Now that face-to-face bridge is back, after a promising start all that's missing is more members to help us celebrate our return and enjoy a game with friends at our lovely new premises, Tudor Hall at The Old School in Cuckfield. There's plenty of room, it's comfortable and warm (now that we've figured out the heating), there's hot water for tea and coffee, and it's a wonderful time to renew friendships and acquaintances in person. We need your support if our Club is to flourish and survive, so do please join us soon! Games are held every Thursday afternoon at 1.30pm and every Thursday evening at 7pm. Venue and parking details are on our Information page. We encourage you to purchase a book of vouchers (session cost is £3 for members or £25 for 11 vouchers); any that are unused will be fully refundable should we at some point decide not to continue with face-to-face bridge.

And don't forget our members-only online game with RealBridge every Tuesday at 7pm.

Questions? We'd love to answer them, so please contact Chris Jago at secretary@westsussexbc.co.uk.

Our weekly online 18 board session on Tuesdays at 7pm is for members of WSBC only. As an introductory offer for the rest of 2021, there will be no charge for playing, and EBU master points will be issued as normal. RealBridge allows you to see and speak to your partner, opponents and Director if needed. It displays bidding boxes and hand layout as when we play F2F and is an enjoyable, sociable experience. There are no robots! It is easy to pick up and members are urged to log into the website: www.realbridge.online where there is a lot of information on how it operates.

RealBridge runs 8 board "taster sessions" at no cost twice a week when you can play with a chosen partner or with another single. The only requirement is that you sign up at least 2 hours beforehand via the website. The next taster sessions is on Friday 22 October, 10pm (sign up by 8pm).

You can play in the taster sessions as many times as you like to get the hang of it before you play in the Club game. They are very relaxed (it isn’t a competition) and you will be helped if you are really stuck. If you are particularly apprehensive about the trial, please ring Club Secretary, Chris Jago, on 01825 721282 or email him at secretary@westsussexbc.co.uk and he will arrange for a member of the Committee to help guide you through the process.

If you have an NGS of 9 or below – or no NGS rating at all – this game is especially for you. On a Monday afternoon at 2pm you can join the online game on BBO that is offered through our partnership with Avenue and Lewes bridge clubs. Players with an NGS rating of 10 or above are not eligible to play in this game.

The game will run for 18 boards and cost $3 to play. It is a simple systems game, with no robots permitted and limited conventions: weak twos - Benji style or 3 weak twos - or strong twos; Stayman and transfers; a defence to 1NT; simple Blackwood; two-suited overcalls; cue-bidding (including splinters); simple jump-overcalls of any agreed strength.

We. hope to see you there!

Our winter bridge break is to be held at the beautiful Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth, organised in conjunction with Horsham B.C. The Miramar is wonderfully situated near the beach on the East Cliff with excellent food and superb service. As previously, the bridge will be directed by Graham and Berry Hedley and will include two afternoon handicapped sessions and three evening sessions with standbys available. Seminars and hand discussions will be held on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Flight A and B prizes and master points will be awarded for all sessions.

Prices for bridge & accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast for 3 nights:
• £215 per person sharing a double/twin room
• £240 per person for single occupancy
• Sea view room +£25
• Premium non-sea view room +£10

We are asking for a £50 deposit but this is fully refundable if you cancel for any reason by 30th November.

We only have a few rooms left so if you would like to come please contact: Chris Jago on 01825 721282 or email secretary@westsussexbc.co.uk.

Although our Club has resumed face-to-face bridge, WSBC is still offering online bridge through a partnership with Avenue and Lewes Clubs. Three weekly sessions are available on BBO: Tuesday mornings, Wednesday evenings and Thursday afternoons. If you would like to play and are not already registered, please contact Hazel (mps@westsussexbc.co.uk).