The Bridge Zone

The BZ Crew talk CONGRESS 2026 with Bridget Hannaray • Sneak preview of events after end of play o Saturday – Election Day plenty of places to go to VOTE close by o Monday - The Jin Club and The Bridge Zone Crew meet and greet o Tuesday - Street Eats and music night o Wednesday - The D Word – Team Costume Parade o Thursday - Street market o Friday - Variety Show @ The Regent on Broadway - a fellow Bridgee may be performing o Saturday - Prizegiving • PNCC - Council Support they rock and we cover parking • Transportation: Apex Rentals is recommended for vehicle hire, with discount codes available on the New Zealand Bridge website • Cupid Bridget is back to matchmaking for this year • Junior Entries Numbers are way up from last year • Congress: 850 entries have been received so far, with one month remaining • PAY YOUR ENTRY FEE by September 30th – go into the draw to get your money back • Congress 40th Anniversary – Get your tee shirt now and we have new pens Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • Notable Youth/Intermediate Performances: Highlighting Youth Player success – this week Ellie Molloy, Corbin Titter and Alex Shan takeout tournaments • The Jin Club A "cocktail/mocktail" evening has been officially scheduled for Sunday 8th November after play finishes upstairs • Proposed Incentive: Ross suggested raffling off a Grand Master from each region • Poppy Roberts Pairs: The team is seeking information regarding the history and nature of this monthly Wellington-based event Got some news or feedback, flick us an email [email protected] Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables

The BZ Crew talk about • Christchurch Congress, and the upcoming Labour Weekend Congress in Hamilton • Rankings Alan Grant and Rebecca Osborne • Interprovincials Survey • Key achievements Rebecca Osborne and Alan Grant Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • The Alex Baker and Thompson Gin Club Circuit • Upcoming Tournaments and the B Point Race • Westport Fundraising: • The Judge rules today • Clarification that a declarer is not cheating when they take advantage of a major penalty card resulting from an opponent's revoke • Penalty Cards: It is ethical and legal for a declarer to take advantage of a penalty card on the table • Player Responsibility Players are not responsible for allowing opponents to continue making mistakes; they are entitled to play optimally despite an opponent's infraction • Director Involvement: To avoid disputes, especially when strong players face weaker ones, the director should be called back to the table to make official rulings rather than players deciding the rules themselves Got some news or feedback, flick us an email [email protected] Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew

The BZ Crew talk about • Upcoming bridge tournaments, including the TOPS Friday Fundraising Tournaments • North Island Pairs held at Remuera Bowls and Bridge Club scheduled for October 10–11 • Numbers for the Congress 2026 looking strong and talking to Bridget – Gatekeeper of Congress • The mighty Jack – Mereana agrees with the new nickname The Gambler Barry shares a technical tip from the International Coaching Session 67% or 90+% Playing Cupid • Hello, anyone out there looking for a partner for Congress One of our listeners Deirdre from Tauranga Bridge Club is looking for a partner - Restricted Open grade Drop us a line, contact details below Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • The "Cathy Parker" hand 5-club X with a 20 count . • Player Pet Peeves Expressions of a dislike for players who hold cards vertically on the table and press them down, causing them to wobble • B-Point Pursuit: Ross is currently at 162.48 B-points, trailing Jack James' record of 209 and he hit the podium twice over the weekend The Bailiff joins us today • Purpose of Announcements and Information Accessibility • Room Layout and Movements, some table arrangements are confusing, middle table logic and the primary goal is to help players find their tables particularly in Swiss Pairs • Personal Anecdote: The Bailiff recalled navigating the long distance to the “Gandhi room” on crutches while recovering from an Achilles injury during a past New Zealand Pairs event, many moons ago Got some news or feedback, flick us an email [email protected] Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew

The BZ Crew talk about • Cranmer Bridge Club an update and a theory Photos Before and After • A successful youth camp in Christchurch and a well-attended tournament in Hamilton • Waikato Bays 10A Swiss Pairs at Hamilton – 27 tables (108 players) and sponsored by AFT Pharmaceuticals • Prizes: Nearly $2,000 in prize money and approximately 200 A points were awarded. Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • Levin Multigrade, Thames Restricted, Whangarei Ashbury Heights, Picton Intermediate and Papakura Intermediate (Alex Baker League) • Mr Jinn heads to Howick and Matamata this weekend The Bailiff joins us today and we discuss a specific bridge scenario • A player made an opening bid in the wrong suit and stopped momentarily before their partner responded • What can they do? Director Guidelines for Corrections – how they get to a decision • Eligibility for Change, Criteria for "Clear Error", Evidence of Mistake, Impartiality: The Gambler tips today Second player, plays low Got some news or feedback, flick us an email [email protected] Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew

The Bridge Zone – Episode 427 The BZ Crew talk about • South Pairs: Glenn Coutts and Graham Stout won the event, Jesse Pelienato and Brad Johnston finished second, and Sam Coutts and Nick Bailey finished third • Moss Wylie and Jeremy Fraser Hoskins won the plate • WAPS: Jennifer and Christine Gibbons won with a first-session score of 70 and a second-session score of 63.3 • However, Barry and Liz Fisher took the A-point in the afternoon session with a top score • Cranmer Bridge Club Mereana achieved a top score during a session at the House of Cards . • Club Visits On the trip from Dunedin to Christchurch, Bridge Clubs in Oamaru, Timaru, and Ashburton got their photos taken • Travel Hazards Heavy snow and traffic delays of nearly two hours on the Kilmog outside of Dunedin eventually led to the road closure • Local Trivia Barry gets grilled on this as we trip from Christchurch to Dunedin Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • Ashburton Intermediate, Hutt Intermediate, Tudor-Biggs Intermediate (Auckland), Tauranga Intermediate, Junior and Novice, Kaikoura Junior and Novice • Gin Club Circuit: The Alex Baker, Barfoot & Thompson Jin Club Circuit continues, and Mr Jin gives a roundup • Ross shared an embarrassing story about accidentally backing his trailer into a tip in Taupo • Feedback – Are you a couples who met over the Bridge table? – Barry and Jenny met outside an Appeal room – Does that count? Judge Julie is covering Jury service today and returns next week The Gambler tips today Play up to honours Got some news or feedback, flick us an email [email protected] Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew