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Wakefield Bridge Club
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HOME PAGE - WBC (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB)
14th Aug 2026 01:04 BST
BREAKING NEWS.......
14th Aug 2026 00:39 BST
Bridge Breaks & Holidays
6th Aug 2026 18:07 BST
From Our Beginnings....
4th Aug 2026 15:17 BST
Minutes of Past AGMs - From 1960 to Current.
4th Aug 2026 15:14 BST
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BREAKING NEWS.......

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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" in yellow writing on a black background (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 : 3rd Aug 2026 14:58 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 or alternatively you can contact Danny Parsonson by e-mailing him at treasurer@wakefieldbridgeclub.co.uk

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. We offer various levels of entry into our world, from absolute beginners upwards.

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

The 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.

Did you know, that up to 20% of all adults know how to play Bridge - why not join them?

Last updated : 3rd Aug 2026 15:02 BST
CLUB NEWS - BEGINNER TRAINING
CLUB NEWS - BEGINNER TRAINING

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

The Stage 1 lessons, which commenced on Thursday 23rd April 2026, are now complete. Stage 2 of this training commences on Thursday 1st October, lasting until Thursday 7th January 2027. 

We will be holding another brand new Beginner Bridge Training Stage 1 programme of lessons in 2027. This will start on Thursday 29th April @ 18.30 until 20.30 for twelve weeks. These will not be consecutive weeks, due to holidays so please refer to our "Calendar" for further details. There will also be a taster day for everyone, with no obligation, as a chance for everybody to decide for themselves, whether they wish to participate in learning to play Bridge. This will take place on Thursday 8th April 2027 @ 18.30 pm at our Club.

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 : 9th Aug 2026 17:57 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. 

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Last updated : 14th Jul 2026 13:54 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". 

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 movement, 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 of 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. Only occurs when a course is running - see our Calendar for more details.

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 : 3rd Aug 2026 15:11 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. This may change in the future, but only after our AGM takes place on Tuesday 13th April 2027. 
  • 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 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 13th April 2027, after which this may alter.
  • 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 two large fridges (one only in use for functions), and members are invited to bring their own drinks in for consumption. Thank you for your honesty.
  • Biscuits - 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, so as 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 : 3rd Aug 2026 15:20 BST
HOME PAGE - WBC (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB)
 
 
  CLUB DIARY - BRIDGE + BREW - SUPERVISED IMPROVER TRAINING SESSION
CLUB DIARY - 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 interpreting the bidding cards. This coming Thursday, please all look forward to talking about defence, based upon the opening lead.

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 be new to you. 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 : 9th Aug 2026 17:58 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 24th August. 

The next Thursday teams session will take place on TBA

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

Last updated : 9th Aug 2026 17:29 BST
  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 will be gauged, so as to ascertain whether this initiative will continue, and any future sessions offered are all under review.

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

  • Saturday 29th August.

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).  

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

  • 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.  

Last updated : 3rd Aug 2026 14:46 BST
  CLUB DIARY - CHRIS MAYNARD CLUB DUPLICATE CHAMPIONSHIPS NO 3 - SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
CLUB DIARY - CHRIS MAYNARD CLUB DUPLICATE CHAMPIONSHIPS NO 3 - SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER

This event will have it's third outing on a new date. This time it will take place in September, starting at 10.30.

The event will feature "Blue Points" instead of the normal "Black Points", so highlighting the prestige of this competition. There will be some nice prizes available for all the stratified winners on the day, so all levels of our Bridge Club will be able to take part. This is because, by stratifying this event, each partnership will be competing against partnerships at their own level of ability etc.

The cost of this event is £20.00 pp, with a midday break for a buffet lunch incorporating desserts.

We hope that you all will apply to join in, when a list appears on the notice board...................... 

Enjoy.

Last updated : 2nd Aug 2026 16:36 BST
  CLUB DIARY - COMMITTEE MEETING AND MORE ....
CLUB DIARY - 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 25th September 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.  

Last updated : 25th Jul 2026 00:36 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 (This extra charge has been waved by your committee).  

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

  1. Autumn on Tuesday 6th October. We have entered this event.

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 : 23rd Jul 2026 18:37 BST
  CLUB DIARY - XMAS MEAL - MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER '@ HOLMFIELD ARMS WAKEFIELD
CLUB DIARY - XMAS MEAL - MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER '@ HOLMFIELD ARMS WAKEFIELD

Xmas comes early in Wakefield!

It is under 150 days to Xmas, so we are starting to get ourselves organised for the festive season.

There are some details out for our annual Xmas meal, in that we have set a date & we are planning to return to the same venue as last year.

Details of menu and cost are still to be determined.

There is a list on the notice board, where you can sign up to express your interest in this celebration of Xmas. Is Santa coming to your house?

Last updated : 14th Aug 2026 01:04 BST
JUST ANOTHER HAND? - AUGUST 2026 - No 77
JUST ANOTHER HAND? - AUGUST 2026 - No 77

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..........

CLUB NEWS - CLUB PROMOTIONS
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.

CLUB NEWS - WETHERBY CAFE BRIDGE - WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST
CLUB NEWS - WETHERBY CAFE BRIDGE - WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST

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.

CLUB NEWS - EBU - GREAT NORTHERN SWISS PAIRS @ LEEDS - OCTOBER 3RD 2026 - 9 HIGH PAIRS
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.

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 on 15th August 2026.

Results
Thursday Evening Pairs
Director: Peter Wallace
Scorer: Adrian Dubel
Tuesday Evening Pairs
Director: Peter Wallace
Scorer: Peter Jones
Monday Morning Pairs
Director: Peter Jones
Scorer: Roger Blackall
Monday Evening Pairs
Director: Alan Ardron
Scorer: David Donaldson
Calendar
14th Aug 2026
Friday Morning Pairs
10.00
17th Aug 2026
Monday Morning Pairs
10.00
17th Aug 2026
Monday Evening Pairs
19.00
18th Aug 2026
Tuesday Teaching Session - For Intermediates
10.00