2026 JULY NEWSLETTER
AROUND OUR CLUB
Don’t forget to check out the LESSONS & WORKSHOPS section where there are details about Will Jenner-O’Shea's upcoming visit to Perth. Will has created a short video on YouTube to introduce himself and it includes a short lesson on bidding 4441 hands. (Video here)
There’s also a workshop on Card Play by Fiske Warren on Saturday 10am 11-July ($15) as part of Super Saturday.
Dr Lisha van Reyk, Deserving Better WA, has provided an update on how West Australian Bridge Club’s generous donation is being used to strengthen their IT systems by implementing an upgraded cyber security system that not only better protects highly sensitive client information, but also supports the rollout of secure online appointments.
This will enable Deserving Better WA to continue providing discreet, accessible support while removing barriers for individuals seeking help, particularly those who may be unable to attend appointments in person due to safety concerns or other circumstances.
The CLUB BAR always needs more people to help. Please contact Mary Burke-Heydon if you can help. You do need to hold a Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate (RSA) and the Club will help with this.
The CLUB LIBRARY needs your assistance. Help is needed from club members with the day-to-day running of the library. Just an hour or so returning books to the shelves, checking books on loan, and keeping things in order. There is also an annual stocktaking, not an onerous task when shared with other library helpers. Any time you can give would be appreciated. This is also an excellent opportunity to see all the wonderful books and other items in the library. Please contact Jacqui Ecclestone (jacquiecclestone@yahoo.com.au or 0426 091 958) if you can help or want to know more about the library.
Less than 15 & 50 Masterpoints Duplicate: On Monday and Saturday afternoons the first row is reserved for players with Less than 50 Masterpoints. This was also tried on Friday afternoon but there aren’t enough players on Friday for a viable movement. Please note that the Director may add players with more masterpoints to ensure viable movements and players with more masterpoints who are mentoring new players are also welcome in this section
Please note that the Directors are still putting out Less than 15 MPs yellow cards for all sessions - please turn up early to get one of these especially if it's not a session you normally attend.
Shorter Session? Some members have asked whether the club would run a shorter session, say 16-18 boards on Saturday afternoon. If you would attend such a session then please let Martin (bridge@wabridgeclub.com.au) know of your interest. This will only be trialled if there is sufficient interest to ensure a viable movement.
Our Partnership Coordinator, Jan McNab, has created a WhatsApp Group to help players find a partner. To join the group please contact Jan McNab on 0409 109 132 (Text/Call) janmcnab@iinet.net.au or Bill Turner 0407 983 132 (Text/Call). Once you join the group, please indicate when you wish to play: Day/Date; AM/PM; System (Standard or Acol).
Membership of the group is restricted to members seeking bridge partners at WABC. It is not a chat group.
Containers for Change: Our Treasurer, Christine Spartalis, organised our first bin over summer and it eventually filled up. The bad news was the number of ineligible bottles in the bin. The good news is that recent changes to the scheme now allows almost any bottle to be recycled.
PLANNING AHEAD
SUPER SATURDAY
Saturday 11-July starts with morning workshop on card play by Fiske Warren at 10am ($15), followed by afternoon bridge and then free nibbles and a quiz in the social area. Sponsored by Aspire to Wealth (A2W).
WABC OPEN DAY
Join us for a lovely afternoon at the West Australian Bridge Club as we open our doors to friends, family, and anyone interested in discovering the joy of bridge. Wednesday afternoon 22-July from 3:00pm – 5:30 pm. There are small Open Day Flyers at the club that you can give to anyone interested or drop in letterboxes if you go on a daily walk.
WABC DAYTIME PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
WABC members. Two Friday afternoons 13:15pm 7 & 14-August. Enter on myABF here or WABC website here. There is normal duplicate running as well.
WILL’S WORKSHOPS
See the Lessons & Workshops Section
WABC WINNERS & PAST EVENTS
WABC SWISS PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Twelve pairs playing six matches over two sessions saw Vinod Nasta & Tim Wright winning from Pim Birss & Dave Munro.
NOVICE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Twenty pairs playing two Friday mornings saw Sue Craig & Brian Shaw winning from Frank van Bockxmeer & Jan French. There wasn’t much separating the top two pairs with the winners just 0.18% ahead!!!
(L-R) Tim Wright; Vinod Nasta; Pim Birss; Dave Munro; Sue Craig; Brian Shaw; Frank van Bockxmeer; Jan French.
MAJOR MASTERPOINT (MP) MILESTONES
Trumps Plus recognises Club members who receive their first ranking certificate (Graduate Master, 2 MP) and those who have become Life Masters, which is the first certificate requiring gold points.
There are three other significant milestones: reaching 100 Masterpoints; reaching 300 Masterpoints; and becoming a Grand Master, which requires a minimum 1000 Masterpoints of which 200 must be Gold and 700 Gold or Red.
In Junethe following Club member achieved:
300 MPs: Julie Coates
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Vale Leith Taylor, a current member and the wife of John Aquino who passed late June. Although Leith last played at the club in November 2024, she continued to play on StepBridge.
Welcome to the following new members: Graham Mathieson; Barb Tate; & Isabel White.
LESSONS & WORKSHOPS
FISKE WARREN - CARD PLAY WORKSHOP
10am-12 noon, Saturday 11-July. Part of Super Saturday. Attend the workshop ($15); play the afternoon session ($9 members, $11 visitors); stay for free nibbles afterwards.
ROOKIES -BRIDGE BASICS
Starts Wednesday 22-July 9:15 – 10:45am run by Warwick Potter. An eight-week course ($15 per week) suitable for those who have done the two Beginners Courses. Learn about Overcalls; Doubles; Stayman; Transfers; Pre-empts; Strong Hands; and more.
BEGINNERS - PART 1 - LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE
Starts 3 August a choice of Monday morning (9:15 – 11:15am run by Warwick Potter) or Tuesday evening (6:45 – 8:45 pm run by Christine Sabier) classes. An eight-week course suitable for those new to bridge.
WILL’S WORKSHOPS
Will Jenner-O’Shea is one of Australia’s top teachers. He has taught thousands of players of all levels, and his light-hearted teaching style makes his workshops great fun. He writes a regular article for the ABF newsletter, runs online lessons every week, and has worked at many of the largest clubs in Australia over his 20 year bridge teaching career. He has represented Australia in Open, Mixed and Youth championship events.
Will has put a short video on YouTube about his visit to Perth.
The video includes a short lesson on bidding 4441 hands
Four workshops, three morning workshops and one all day. Reserve your seat on myABF or see the Directors or Martin.
Saturday Morning 15-August (10am-12:30pm)
Card Play Techniques in No-Trumps.
Sunday Morning & Afternoon 16-August (10am - 3:00pm). Lunch provided.
Getting to Good No-Trumps Games More Often.
Tuesday Morning 18-August (10am-12:30pm)
Intermediate Bidding, Card Play Techniques, and Consolidate Your Knowledge.
Thursday Morning 20-August (10am-12:30pm)
The Landy Convention and Interfering with their 1NT Opening.
The Lebensohl Convention, handling them interfering with our 1NT Opening.
PUBLICATIONS
TRUMPS PLUS: The June issue is here.