LESSONS UPDATE

Are you looking to improve your game?  Beginning on Monday, January 27, 2025, Charlie Miner will begin a series of lessons focusing on bidding and play of the hand techniques.  The lessons begin at 9:30 a.m. and last for approximately 2 hours, and hand-outs will be provided. The cost is $5 per session.

Monday’s lesson will cover the use of the Jacoby 2NT. Subsequent lessons will cover New Minor Forcing, Roman Key Card Blackwood, Defensive Card Signaling, and Cue Bids.

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

On February 27, 28 and March 1, 2025, OBC will host its first ACBL Sectional Tournament.  There will be a morning and afternoon session each day, with lots of opportunities to win your coveted Silver Points.  We will need volunteers to run the tournament, please let Ann Farrell know if you can help. Areas will we need help are Partnership desk, kitchen help, greeters, parking lot assistants, food donations, and clean-up.  Sign-up Sheets will be on the Director’s table.

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

On February 27, 28 and March 1, 2025, OBC will host its first ACBL Sectional Tournament.  There will be a morning and afternoon session each day, with lots of opportunities to win your coveted Silver Points.  We will need volunteers to run the tournament, please let Ann Farrell know if you can help. Areas will we need help are: Partnership desk, kitchen help, greeters, parking lot assistants, food donations, and clean-up.  Sign-up Sheets will be on the Director’s table.

OBC BOARD ELECTIONS

As per our bylaws, OBC will hold an election for three vacancies on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving our bridge community, please submit your name or nominees to Ann Farrell.  Please do not nominate someone without their prior approval.  After all nominations are finalized, there will be a club-wide election.  The nomination period will close on January 31, 2025, and the election will be February 3-7.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all the Newcomer Players who earned points in Tuesday’s game.  Keep up the good work, Janet Mercer, Vivian Darnel, Miriam Gross-Conover, David Kellogg, and Hilary Fischer!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all the OBC players who competed in the 2025 Orlando Regional Tournament.  Special kudos to all those who won Gold, including:

                    Sonja Thomas and Barbara Moore

                  Linda Scheible, Dee Becker, Patty Estes and Dan Newcome

                  Georgette Lynch and Charlie Miner

                  Gerry Rescek

                  Beverly Ellars, Len Perkins, Ann Farrell and Charlie Miner

                      Amy Post and Brendon Snyder

On February 27, 28 and March 1, 2025, OBC will host its first ACBL Sectional Tournament.  There will be a morning and afternoon session each day, with lots of opportunities to win your coveted Silver Points.  Mark your calendars and watch for details to follow.

Tournament Flyer

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Make a New Year’s Resolution to play at least twice a week at our club!  OBC has resumed its regular operating schedule and will be open Mondays through Fridays, including January 6 – 10, 2025

GAME FEES

Beginning January 1, 2025, the game fees will be increased to $10.  We will not charge an extra $1 for charity games.  OBC is committed to providing a friendly, welcoming environment to our players and pledge to not charge an annual club membership fee.

NEW BEGINNER LESSONS

Teacher Extraordinaire, Patty Estes will start a new set of Beginner Lessons, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.  The lessons will be held on Monday and Tuesday.  Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Lessons will continue with Grand Life Master, Charlie Miner.  Charlie’s classes will be held on Mondays at 9:30 and we will continue with our Newcomer Game (0-20 Masterpoints) on Tuesdays at Noon.  The fees are $5 per lesson and a one-time $10 material/book fee. All are welcome.  Please help us spread the word.

OBC BOARD ELECTIONS

As per our bylaws, OBC will hold an election for three vacancies on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving our bridge community, please submit your name or nominees to Ann Farrell.  Please do not nominate someone without their prior approval.  After all nominations are finalized, there will be a club-wide election.  An individual willing to serve as Treasurer is an ideal candidate.

OBC appreciates your enthusiasm for bridge, however, if you are not feeling well, please stay home!

Effective immediately, if a player is showing signs of illness, a director, at his/her discretion may ask the player to leave or wear a mask.  This policy is enacted for the wellness of our bridge community.

There is a company called Groupon, that has linked up with various insurance companies that provide Medicare Supplemental insurance and Medicare Advantage insurance, to pay for dues for participating in various social activities.  The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) has partnered with Groupon to get this benefit for bridge players that have either of the above types of plans if the insurer is participating. Each individual will have to check with Groupon to see if they are eligible.  See the two attachments for details. 

Grouper New Benefit Fact Sheet_240706_212216.pdf

Grouper New Benefit FAQ_240706_212311.pdf