Teams of Three registration open
Bridge NSW will again be hosting the Les Longhurst Teams of 3 at the Sydney Bridge Centre on Sunday 1 June.
This popular congress partners three players (each with less than 1000 masterpoints) with a leading Australian bridge player for six matches.
It’s a terrific opportunity for players to learn from their star captain.
Depending on entry numbers, Restricted and Novice divisions may be held.
The entry fee of $65 per player includes lunch and afternoon tea, plus a great range of prizes.
Register to play on MyABF.
Voting for Bridge NSW Council ends today
The first ever election of the Bridge NSW Council by member clubs finishes today. Electronic ballots were sent to email addresses provided by clubs for official communication on 24 March.
Please note, this is a vote by the club and not by an individual. A club vote should be agreed to according to the club’s governance processes.
If anyone believes their club has not received a ballot paper, they should contact the Returning Officer, Dave Havyatt, at returning.officer@bridgensw.com.au.
Further information
Bridge NSW is pleased to report that it received a wide range of nominations for Council members from across the state. Thank you to all of the nominees for their interest and participation.
A Council election page on the Bridge NSW website lists all of the nominees with their photos and profiles, and the voting procedures. Please feel free to engage with candidates and ask them questions via office@bridgensw.com.au.
Bridge NSW is aiming to appoint a minimum of 11 elected councillors. The elected Council will be announced at the Bridge NSW AGM on 6 May.
Our March newsletter is out now!
Click here to view the newsletter.
Funeral and wake for Avi on Thursday 27 March
A funeral and wake for Avi will be held on Thursday 27 March. Go here for more details and to RSVP should you wish to attend.
Avinash Kanetkar passed away suddenly on the evening of 8 March 2025. Peter Buchen has written a touching tribute to Avi Kanetkar on the ABF site.
As Peter recounts, Avi was a giant of the bridge game, winning over 50 national events. This included two Open Playoffs, nine Seniors Playoffs (including the 2025 Playoff), eight Grand National Open Teams, five National Seniors Teams, three Spring National Teams, and a host of other events, including a 1978 NOT. Internationally, Avi was part of the winning 2010 and 2013 Asia Pacific Seniors Teams and a finalist in several Seniors World Championships.
The ‘Avi’ standard
David Beauchamp was one of Avi’s playing partners.
David fondly recalls the team of Chris Hughes, John McIlrath (NPC), Paul Lavings, George Bilski, Robert Krochmalik, Avi Kanetkar and Terry Brown (pictured below) that represented Australia at the 49th Asian Pacific Bridge Championships in Hong Kong in 2013. They were successful in winning the Seniors’ division from Indonesia and Chinese Taipei.
“Perhaps that was the result he most cherished,” said David.
Avi is second from the right in the 2013 team
Avi and David played together for Australia in Marrakesh two years ago.
“We played ‘Avi standard ‘– unlike any other system…. When I asked (on numerous occasions) if we could try some ‘new’ bidding ideas, he would say ‘Dave, I can’t remember those and my system is the best!’”
David said Avi’s style of bidding was very aggressive, which placed lots of pressure on opponents.
“He had a canny nose for when to double the opponents and he was usually right,” he said.
“His card play was top notch! He loved to play very quickly and was mildly irritated by slower opponents.
“Avi and I were great mates and loved to share stories about our successes and disasters at the table. I will miss his company, his sense of humour, and our friendship.”
Avi (left) with Ron Klinger and Ian Thomson at the North Shore Bridge Club
A proud bridge player
Another playing partner of Avi’s, Bruce Neill, visited Avi and his wife, Lalita, at their home one time.
“One delightful memory was admiring their recessed coffee table. It had a glass top and some of Avi’s many bridge trophies were on the display shelf below. The first of two such tables! They were for his grandchildren,” said Bruce.
Some of Avi’s bridge titles
Avi in his element
The deal below occurred in the 2022 ANC Senior Teams in Adelaide. It was the only tournament Peter Buchen played with Avi, which they won for NSW.
The bidding against ACT in Round 13 went:
| S | W | N | E |
| Avi | Peter B | ||
| Pass | Pass | ||
| 1C | X | XX | 1H |
| 1S | 2H | 2S | Pass |
| 4S | All pass |
Note the typical aggressive Avi bidding, says Peter. Once the fit was found, Avi blasted into action.
| Board : 1 | S | Dlr: N |
| H | Vul: None | |
| D | ||
| C | ||
| S | S | |
| H | H | |
| D | D | |
| C | C | |
| S | ||
| 9 | H | |
| 153 3 | D | |
| 13 | C |
Peter recalls: “West led HA and Avi knew instinctively how to play the hand. He won the HA, ducked a Spade around to West’s Jack who continued Hearts. Avi ruffed and reverted to Clubs. There was nothing East/West could do. All they could get was AQJ of trumps.
“We picked up 8 Imps when EW went down 1 in 4H.”
Avi leaves behind his wife, Lalita, and two daughters.
Avi and his wife, Lalita, with Peter and Kathy Buchen
OPL Autumn to feature Victorian players
After a record number of players for the Online Pairs League (OPL) Summer season, Bridge NSW has locked in Bridge Victoria’s participation for the Autumn season, which begins 7th April.
Bridge Victoria’s involvement will further expand the range of players in the Monday night competition.
The league offers you the opportunity to advance your game by playing people at a similar level, something you might not be able to do at your local club.
OPL is a light evening involving 12-board matches over eight weeks, with each match starting at 7:30pm and finishing before 9pm. The RealBridge platform used for match play is very similar to face to face play.
If you and your partner register before 21st March, you will be eligible for an early bird discount. Register to play on My ABF here: https://www.myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/2345
Free entry for OTL
Online Teams League (OTL) is our exciting new Monday league competition for teams that also begins 7th April.
It is a more competitive format with 24-board matches over seven weeks, starting at 7pm and finishing by 10pm. Players can earn 50% more red masterpoints than a regular club red-point session.
If all team members are from the same club and the team completes the season, the club will be refunded their $560 entry fee. That means you can play for free! Only one club team can claim the full refund, however.
If your team is not all from the same club and you register before 21st March, you can receive a $80 discount. Entry for youth teams is half price.
Register for OTL here: https://www.myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/2403
Our February newsletter is out now!
Head to the newsletter.
Derrick Browne’s latest OPL analysis
Head to the Online Pairs League page to view Derrick’s analysis of play from week 3 of the Summer season.
Call for nominees for Bridge NSW Council
Nominations for a new Bridge NSW council opened today and any club can nominate someone up until 3 March 2025.
It is an opportunity for clubs to have a voice and help shape the bridge community for the better.
The Council represents 140 member clubs and over 11,000 players across the state. It also appoints Board members, approves by-laws and meets twice a year formally.
Anyone can be nominated
No particular skills are required to become a Council member. The key is to have a passion for the bridge community and seeing clubs thrive and be sustainable over the long term.
Council members hold their positions for one or two years. Those who receive more votes will serve a two-year term, and those receiving a lower vote count will serve a one-year term.
Each club can nominate one person only. That nominee must be a member of the club and be nominated by its’ President, Secretary or equivalent.
Equal voting rights
Voting on those nominated by clubs will take place between 24 March 2025 and 13 April 2025.
To ensure equitable representation of clubs, smaller clubs with fewer than 100 members can elect four Council members. Clubs with over 100 members can elect another four Council members, and the three largest clubs (North Shore, Sydney and Trumps) can appoint three Council members. A total of 11 Council members will be appointed.
The elected Council will be announced at Bridge NSW’s Annual General Meeting on 6 May 2025.
Get the nomination form
To nominate someone from your club, use this form.
Be sure to get your entry in before 3 March!
New online league for premier players
Bridge NSW just launched the Online Teams League, a competitive Monday night event for the sharpest bridge players in NSW and across Australia.
The first seven-week event (the Autumn season) is being held from 7 April to 26 May. Similar to the Online Pairs League, four seasons are held throughout the year.
Starting at 7pm Monday, competitors play a 24-board match on RealBridge in two 12-board half-matches. Teams can be 4-8 players and generous substitution regulations apply.
It is a state event, and that means red masterpoints are on offer. For the best of the best, an annual championship event will be held towards the end of year.
Divisional play
The OTL is certain to attract representative players and winners of major championships. It is great opportunity for players to develop their in-tournament game.
Teams will be ranked into eight divisions, providing each team with competition of a similar level. After each season, a team can get promoted or relegated to another division.
Players and teams can use RealBridge to compare their matches to other teams in the same division, or teams in a division higher or lower than them.
Cost and more information
The entry fee is $560 per team (4-8 players) with an $80 early-bird discount on offer for registrations before 4 April 2025. A 50% discount for Youth players is also on offer. Get in early and register now:
Supplementary regulations will soon be available on the Bridge NSW OTL page. Head there to see the dates for each season this year.
Register
Monday nights are the night to get your serious bridge game on! Register to play here:
https://www.myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/2403
Not playing at a high level? Monday nights are also the night for the Bridge NSW Online Pairs League, the perfect league for developing your game to an OTL level.
January edition of Bridging NSW out now
Get the latest news about the NSW bridge community, including:
- Winners are grinners at the Summer Festival of Bridge
- Pauline Gumby and Warren Lazer have an event named after them
- New beginner materials for clubs to use
- NSW team selection events coming up
- So too are Council elections
- A bidding competition hosted by RealBridge
- Analysis from Rakesh Kumar
Read or download your copy of the newsletter here.
NSW team selections on the horizon
The chance to represent New South Wales only comes around once a year, and that chance is approaching fast.
Qualifying for the NSW Open Interstate Team Selection (ITS) is happening on 22-23 February online. It is open to any player who is up for pitting their skills against the best players in the state. Played on online platform, RealBridge, it is a fun and competitive event you can participate in without having to travel.
If you just want a good weekend of competitive bridge, you can play as “non-contending”, meaning you do not have to commit to anything further than the weekend of play.
For those aiming for the State team, the finals are in person on 8-9 March at the Sydney Bridge Centre. The top three pairs from the finals will go on to represent NSW at the Australian National Championships (ANC) in Brisbane from 6-17 July.
To sign up for the qualifiers, head to the My ABF page for the Open ITS qualifying round.
Women’s team
Not so keen on the Opens but back yourself in the Women’s division? The Women’s ITS is taking place over three days on 28-30 March.
It is also online with RealBridge, but unlike the Open ITS, there is no qualifying round unless more than 18 pairs enter.
Should there be more than 18 pairs, qualifying will take place on the Friday and the finals on Saturday and Sunday. Pairs who don’t make the finals will be refunded their entry fee.
Get your registrations in early on My ABF.
Senior’s team
Are you born before 1st January 1962? The Senior’s team may be the pathway for you to find yourself wearing the light blue jacket at the ANC in Brisbane in July.
The Senior’s ITS is an online event over three days from 25-27 April.
The format is similar to the women’s. There is no qualifying round unless more than 18 pairs enter, in which case qualifying will occur on the Friday and the finals on Saturday and Sunday. If you don’t make the finals, you will be refunded your entry fee.
To register, head to the relevant My ABF page.
Youth team
The Youth ITS event takes place in person at the Sydney Bridge Centre on Sunday 27th April.
To register. head to the My ABF page.
Bridge NSW faithful and greats of the game acknowledged
Bridge NSW’s Spring National Mixed Teams Event will from now on be called the Spring Nationals Gumby Lazer Mixed Teams event, in honour of Pauline Gumby’s and Warren Lazer’s decades of service to the bridge community.
The pair have lifetime free entry to their event, and were given $500 each to go towards entry fees in 2025 as part of Bridge NSW’s celebration of their service.
The acknowledgement was made at an ABF event in Canberra last night celebrating Pauline Gumby’s achievement of becoming Australia’s first Diamond Grand Master with over 15,000 masterpoints.
Warren, an Emerald Grand Master, is second to Pauline on the national all-time masterpoint list with nearly 13,600 MPs.
Decades of service
Both members of the Sydney Bridge Centre club have committed countless of volunteer hours to the NSW Bridge Association and Bridge NSW over the decades.
Pauline did an invaluable job running the old NSW Bridge Association website to perfection for 25 years. As calendar coordinator, she ensured the fair and equitable distribution of congresses and championships for decades. Another achievement was her co-creation with Matthew McManus of results presentation software that is still in use today.
Warren initially joined the NSW Events/Tournament Committee and went on to chair it for many years. It was a momentous effort, with NSW events like Monday nights running like clockwork under Warren’s watch. Warren also had a leadership role on the NSWBA Council.
Without their efforts and passion, bridge in NSW and Australia would not be what it is today.
Both Pauline and Warren oversaw the Bridge NSW transition from NSWBA. While they are no longer directly involved with Bridge NSW, they remain a treasured part of the Bridge NSW family.
Outstanding players
Pauline started playing bridge in 1968 and qualified for her first Australian National Championships (ANC) in the Women’s team in 1973.
Warren, a former NSW junior chess champion, started playing while studying at the University of Sydney and partnered with Peter Gill through the late eighties, representing the NSW team for the first time in 1987.
Their first tournament together was the ANC Butler Pairs in Brisbane in 1992. The partnership remained firm from 1995 onwards.
Pauline, who goes under the nickname of “Gumdrops”, represented Australia twice in the Venice Cup and the Olympiad, and the formidable partnership donned on the green and gold for the Bermuda Bowl and the Mixed World Championships. Last year, they won the national seniors championship (ANC) in Orange.
Both received lifetime membership of NSWBA (the former Bridge NSW): Warren in 1997 and Pauline in 2014. With the creation of Bridge NSW, lifetime memberships are now recognised in an Honour Roll.
Bridge expert to provide weekly OPL analysis
In a major coup for players in the Summer season of the Online Pairs League, prolific bridge author and expert, Derrick Browne, will share his weekly thoughts on play for the full eight weeks, helping players to advance their bridge skills.
The OPL Summer 2025 season runs from 20 January to 17 March on Monday nights from 7:30pm. Derrick will provide an analysis of interesting play every Tuesday, which will be published on the Bridge NSW website and the Bridge NSW Facebook page.
Learn from a master
A renowned mentor of bridge players and owner of the Trumps Bridge Centre, Derrick will offer expert analysis players in the OPL can learn from.
OPL is a great way for developing players to compete against people of a similar skill level and boost their playing confidence.
Players are allotted into divisions where they play online using the RealBridge platform, which is very similar to face to face (F2F) play. The platform records players’ hands so players can review them in the days following with Derrick’s input in mind.
Or perhaps a local and experienced club mentor might partner with you in the OPL or offer to review your hands after each Monday? A great way to learn from those with more knowledge.
Absent one week or need a partner?
It is only one game per week, and players should finish by 9pm. But if you cannot make it, OPL allows you to call in a substitute player for up to three of the eight games.
Ideally, the substitute player should be of a similar or lower skill level, but the organisers are flexible. If you don’t have a partner, we can attempt to find one for you. Email us in advance and we will do our best.
Discounts on offer
The entry fee is $50, $40 for players with 100-300 masterpoints, and $25 for players with less than 100 masterpoints and youth players (under 25 years).
You can get 50% off your entry fee if you refer someone who hasn’t played OPL before or hasn’t played for at least one year. Just tell us in advance who your friend is.
Register now
Register before 17th January to join the OPL Summer league. You can register on the My ABF platform.
State Youth Champs won by 15 year olds
The second annual State Youth Champs Team event took place in Sydney over the weekend, with participants ranging in age from 10 to 29.
The teams event on the Sunday saw the winning team reach 69 VPs with an average age of 15. Seven newcomers joined the teams day, bringing the total newcomers across the weekend to fifteen.
A pairs event was held on the Saturday with five new players joining and two of them achieving a remarkable second place. You can view the full results here.
Bridge NSW Executive Officer, David Havyatt, slotted in last minute as director and was effortlessly reliable, as always.
All participants who didn’t secure a win were awarded book vouchers or a handcrafted crochet item made by one of the players’ mothers.
The NSW State Youth Champs were held at the Sydney Bridge Centre in Surry Hills. The SBC will be the location for next year’s championships in December.
State Novice and Restricted Teams Championship
Eighteen teams contested the State Novice and Restricted Teams hosted by the Illawarra Bridge Association on 9-10 November. Wth an odd number of entries in each field it was played as one round robin of 17 six board matches. One benefit of having the event played as one field is that a Novice Team can win the Restricted Championship.
The team of Ngaire Meehan, Bevan Clouston, Cath Gregory and Lucy Cowen (pictured with organiser Jillian MacRae) from Illawarra did just that. Bevan and Cath came to the club’s beginner class early this year. We hope to hear more from this team in future events.
State Mixed Pairs Championships
State Mixed Pairs Winners – Sherlock Shao and Catherine Zhang
State Mixed Pairs Best Country Pair – Alan Bustany and Di Coats
State Mixed Pairs Runners Up – Jeanette Reitzer and Terry Brown
State Mixed Pairs 3rd – Michael Courtney and Joan Butts
Autumn Swiss Pairs Winners – George Fleischer and Lorna Ichilcik
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