Hi Everyone,

 

For Christmas Eve Observed (12/24/24)

Tuesday, December 24, 6:30 PM: The Evening game is CANCELLED; 12:30 PM Game is NOT CANCELLED

  

For Christmas Day Observed (12/25/24)

Wednesday, December 25, 12:30 PM: The game at St Camillus, Arlington is CANCELLED.

 

For New Years Eve Observed (12/31/24)

Tuesday, December 31, 6:30 PM: The Evening game is CANCELLED; 12:30 PM Game is NOT CANCELLED

 

For New Year’s Day Observed (1/1/25):

Wednesday, January 1, 12:30 PM: The game at St Camillus, Arlington is CANCELLED.

 

For Martin Luther King Day Observed (1/20/25):

Monday, January 20, 12:30 PM: The game at St Camillus, Arlington is NOT CANCELLED.

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Important: The Start Time for Wednesday morning Belmont bridge Game has been changed to 10:30 AM

and the game location has been changed to the First Floor of the Beech St Senior Center, Belmont.

 

Save the Date: The FFBC Holiday Party is scheduled for Friday, December 27 at 11:30 AM.  Hot lunch will be served, followed by a Bridge game (20 boards only).  Door prizes are part of the festivities.

 

Snow Policy:   When the weather forecast is predicting snow on “bridge days”, you can check the website, www.familyfriendlybridge.com .  In addition,  I will send an Email to notify everyone as soon as any bridge game is canceled.   If Belmont Schools are closed, then The Beech St Center will be closed.   Even if the game is not canceled, please use your own judgment re: whether it is safe to be on the roads during/after the storm.  Your personal safety is the most important factor – you can play bridge some other day.  Note: The parking situation in Belmont remains very difficult because of snow banks.

 

If you have a cold or the flu, please do not come to bridge -  You will be jeopardizing the health of everyone.  Flu is very dangerous and even possibly fatal to some individuals. 

Please be respectful to everyone and stay home when you are ill.  Thank you.

 

 

 

Upcoming Bridge Events/Tournaments: 

 

Eastern Mass Bridge Association (EMBA):

EMBA has scheduled a Sectional Tournament for the winter of 2024:

Winter Sectional in Boston Area, December 13 to 15 (Friday-Sunday), Watertown, MA

See handouts above...

 

Monthly Pairs 499er Game with Expert analysis of each hand:  Once a month, all 36 deals played on this evening are reviewed by an expert player.  The analyses were written by Richard Pavlicek and originally published in a souvenir booklet given to each participant after the game. These analyses provide instructive reading with many tips on bidding and play. To benefit even further, compare your bidding and play with his write-up.  For a sample of the souvenir booklet, see attached document in this email:  “1987 Hands.pdf”.  The next of these 499er Pair Games will be held on Tuesday Evening, December 17, 6:30 to 9:00 PM.  Cost remains at $12.

 

ACBL Club Championships: Earn extra masterpoints while playing in Arlington on the following dates... 

Monday Aft – 12/16, Tuesday Aft & Eve – 12/17, Thursday Aft – 12/19, and Friday Aft – 12/20

 

January Bridge Game and Refreshments  (Attention Non-Lifemasters and Their Mentors):  Saturday, January 11, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, cost = $ 15 -- The Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road, Winchester.

Newcomers are especially welcome and usually play in a separate section; special prizes, refreshments and lots of bridge with your friends... Come and give it a try... 

This popular event usually has 10+ tables 'in play' –  New 2025 Schedule – Jenks Center = 1/11, 2/8, 3/8, 4/12, 5/10, 6/14 (NO game for Dec 2025)

See attached for additional details.  You can make your reservation by sending me an Email or calling me (339) 223-6484.

 

Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (STaC games):  January 6 thru January 12, 2025 - Note: almost all bridge clubs in the Boston area will participate in this event.

Results from all participating clubs will be combined for higher overall awards.  These games are very popular.

Silver Masterpoints are awarded for these games (instead of the usual Black Masterpoints). 

For Details: https://nebridge.org/

 

Bridge Lessons:

 

Free Online Bridge for New Players:  American Contract Bridge League offers many options to learn and play bridge – and most offerings are at NO Cost.

Go to: https://www.acbl.org/learn/

 

Beginner Bridge Lessons (in person) - Teacher is Bob Gaudet, Tuesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:30 AM.

Designed for players with little or no experience, and for people who once played and would like to re-enter the bridge world

Classes start on January 14 – at St Camillus Church. 1075 Concord Turnpike (Rte 2, Exit 132), Arlington, MA

8 week session costs $ 120.00 (optional text book is an additional $15).  Note: Cost will be reduced if you have attended a Beginner Bridge course before

Payment is expected at the 1st class (either cash or check, no credit cards), and there is a 100% money back guarantee, if you decide it is not for you.

Course emphasizes Bridge fundamentals, including modern bidding style, “play of the hand” and defensive tactics

Each class consists of 1 hour of instruction on a specific topic- followed by 1 hour of playing bridge hands that cover the material presented.

Come with a partner or as an individual.     To register, please contact:    Bob Gaudet, (339) 223-6484, bridgeleader@gmail.com

 

Beginner Bridge Lessons (in person) - Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:45 PM,  1/22 thru 2/26 (Six lessons), at Newton South HS (MA).

In this course I (Kim) introduce card play, bidding, and defending in modern bridge. It will also be a great refresher for players who learned in the past and want to start playing again!

However, I will start from the very beginning, and assume no prior knowledge of the game. Singles are welcome and will be paired up in class.

Enrollment in this course is ONLY through Newton Community Education. Cost is $185. Teacher is Kim Gilman.  Click here to register: https://newtoncommunityed.org/?s=bridge

 

Beginner Bridge Lessons (on line) - YES, you CAN learn to play online — I (Kim) have taught over 1,000 Beginners using Zoom and my Shark Bridge classroom!

In these classes students learn by actually playing, not just listening to lectures. I will walk them through every step in a fun-filled environment.

Singles are welcome and will be paired up in class.  Teacher is Kim Gilman.  Registration and complete details: go to https://www.bridgewithkim.com/classes

 

Thanks to all of you for your continued support of our efforts to have a fun place to play bridge.

 

Bob Gaudet

Cell: (339) 223-6484

www.familyfriendlybridge.com

 

 

 

Schedule of Bridge Games – Family Friendly Bridge Club                                                           

 

“Live” Bridge at St Camillus Church, Arlington”

 

Monday, 12:30 PM, 24 boards, “OPEN”

Tuesday, 12:30 PM, 18-20 boards, 499er Game (“Restricted”, unless you are mentoring)

Tuesday, 6:30 PM, 18-20 boards, 499er Game (“Restricted”, unless you are mentoring)

Wednesday 10:30 AM -- for Belmont Bridge Club, 20-21 boards, “OPEN”

(location=Beech St Center, Belmont)

Wednesday 7:00 PM -- for Winchester DBC, 24 boards, “OPEN” 

Thursday, 9:30 AM, 9 boards, 20 minute lesson at beginning of session, “Restricted”,

            must be Skill Level = Non-Lifemaster, unless you are mentoring

Thursday, 12:30 PM, 24 boards, “OPEN”

Friday, 12:30 PM, 24 boards, “OPEN”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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