TBA Forum:
We have added an online forum to the TBA website - a private place online for TBA members to connect. Give it a try.
More...TBA Closure (more here)
On this page: President's Message | TBA Closure | Members update | SAAB | Devonport and Tamar | Vera Houdek Pairs | Dallas Cooper OAM | Youth Week | Summer Festival | Christmas Party | Buddy Scheme | TBA Spring Pairs | Aus-wide Restricted Pairs | Melbourne Cup | Tas Swiss Pairs | TBA Novice Pairs | LBC Congress | Open & Womens Pairs | Restricted Pairs | Role of TBA
Other links: Forum | Results | Members | Learning | Pianola | Document index | Admin log-in
We have added an online forum to the website. This is intended to be a private area for TBA members to connect online to talk bridge or whatever, particularly in this period of social distancing (or rather this period of "physical distancing" when "social connection" is so important).
The forum is really easy to use. For those not familiar with forums here is a quick introduction (or just jump in and give it a try):
It's a place for people to interact online. An online forum is a webpage that allows people to read and create content that can be seen and responded to by other people on the forum. Forum content is usually text based but can include images and links to other online resources.
The forum is here. There is also a link at the top of this page (under "Other links")
Access to the TBA Forum is restricted to TBA members only. All TBA members who have supplied an email will have received an email inviting them to join the forum. If you have provided an email address to the TBA but have not seen your invitation please check your junk mail folder in case it has been intercepted by your spam filter.
Click on the link in the email and complete the short form to set-up your forum account and get access. Individual accounts are needed as they control access to the forum and identify your posts on the forum.
Use of the forum is free to all members, and purely optional. You can also delete your forum account at any time.
Yes, you cannot set-up an account without supplying an email for the invitation. If you have not provided the TBA with an email address already you will not recieve an invitation (as we have no address to send it to). You can email us to add an email address to your membership record. Please include your name, ABF number and the contact phone number you have previously provided the club so that we can clearly identify you as a member.
In a number of cases member couples share the same email address in their membership details. In these cases the email address will receive a single invitation to join the forum. If both members would like a forum membership, please email us with a second email to be used for a second invitation.
The TBA Forum is organised into high level categories such as "Online bridge". The categories are created by the forum administrator, so if you think we should create a new category, email us with your suggestion.
Members can create new topics within a category. For example you could create a topic "Why my finesses always fail" within the "Card Play" category. You create a new topic by clicking the "New Topic" button at the top right of the categories page (or within a category). You then give your topic a title, enter your content and save it.
Members can reply to an existing topic. Just click the "Reply" button at the top right of a topic, compose your reply and save it. You can also reply to a topic you started, for example to add to your origional idea or to respond to another member's reply.
Topics are also sometimes called threads as they evolve into a list of posts as other members reply. A post is any content on the forum (ie the top level entry in a topic or a reply)
Some categories and topics may be locked. Members cannot create a new topic in a locked category or reply to a locked topic.
The main thing people do on a forum is connect and share content by reading others' posts, creating new topics and replying to existing topics. These can be questions, comments, photos, links to useful websites, or anything that you think might be of interest to other TBA members.
The forum software we are using is very powerful and has lots of features that many members will not use. For example you can:
When you create a new forum account you will be identified on posts by an icon (or avatar) which initially is a coloured square containing your initials. You can easily replace this with an image of your choosing. Click on your account icon at the top right of the window and select "Edit Profile" from the menu that appears. Click on the square representing a photo and follow the instructions to select an image from your computer or device. If you have already uploaded an image you can view it, change it or delete it using the buttons next to "Avatar" on the Edit Profile page.
Think of the forum as an online extension of the TBA clubrooms. Behaviour that would be inappropriate in the clubrooms would be inappropriate in the forum. Anything you post on the forum will be visible to every other member on the forum.
If you are not sure how something works on the forum feel free to experiment - you can't break anything. If that doesn't work try posting a question under the "Forum Questions" category. If all else fails email us.
Message from the President - Temporary Club Closure
As many of you know now, the TBA Management Committee decided to close the TBA for a period of four weeks from Monday March 16th as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Australia. Unfortunately Tasmania is not immune with 28 cases having being diagnosed here.
This was a reluctant decision for the committee, but as it is difficult to maintain “separation” at the bridge table, we were left with no other choice.
This closure means that the TBA facilities including the premises, dealing machine, boards and cards etc are not available for use by any member during the period of the closure.
This also means the postponement of the AGM until social distancing measures have been deemed unnecessary. There are many other organisations in the same situation, and the relevant authorities have waived the normal requirements around timing of AGMs.
The committee met again yesterday (23 March, keeping our distances!) to consider alternative options for our members.
The TBA has decided to try to establish a “private room” on Bridge Base Online (BBO) so that you can choose to play with and against other TBA members when you feel like a game or some practice. To engage with this activity you should register your BBO username with the TBA (see here). We’ll keep you updated with our progress on this measure.
Ron Klinger is providing a free daily bridge column to the ABF which us available here.
Joan Butts has also offered a month’s free utilisation of her Online School of Bridge although you will have to pay $15 per month if you wish to continue for longer than a month. Joan's offer can be viewed here.
The Committee will meet again on April 6th to review our situation.
Our aim is to reopen the club as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the meantime stay healthy and safe and catch up with all that reading you have been meaning to do!
Kind regards
Julie Rhodes
President, TBA
While bridge at the TBA clubrooms is on hold for the time being many members will be thinking about options to play bridge online. The committee and interested club members are actively exploring how we can support this. Here are a couple of initial steps:
We are putting together a mailing list of members interested in receiving occasional emails from the TBA about online bridge opportunities or support. This will allow us to let you know about things that might interest you without emailing the entire club. All content will also be posted on the website so you can see it whether you are on the mailing list or not.
If you would like to be included on the mailing list please email the TBA to let us know. The emails will be sent using the Pianola system. If at any time you want to be taken off the list again, please just email us. Please do not use the unsubscribe link on the emails unless you want to opt out of ALL TBA emails.
A popular platform for playing bridge online is Bridge Base Online (BBO). Some people are happy playing on BBO against strangers, but many people prefer playing against people they know. To do this you need to know BBO usernames. We are putting together a list of TBA members who are on BBO and are happy to share their BBO username with other TBA members.
If you would like to be included please email the TBA with your name and BBO username. We will periodically send out an email a list of names and usernames (note - not email addresses) to everybody who has shared their username. This is not an ideal way to do this but is an interim solution we can put in place immediately. If at any point you want to opt out just email the TBA with your name.
Note that these two initiatives use Pianola for sending email so are restricted to TBA members who have provided an email address. These are both experiments and will only be pursued if there is sufficient interest.
If you have any suggestions. comments or questions about what we can do during the closure please email the TBA
In accordance with recommendations from the ABF the TBA Committee has decided to close the TBA for a period of four weeks effective immediately (Monday 16 March).
The TBA Committee believes that this action and the cancellation of the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge (details here) are necessary to best protect our members and our wider society, and are consistent with expert medical opinion on the importance of social distancing to slow the transmission of the virus.
During the closure all bridge sessions, lessons and meetings (including the TBA AGM) will be cancelled. The situation will be reassessed at the end of the period. The closure period may then be extended if necessary.
The TBA committee will post updates on the website as they become available. In the interim we are exploring ways of helping our members remain engaged with bridge during this period - so watch this space for developments.
If you want to contact the club at any stage, please do so through the TBA email address (tba@tasbridge.com.au).
We appreciate that bridge is an important part of many of our members' lives and we have not taken these decisions lightly. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
In March the TBA Committee has approved membership applications for the following people. Please make them feel very welcome as you see them around the club.
| ♠ Sally Giblin |
| ♥ Jandy Godfrey |
| ♣ Ann Gossage |
| ♦ Jill Ireland |
| ♠ Nicky McKibben |
| ♥ Randy Rose |
| ♣ Paul Webberley |
| ♦ Mary-Jane Weld |
Congratulations to the TBA members who achieved rank promotions at the end of February 2020:
| ♠ Mardi Grosvenor - Regional |
| ♥ Martin Airey - Regional |
| ♣ Joy Bowman - *Local |
| ♦ Denis Mackey - Club |
| ♠ Rupert Manners - Graduate |
As at the end of February there were 11 Tasmanians in the National McCutcheons Top 20s (cohorts of people who started the year at the same level, ranked by Masterpoints earned in the year).
| ♠ Hugh Grosvenor - #4 all ranks, #2 Silver Grand and Above list (111.45 MP) |
| ♥ Maruta Boyd - #9 Bronze Life list (21.77 MP) |
| ♣ Barbara Holland - #11 Bronze Life list (21.30 MP) |
| ♦ Josef Kuriacose - #17 Life list (10.77 MP) |
| ♠ Kay Decker - #13 **National list (6.39 MP) |
| ♥ Laurie Pearce - #18 **National list (6.16 MP) |
| ♣ Sue Martin - #11 National list (11.45 MP) |
| ♦ John Grosvenor - #4 **Local list (11.92 MP) |
| ♠ Mardi Grosvenor - #5 **Local list (11.92 MP) |
| ♥ Moira Smith - #14 Graduate list (2.15 MP) |
| ♣ Gulum Kocak-Sunamak - #16 Nil list (1.83 MP) |
The ABF Masterpoint Centre website provides a range of club, state and national reports updated each month. These include promotions, McCutcheons, most improved players, and top 50 Masterpoint earners.
The Southern and Ancient Beaches Challenge 2020
(Click on the images to enlarge)
Did you miss our recent trip to Wonderland? Well it’s been voted the best yet! We just might have another next year.
You won’t win red master points (whatever they are) but you get to play competitive bridge and maybe get your names on a trophy. We can guarantee you some amazing costumes, a fair chance to win a prize and lots of laughs along the way.
Here’s a taster to encourage you to come along …
Sixteen teams jumped into motor cars or scurried down rabbit holes to emerge in South Arm sporting mad hats of every description. Decked in pink or hidden under mushrooms or flouncing about as queens and knaves it was hard to think of these characters as serious bridge players.
Flamingos perched on one leg bravely teetering and flapping. Their efforts won them the Best Dressed Team Prize. A couple of knaves brought their tarts along. A team of somewhat dysfunctional Disorderlies gyrated and quivered their way to a meltdown and the coveted Strutters Prize. The Lynch Mob dangled their hangman’s nooses menacingly and the Best Dressed Dormouse was undoubtedly … um … a dormouse.
And then there was lunch -- BBQ and salad followed by tiramisu, meringues and fruit all consumed in the sunshine and in excellent company.
The bridge was seriously contested with winners and losers emerging from beneath piles of scoresheets. Bobbie (obviously the only player concentrating at the time) won our first ever Beer Card. The Four Aces took out the prestigious Tortoise Trophy.
The Dodos (Lene, Merryl, Graham and Catharine) scored the SAAB Trophy. They were closely followed by The Knaves and their Tarts (Dave, Anj, Judi and Geoff).
Thank you everyone who participated in so many different ways.
We are able to donate $255 to Youth Bridge.
And our long suffering Director …. We couldn’t do this without you Dallas. Thank you!
And the last word goes to the White Rabbit. Don’t be late next year.
The SAAB Team
It was a big weekend of bridge in the north of the state with the Devonport Bridge Club's February Swiss Pairs on Saturday 8 February and the Tamar Bridge Club Congress on Sunday 9 February. Both events were well attended, including a sizeable contingent of players from southern clubs. Both were 6 x 9 board IMP scored Swiss Pairs events.
Devonport had 29 pairs playing. First place went to John Bailey and Josef Kuriacose, second to Brian O'Rourke and Mike Longmire, and third to Haj Skilton and Roger Watts. Full results are on the Devonport Bridge Club website. If anybody has photos of the Devonport event to contribute, please email them to the TBA.
Tamar had 34 pairs playing. In the open category first place went to Andrew and Sandra Richman, second to Vicky Cowan and Catherine Elliott, and third to Jane Routley and Judy Mann. In the restricted category first place went to Sue Martin and Sue Falkingham (fifth overall) and second to Phillipa Pitt and Ros Pyrke (sixth overall). Full results are on the Tamar Bridge Club website.
Thank you to both clubs for organising and hosting these events, and in particular for making their southern visitors feel so welcome. Thank you also to Peter and Simon for directing.
The Vera Houdek Pairs for 2020 was played on Sunday 2 February at the TBA club rooms. This is a matchpoint Swiss Pairs event played over 6 x 9 board matches. 28 pairs played - 14 open pairs, 7 restricted pairs (under 300 masterpoints) and 7 novice pairs (under 100 masterpoints).
The overall winners (and top placed restricted pair!) were Annie Bartlett and Julie Rhodes. Second overall were Robert and Jane Tyson. Third overall were Susanne and David Sarten. The top placed novice pair were Mardi and John Grosvenor. Full results are here.
A big thank you to Sue Falkingham for organising and directing the event, and for keeping her cool when the technolgy gremlins struck. Thanks also to Chris Carolan for his telephone support in gremlin eradication. Thanks to all players who brought food for morning and afternoon tea.
Congratulations to TBA Life member Dallas Cooper who received the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to badminton, and to the community, in the 2020 Australia Day Honours list.
Details are available at the Governor-General's website. The entry reads:
Mrs Dallas Antoinette COOPER, Bellerive TAS 7018
For service to badminton, and to the community.
Badminton
Bridge
2020 Australian Youth Bridge Championships
In January 2020 six students from Marist Regional College in Burnie went to Canberra to participate in the Australian Youth Bridge Championships (aka "Youth Week"). The players were Aiden Dixon, Archer Garcia, Ethen Goulter, Taze Jackson, Caleb Kirkpatrick and Ben Sproule. They were chaperoned by Cedric Parker and received supported from the TBA and ABF. This is the first time in a long while that Tasmania has been represented at this event.
The event ran from 4-10 January and included pairs, teams and a youth Butler event. The Butler event was to select six pairs for the Australian Junior Squad, three of whom will represent Australia in the World Bridge Championships in Italy in August this year. Ben and Taze made it through the Butler Finals, ultimately finishing 7th. This was a great achievement for Ben and Taze who are the youngest of the 8 pairs in the finals. They are the only pair that are still at school, and have also been playing bridge competitively for less than a year, meaning that they have had far less experience than the rest of the finalists.
Results for all of the Youth Week events are here
In Cedric Parker's words "... all 6 of our team have acquitted themselves with aplomb. I am incredibly proud of the way they have behaved and the way that they have adapted to a very intense competitive environment. They have done their parents and their college proud!". Congratulations to the entire team for their efforts.
2020 Summer Festival of Bridge
The 2020 Summer Festival of Bridge started in a very smokey Canberra on 8 January, running to 19 January. There were seven Tasmanians playing, and Simon Edler was one of the directors.
The standout Tasmanian performance was by Maruta Boyd and Barbara Holland who won the Penline 500 Swiss Pairs Championship, holding first place for match 2 to the end. Maruta and Barbara also came 5th in the Chris Diment Matchpoint Swiss Pairs. Sue Falkingham and Sue Martin (Devonport Bridge Club) also played in the Penline 500 Swiss Pairs Championship and the Chris Diment Matchpoint Swiss Pairs.
Mardi and John Grosvenor came 2nd in the Two Day National Novice Matchpoint Swiss Pairs Championship and 3rd in the Novice Swiss Pairs Championship.
TBA Life Member Hugh Grosvenor, playing with Tania LLoyd (Newcastle), came 5th in the TBIB National Open Swiss Pairs Championship. Hugh and Tania also played in the South-West Pacific Open Teams Championship with Rose Don and Michael Courtney as the Don team. They came 3rd in qualifying, won their quarter final and semi-final matches, and come second in the National Open Teams finals.
Full results for all 2020 Summer Festival of Bridge events can be found here.
TBA Christmas Party & Giving Tree
The 2019 TBA Christmas Party was held on Saturday 14 December. Members contributed generously to a bring-a-plate lunch, and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon's bridge. The club rooms were near full capacity with 23.5 tables playing in three sections catering to players of all levels: supervised, restricted (< 150 MP) and open. The results are here: supervised, restricted, open. Thanks to Sue Falkingham for directing.
This year TBA members have again supported Colony 47 by donating gifts and hamper items under the TBA Giving Tree. All donations will be collected by Colony 47 on Monday 16 December. Thank you to all members who have contributed.
The TBA would like to promote a Buddy scheme for players to transition into regular club sessions. Buddy schemes are being encouraged by the ABF, and similar schemes have had a great impact in New Zealand.
If you are a supervised player and would like a friendly face to play a couple of regular club sessions with let us know. Tell us which sessions would suit you and we will match you up with a Buddy.
If you are a regular club player and would be interested in being a Buddy please let us know which sessions you would be available to play in. There is no table money to play as a buddy, just write 'Buddy' on the money slip. There is a limit of 3 times to play with the same player. A Buddy is not to be a teacher but a friendly partner. Constructive comments only about play may be given but are never done during play but at the completion of a session.
Please email tba@tasbridge.com.au if you are interested in being a Buddy or being paired up with a Buddy.
The 2019 TBA Spring Pairs were held at the club rooms on Sunday 24 November. This was an IMP/VP scored Swiss Pairs event played over 6 x 9 board matches. 20 pairs competed, including 5 pairs under National master.
The winners were David Robinson and Julie Rhodes. Second place went to Jane and Robert Tyson, and third place went to Bert Forage and Maruta Boyd. Mardi and John Grosvenor were the topped placed "Category B" (under National master) pair at 12th. Full results are here.
Thanks to Simon Edler for organising and directing the day. Thanks to all of the players who brought food along for the day.
Australia-wide Restricted Pairs
Australian Bridge magazine runs three Australia-wide pairs events each year - novice, restricted and open. The restricted event (fewer than 300MP) is the last in the year and was run at the end of October. The TBA session was held on Thursday 31 October. The club rooms were at full capacity with 26 tables playing. Around Australia 973 pairs played the same set of boards and were scored as one national field.
The local results for the TBA session are here. The top placed pairs were:
| North-South | East-West |
| Barbara Giizel - Pam Murphy | Stevie Griggs - Carmel Thomson |
| Marleen Lynch - Helen Morling | Mardi Grosvenor - John Grosvenor |
| Colin McGavisk - Kerry McKillop | Cheralyn Bird - Frank Powell |
In the national single field of 973 pairs, the top placed TBA pairs were:
| 61st - Stevie Griggs - Carmel Thomson (60.8%) - 12th under 50MP |
| 70th - Mardi Grosvenor - John Grosvenor (60.4%) - 17th under 50MP |
| 84th - Barbara Giizel - Pam Murphy (59.8%) |
| 100th - Florence Lewis-Bryan - Vicki Douglas (58.8%) |
| 113th - Liz Sellen - Clive Sellen (58.2%) |
The highest placed Tasmanian pair were David Rogers and Sue Martin from the Devonport Bridge Club who played in the Tamar session. They were placed 51st with 61.2%.
Thanks to Chris Carolan for organising and directing this demanding session for the TBA. The national results are available here. The summary for the 2019 Australia-Wide Novice Pairs is here. The summary for the 2019 Australia-wide Open Pairs is here. Watch out for the first of the 2020 series, the Australia-wide Novice Pairs. coming at the end of May 2020.
Melbourne Cup - Bridge + Lunch
The race that stops the nation didn't stop the TBA. 43 pairs came to the TBA on cup day for a day of bridge, fashion, food and racing.
The bridge results are here. Winners were:
Best female outfit went to Sandra Miedecke. Best male outfit went to Graeme Poulton. Best hat went to John Grosvenor, with an honourable mention to Andrew Walter. Best fascinator went to Dianne Kriegs.
Thanks to Jan Colville for leading the organisation for the day. Thanks to Chris Carolan for Directing. Thanks to Julie Rhodes for organising lunch, and to everybody who brought food and helped with the catering and clean-up.
Tasmanian Swiss Pairs Championship 2019
Over the weekend of 26-27 October the 2019 Tasmanian Swiss Pairs Championship was help in Devonport. 18 pairs competed, with players from clubs around the state. Seven 14 board matches were played over four sessions.
The winners were Roger Watts (Devonport BC) and Pamela Lidl (Tamar BC), pictured here with Director John Bailey. Second were Roger Swain (Tamar BC) and Frank Milford (Tamer BC). Third were Margaret Robertson (Tamar BC) and Margaret Gibbs (TBA). Full results are on the Devonport Bridge Club website.
Thanks to John Bailey for directing, and to the Devonport Bridge Club for hosting the event.
TBA Novice Pairs Championship 2019
The 2019 TBA Novice Pairs Championship was held on Wednesday 16 October 2019. Entry was restricted to players with fewer than 25 Master Points as at 30 June 2019. The club rooms were close to full with 20 pairs competing in a separate section in parallel with the regular Wednesday morning session. The field included a number of pairs playing for the first time in a non-supervised session, including players from this year's beginners courses.
Congratulations to the winners, Sandra Miedecke and Alice Stillwell. Special mentions to Paul Fredheim (6th), Wendy Gilson (9th) and Lindsey Johnstone (9th) who earned their first Master Points in the event. Full results are available here. Thanks to Sue Falkingham for directing the event.
Launceston Bridge Club Congress 2019
The weekend of 5-6 October 2019 saw a full weekend of bridge in the north with the Launceston Bridge Club Congress. The Congress had pairs competitions on Saturday (8 pairs in the Restricted and 29 pairs in the Open) and Swiss Pairs on Sunday (38 pairs).
Top positions went to (click on the titles to go to the full results):
| Restricted | Open | Swiss |
| 1. Jean Murray & Kevin Crombleholme | 1. Jane Tyson & Angela Little | 1. Bert Forage & Maruta Boyd |
| 2. Elizabeth Sward & Phillip Powell | 2. Sandra & Andrew Richman | 2. Jane Tyson & Angela Little |
| 3. Pauline Anderson & Wendy Newman | 3. Bert Forage & Maruta Boyd | 3. Julie Rhodes & Anna Egan |
Jane Tyson & Angela Little |
Sandra & Andrew Richman |
Maruta Boyd & Bert Forage |
Julie Rhodes & Anna Egan |
Wendy Newman & Pauline Anderson |
A packed room ready to start |
2019 Open and Womens Pairs Championship
On Sunday 25 August 2019 18 pairs competed over two sessions in the 2019 Open and Womens Pairs Championships.
The open winners were Michael Woodhams and Bert Forage, placed first and second in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively. Womens champions and second in the open were Julia Corr and Maria Gibbs. Third place in the open went to Margaret Robertson and Margaret Gibbs. Full results are at: morning, afternoon, overall
Thanks again to Simon Edler for a busy weekend of directing, and to the volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.
2019 Restricted Pairs Championship
The 2019 Restricted Pairs Championship was held at the TBA club rooms on Saturday 24 August 2019. The event was open to pairs with less than 150 masterpoints as at 31 March 2019, with 12 pairs competing.
First place was taken by Marg Enright and Gill Robinson by a healthy margin of 34 match points. Second place went to Julia Johnson and Geoff Green. Third place went to Sue Martin and Sue Falkingham. Full results are at: morning, afternoon, overall
1st - Gill Robinson and |
2nd - Julia Johnson |
3rd - Sue Martin and |
Thanks to Simon Edler for directing, and to the volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.
The TBA is is the largest bridge club in the state with about 400 members and is the administrative body for the game of bridge in Tasmania. The TBA is responsible for running national and state events including the Australian Swiss Pairs championships and the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs competition. These are conducted annually with the venue alternating between Hobart and Launceston. The TBA also administers the Masterpoints system for the ABF and endeavours to promote the growth and teaching of bridge throughout Tasmania via its affiliated clubs. The TBA's purpose-designed Centre at 5 Marine Esplanade, New Town Bay serves as both our local Clubrooms and the headquarters for bridge in the state.
| North-West | North | South |
|---|---|---|
| Burnie Bridge Club | Launceston Bridge Club | Hobart City Bridge Club |
| Devonport Bridge Club | Tamar Bridge Club | Eastern Shore Bridge Club |
| Kingborough Bridge Club |
Contact us:
Phone: 0400 492 327
Email: tba@tasbridge.com.au
Post: PO Box171, North Hobart 7002
Bank Account Details for direct debit: BSB: 067-102 A/C #: 2801 2004 A/C Name: Tasmanian Bridge Association
ABN: 66 028 130 967
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Tasmanian Bridge Association Bridge Association 2020
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