Trials – The WBU Selectors are inviting players for the trials for the Teltscher and Lady Milne competitions. The Teltscher trial is on 23rd – 24th January (RealBridge), and players are requested to use the online entry form – closing date 15th January. The Lady Milne trial is provisional, subject to sufficient entries, and ‘expressions of interest’ should be sent to Simon Gottschalk. The actual events are to be held on the same days (April 16th – 18th), precluding players from participating in both events (but you can enter for both trials). For full details see the Selectors’ Blog.
23.12.20/6.1.21
Camrose – The Camrose Home Internationals start this weekend on RealBridge – hosted by CBAI. The teams chosen are – Wales – Julian Pottage/Tony Ratcliff; Tony Disley/Adrian Thomas; Dafydd Jones/Adam Dunn; npc – Simon Richards. WBU – Gwynn Davis/Sue Ingham; Mark Roderick/Paddy Murphy; Alan Stephenson/Peter Kaufmann; npc – Lorrie Murphy. For all the tournament details see Camrose Information. Kibitzers can view the play (delayed feed), and see the up-to-date scores via Kibitz link.
After the first weekend Wales are lying third (Ireland in the lead) – all to play for on the second weekend. Results can be viewed via Results – 1st Weekend.
14.11.20/7.1.21/10.1.21
Seminars – The next free WBU seminar will be held on Tuesday 5th. January, at 2.30 pm. and repeated at 4.30 pm. – lasting for about 45 mins. The topic will be ‘Michaels Cue Bids’ – a method by which overcaller can show a two-suited hand (5/5). Suitable for average Club players, and also some ‘experts’ will find it useful. For details see Seminar Information
(If you don’t have the Zoom app installed on your computer use this direct Zoom Link, and for general assistance refer to Zoom Guidelines)
29.12.20
Seminars – The recent WBU seminar on ‘CheckBack’ was well attended, to the extent that many players were unable to participate due to Zoom limitations (our licence currently restricts us to 100). Consequently, the seminar will be repeated on Tues 29th December at 2.30 pm. for those unable to previously attend, and also for those who want a repeat. For details see Seminar Information
(If you don’t have the Zoom app installed on your computer use this direct Zoom Link, and for general assistance refer to Zoom Guidelines)
23.12.20
Blue Pointed Event – Why not start the New Year by competing in the Somerset CBA Blue Pointed Swiss Pairs on January 3rd (BBO). The event is open to WBU players – for further information see Event Details
22.12.20
Christmas Bridge – With the tighter lockdown restrictions recently announced, some of you may wish to participate in online Bridge over the ‘festive’ season. WBU/StepBridge are running a full schedule of events – Monday (21st Dec.), Wednesday (23rd), Friday (25th), Sunday (27th), Monday (28th), Wednesday (30th). All events start at 7.00 pm., match-Point pairs, except Friday – imp. scoring. January’s schedule will be announced shortly. Please ensure that you’re registered with Stepbridge, and then just turn-up.
21.12.20
Cambria Cup – The winners of this year’s Cambria Cup (played on RealBridge), were Filip Kurbalija, Diane Kurbalija, Dan McIntosh, and Patrick Shields. This event is a mixed pivot teams, with aggregate scoring, with five teams competing in the final. Congratulations to the winners. For details see Cambria Results
14.12.20
Welsh Cup 2020 – Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Welsh Cup – John Salisbury, Tony Disley, Tony Ratcliff, Julian Pottage, Gary Jones, Paul Lamford. The final (played on BBO) was in the ‘new’ format, with six teams competing in a multi-team final. Full details of the final can be found at Welsh Cup Results.
12.12.20
Welsh & Cambria Competitions 2021– The WBU Welsh and Cambria Cup Competitions for 2020-2021 will initially be held online. There’s an improved format based on regional draws, and the only non-regional travelling will be for the finals later next year. Within regions a ‘double elimination’ system will operate, ensuring any team must lose two matches before being eliminated. There are generous Green point awards, based on the result of 8-board stanzas, so you can lose the match, but still win Green points. For event details see Welsh Cup or Cambria Cup or contact the event organiser David Stevenson – the closing date for entries is Feb. 16th.
10.12.20
Welsh & Cambria – The delayed 2019-20 Welsh and Cambria Cup finals are taking place next weekend. The Welsh Cup (BBO – December 12th) has 6 teams competing over 50+ boards, and the Cambria Cup (RealBridge – December 13th) has 5 teams playing 45 boards.
5.12.20
Online League – Session 4 of the Geoff Evans Online League has now been finalised. There will be four divisions of 6 teams each, with the first matches to be completed by December 19th. For the teams and schedule see League Details. Our thanks to Liz Atkinson for organising this, and previous sessions for the past six months.
5.12.20
Porthcawl Congress – Congratulations to the winners at the Porthcawl Congress held 27th to 29th November and to West Wales Bridge Association for running a well organised and successful event which saw 40 teams entering the Swiss Teams. Full results can be found on this site at Results
Red Dragon Final Gary Hyett & Alan Cooke
Little Dragon Pairs Final Paddy Murphy & Mark Roderick
Swiss Teams Paddy Murphy & Mark Roderick, Adrian Thomas & Tony Disley
Ladies’ Pairs Tracy Capal & Liz Commins
Men’s Pairs David Griffiths & Graham Norris
Mixed Pairs Mike Best & Mia Deschepper
3.12.20
Online Bridge – Cheating. All NBOs have been requested to publish an open letter from the Nordic Bridge Unions regarding how the major Bridge Federations (WBF, EBL) should be more pro-active in addressing the problems arising from the prevalence of cheating at online bridge. They are requesting a common centralised approach to publicising and combatting the problem. To protect the integrity of the game, the WBU is anxious in exposing this unsavoury aspect of the game. Please read the Report.
Following this, the World Bridge Federation has now writen to all Bridge Unions – WBF Letter, and published a stronger Disciplinary Code
26.11.203.12.20
Seminars – The Welsh Bridge Union are presenting a number of free online (Zoom) seminars on some of the more useful common conventions. These seminars are aimed at average Club players – particularly those who possibly aspire to winning their Club championship – but also many ‘experts’ should still find them useful and instructive. These initially will be presented by Tony Haworth, the first of which will be on ‘Checkback’, to be held on Tuesday 15th December at 2.30 pm. Thereafter every three weeks – for full details see WBU Seminars
(If you don’t have the Zoom app installed on your computer use this direct Zoom Link , and for general assistance refer to Zoom Guidelines)
5.12.20
Juniors – Next weekend (28th/29th Nov) the WBU Junior team are competing in the second PCU (Panathlon Clubs Of Universities) International University Bridge Trophy, representing Cardiff University. This event is for universities and colleges worldwide. The main objective is to offer students a platform to develop international interaction and experience, with an emphasis on Fair Play and Universal Friendship. We hope they have an enjoyable and fruitful competition. Further details can be found at PCU Bridge. View Results
25.11.20/3/12/20
Porthcawl Congress – This year’s Porthcawl Congress will be held from Friday 27th November to Sunday 29th November on BBO – brochure. The programme of events is as extensive as ever, with Green Points (at the National Scale), being awarded for both the major Pairs and Teams events. Also there are subsidiary Mixed, Mens, Ladies, and Novice Pairs events. Please enter directly via the online entry form, or address any queries to Irene Thomas. See Current Results
27.10.20/27.11.20
Online League – The current Geoff Evans Online League Session 3 has now been completed – Final Results. Congratulations to Paul Denning, Richard Plackett, Pat Shields, Richard Chamberlain on their winning Division 1; Steve Jarvis’ team for Division 2; and Liz Atkinson’s team for Division 3. The next session is now being planned, and new or existing teams should submit entries to Liz Atkinson before December 5th. For further details see Online League – 4th. Session.
23.11.20/27.11.20
Tollemache – The EBU’s qualifier for the prestigious inter-county teams of eight took place this weekend on RealBridge. With only eight teams qualifying, unfortunately Wales’s only representative – East Wales – failed to qualify in a very strong field. For the full results see Tollemache Results
23.11.20
Camrose Selection – The WBU Selectors have now chosen the teams for the forthcoming Camrose matches: Wales – Julian Pottage/Tony Ratcliff; Tony Disley/Adrian Thomas; Dafydd Jones/Adam Dunn; NPC – Simon Richards. In addition Wales will be fielding a WBU team of Gwynn Davis/Sue Ingham; Mark Roderick/Paddy Murphy; Alan Stephenson/Peter Kaufmann.
14.11.20
Webmaster – Guy Mortenson who was previously appointed as the WBU Webmaster has now relinquished the position due to personal reasons. The WBU have now appointed Tony Haworth as the replacement Webmaster. Any relevant information (in particular ‘News’ and ‘Calendar’ additions/changes) should be sent via Webmaster
13.11.20
Lady Milne and Teltscher The English team won both the Lady Milne and Teltscher home internationals, but the Welsh Ladies must be congratulated on their second place – team: Gilly Clench/Maggie Pierce; Ceri Pierce/Mia Deschepper; Sarah Amos/Andrea Knox; (npc Tony Disley). The final results for the events can be viewed at Lady Milne Results and Teltscher Results. You can view the captains’ reports at Lady Milne Report or Teltscher Report.
Our President – Marie Topp – sends her congratulations to the Ladies team on their excellent performance.
1.11.20/8.11.20
Tollemache – The East Wales Bridge Association are entering a team into the Tollemache Cup – the EBU’s prestigious inter-county teams-of-eight. They have selected a strong team – Mark Roderick/Mike Best, Gilly Clench/David Birt, Mia Deschepper/Adrian Thomas, Sue Ingham/Gwyn Davies, Chris Rochelle/Simon Gottschalk, Julian Pottage/Tony Ratcliff – we wish them well.
8.11.20
Camrose Trials – Congratulations to Tony Ratcliff and Julian Pottage who had a convincing win in this year’s RealBridge Camrose Trials. They are automatically selected. The selectors will meet shortly to decide the remainder of the teams for the two Camrose weekends (next year – hosted by Ireland and Wales). Full Results
8.11.20
Camrose Trials – This weekend (Nov. 7th/8th), the WBU will be holding trials for the forthcoming Camrose internationals. Both the trials and the Camrose event will be held on the RealBridge online platform. Fourteen pairs have entered the trial, with the selectors only committed to selecting the winners; up to five other pairs will be selected on a performance based analysis. Further details can be found at Selectors’ Blog
5.11.20
Mike Hirst – Funeral. Mike’s funeral will be held on 19th November, and you can ‘attend’ via a web-cast link. For details see Funeral Arrangements (the web-cast will be available for one week after the funeral).
4.11.20
Obituary – MIKE HIRST It is with sadness we hear of the loss of Mike Hirst – aged 86. A giant in the Welsh Bridge world, Mike had an illustrious Camrose career, winning forty two Welsh Caps with several partners. Very well known, he really was a larger than life character. He had been a member of Cardiff Bridge club for almost sixty years. Also in his earlier days Mike had been a fine golfer. He will be much missed. Our deepest condolences go to Ann. Obituary
29.10.20
Home Internationals This weekend’s Home Internationas (Lady Milne and Teltscher Trophy), are being played online on Realbridge (30th October – 1st November). A Vugraph link via the English Bridge Union is available from Friday, for anyone to spectate these events. A new link will be published before each match. Spectators can select any table to watch, but boards will only become available once every table has played each board, so there will be a time delay. You will then be able to analyse the play, and circulate between tables as you wish. The playing schedule is:
Friday 30th October – 17.00–19.10 and 19.25–21.35
Saturday 31st October – 10.00–12.10, 12.25–14.35, 15.20–17.30 and 17.45–19.55
Sunday 1st November – 10.00–12.10, 12.25–14.35, 15.20–17.30 and 17.45–19.55
The Welsh teams are: Lady Milne – Gilly Clench/Maggie Pierce; Ceri Pierce/Mia Deschepper; Sarah Amos/Andrea Knox; (npc Tony Disley). Teltscher team – Alan Stephenson/Paul Denning; Filip/Diane Kurbalija; Barry Jones/Bob Pitts (npc Paddy Murphy).
28.10.20
Internationals – This year’s delayed Lady Milne and Teltscher (Senior’s Camose) events, will now be run online (RealBridge) on 30/31st. October & 1st. November. The WBU has retained the team previously selected for the Lady Milne – Gilly Clench/Maggie Pierce; Ceri Pierce/Mia Deschepper; Sarah Amos/Andrea Knox; (npc Tony Disley). The Teltscher team is – Alan Stephenson/Paul Denning; Filip/Diane Kurbalija; Barry Jones/Bob Pitts (npc Paddy Murphy). For further details see – Selectors’ Blog
11.10.20
Bridge International Championship There is an exciting new online event – the Bridge International Championship to be played from 26th. October to 1st. November on BBO and FunBridge which can be entered by bridge players of all abilities … from newcomers to experts, anyone can join in. Presentation – Bridge International Championship 2020
11.10.20
West Wales Swiss Pairs – The West Wales Bridge Association is holding its 3rd. annual Swiss Pairs Championship on Saturday 31st. October 2020, on StepBridge. This is a Green Pointed event, open to any WBU member. Entry fee is £6 per player, playing about 42-48 boards. Pre-registration and entry is essential, as is some previous experience of StepBridge play. Full entry details can be found on the West Wales bridge site, or alternatively please contact the acting T.O. Anthony Stevens
14.10.20
StepBridge/Bridgewebs Bridgewebs have now provided a facility whereby the results from a StepBridge tournament can be uploaded and then displayed in the usual Bridgewebs Results window. The uploaded results also show the player’s real names rather than their monikers (there is some preliminary Bridgewebs set-up required). For details see StepBridge/Bridgewebs
9.10.20
Vince Bevan Area Pairs The West Wales Bridge Association is holding its annual Pairs Championship (Vince Bevan) on Saturday 10th. October 2020, on BBO. This is a Green Pointed event, with entry being restricted to West Wales registered members. Entry fee is £5 per player, playing about 40-45 boards. Pre-registration and entry is essential. Entry and Registration Details
3.10.20
WBU Newsletter The October Edition of the WBU Newsletter is now available. It is also being distributed via WBU MailChimp to registered members and Club Officials. Laura Woodruff is the editor for the Newsletter and would appreciate any items of interest for the December edition – please submit to Laura any articles by the end of October.
2.10.20
Patrick Jourdain Teams The WBU East Wales Area is running its Championship Teams on BBO on Sunday September 27th . The event is Green Pointed, and is open to any member of the East Wales Bridge Association – Entry Details.
25.9.20
Forthcoming West Wales Bridge Events The WBU Western Area has now agreed an online calendar for events for the next three months (these are all Green Pointed). Details can be found on the West Wales website, or via the ‘Calendar’ on this site. In summary: Area Open Pairs (Vince Bevan) – Saturday October 10th; Swiss Pairs (Open) – Saturday October 31st; Porthcawl Congress – Thurs, Fri, Sat, Nov 27th. – 29th.
12.9.20
Online Master Points The WBU has now formalised the awarding of Master Points for events run on an Online platform. Basically for Local Points the awards are the same as FtoF bridge at both Club and National levels. Please see WBU Master-Point-Handbook for details.
8.9.20
Appointments – The WBU has a new President – Mrs Marie Topp from North Wales. Also Neville Richards has now been re-appointed as acting CEO. These appointments have been ratified by the WBU Council, pending the next AGM. Our thanks to the retiring President – David Newman – for all his hard work in very difficult circumstances. The WBU has also appointed a new Web-Administrator – Guy Mortenson, who will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the site, and in conjunction with a WBU Steering Committee will develop a new modernised site and mobile app. If you have any suggestions please contact the Committee Chairman – Simon Gottschalk
*Following the AGM – the WBU welcomes Ceri Pierce as the new CEO of the WBU. She will be ably supported by Neville during the initial stages.
10.6.20
WBU Newsletter The WBU are now publishing a Newsletter – the August Edition is now available. It is also being distributed via WBU MailChimp to registered members and Club Officials. Laura Woodruff is the editor for the Newsletter and would appreciate any items of interest for the September edition – please submit to Laura any articles by the end of August.
24.8.20
Online League The second WBU online league has now been completed. There were some very close finishes, in this extended league (four divisions). The respective winners are (team captains): League 1 – Paul Denning; League 2 – Mike Best; League 3 – David Melville; League 4 – Julie Thomas. For full results WBU Online League (2) Results. A third league is now being organised, with promotion and relegation from the previous divisions – if you are interested in entering a team, please contact Liz Atkinson before Friday 21st. Aug.
19.8.20
In Memoriam The WBU sadly announces the death of Liam Sheridan on 10th.August; a long-time member of Welsh Bridge, having represented Wales at all levels – In Memoriam – Liam Sheridan
11.8.20
Zoom The WBU have now purchased a Zoom subscription, primarily for use in online administration in these restricted times. It is also freely available to any member who wishes to organise any WBU online training, conferencing, or other WBU business. Please contact Neville Richards for details
6.7.20
Online League The initial WBU Online League has now been completed; the winning team is that of Paul Denning. For the final results see Online League – Final Results. In parallel with the League a knock-out competition has been run, and the final is between Paul Denning and Maggie Pierce – best of luck to both teams. The WBU is grateful to Liz Atkinson for organising these events in difficult circumstances.
Liz intends to organise a further online league, but with more divisions. Any teams wishing to participate should contact – Liz Atkinson
Stop-Press – the Knock out has been won by Paul Denning’s team – completing the double.
30.6.20
Online BBO Congresses The WBU have authorised two online BBO Area Congresses; North Wales – Llandudno Swiss Congress on 4th./5th. July, and East Wales Swiss Congress on 25th./26th. July. See the Area websites for details.
16.6.20
In Memoriam It is with great sadness that the WBU announces the death on June 21st. of Geoff Evans, one of the most popular and distinguished figures in both Welsh Bridge and Cardiff Bridge Club. The follow-up online league will now be renamed in his honour – Geoff Evans – In Memoriam
23.7.20
Stepbridge – Online Clubs Following the success of the twice weekly StepBridge competitions, more clubs are enrolling and starting to organise their usual club sessions. Currently 10 clubs are holding events. If your club (or combination of a number of clubs) wish to use StepBridge, contact StepBridge Support. StepBridge will organise appropriate Director training (one in-flight session is sufficient). Any back-up technical queries can be referred to Tony Haworth or StepBridge support direct.
The WBU Council have now also decided that Online Clubs and recognised tournaments are eligible to award master points (at the usual charge).
13.7.20
Stepbridge The WBU has now negotiated with StepBridge (Netherlands) to provide the WBU with their online platform at no charge until at least the end of the year. One of the advantages of this platform is that it will enable clubs to hold virtual club sessions, with minimal Director training. In order to familiarise members with the operation of StepBridge, the WBU will be organising twice weekly pairs’ competitions (Wednesday and Sunday). For further details refer to the ‘Online Bridge’ tab, or to join StepBridge see StepBridge Registration
3.6.20
BBO Competitions In the current situation, more and more members are becoming familiar with online bridge, primarily through BBO. To provide members with more involvement with online bridge, two initiatives have been introduced. Liz Atkinson has established an online all-play-all teams’ league, with fourteen teams. Depending upon future Covid developments, this may be extended to additional teams/leagues. Also the WBU has introduced twice weekly BBO tournaments (7.00 pm. Wednesdays and Saturdays- being run by the EBU, but primarily intended for Welsh players). You can participate in these by emailing Sarah Amos , and supplying Sarah with your moniker (see side panel advert for further details).
15.4.20
Ron Klinger – the author of nearly 70 books, columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald (six days a week) and the Sun-Herald for 17 years, Australian Emerald Grand Master, WBF International Master, competitor in 24 World Championships and Asia Pacific Zonal Championships and Commonwealth Nations Teams, is now writing a daily article for the Australian Bridge Federation, and this is available to all Bridge Associations. To view, see Ron Klinger – Bridge Articles
23.3.20
BBO Facilities With the suspension of normal face-to-face bridge, the WBU are encouraging its members to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by Bridge Base Online. You can play casual or competitive bridge on this platform. A introductory guide is available via Playing Bridge On BBO or through the ‘Online’ tab.
15.3.20
COVID19 – Cancellation Of Events Because of the impact from Covid-19, and taking into consideration the advice from both the UK and Welsh authorities, all scheduled Welsh Bridge Union events have now been cancelled until further notice. Immediately this includes the Webber Cup, the Teams of Eight, and the Perry/Spickett competitions, together with the WBU AGM scheduled for June. BGB have also cancelled the Lady Milne Ladies Home Internationals.
Since it is expected that events are unlikely to be re-scheduled in the imminent future, members’ annual subscription will remain valid until further notice.
Dr. Roy Griffin – the WBU are saddened to hear of the death of Roy Griffin – 95 years young. He was President of the WBU 1970-71, as well as Chairman and President of his beloved Swansea Bridge Club. As a player, from 1955 he represented Wales on eight occasions. His lecturing skills at Swansea University helped him pioneer Bridgerama graphic displays (a fore-runner to the present day VuGraph), as well as probably the first computerised Scoring Program, many of the concepts being apparent in modern day programs. A gentleman of Bridge – will be sadly missed.
24.10.19