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NIBU President Harold Curran says:

“I’m delighted to announce that our International Match and Website Manager Helen Hall has qualified as a recognised teacher of Bridge.

Helen undertook a programme of training hosted by the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (CBAI) which involved taking 2 exams and attending a weekend seminar in Dublin. The seminar involved delivering a presentation to CBAI members.”

For more information on the content and format of the course, Helen can be contacted at: hallhelen@hotmail.co.uk

For the first time, entries are being invited from teams throughout Ireland. The League will be played on RealBridge as before The final format and dates will be confirmed when the final number of teams entered is known. Full details and entry form can be found HERE.

Closing date for entries is Sunday 24th September 2023.

For the first time, entries to the Intermediate League are being invited from teams throughout Ireland. The event will be played on BBO, with teams arranging their own matches with opponents. The format and dates will be confirmed when the final number of teams entered is known. Full details and the entry form can be found HERE.

All Intermediate Players are encouraged to put a team together and take part in this event.

Entry for the Knockout Cups, the Kelvin, Mackinnon and Millership Cups, is now available. Entry form and more details HERE.

Closing Date 24 September 2023.

The selection committee would like to invite players of categories Inter A and Masters (Seniors with less than 40 red points) to enter for selection to play in the Inter-Provincials to be held in The Cavan Crystal hotel on 18th and 19th November 2023. 
Closing date for entries: 16th October 2023
Entries to: nualamooney37@hotmail.co.uk

Because of the prevalence of unethical behaviour by a small minority of online bridge players, the NIBU is issuing a reminder to all players of the need for ethical behaviour at all times.  There are numerous reports of people perceived to be deliberately CHEATING when playing online.  All members should be in no doubt that the NIBU is taking each case extremely seriously and there will be consequences for anyone found to be cheating.

Players should note that all on-line competitions are being monitored for repeated signs of suspicious or unusual play. A number of players are currently serving suspensions.

Please click here to read the most recent newsletter from the WBF Women’s Bridge group. The magazine is editted by Mary Kelly Rogers.

There has been an increase in the number of players partnering robots in the NIBU Thursday and Sunday tournaments. Members have expressed their frustration with this as they do not enjoy playing against robots. NIBU has therefore decided to carry out a trial of ‘no robot’ tournaments on Thursday evenings starting on 27th July and finishing on 31st August. Robots will only be used if an odd number of pairs register to obviate the need for sitouts.

Players who wish to enter but do not have a partner can make use of the BBO Partnership Desk – instructions on using this are available by clicking the link below. The facility is available once the event is open for registration at 5pm, players must then remain online in order that they can respond to invitations.

BBO Partnership Desk

If the event starts with an odd number of pairs the TD will substitute sitouts with players from the Partnership Desk and/or robots, should players included in this not wish to continue they can logout and will be substituted with a robot.

Feedback, both positive and negative, is welcomed – preferably towards the end of the trial period. This can be done through the ‘Contact Us’ option on the website.

The Ciara Burns Gala Pairs took place in Kelvin Malone Bridge Centre on Sunday 30 July 2023. Marvellous to see 20 pairs taking part. Many thanks to KMBC for hosting this competition and a special thanks to Joan Baird and her team for providing a wonderful lunch. Congratulations to winners John and Jackie Flynn, as Intermediate B players, being overall winers. Trophies and prize monies were awarded to winners. Full results here.

Photos
Ciara Burns Gala Pairs – Prizewinners
Intermediate League – Prizewinners

The Annual General Meeting of the NIBU was held at Kelvin Malone Bridge Centre on Sunday 25th June at 2pm. . Papers and reports tabled at the AGM are available in the ‘Members Only Section/Council and AGM’ on the website. Draft Minutes to follow.
Presentation of Trophies: