A new Face-to-Face Teams competition – for all bridge players in Oxfordshire!

Do you like playing bridge the old-fashioned way, with real cards in your hands, sitting at a real table, opposite real flesh and blood opponents? And do you enjoy playing teams in a fair but friendly spirit?  Then this new competition is for you !

The Mercian League is a new Face to Face league for teams of four of all standards. It will start in January 2026 and run until the end of May, with teams playing up to five matches during that time. Entry is open to all bridge players in the county (whether or not you’re an EBU member) and teams can be entered either by clubs or by the team captains – so you don’t all have to be members of the same club to join in.

Matches will normally be played in the evenings and you’ll play 20 boards, which can be either hand or machine dealt. You can choose whether to play at someone’s house or at another venue such as your club. No elaborate catering is expected, just a short break for a cup of tea and a biscuit, or a piece of cake if you’re very lucky!

There’ll be a trophy for the overall winners and if you bid, play, or defend a hand particularly well during any match, you can write it up to enter for a small extra prize.

It’s only £20 per team to enter, so what are you waiting for? Grab some team-mates and enter now!   ENTER HERE  The closing date for entries is 18 December

Any questions to Graham Orsmond, Mercian League organiser, grahamporsmond@hotmail.com

Oxfordshire changed the format in 2024 which generated significantly more entries and interest (75 pairs competed). Any club pairs duplicate (20+ boards, not gentle duplicates or like) in the weeks commencing 17th November 2025 , 1st December 2025 or 5th January 2026 entitle pairs with 50% or more to play in one of three County Pairs Semifinals. NOTE. Players must have primary membership Oxfordshire. Each player may only play in one Semifinal, so if a player qualifies twice can only enter once and if with two different partners, must choose which partner.

Click here to enter one of the semifinals, dates are Sunday 1st February 2pm, Thursday 5th February 7pm, Monday 16th February 7pm 2026 (24-26 boards, MPs at Regional Scale, £4 per player, all on RealBridge). CLOSING DATE: for each semi is midnight two days before i.e. on 30th Jan, 3rd Feb and 14th Feb. Entries only accepted after this to complete a half table). In proportion to players in each semifinal there will be a 10 table final on Sunday 15th March 2pm (38 boards, Green points awarded, £9 per player, again on RealBridge).  

Divisions for Dec      Ladder

Click to join as a new entrant   New pairs very welcome (32 pairs are already entered). Premiership points are awarded for the ladder.

Click to pay entry fee for 18th Dec (for current players, and to receive RealBridge link)

       This event uses self alerting. click HERE for more information.

SECOND MONDAY - F2F Seniors Pairs at Roke, 11am, 30-33 boards.   NO BOOKING NEEDED   2025/2026 LADDER

The entry fee was reduced to £4 per player from June. Feel free to come along, you are very welcome.

The Seniors Ladder is open to all members of the OBA who are at least 55 years of age by end of 2025 (i.e. born 1970 or earlier). Younger players and visitors may play but are not eligible to win the trophy.

Director and coordinator: Patricia Hones

This will be held at Roke Village Hall on Sunday 18^th January 2026. Approximately 36 boards to be played. Level 4 conventions may be played. Entry fee £24 per pair. 2pm start.

Please arrive by 1.45 for a prompt start at 2.00pm. Sandwiches / Cake & tea/coffee is included in the entry fee. 

Session 1: 2.00pm - 4.15pm, ca 18 boards,         Session 2: 4.45pm - 7.00pm, ca 18 boards

Director: Patricia Hones.   PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PAY £24 AND ENTER

To play in Oxfordshire events (regular monthly events i.e.  Senior Pairs, BBO Pairs Ladder or Thursday Teams) or the occasional Sunday events e.g. Harwell Cup, Handicap Pairs or Mixed Pairs) all players must either be Primary Oxfordshire members or Associate Oxfordshire Members. The committee discussed and decided this recently. 

Oxfordshire welcomes players from other counties and at no cost, we ask you to register for Associate Membership.

To check Primary Oxfordshire membership click: NGS (ebu.co.uk) - you should see OXF by your name.

[Note the County Pairs and Presidents Cup are only open to Primary OBA Members. All Blue Pointed and the Congress are open to all so no associate membership is required for these events]