Entering an NSBC Event via MyABF

The Winter Cup

The Winter Online Cup is an eclectic event and does not require pre-entry on MyABF or the club website, players turn up and play in whatever weeks they wish as they do for regular duplicate bridge sessions.

• Two sections - Open and Intermediate / Restricted, Rookie
• This is an online only event running on RealBridge
• Casual entry, no sign up, just turn up and play
• Generous Prizes for overall winners based on overall entries
• B4c Red points awarded for each session
• Outright Red Points are eligible for players that play at least 3 sessions with the same partner
• For winners best 3 out of 4 sessions with same partner count. Must play 3 sessions to be eligible for the prizes
• Regular session fees apply for members and visitors
• Regular 7pm start on the 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th of August
• Format is one winner with Matchpoints scoring and 26-28 boards expected
• This is a "virtual" cup event (no real cup, just in name only) and not an overall championship event at this stage so no CC points will be awarded

Lessons and Events

Check out all the Lessons available in August to help you improve your Bridge game, also look below for all the Major Events happening in August and September and don't forget the Winter Cup.

I'm excited to share some fantastic news – we have a brand-new sponsor, Kieser!

For those who haven't heard of them, Kieser is all about strength training with a twist – think physiotherapy meets precision engineering. Their machines are not like the usual ones you find in a gym. They're designed to isolate and target specific muscles you didn't even know you had (until you feel them the next day!).

I can personally vouch for them because I'm now their newest customer. I have to say, they are taking exceptionally good care of me. The team really knows their stuff, and I can already feel the difference. If you're even slightly curious, their ½ price initial assessment offer is well worth it – you'll walk out feeling like you've done something great for your body.

Kieser isn't just helping us get stronger; they're also supporting our club in a big way. Not only are they sponsoring a Congress in 2026, but they've also committed at least $200 each month for Face-to-Face session prizes. How good is that? So please support them if you can – it's a win-win.

Club Business

The club is looking very healthy – both in numbers and spirit! Session growth is still climbing, and that's a massive part of our success. Another big reason is Jo, who continues to volunteer her time as our Bookkeeper – an incredible saving for the club. Next time you see her, please take a moment to say a big thank you.

Festival of Bridge – Worth Mentioning Twice

What a fantastic event! I know I've raved about it before, but it deserves another cheer. Revenue was up by $8.6k, and although costs increased by $3.5k (thanks to boosted prizes and more mouths to feed), that's still $5k straight to the bottom line. But it's not just about the dollars – we had loads of members playing in congresses for the first time. Here's hoping this "sell-out" trend continues!

East Lindfield Makeover

Oh my, doesn't she look swell! A huge thanks to everyone who made this happen – the place is looking better than ever. Please do your bit to keep her looking great, thanks.

NSBC Education Hub

We're now offering any club that sells our Online Lessons an affiliate commission. This means other clubs can offer their players our online content while earning a little something for their own coffers. Win-win!

We're hopeful this will give us the scale to cover the Education Hub software costs while also helping other clubs create more bridge enthusiasts (addicts, even!). We'd also love to roll out more technology and tools to help students practice. These things cost money, but our goal is to keep lesson prices steady – affordability matters.

Lindfield Rollers & NSBC Merger

You might not have heard much noise from us lately, but that doesn't mean nothing's happening behind the scenes. We're knee-deep in the nitty-gritty, figuring out exactly what this merger could look like for us as a club if we go ahead.

The good news? Things are moving forward – slowly but positively. It's absolutely critical that we dot every i and cross every t before we bring anything to you, our members. I'm hopeful we'll have more concrete news (the kind that actually tells you something!) in the next newsletter.

That's all from me, stay dry and warm, keep healthy and see you at the tables.

Shaz Thompson

Our Club

At the end of July NSBC had 1664 members.

Special Mention

In case you missed it in the promotions section of last months Newsletter, a special mention and congratulations to Mark Guthrie and Margaret Pussell who both achieved the level of Grand Master - well done and congratulations!

And Don't Forget

Tuesday 5th August at 6:00pm at the Chatswood Hotel, 14 Railway Street Chatswood, the NSBC Social Committee has arranged a social evening in the Room off the main bar. All NSBC members are invited - bring your partner/spouse/child or sibling and join us for a drink and mingle or stay for dinner. Come and meet new friends and old as well as Committee Members, Directors and Bridge enthusiasts, (drinks and meals are not supplied by the NSBC).

There were two major Events completed during the month. The BAM (Board a Match) event considered the purest form of scoring Teams Bridge events and the Online Winter Teams Event

The result for the BAM Event was:

Winners: Team Adams - TONY NUNN - LIZ ADAMS - PETER GILL - KITTY MUNTZ

Second: Team Ichilcik - LORNA ICHILCIK - GEORGE FLEISCHER - BILL POWELL - MARJORIE ASKEW

THIRD: Team URBACH: ELLI URBACH - KEVIN DAVIES - JAKE ANDREW - RAKESH KUMAR

Fundamentals of Bridge

The Following List of Lessons are all presented by Garry Viner each Saturday from 0930 - 1130 at East Lindfield

• Week 3 - Stayman Saturday 9th August
• Week 4 - Transfers Saturday 16th August
• Week 5 - Weak Two's and Pre-empts Saturday 23rd August
• Week 6 - Strong 2's and Strong hands Saturday 30th August
• Week 7 - Rebidding, Raising and Decision Making Saturday 6th September
• Week 8 - Revision Practice and Scoring Saturday 13th September

Thursdays with Will

The following Lessons are with Will Jenner-O'Shea, each Thursday from 0930 - 1130 online (Zoom meetings) and includes recorded video session, 2 hours of recorded video lesson, firstly covering the theory. Then Will shows the theory with real hands.

Members Cost is $17 per session Visitors Cost is $20 per session.

Bridge maxims are not hard and fast rules to follow but are very good rules of thumb that have emerged after decades of general gameplay in the bridge community. Here are four maxims that I use regularly:

1. "Eight ever, nine never." When missing the queen in a suit: finesse with 8 cards, play for the drop with 9. This works the majority of the time. However understand that a takeout double by the opponents may suggest the suit is not splitting 2-2 and it may be better to finesse.
2. "When in doubt, lead a spade." Especially against no-trump contracts—spades are often unbid and disruptive. I use this one a lot when spades have not been bid and I don't have an obvious lead to choose.
3. "You can't preempt a preempt." Once opponents have disrupted the auction, your options narrow. Partner will always think you are bidding a genuine hand and things get can messy quickly if you don't have one.
4. "If you have a choice of reasonable bids and one of them is 3NT, then bid it." Known as Hamman's Law, this reflects the power and simplicity of no-trump contracts. If I think 5C or 5D is on then I will always try to find 3NT along the way. 3NT making 11 tricks is worth more than 5C or 5D making, however if 3NT is risky (not reasonable) then bidding game in the minors may be safer.

Remember, these are not hard and fast, just a good place to start when the circumstances arises.

Happy Bridging
Gary

The winner of last months Bridge puzzle was Alex Kemeny who will have his prize added to his account.

Congratulations to the following players who were the overall Monthly Winners for their session.

Congratulations to the following members on their promotions.

A warm welcome to our new members this month.