spbc september 14

SPBC Newsletter September 2014
From the President – Pat Hobson
Welcome back to the editor of our newsletter. I know how very much our members enjoy “the
news”.
Every day I am told how lovely the club is looking, which I am sure you would all thoroughly agree
with. The existing side tables we have are to be restored in the near future. From all reports, I am
told the tables are well worth restoring. To meet the the expected costs for this project, a grant for
$25,000 will be applied for by the Club, as we did for the chairs,
Marlene Bernau has, for many years, done all the banners, special presentation envelopes, and
greeting cards for the Club. In retirement, thank-you Marlene. The club is very grateful for your
talented and generous contribution.
Our wonderful and generous “hand towel” member is also retiring. Throughout her great “giving
project” she has wished to remain anonymous.
Thank-you from SPBC for a great contribution.
I am including a new book in our library this week -The Devil's Tickets. Hope you all enjoy it.
Happy Days,
Pat
Membership Report- with thanks to Lindsay Kubler
Total Membership 727
Life Members
23
Home Club
585
Non Affiliated
142
New Members: Michael Main, Sue Main, Lyn Robinson, Nimal Weerasinghe, Allison Williams
( Mike and Sue Main and Allison Williams have been members in the past)
Some interesting Statistics -with thanks to Trevor Dwerryhouse
rd
SPBC members may be interested to know that with 584 home members, we are the 3 largest club
in Queensland (behind Toowong 732 home members and Northern Suburbs 655 home members.
th
SPBC is the 9 largest club in Australia.
Australia currently has 35,628 registered members.
Queensland accounts for 7,825 of these registered members.
Bridge Tip – a discussion of Board 28 at the recent Sunday teams event
On board 28, the dealer had a 10 count including 6 hearts to the KQJ. Our team-mates were playing
Precision, so Mike Robson had a simple 1H opener. This was quickly raised to 4 by Betty Lee,
which made it impossible for the opposition to get into the bidding and led to a quiet 1 light. At our
table the dealer passed, presumably thinking the hand was too good to open 2H, and not good
enough to open 1H. Moral here is not whether to open bur at what level. This was passed around to
me and I had a simple and very easy 1C opening. Dealer now came to life with 2H and my partner
had enough for a negative double. Over 3H from my right, I bid 3S with 4 to the Q empty and my
partner judged correctly to raise to an unbeatable game with only 8 points because of a singleton H.
Next moral is to bid to your maximum as quickly as possible – another is that it is better to be dealt
S than H!
With thanks to our featured member, named in From the Editor.
Getting to know our members.
We are proud Kiwis who for many years now have been equally proud members of SPBC. I started
playing over 40 years ago after a successful table tennis career. My wife did not learn bridge until
about 10 years later, but soon caught up! We are Grand Masters in NZ, ans are still listed in the top
100there of all time master points, my wife being several places ahead of me. We have won the
Senior Pairs at the NZ champs, and last year were part of a team which came second in the NZ
Senior teams.
We now regularly spend 2 to 3 months on the Gold Coast and love playing at the club. The
highlight for us was winning the Championship Teams last year with good friends and club
stalwarts, Michael Kent and Hari Beaumaris. Several years ago we were also delighted to be part of
a team at the club in which we were paired with an inexperienced pair and won the event playing
against similarly constitutes teams. It was great for our team-mates as they never had to play against
any of the more highly rated pairs. Sadly this was the last time I believe the event was held as it was
not supported by the better players. Who are we?
Bridge Ettiquette
Much of the popularity of bridge is attributed to the high standard of ettiquette which is observed by
players. No other modern game relies so heavily on the expectation that participants conduct
themselves in a highly civilised manner.
Courtesy is the Golden Rule – always be courteous at the bridge table. This applies to how one
relates to partner, the opponents and the director when he/she is called. Carefully avoid any remark
that might cause embarrassment to any other player- or which might interfere with his/her
enjoyment of the game. It is always good practice to greet your new opponents at the table. The
Director should always be called to the table in a courteous manner. Using the word “please” assists
in this courtesy. Being mindful of the “tone”in one's voice when summoning the director
underscores a recognition that this official has an onerous task in providing a valued service to
bridge players. At the end of a round it is courteous to thank your opponents before moving on to
the next table. (With thanks to WA Bridge Assoc)
From the editor- Jenny Sawyer
You will have noticed a new section “Bridge Ettiquette” in this newsletter. My intention is to
include one tip in each future edition. As always, contributions are always welcome, on any matter
of interest to members.
This editions featured members are George and Carol Wilkinson. Special thanks to George for the
bridge tip this month.

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