 The place to learn and play the game of Bridge in Edinburgh.
As enjoyed by 527 members and 245 students in our Academy.
Click here to take a virtual tour of the club.
The New Melville Bridge Club club is located about two miles out from the city centre just off the Corstorphine Road not far from Edinburgh Zoo. Our modern office style building boasts one of the best playing facilities in Scotland with a 24 table playing room, a large dual purpose league match room and a teaching suite with a digital projector. The club also benefits from a large social area with a servery/bar where members can relax with a hot drink or glass of wine.
At the New Melville you will receive a warm welcome whether you are a visitor, prospective member or student of the game. Our friendly club caters for players of all standards from absolute beginner to Grand Master by offering a variety of bridge sessions and classes throughout the week. At a number of these sessions you can turn up without a partner as we have standby players available.
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| Last updated : 9th Dec 2019 14:51 GMT |
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| Christmas and New Year Closures |
 Closures during the festive season
Please note that the club will be closed all day on the following days during the festive season:
Wednesday 18 December (to prepare for the Christmas Party on 19 December)
Tuesday 24 December - Friday 27 December inclusive.
Monday 30 December - Thursday 2 January inclusive.
The club will re-open on Friday 3 January.
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| Last updated : 6th Dec 2019 10:01 GMT |
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| Troy Triumphs Again |
Congratulations to Troy Van-de-L'Isle who has won this year's McEwan Cup individual with a great score of 62.5%. Sixteen players took part in this year's tournament. This is Troy's second recent success in an individual competition as he won this summer's Accumulator.
Please note that we will be holding our Pinkhill Individual tournament on Thursday 16 January. This is restricted to Bronze and Silver players only. A normal Cross Imp pairs tournament will also be held that night for everybody else. Entry to the Pinkhill tournament should be made on-line using this website.
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:04 GMT |
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| Miller Cup Winners |
Congratulations are due to David Fotheringham and Jennifer Marshall who have won this year's Miller Cup with an average score of 59.6% The results are calculated from the best three of four heats held on Thursday nights over the autumn. Go to the results section of the website to see the full resuts table.
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| Last updated : 14th Dec 2019 17:00 GMT |
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| Andrew Robson in Edinburgh |
Andrew Robson is coming to Edinburgh next March
He will be at the Melville on Sunday 22nd and at the New Club on the 23rd and 24th
His teaching sessions are open to all social and duplicate bridge players.
Andrew has a very easy delivery and makes all bridge seem simple!
The three days cover all abilities (although probably not best for novice players).
Click on this article to read more information about the programme and prices.
March 22nd 2020
Charity Bridge day open to a wide range of levels (although not for novices)
Venue: New Melville Bridge Club, Pinkhill
Date and Time: Sunday March 22
10am arrival (coffee)
10.30 am Session 1
12.30-1.15pm light lunch
3.30pm/4pm finish
Cost: £50/each – bookable as a table of 4 (£200)
If you’d like to reserve a table please email Sarah.gunn@live.co.uk
All net proceeds to the charity “Horatio’s Garden”; based at the Glasgow Spinal Unit and supporting people with life changing spinal injuries and their families.
March 23rd – 24th 2020
Two days of bridge with Andrew Robson – this is aimed at the more experienced player
Venue: The New Club, Princes St,
Date and time: Monday 23rd- Tuesday 24th March
10am arrival (coffee)
10.30 am Session 1
12.30-1.15pm light lunch
3.30pm/4pm finish
Cost: £110/each – places can be booked as a table of 4, as a pair or individually.
If you would like to reserve a place please email ladybute.office@icloud.com
If you would like to reserve a table please give all 4 names when booking.
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Andrew Robson is coming to Edinburgh next March
He will be at the Melville on Sunday 22nd and at the New Club on the 23rd and 24th
His teaching sessions are open to all social and duplicate bridge players.
Andrew has a very easy delivery and makes all bridge seem simple!
The three days cover all abilities (although probably not best for novice players).
Click on this article to read more information about the programme and prices. ..........
..... see more |
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:03 GMT |
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| Learn To Play Bridge |
Are you interested in learning to play Bridge?
If so, we offer a full range of classes extending over six terms (three years) which take you from absolute beginner to club player.
Our classes for the Spring Term of 2020 start the week beginning Monday 13 January and we have a New First Steps class (lessons 1 - 11) starting on Tuesday mornings.
Click on this article for full details of classes and application forms.
We offer a full three year SBU programme of classes covering sixty lessons. There are two terms each year and the fees for each term are £70 for adults and £35 for juniors (under 26).
Our First Steps course is aimed at absolute beginners and assumes little or no knowledge of playing bridge.
Classes will be held on Monday afternoons from 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm, Tuesday mornings (lessons 1 - 11) from 10.30 - 12.30 and Tuesday evenings from 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Introduction and basic terminology |
Responses (I) |
| 2 |
Mini-bridge as a lead-in |
Responses (II) |
| 3 |
Basic Play (I) |
Rebids |
| 4 |
Basic Play (II) |
Declarer Play |
| 5 |
Bidding |
Defender Play |
| 6 |
Scoring |
Signalling to partner |
| 7 |
Bidding |
Overcalls |
| 8 |
Bidding Systems(I) |
Coping with overcalls |
| 9 |
Bidding Systems (II) |
First Convention (Stayman) |
| 10 |
Bidding and play in 'No Trumps' |
Take-Out Doubles |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE to apply for our new Tuesday morning First Steps Class.
Our Next Steps course is for those players who have completed a beginner's course or who play at home or in a local club. It will give you the opportunity to develop your understanding of the game and improve your play.
Classes will be held on Monday evenings from 7.00 - 9.00 pm, Wednesday afternoons from 1.30 - 3.30 pm and Thursday afternoons from 1.30 - 3.30 pm.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's second bid |
Fundamentals |
| 2 |
Use transfers to enable partner to play in your preferred suit |
Stayman revisited |
| 3 |
How to play in 'No Trumps' |
When to compete in the auction |
| 4 |
How to play in a trump suit |
Double for take-out |
| 5 |
Double for penalties |
Declarer play |
| 6 |
Opening and subsequent leads |
Defender play |
| 7 |
2NT as an opening bid |
Limit bids in 'No Trump' |
| 8 |
Opening bids at the 2 level |
Pre-empts |
| 9 |
Finding Major suit fits |
More Declarer play |
| 10 |
Hand Evaluation |
When to make a sacrifice |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE to apply for one of our Next Steps classes.
Our Improvers course is for more experienced players who would usually have played in club tournaments. Your aim is to be more successful in your game.
Classes will be held on Tuesday afternoons 1.30 - 3.30 pm; Wednesday mornings 10.30 - 12.30 and Wednesday evenings 7 - 9 pm.
The topics covered are:
| Week |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
| 1 |
Opener's Rebid |
Opener's strong rebids |
| 2 |
Responder's Rebid |
Negative Doubles |
| 3 |
Cue Bids |
Defence: Second hand play |
| 4 |
Blackwood |
Card Play: the danger hand |
| 5 |
Card Play - communication |
Bidding Opponents' Suit |
| 6 |
Defence - counting |
Coping with Interference |
| 7 |
Transfers - Minor Suits |
1NT response revisited |
| 8 |
The takeout double revisited |
Card Play: Elimination & Endplay |
| 9 |
Card Play - cross ruff |
Defence: More about Signals |
| 10 |
Quantitative no trump bidding |
Ready for the Real World |
| 11 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
| 12 |
Consolidation & Revision |
Consolidation & Revision |
Click HERE to apply for one of our Improvers classes.
Click HERE to download a printable application form that can be used for any of the above classes.
More information about our Academy can be found in the Melville Bridge Academy section of our website (see left hand menu) where you can submit an enquiry if you are unsure about your level.
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Are you interested in learning to play Bridge?
If so, we offer a full range of classes extending over six terms (three years) which take you from absolute beginner to club player.
Our classes for the Spring Term of 2020 start the week beginning Monday 13 January and we have a New First Steps class (lessons 1 - 11) starting on Tuesday mornings.
Click on this article for full details of classes and application forms. ..........
..... see more |
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:02 GMT |
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| Christmas Congress 2019 |
 Entries are now being taken for our annual Christmas Congress which is being held on Saturday 28 December & Sunday 29 December. We have a Swiss Pairs tournament on the Saturday starting at 12 pm and a Swiss Teams tournament on the Sunday, also starting at 12 pm.
This is always an enjoyable congress played in a very friendly atmosphere, so why not get your entries in soon. As usual there will be prizes for the best Bronze and Silver Pairs/Teams. Optional buffet suppers will be provided by our usual excellent caterer.
N.B. It is not necessary to play on both days. You can just play in the pairs, or just the teams, or both.
Click HERE to make an entry.
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:02 GMT |
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| Bridge Laws and Ethics |
 Did you know ...
That it is most unethical to stop to think when you are following suit and you hold a singleton in the suit (at that point). This will give the impression to declarer (and your partner) or to both opponents that you have a choice when in fact you don't.
If you need to have a think about the situation, play your card in tempo and leave it face up on the table while you have your think. Nobody else should turn their card over until you do.
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:02 GMT |
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| Club Christmas Party |
 All 100 places for the club Christmas Party on Thursday 19 December have now been taken.
Click HERE to add your name to a reserve list should anybody drop out before hand.
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:01 GMT |
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| Topping Up Swipe Cards |
We now have a new method of topping up members swipe cards from home which does not involve Internet Banking, or the treasurer. If you look at the bottom of your till receipts you will see a message which says Topup online at www.HowDoIPay.com
Printed beneath that is a 13-digit code which is unique to you and which does not change. If you visit HowDoIPay.com and enter your code the website will recognise you as a member of the New Melville and you can choose the top-up amount. You then provide some debit card details, in just the same manner as if you were buying something from other websites such as Amazon. After clicking OK, the top-up will be applied instantly to your swipe card account.
We suggest you tear off the bottom part of a till slip next time you are at the club to keep a copy of the code for use at home.
We would prefer our members to use this method from now on rather than using Internet banking or even debit cards at the club (as that slows down the check-in queue at busy times).
Please try to avoid topping up using cash at the club.
Thank you.
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We now have a new method of topping up members swipe cards from home which does not involve Internet Banking, or the treasurer. If you look at the bottom of your till receipts you will see a message which says Topup online at www.HowDoIPay. ..........
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| Last updated : 12th Dec 2019 14:01 GMT |
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| Gentle Pairs Bridge |
 We run Gentle Pairs Bridge Sessions on Wednesday afternoons starting at 1.30 pm and on Tuesdays evenings starting at 7.00 pm except the second Tuesday of each month.
These are aimed at players who are currently in the second year of classes and above or for those people who have completed all sixty lessons but are not yet ready to take the plunge into tournament bridge.
About 10-12 hands are played under the supervision of an experienced player who will help with the bidding and play.
You can come along without a partner and will either be matched up with another person in the same position or the experienced player. The session cost £3 per person. Non members of the club are welcome to come and give this a try!
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| Last updated : 28th Sep 2019 15:31 BST |
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| General Bridge Procedures and Etiquette |
- DO make your opening lead face down and do so before filling in your score card or operating the Bridgemate (it saves time!).
- DO call the TD when something goes wrong.
- DO keep your eye on the timer for your section and try to keep to time.
- DO make sure your cards are returned to the board in the correct slot.
- DON’T ask questions about the bidding after the auction until your partner has the opening lead face down on the table.
- DON’T pick up your cards and return to the board until everybody at the table agrees the result.
- DON’T pressure your opponents into accepting your interpretation of the rules (call the TD).
- DON’T make comments about the opponents bidding or play (unless invited).
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| Last updated : 23rd Jul 2019 07:41 BST |
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The New Melville Bridge Club is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
Registered Office: 1 Pinkhill, Edinburgh EH12 7BA. Telephone: 0131 334 4467
Company Registration Number: SC 437291. Charity Registration number: SCO 043594,
The Club is affiliated to the Scottish Bridge Union and the SBU East District.
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| Last updated : 22nd Aug 2019 22:39 BST |
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