| JUST ANOTHER HAND? - AUGUST 2026 - No 77 |
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 How often can you come across a Grand Slam hand with so few HCP's? This is a hand that I came across, which was not played in the Club.
After East has passed, South bids after picking up this attractive 6 / 5 hand, opening 1 ♣. Some people will be tempted to bid 1 ♠ here, as they were taught to bid the major suit first. Which way is right?
When South now bids 4 ♠, showing a big fit, North reassesses their hand & bids the little used 5 NT bid. This bid is a little used convention, known originally as the "Josephine" convention, but more commonly known as the "Grand Slam Force". Invented by the Romanian born, American bridge player Ely Cuthbertson, it asks how good is your trump suit. It assumes that winning 12 tricks is a near certainty, and asking is taking 13 tricks a possibility? Here, South bids 7 ♠ and everybody now passes.
The opening lead is the obvious K ♥ from East, and North surveys both hands. The easy way to thirteen tricks, is to cash all the partnerships trump separately, and cash the three Aces. You will notice that most of declarers trump suit are top trumps, so it is important that declarer is mindful to utilise their small trumps wisely. By playing carefully, thirteen tricks can be made, but this must be done by X-trumping and not by drawing trumps.
This convention is nearly 100 years old, and came into use well before the RKCB variation of Blackwood. It was apparently named after Ely's wife, I wonder what her name was..........
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| CLUB NEWS - CLUB PROMOTIONS |
 We like to celebrate all Master Point promotions for all our members. Please also look at the notice board in the club for the most current ones.
For July 2026, we congratulate :-
Premier Regional Master - Martin Fenton.
One Star Master - John Dalton.
District Master - Charles Fox.
District Master - Diane Stanyard.
Area Master - Hilary Anne Hall
Club Master - Margaret Dent.
Local Master - Diane Hilton.
Local Master - Les Wright.
Well done to everyone.
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| CLUB NEWS - WETHERBY CAFE BRIDGE - WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST |
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Yet another of the Cafe Bridge events is taking place, but a little closer to home in Wetherby. This was the pilot scheme in Yorkshire, when it took place last year, and it proved to be so successful that it is is being repeated here.
What is Cafe Bridge? Until I went & took part in one, I had no idea. Having taken part in one now, I can say that they are very friendly affairs, with a varied cross section of abilities taking part. Having now been to two events, I have enjoyed not only the weather, but also the chance to explore places in Yorkshire that I had never been to before. Overall, I was impressed in the very relaxed nature of the event, so much so, that I have already signed up to this event, with my partner.
Sorry, but this event is full & accepting no more applications.
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| CLUB NEWS - LEEDS CAFE BRIDGE - TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER |
 Yet another brand new Cafe Bridge event, possibly the last of 2026. This one takes place in Roundhay, North Leeds on the above date.
I have become a fan of these gentle relaxed events over the course of the year. Although there may be winners & losers, the overall winners are these types of events, which allow more partnerships to take part at these functions, in ever moving pleasant environments.
So what is Cafe Bridge? Simply put, this is Bridge played over six venues with four hands per venue, and played against random partnerships. In between each venue, there is a walk on to your next venue, These venues are located in a circular loop, with only a short distance between each of them. After playing in three venues (twelve hands), lunch is served which is included in the entry fee. Your orientation is constant (either N / S or E / W) & all North players are asked to record the results of each hand on their phones, via a specific app programme, which is downloadable beforehand. Results are stored in this method, and final approximate results are available by this method, as there is no gathering or ceremony after play has been completed. That is the basics, but if you wish to find out more, please refer to "www.briAn bridge.net", to discover a whole lot more.
Click anywhere in this article for details of how to apply.
Sorry, but this event is only accepting applications to be put onto the waiting list, in case anyone drops out.
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| CLUB NEWS - EBU - GREAT NORTHERN SWISS PAIRS @ LEEDS - OCTOBER 3RD 2026 - 9 HIGH PAIRS |
 Here is an opportunity for you to play in a Swiss Pairs competition. In the past, this event has proved to be popular within our membership, as it provides a chance to play a different & enjoyable version of Bridge, not played very often in our Club.
Click anywhere in this article for details of how to apply.
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| CLUB NEWS - EBU - GREAT NORTHERN SWISS PAIRS @ LEEDS - OCTOBER 3RD & 4TH 2026 |
This is the opportunity for our members, to play in a prestigious Swiss Pairs weekend in Leeds. This takes place in four sessions over the course of a weekend, and it returns to a former venue.
Click anywhere in this article, for details of how to apply. Enjoy...........
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| CLUB NEWS - YORKSHIRE LEAGUES 2026 - 2027 |
 The dates of the 2026 / 2027 season are out now, and it will commence on Sunday 25th October. All of next season's dates can be found on our Calendar, or alternatively in the "YORKSHIRE LEAGUE" section in the"MENU". Further information on matches etc will be published on 15th August 2026.
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| CLUB NEWS - 6 HIGH PAIRS |
 This brand new event took place on the 1st August 2026. The event was for members with an NGS of 6 or less, as all members on a NGS band of 7 or above, were not eligible to participate. This was be a FREE event to all, as a gesture of your committee's enthusiasm for launching these types of events. The event commenced at 10.30 am, with two sessions, each of twelve boards. The two sessions were separated by a midday break, for which we suggested that you brought your own favourite lunch to.
The inaugural winners were (North / South) were Barry & Janet, whilst in (East / West) it was Diane & Jackie. We will also make a decision about holding more of these types of Club events after this event. Early indications from the participants were very favourable.
You can look forward to more of these events provided by YCBA on Saturday 31st October 2026 and on Saturday 10th April 2027, both taking place at Wetherby Bridge Club. Are there any more to be run in our Club?
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