New Member’s Kit
“No matter where I go, I can always make new
friends at the bridge table”
- Martina Navratilova
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NEW MEMBER’S KIT
This kit can be adapted by each club to reflect their activities and protocols
Table of contents
Page
1
NZBridge
2
2
Regional Website
2
3
Newsletters
2
4
Subscriptions and payments
2
5
Masterpoints
2
6
Club Captain or Recorder
3
7
Ethics and Code of Conduct
3
8
Calendar of Events
3
9
Tournaments and Special Events
3
10
Improver Classes and seminars
3
11
Supervised Sessions
4
12
Club Volunteers
4
13
Directors
4
14
Bridge Rules you should know
4
15
Bidding Systems
5
16
Scoring and Hand Records
5
17
Recruiting New Members
5
18
Partnerships
5
19
Publications
6
20
Software and bridge online
6
21
Can you help ?
6
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1. NZBridge
CLUB CONTACTS
Website
www.
Secretary/Clubrooms
Go to www.nzbridge.co.nz for information about
the National Organisation. Among the things that
NZ Bridge manages, are the Masterpoint
scheme, the International programme and the
Phone:
National Congress. It also organises the
Email:
tournament schedule for the country. A small
Session Convenor
Phone:
Email:
Mentor
portion of your club subscription goes to NZB for
management expenses.
2. Regional Website
Phone:
For information related to your region, go to
Email:
www.xxx.co.nz
Partnership Steward
Phone:
Email:
President
3. Newsletters
Monthly club newsletters can be found on the
website or picked up from the clubrooms.
Phone:
Email:
Opt-in on www.nzbridge.co.nz for the National
newsletter and bridge magazine – some great
articles for you !
4. Subscriptions and payments
Our annual subscription is $......... This first year
will cost you $……..
SESSION TIMES & COST
Day/s:
Start:
Evening/s:
Start:
Please be seated 10
minutes before start time.
Sessions cost $xxx
Further payments are due annually by ……………….
5. Masterpoints
Players receive masterpoints at club sessions
(how many depends on the number of tables in
the section)and tournaments. After playing for a
while, you can check how many you have on
www.nzbridge.co.nz
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6. Club Captain or Recorder
If you wish to speak to someone about the behaviour of a club member that is not an
issue for the Director, then approach the club Recorder or Club Captain.
Name: ………………………………….
Phone………………………………….
eMail: ………………………………….
7. Ethics and Code of Conduct
Included in this kit is a copy of the club’s Code of Conduct
8. Calendar of Events
SPONSORS
Key sponsors for our club are:
SBS
Please support the sponsors
as often as you can - we
need their support !
SUGGESTION BOX
This is placed near the
secretary’s office.
Please write and post any
suggestions/comments you
have on any issue regarding
the club.
Check out the events for your grade on the
website, your programme or ask the Club Captain
for more information. There are also club
tournaments and social events that you can
participate in.
9. Tournaments and Special Events
A schedule is at the back of your programme
book
Special club tournaments include:
…………………………………………………………..
10. Improver Classes and seminars
Visit the club website - sub-heading “Education”
for dates for all Improver classes and Seminars.
Topics are listed on the website.
Entry forms for classes will be posted on the
noticeboard.
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11. Supervised Sessions
These are sessions where you can ask for help with bidding and play. A teacher or
mentor will be present to answer any queries you have. These sessions are held
…………………………………..
12. Club Volunteers
We always need volunteers to help with card
dealing, catering and other duties. If you have
time to volunteer your services, please contact
………………………………………………….
13. Directors
The Director is the person to call to the table when an infraction has occurred. The
Director is like the referee and will make a ruling. Don’t be afraid to call the Director - it is
not an insult to your opponents!
The Directors for your grade include …………………………………………………………………………….
14. Bridge Rules you should know
•
You must announce the length or meaning of your 1-Club opening bid, and your
1NT opening strength.
•
Declarer should call for dummy’s card, and only then can dummy play that card.
•
At the end of play, do not pick up your cards until all players have agreed to the
number of tricks made.
•
For all infractions of rules, such as an incorrect or insufficient bid, lead out of turn or
revoke, don’t try to correct it! Call the director to get the correct ruling.
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15. Bidding Systems
The system you have been taught is called Acol. This is based on bidding 4-card Majors,
Weak 2’s, with a weak 12-14 NT.
System cards can be found at the directors’ desk. Please fill out the outer 2 pages of the
system card to use in all tournaments. There should be some system cards prepared
with your beginner’s system already explained.
16. Scoring and Hand Records
BENEFITS OF PLAYING
BRIDGE
Health benefits include:
 Good for mental health on-going learning,
challenging, good for
memory/concentration,
Scoring is done each session using Bridgepads
The results are posted on the results board in the
main playing room, as well as the website.
Hand records are available at the end of play placed in a tray on the directors’ desk, and on the
website.
At the club you will mostly play duplicate bridge the same hands as others sitting your way. It
Mathematics, logic,
therefore requires skill not luck to do well! Teams
critical thinking and
bridge and Rubber bridge are other styles you
problem solving.
 Stalls Alzheimer’s and
Dementia
 Social interaction opportunities to make
friends, travel, teamwork
 Competitive game played
everywhere in the world.
 Easy to learn but hard to
master - don’t need to be
an expert to enjoy
 Inexpensive hobby
may be introduced to after some experience.
17. Recruiting New Members
Bring a new member to a set of beginner lessons
and you will receive two free session tickets.
18. Partnerships
It is a good idea to play with different partners –
choose different events to swap with another
pair. Don’t be offended if your partner wants a
change!
Partnership Stewards are there to help you find a
partner so please use them
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19. Publications
PRACTICE AT HOME:
It’s a lot of fun getting a
group together to play
at home on another
night. You will improve
your bridge and it’s a
way to make new
friends! You can
introduce friends and
family to mini-bridge.
Ask your secretary for a
Mini-bridge Pack.
There is a wide range of books and booklets you can
purchase. One recommended author is Paul
Marston (an ex-kiwi). Other booklets include
………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………….
Ask your club secretary to show you the club library.
20. Software and bridge online
If you wish to try online bridge there are several
websites and programs that provide opportunities for
playing vs the computer, playing live with a partner,
or practising bidding and play for free. You will have
already used skybridgeclub.com for your lesson
practice.
Some sites will cost you a modest fee to continue playing. One of the most popular free
websites is Bridge Base Online (bbo) which you can play on a PC or tablet using the
BBO app. Software that does not require you to play online, is called Bridge Baron.
21. Can you help ?
Do you know anyone who would be able to provide sponsorship for the club?
Do you have friends or family who would be interested in learning bridge?
If you can help, please contact the club secretary or your grade convenor
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