Once again the committee have been asked by the membership to host another weekend away next year - and they have agreed!

If you have been to any of the previous Tudor weekends away, or know someone who has, you will understand why they are so popular.  The venue is unchanged - The Cricklade House Hotel (click here to see the hotel website).  The dates are from mid afternoon on Friday 16th April 2027 until late afternoon on Sunday 18th April.  The cost will be £387 per person, exactly the same as last year! The price includes single occupancy bedrooms, full board, prizes, drinks reception, tea and coffee during the play etc etc.  And remember, the bridge is free to all Tudor members.  If you are not a Tudor member, but would like to join us you will be asked to pay a £20 supplement to the club to cover prizes etc, or why not join Tudor for 2027 - which costs just £10?

You will be able to book your place on the weekend from January 2027.  More information on the finer details will be available then. 

If you have any questions please ask any member of the committee or send  your question in using the 'contact us' button on the right hand side of this page. 

With thanks to Jean who found this poem.  Attributed to Philip Statham.
My One No Trump is always weak,
That's twelve to fourteen so to speak;
And with a fairly balanced hand,
No singletons you understand,
Nor with a suit that's very long;
But my No Trump Overcall is strong.
Of course, we'll play Stayman's convention,
And it is my firm intention
To play transfers over ones and twos;
You'll find that way you'll seldom lose,
For after bidding, carefully planned,
The lead comes up to opener's hand.
Against their No Trump the best defence,
The only one that makes much sense,
Is Mr. Pottage's convention,
A really wonderful invention,
The details I've no doubt you've seen
In the latest Bridge Magazine.
I'm fond of opening weak twos;
It's the Benji system that I use.
Jump overcalls are never strong,
About ten points and a suit that's long.
When opponents bid pre-emptive threes,
The opportunity I'll seize
To bid Three No Trumps for what you've got;
I think that Fishbein's awful rot;
And as for the Optional Double:
That will always get you into trouble.
Blackwood or Gerber - whichever seems best -
Fourth Suit forcing, as for the rest:
The Unassumig Cue Bid I rather like playing
And SOS Redoubles, that goes without saying.
The Unusual No Trump you really must play,
And Michael's Cue, which in its way
Is, I think, an even cuter
Means of bidding a two suiter.
Against a strong One Club show what you've got
By bidding a la mode Truscott.
I like the Double called Sputnik;
It's very clever, very slick;
You show two suits with just one bid;
I don't know how I lived without it, but I did.
I like Minor Suit Inverted Raises,
And that new convention that's rather droll
Named after Mr. Leibensohl.
What is that you're trying to say?
It will have to wait another day.
The Director is just about to speak:
You'll have to keep it 'til next week.
We'll play as we have just agreed;
I think I've covered all we need.
Just 'keep it simple'; that's what I say;
It is the only way to play.

I was reading an article which said that the entire syllabus for their bridge class was a poem!  I have adapted it a little so it complies more with the system we teach at Tudor.  It has it's limitations such as weak twos, pre-emptive hands, Blackwood etc, but I can see how it could be used as a starting point.  See what you think.

With 12 or more points, I'm required to speak
And mention a suit that's not very weak.
With five cards or longer, I need not be cute;
I merely will open with one in that suit.
With 12 to 14, one No Trump will do,
And with 20 to 22 I'll open with two.
When opponents have opened, now I have trouble;
I've an opening bid and I say so by "double".
The opponents have opened, my back's to the wall!
I have good points and length, so I must overcall.
My partner has opened, and I'm in a fix
Because I must pass with less points than six.
But if my count is six points to ten,
I must respond once, but need not again.
Now eleven or twelve points is pretty nice;
I will plan to respond, not once, but twice.
With thirteen or more points, I would be to blame
If I let it end before we reach game.