All News

but for what? That may sum up today’s problem. We have a decent hand but where to go with it? No fit that we know about and no ability to bid no trumps. Where to go? It’s Teams with neither side vulnerable and the clock is ticking:... read more here

A “Grand” start to Trans-Tasman Challenge. It’s “grand” if you can bid it…and make it, too! A Trans- Tasman practice series started last Friday evening. Roughly once a month on Friday evenings, New Zealand... read more here

for Junior, Intermediate and Novice players...and others! It's Fri day.  Give it a Go, Joe..or Paddy ...today or any day! When your partner doubles 1 of a suit on the first round of bidding, it is for take-out. Leave the double in at your... read more here

John in conversation with Derek Frapwell and Bob Scott. Just a Chance. The passing of Alan Turner and John Wignall have made this a week of reflection and remembrance. In the last two days, we have remembered two stories about boards played by... read more here

Alan Turner along with Shirley Newton and Richard Solomonleading the way at a National Bridge Teachers' conference.  “And Speaking Of Gamblers” Today’s article, like yesterday’s, is dedicated to Alan Turner. It comes... read more here

John Wignall (1932-2023) John Wignall has been hugely influential on many aspects of the way we play bridge in New Zealand. He had a big impact on the game at the Christchurch Bridge Club, where he had been a member and played for almost 70... read more here

Today and tomorrow, I want to remember Alan Turner, a huge personality in so many aspects of our game. Tomorrow, we will also feature an obituary to Alan but today we have a deal in which Alan demonstrated his skill at the bridge table. Some hands... read more here

Two Wrongs do not make one right! It is a sad tale today, a tale of probably one wrong bid and then panic set in. Although our Panel seem fairly united in what should have happened, the story is, I believe, worth telling in case others fall into... read more here

for Junior, Intermediate and Novice players..and others! It's Fri day.  Never say “never”. There is a bridge saying (there are many bridge sayings!) “eight ever: nine never” which helps us to decide whether we... read more here

Expressway. There is often a catch when you are presented with a bridge problem. Otherwise, why would a fellow player give you the problem in the first place!? So, be careful before you answer the question below.      ... read more here

for Junior, Intermediate and Novice Players...and others! It's Fri   Day.  Good Bidding: Great Result. Today’s story is a happy story. For a start, it has a happy ending! However, in looking at the bidding and the play of... read more here

Common Sense: you are “counting” on it! A fairly common defensive situation today. It may only be a part-score but at the end of the match, those plus or minus 5 imps can have a big impact on the result. East DealsNone... read more here

Too Low, Joe! A problem for you today that occurred for many during the recent Gold Coast Congress. What action would you take at this point of the following auction? You are playing Pairs with only East-West vulnerable:  -... read more here

If only I Could, I surely would! Is it too much to ask for? A trump or two. A measly 3 or 4….not much to ask for…. Have you as declarer ever been told by your partner to draw the opponents’ trumps? Unless you have some... read more here

 Michael Ware, Brian Mace, Hugh McGann and Tom Jacob.  End of play and end-play at Gold Coast. Congratulations to the mainly Kiwi team of Hugh McGann, Michael Ware, Tom Jacob, Brian Mace and Matthew Thomson who finished runners-up in... read more here

Wrong but Right. That’s the theme behind today’s hand from the first day of the Teams event at the Gold Coast Congress. Can you envisage you can indeed be wrong but ultimately be right? Today’s hand follows up yesterday’s... read more here

It’s Fri day… for Junior, Intermediate and Novice players….and others! Know the Question. It is hard to give an answer if you are not sure of what the question means. That caused an inferior contract to be reached on the... read more here

Defence…or Attack? It’s opening lead time today….and as we are defending a slam, the stakes are high. You started off with an aggressive action but your opponent in the South seat matched you by jumping all the way to slam:... read more here

High stakes : Good Timing. With the exception of a Seniors’ Team for the Asia Pacific Bridge Federation (APBF) Championships in Hong Kong in June, our Open, Women, Mixed and Seniors' international teams have all been announced. Yesterday... read more here

Stay Safe at trick 1. It’s Fri  Day  for Junior, Intermediate and Novice players…and others. We learn quite early in our bridge careers about playing transfers when a player opens 1NT. Although their partner may turn out... read more here

A Crucial Lead. They all are, to an extent, though some are more costly than others. Today’s came from the recent Open Trial. See if you can sift through the evidence and even glance at your hand before deciding on your choice:... read more here