whether they would continue to support the event. We hope they will say " Do it again "           

We are also hoping that some people will also put their names forward to help organise and run this event. This might be by using the dealing machine to make sets of boards, learning how the scoring software works, or simply opening and locking up the building. Full support will be given, and it is rewarding to learn new skills 

Mutton Madras won Division One of the Manchester County Bridge Association League by the tightest of margins at our club.

After a very close battle with St Titus, the Manchester Bridge Club based, Mutton Madras team won the Manchester Teams League by only 0.5 VPs by winning their last game by 14.6 to 5.4 VPs against Grasshoppers at the Club on Wednesday May 14^th. 

Congratulations to MBC members Justin Hackett, Jason Hackett, Barbara Hackett, Martin Taylor, Paul Hackett and Adrian Kenworthy

The Manchester Bridge Club AGM was held on the 19th March 2025 with almost 50 members attending.  Paul Murray gave a comprehensive review of the Club's activities in 2024 including;

- Finances

- Membership levels

- Progress against the 2024 Objectives

- Range of our F2F sessions with almost 6000 people coming to play in 2024

- Challenges for 2025

Paul, Mike and Dave were all re-elected to their current Committee roles but Anne Naylor has chosen to stand back from her role as Bridge Officer. She was given a warm vote of thanks for her efforts over the past year. Part of Anne's role will be taken over by Sarah O'Neill and the Committee will be looking for volunteers to take over the balance of that role and to fill the other 3 vacancies of Operations/Logistics, IT and Officer without Portfolio

The evening concluded with 13 and half tables playing Bridge and enjoying an extensive cheese selection .      

Paul Murray's AGM report is now available in the Members Only menu 

On the evening of Wednesday 15th January we celebrate 50 years of involvement by Jeff Morris in the club

It was 50 or so years ago that a much younger Jeff gave up a secure job to take over the running of The Central Bridge Club, turning it into Manchester Bridge Club.

Jeff owned and ran Manchester Bridge Club for many years, attracting many expert bridge players, and turning it into one of the most successful bridge clubs in the country

We are now a member-owned club, but Jeff continues to be a very active member of our Committee

Come along and help us celebrate this unique contribution and achievement

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  Many thanks to all of our cake providers for their delicious and generous contributions over the past year . Shop bought cakes are equally welcome as are those provided by “Rubber” players or a very friendly cleaner!!😉
Please contact Ann Wood if you would like to provide a bake for any Tuesday session and join the bustling queue for a place in this popular cake rota!

 All abilities are welcome to play bridge and kindly remember that to enable us to make a prompt start and timely finish at 4:00 we endeavour to be seated by 1:05. Hosts are generally available but not guaranteed.

We play a very relaxed 18-21 boards over the session and look forward to welcoming both new visitors and much missed old friends.