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HOME PAGE - WBC (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB)
13th Jun 2026 17:24 BST
OLD HANDS OF THE PAST
12th Jun 2026 15:57 BST
BREAKING NEWS.......
7th Jun 2026 13:47 BST
The Library - Books in the Club
3rd Jun 2026 20:58 BST
From Our Beginnings....
2nd Jun 2026 16:00 BST
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Pages viewed in 2026
BREAKING NEWS.......

There is plenty to look forward to at Wakefield Bridge Club. Be a part of it ...............

CLUB NEWS - BRIDGE + BREW - SUPERVISED IMPROVER TRAINING SESSION
CLUB NEWS - BRIDGE + BREW - SUPERVISED IMPROVER TRAINING SESSION

NEW PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS & EXISTING MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. YOU DO NOT NEED A PARTNER.

We start on Thursdays at 10.00 a.m. for two & a half hours approximately, finishing at 12.30 p.m.

Last week, we looked at the S.W.O.T. analysis of hands. This coming Thursday, we will return to basics, and take a look at 1 NT bids. 

Our basic session can include :-

  • Playing up to ten hands, possibly more on some specific occasions. These will all be pre-dealt hands that have not been played before, and so will all be new, even to myself. After playing a hand, you can have a chat at the table about these hands, if you so desire, unless you are specifically requested not to, in the case of competitions. 
  • There will definitely be a break around the half - time  mark, for a cuppa & a biscuit. The kettle is always boiled when you arrive, so you can grab a cuppa then as well.
  • Normally we will have a topic to talk about - this usually changes every week!
  • Usually we encompass at least one sample hand - just to illustrate a particular point, but not always on our topic.
  • Sometimes, we can have a little chat about what is going on at the Club. 

We want this session to be a fun & very relaxed session, and a place to learn about the world of Bridge, as well as card play & defence - two absolute basics of playing Bridge. We would also encourage you to talk & discuss Bridge related problems, and if you do not fully understand something, please ask & we will try and answer your query, even if it is not straight away. Bridge is a relatively easy game to learn the basics of, but is extremely challenging to master the complexities and subtlety of, which is why most of us are still learning!

Please note that this session is to be charged at the same rate as any of the other Wakefield Bridge Club's sessions. We look forward to the journey..............

Last updated : 13th Jun 2026 17:20 BST
JUST ANOTHER HAND? - JUNE 2026 - No 74
JUST ANOTHER HAND? - JUNE 2026 - No 74

A new hand played in the Club recently which nobody made, but as you can read here, everyone managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!

The bidding goes as shown, which when dummy is laid down after the lead of Q , looks like a good contract. We know that we have a definite  loser, and the main problem will come with limiting the ♠ losers to one. 

East wins the A , and recognising the singleton  in dummy, changes suit and leads a small ♠, noticing the poor ♠ suit in dummy. Declarer rises with the A ♠, and continues on by leading the top  which clears the suit. Now declarer continues to clear the minor suits, playing the A ♣, and cross-trumping the other cards in both hands.

This could end up being in the dummy, and the correct method if this is the case, is to return to declarer's hand with a trump. You should be using a ploy named the Elimination Play. You have taken care of trumps, which are all gone but for those left in declarer or dummies hands. The minor suit cards have all been played from the same two hands, so now you should play a small ♠ from hand towards the dummy. This ploy end-plays West into giving declarer the extra trick, that makes the contract for declarer. Declarer leads 6 ♠ and West has a dilemma.

Either A)  Take the gift (with say J ♠, but they have then have to lead away from Q & 9 ♠. This ensures that they have to give up two ♠ tricks (win 9 ♠ with the 10 ♠ in dummy & win Q ♠ with K ♠ in hand). If they try leading another suit, they will concede a Ruff and Sluff (trump & discard of a ♠ from either hand).

Neat play! The answer was simple, but as stated, nobody found it. How do we know that this play is on? 

In bridge, we have to take advantage of everything that we see. Here, the evidence goes all the way back to the bidding. At the beginning of the bidding, West bid 1 ♠, which should indicate a four / five card suit. Between dummy and declarer there are eight ♠ cards, and then East very kindly played us their singleton ♠, perhaps looking for a ♠ return to trump with their singleton trump.   

Last updated : 13th Jun 2026 17:05 BST
CLUB DIARY - FUTURE EBU BRITISH SIMS PAIRS EVENTS 2026
CLUB DIARY - FUTURE EBU BRITISH SIMS PAIRS EVENTS 2026

We have started to get involved playing in the EBU Seasonal Sims Pairs events, which take place approximately every three months. This gives us all an opportunity to measure ourselves up against other bridge clubs & members from around the country. As well as our Club results, there will also be National results for each day, from every Club that participated on that particular day. 

Usually, over the course of four days (Monday - Thursday), the same hands are played each day up & down the country - (they are a different set of boards each day). We used to play on a Thursday, but we are changing this to a Tuesday for the last two of these sessions in 2026, as a trial. The cost of each of these events is normally £3.00 + our normal session charge, with the £3.00 going to the EBU charity EBED (English Bridge Education & Development), which funds the development of youth players in the game.   

The 2026 upcoming dates for the British (Seasonal) Sims Pairs events are :-

  1. Summer on Tuesday 21st July. We have entered this event.
  2. Autumn on Tuesday 6th October. We have entered this event.

Please await a notice appearing on the notice board, nearer the date, as a reminder............................

The 2027 dates for the British ( Seasonal) Sims Pairs events are :-

  1. Winter on W/C 10th January.
  2. Spring on W/C 4th April.
  3. Summer on W/C 18th July.
  4. Autumn on W/C 3rd October.
Last updated : 29th May 2026 19:01 BST
CLUB NEWS - WETHERBY CAFE BRIDGE - WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST
CLUB NEWS - WETHERBY CAFE BRIDGE - WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST

Yet another of the Cafe Bridge is taking place 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, but with no experts present. I must admit that the weather in the Kelham Island event was of the pavement cracking variety, so perhaps I am a little bit biased! 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.

Does anyone fancy joining me..........

Last updated : 29th May 2026 19:02 BST
CLUB NEWS - YORKSHIRE LEAGUES 2026 - 2027
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 nearer the time.

Last updated : 29th May 2026 19:02 BST
HOME PAGE - WBC (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB)
 
 
  WELCOME
WELCOME

Welcome to the web-site of one of the most popular & friendly Bridge Clubs in England.

We would like to thank you for looking at this web-site. We hope that you can find amongst the extensive information provided, the knowledge or insight you require.

On the home pages, we mostly cover Club information & upcoming county wide events, whereas, in the "MENU" (to your left (on an I-Pad, Tablet, Lap-Top or similar)), we report on more of the workings, origins & statistics of the Club. We also portray there, more of the big wide world of Bridge that is out there, including teaching, viewing, merchandise, and breaks/holidays, all put together in one place, for your ease & convenience. We hope that you will return here soon.

Last updated : 30th Mar 2026 13:27 BST
  LOOKING TO START OR RETURN TO PLAYING BRIDGE....?
LOOKING TO START OR RETURN TO PLAYING BRIDGE....?
  • Looking for a hobby / pastime that will stretch your mind?
  • Newcomer to the game, intrigued by what you have seen or heard?
  • Don't know if this is for you?
  • Unsure of where to start?
  • Apprehensive, because you are taking a step into the unknown?

Or :-

  • Returning to the game after some time away?
  • Able to play, but no partner - not sure how to find one?

We may have the answer - just e-mail John Dalton at john57dalton@gmail.com.  Alternatively you can contact Danny Parsonson by e-mailing him at treasurer@wakefieldbridgeclub.co.uk

The game of Bridge is played by all ages and abilities in schools, universities, bridge clubs, social groups & individual houses all around the world, so we at Wakefield Bridge Club, are always looking to expand our fantastic game to more of the residents in our locality, whatever your age, so that you all can discover its pleasures.

We are a thriving Bridge Club with approximately 170 members, but we always welcome new members to our friendly group. We would be extremely pleased to see you, so come along and take the plunge, and find out if the game of Bridge is for you.

This game of Bridge has been proven to be excellent for your mental health, by making the maximum use of your brain's aptitude and abilities. It is a mentally challenging form of entertainment, offering intellectual and social stimulation on a routine basis. Bridge's intricacies should make it particularly appealing for those who want to sharpen their acuity whilst performing mental gymnastics. In detailed research of Bridge Players v Non - Bridge Players in the age category 55 - 90, that study indicated that Bridge players outperformed non players in terms of memory & reasoning. Listening, etiquette, concentration, dealing with winning & losing along with many other social skills, can be enhanced by playing Bridge.

All you have to do is take the first step - TRUST US - we will try our best to help you take it from there.

  • If you have tried us and like what you see, and keep returning, you can expect to be asked to become a member of our Bridge Club.

Up to 20% of adults know how to play Bridge - why not join them?

Last updated : 23rd May 2026 13:54 BST
  CLUB NEWS - BEGINNER TRAINING
CLUB NEWS - BEGINNER TRAINING

We were pleased to announce the commencement of brand new Beginner Bridge Training @ Wakefield Bridge Club.

The lessons, commenced on Thursday 23rd April 2026 in our Club rooms & we are now more than half way through, and we are beginning to think about stage two of this training.

We are considering holding another new Beginner Bridge Training programme for 2027. If you know of anybody, families or friends etc who may like to find out about learning to play Bridge, please contact John Dalton on john57dalton@gmail.com to pass on the names of interested parties & for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Last updated : 12th Jun 2026 17:00 BST
  COME AND JOIN US - HOW TO FIND WHERE WE ARE
COME AND JOIN US - HOW TO FIND WHERE WE ARE

In 2021, we relocated to our present home in Thornes Park.  We have taken part of the ground floor of the former school/college, which is now a part of the Penny Appeal Campus. We have two Bridge rooms, with a small kitchen and separate ladies and gents toilets. The aerial view (shown above) shows the former college/Penny Appeal buildings at the top left, and the main car park. The thin grey line running through the trees, from the bottom right of the photograph, marks the line of the road up from the park entrance on Horbury Road, the A642. This is the only road entrance for vehicles, to the Car Park & Bridge Club, as all the other entrances have bollards in the roadways to prevent further access, or are dead ends.

For detailed guidance on finding us please refer to the "MENU", look for the section which is labelled "HOW TO FIND US AT WBC" (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB) and then select either of the two alternatives of "Map/Photo directions", or "Written directions" to WBC .(You will need to rotate the map/photo pictures - use the swivel icon on the page, please).

Please use the assistance of Google Maps,which will help greatly or we recommend the use the downloadable what3words app, which divides the whole of the earth into 3m x 3m squares, and so pinpoints exact locations.

The post code of the club is WF2 8QZ; the what3words address of the club room entrance is flank.inspector.waving; the what3words /// address of the car park entrance is kind.brass.exchanges. (Download the what3words app which can be accessed via your smartphone, for an accurate location of where we are). We recommend this course of action.

If you are using satellite navigation to direct you to the club, please ensure that you approach from the A642, Horbury Road, Wakefield, which is the North entrance to the three parks that make up Thornes Park. Reliance on your car's satellite navigation, will end up with you at one of the wrong entrances to the parks, with no access through. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

​When you are walking up from the main car park, please look out for for the signage on the enclosure with green fencing, directing you to walk around the building to your left, to locate the entrance to the Bridge Club, which is now the only access that we have to our Club rooms. 

Login to Pianola

Last updated : 8th May 2026 21:40 BST
  WHEN THEY HAPPEN - OUR PLAYING SESSIONS DESCRIBED
WHEN THEY HAPPEN - OUR PLAYING SESSIONS DESCRIBED

Forthcoming Events are always listed in the "MENU" under "CALENDAR". Alternatively, you can pick up one of our free A 5 calendars, from the Bridge Club.

PLEASE PLAN TO ALWAYS ARRIVE AT LEAST 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF ANY OF OUR SESSIONS.

This is to enable us to select the correct type of game, based on the numbers present. If you turn up close to the starting time, this delays this selection, and therefore the start of the session. Turning up late may mean that we have started without you, and you will be going home without playing. It also means that all those who turned up in plenty of time, are delayed by you & will NOT finish on time. It is in your hands to make this NOT happen!

Local Black Masterpoints & NGS gradings are available on all our playing sessions, but not on any of our teaching sessions. Occasionally, we can offer Blue Masterpoints, but only on specific weekend events.

Monday Mornings -  The third step - We offer a gentle, regular session of Bridge, that should provide an introduction into meeting other members of WBC, as well as introducing you into the mechanics of a Bridge session. If you would like to be involved simply turn up on the day. 

Monday Evenings - These have a competitive atmosphere. Pairs of visitors are always welcome, but if you need a partner, please place an advert on Pianola, on Partner Finder. Occasional Monday evenings are marked as Teams Events, and then advance registration is required - see the calendar (shown in the "MENU" under "CALENDAR" for details).

Tuesday Mornings - The improver / intermediate step. A teaching session for individual improvers, and existing members with some experience of the game. We replay interesting (random, not prepared) hands from a previous session (usually Thursday's), and discuss teaching points as they come up, but we don't always agree. Open to all members, this is an excellent opportunity to think and talk a little more deeply about your bridge.

Tuesday Evenings - The atmosphere is a little more relaxed. Players of all abilities are welcome.

Thursday Mornings - The second step. A teaching session for individual beginners and individual improvers. This is your chance to play some new & unseen hands of bridge, with no expectations or time limits. We will be talking about a host of different Bridge related topics, with examples shown & explained (may be on a different subject).  

Thursday Evenings - These have an even more competitive atmosphere. Pairs of visitors are always welcome, but if you need a partner, please place an advert on Pianola, on Partner Finder. Very occasionally, there are Teams Events (see Monday evenings above for the protocol). 

Thursday Evenings - The first step. A teaching session for beginners. This is your chance to learn how the game of Bridge is played, from the bottom up, and to hopefully gain an appreciation of why so many people play this game. 

Friday Mornings - This session aims to be relaxed in character, but it is competitive, and players of all grades are welcome. 

Saturday Mornings - This session runs once a month, on the last Saturday of each month, and is relaxed in character. Players of all grades are welcome. 

Need to know :- 

  • Monday Morning    - Level ♣/♦           - start at 10.00, finish about 13.00 - play about 18 boards.
  • Monday Evening    - Level /♠           - start at 19.00, finish about 22.30 - play about 27 boards.
  • Tuesday Morning   - Level ♣              - start at 10.00, finish about 12.30 - a teaching/discussion session involving up to 8 boards.
  • Tuesday Evening   - Level /           - start at 18.45, finish about 21.45 - play about 24 boards. 
  • Thursday Morning - Level ♣             - start at 10.00, finish about 12.30 - play up to 8 boards with a topic discussion. 
  • Thursday Evening - Level ♠             - start at 19.00, finish about 22.30 - play about 27 boards.
  • Thursday Evening - Level ♣ or less - start at 18.30, finish about 20.30 - a beginners teaching session (meets only when a course is running). 
  • Friday Morning      - Level /          - start at 10.00, finish about 13.00 - play about 20 boards.
  • Saturday Morning - Level ♣/          - start at 10.15, finish about 13.15 - play about 20 - 24 boards. 

Levels (in our opinion), equate approximately to difficulty of each of our sessions (suits in bridge ranking order). 

Last updated : 25th May 2026 01:13 BST
  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 May 2026, we congratulate :- 

District Master - Keith Harrison. 

Well done to everyone.

Last updated : 8th Jun 2026 14:18 BST
  THE HARD PART - MONIES ETC
THE HARD PART - MONIES ETC
  • Normal sessions - are charged at £3.30 table money per head, per session. Please don't bring cash into the Club to pay, as we will send you a bill at the end of each month and you can pay by bank transfer. For visitors, the first session is always free, and we hope that you will return. From then onwards it is £5.00 per person, per session.
  • Extra non Weekly Events - these will usually be charged to you at the end of the month, after they have occurred, together with the sessions that you have played in. These Extras, are found on our free A5 calendars, or by looking on the "MENU" under "CALENDAR" on this web-site. 
  • Membership 2026 - 2027 :- The membership fee will be £25 per year. However, new members can join during the year at a rate of £2.00 per month remaining until the following 31 March (payable as a lump sum). Our annual AGM takes place on Tuesday 28th April 2026. 
  • Drinks - Tea and coffee are available for a small donation (we suggest £0.50 per drink) in our own kitchen (we will sort out the milk). We have a large fridge and members are invited to bring their own drinks in for consumption. Thank you for your honesty.
  • Biscuits - Thanks go to the Biscuit Tsar - Ernie. Biscuits (when available) are now available freely in the kitchen. Now share nicely.........

Remember - If you use cups or glasses from the kitchen, can you PLEASE remember to return them afterwards, hopefully you possess the knowledge & ability to wash them up or put them in the dishwasher - THANK YOU.

Did you know? All the monies that are donated for hot drinks, etc, manage to pay for the replacement of tea, coffee etc, also to pay for all the cleaning materials we require & the toiletries that we all use, whilst at the Bridge Club.

Last updated : 8th Jun 2026 14:21 BST
CLUB DIARY - TEAM PLAYING
CLUB DIARY - TEAM PLAYING

Do not forget that the club does run teams events, on a reasonably regular basis. These occur predominately on a Monday evening (once a month) or sometimes on a Thursday evening (once every three months).

Please look out for these nights, which also appear on the "MENU" under "CALENDAR".

The next Monday teams session will take place on Monday 22nd June. 

The next Thursday teams session will take place on TBA.

You can sign up to this on the notice board when the list appears............

CLUB DIARY - SATURDAY MORNING SESSIONS
CLUB DIARY - SATURDAY MORNING SESSIONS

Our latest new session for your participation, on the last Saturday of each month, has been taking place.

These sessions started at 10.15 am & finished for about 1.15 pm, playing 20 - 24 boards. The popularity of these sessions, so as to ascertain whether this initiative will continue, and any new sessions offered is now under review.

Well, we have decided to continue on the following dates :-

  • Saturday 27th June

At this stage, we envisage the continuation of these sessions going forward, always on the last Saturday of the month, with the exception of between Xmas & New Year, when it will not run (it would be on Boxing Day anyways).  

As to whether we expand on this once a month session, to more Saturday sessions, well the jury is out on that decision. 

So proposed until the end of the year (all to be confirmed as yet) are :-

  • Saturday 25th July
  • Saturday 29th August
  • Saturday 26th September
  • Saturday 31st October
  • Saturday 28th November 

All are welcome to this session, as all you need to do is turn up with your partner, in order to play.  

EBU - SCARBOROUGH SUMMER FESTIVAL - JULY 16TH - 19TH
EBU - SCARBOROUGH SUMMER FESTIVAL - JULY 16TH - 19TH

This EBU congress is taking place at Scarborough, starting on Thursday 16th July with various differing sessions taking place over the course of the next three days.It is important to note that this event is a stratified event, meaning that you will only have your final placings based on similar results by partnerships of roughly your abilities. All details for this event can be found on the EBU web-site under "Competitions" and then "Calendar" (change the month to July & select this item). To apply to take part in this event, please use the Oliver Cowan web-site to access this.  

CLUB NEWS - COMMITTEE MEETING AND MORE ....
CLUB NEWS - COMMITTEE MEETING AND MORE ....

All committee members act on behalf of YOU the members, and to help keep the Club in a financially stable condition, amongst many other considerations.  

Is there any more we can do on other matters? Tell us please, and you never know what may happen!

The next committee meeting is on Friday 24th July at 13.30 in the Club rooms.

Look on the web-site under "CALENDAR" for all future Committee meetings dates, for the next financial year...................

The next AGM will be on Tuesday 13th April 2027 - all welcome, with a free shortened Bridge session afterwards.  

CLUB NEWS - YORKSHIRE TROPHY
CLUB NEWS - YORKSHIRE TROPHY

Wakefield Bridge Club, had three teams entered in the above competition, for the 2025 / 2026 season, which was a straight forward knockout competition, with eleven teams entered.

Two of our teams were playing in the first round, Wakefield Thornes were away to a team from Leeds Bridge Club, whilst Wakefield Holmfield were at home to a team from Wetherby Bridge Club. Wakefield Clarence were given a bye in the first round.

Wakefield Thornes played their 1st round match, and defeated their opponents 64 - 26. Their reward was an away fixture at Ilkley Bridge Club in the second round. This has now played and they defeated their opponents 55 - 44. Their reward was an away fixture at York in the third round, which has now been played, and they defeated their opponents 55 - 49.  Their reward is :-

  •  an away fixture in the final of this competition, at Wakefield Holmfield.

Wakefield Holmfield have played their 1st round match, and defeated their opponents 94  - 58. Their reward was a home fixture against our other team, Wakefield Clarence in the second round. This has now been played and they defeated their opponents 61 - 39. Their reward was a home fixture against York (a different team) in the third round of this competition. This has now been played and they defeated their opponents 51 - 45. Their reward is :-

  •  a home fixture in the final of this competition against Wakefield Thornes. 

The result of this match, which took place on Thursday 28th March, was won by Wakefield Thornes 73 - 31. Well done to all of our teams, for taking part in this competition.

Who is interested in taking part in this competition in 2026 / 2027, for which the qualification is being a JACK or LESS?              

CLUB DIARY - FUNDAY 6TH JUNE 2026
CLUB DIARY - FUNDAY 6TH JUNE 2026

The previous FUNDAY, took place on Saturday 3rd January 2026. The total monies raised was £1500.00, which is phenomenal.

It had been decided, that the monies raised should be donated & shared between two charities, namely Wakefield Hospice and another small mental health charity - Memory Action Group, also based in Wakefield. We had large presentation cheques made up to be presented to both charities. We picture the Wakefield Express article that was published.

The last FUNDAY, took place on Saturday 6th June 2026. Thanks also go to everyone involved in making this event happen, in whatever capacity. After it has all been counted, we have made over £900.00 profit.   

The next FUNDAY is to take place on Saturday 9th January 2027, where everything will happen all over again. Perhaps we may achieve handicapped results..........

Results
Friday Morning Pairs
Director: Brian Skinner
Scorer: Jane Hawkins
Thursday Evening Pairs
Director: Adrian Dubel
Scorer: Stephen Hanslip
Tuesday Evening Pairs
Director: Peter Wallace
Scorer: Alan Ardron
Monday Morning Pairs
Director: Peter Wallace
Scorer: Peter Jones
Calendar
13th Jun 2026
Yorkshire Festival of Bridge - Multiple Pairs
Harrogate
12.00 - 19.00
14th Jun 2026
Yorkshire Festival of Bridge - Multiple Teams
Harrogate
11.00 - 18.00
14th Jun 2026
Yorkshire Festival of Bridge - Relaxed Jack High Pairs
Harrogate
13.30 - 17.30
15th Jun 2026
Monday Morning Pairs
10.00