Family Friendly Bridge Club
St Camillus Church, 1175 Concord Turnpike
(Route 2, Exit 132 (Formerly 57)), Arlington
Hi Everyone,
For Labor Day Observed (9/7/26):
Monday, September 7, 12:30 PM: The game at St Camillus, Arlington is CANCELLED.
For Columbus Day Observed (10/12/26):
Monday, October 12, 12:30 PM: The game at St Camillus, Arlington is NOT CANCELLED.
Sadly – 2 of our bridge players have passed(see pictures below)
Chris Pettingell: Chris was a very active bridge player until the Covid crisis arrived– when she switched to playing On-Line bridge.
She was a player that enjoyed playing bridge and seeing her many bridge friends
​
Upcoming Bridge Events/Tournaments:
ACBL National Tournament: Minneapolis, MN from July 9 thru 19, 2025 – Spingold Knockout Team Championship starts on Tuesday at 10:00 AM.
There are Many expert teams that have entered this Team event, and you can watch them play. Some of them play bridge at FFBC.
Watch these matches and see the play of the hands with immediate discussion by expert commentators.
Go to https://bridgewinners.com/article/view/minneapolis-kibitzing-from-afar-vugraph-bridgecasts/ to find out how to watch these matches
For the best Tournament Information, go to: https://www.bridgewinners.com/
EMBA Sectional Tournaments: The next EMBA Sectionals will be held:
----- Mashpee on July 25 & 26; Watertown on August 1 & 2; Watertown, October 3 & 4;
Watertown on December 12 & 13.
For Details: https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwop/bw.cgi?club=emba&pid=display_home
NH Bridge Association Elm City Sectional Tournament: Keene Elks Club, NH on August 8 & 9.
For Details: https://nhbridge.com/ and click on “Tournament Flyer”
North American Pairs (NAP) Qualifying games offer Red/Black masterpoints at double the Regular Club masterpoints.
North American Pairs Championship – is played at the ACBL National Spring Event and requires 2 steps to qualify.
The 1st step occurs at the club level – FFBC Qualifying Games will be held from 7/20 thru 7/25, and 8/17 thru 8/21.
The 2nd step occurs at the ACBL district level, and is a bridge event that happens in the Fall.
If you win/place there, District 25 will give you money to compete in the ACBL National Spring Event (Dallas, TX).
Ocean State Regional: Warwick, RI, 9/1 – 9/6, Gold & Red Masterpoints are awarded at Regionals.
For all the Details: https://nebridge.org/
Sectional Tournament at the Clubs (STaC games): October 5 thru 11, 2026 –
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:
For “most up-to-date” schedule of bridge lessons (including “Subject “ of each lesson). Please go to -- https://www.familyfriendlybridge.com/lessons
Free 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/
Bob Gaudet: Free Beginner Bridge Lessons (in person) –
Tuesday evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 PM;
Classes start on Sept 8 – at St Camillus Church. 1075 Concord Turnpike (Rte 2, Exit 132), Arlington, MA
Designed for players with little or no experience, and f or people who once played and would like to re-enter the bridge world.
8 week session is “FREE” (optional text book is an additional $15).
Note: 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
Easybridge
Bridge Subjects (8 Weeks) Textbook
-----------
Week 1 – Review of Bridge Basics p. 1-30
Week 2 – Bidding to Win (Part 1) “
Week 3 – Bidding to Win (Part 2) “
Week 4 – Defensive Bidding – Overcalls, etc p. 32-35
Week 5 – Opening Leads – Defensive Play Handout
Week 6 – Opening NT Bids and Responses p. 47-53
Week 7 – Opening Preemptive Bids p. 61-62
Week 8 – Bidding to Slam p. 64-66
Mine Usluel: Advanced Beginner Lessons will continue in July and August. Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, at St Camillus, Arlington.
One-hour interactive lecture followed by one-hour practice of 8 to 12 boards. Cost is $20/lesson and is paid at each class (cash/check, Zelle, Venmo).
If you are not one of the regular attendees, please register by sending an email to mineusluel@yahoo.com
7/24 Balancing
7/31 Overcalling with Strong Hands - Power Doubles
For further info see Bridge Lessons with Mine Usluel
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
Schedule of Bridge Games – 7/15/26
Family Friendly Bridge Club, St Camillus Church, Arlington
Monday, 12:30 – 3:30 PM -- 24 boards, “OPEN”
Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 PM, 18-20 boards, 499er Game
(“Restricted to <500 MPs”, unless you are mentoring)
Tuesday, 6:30 – 9:00 PM, 18-20 boards, 499er Game
(“Restricted to <500 MPs”, unless you are mentoring)
Wednesday, 12:30 – 3:30 PM -- 24 boards, “OPEN”
Wednesday, 7:00 – 10 PM -- for Winchester DBC, 24 boards, “OPEN”
Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 AM, 9 boards, 20 minute lesson at beginning of session,
“Restricted”, must be Skill Level = Non-Lifemaster, unless you are mentoring
Thursday, 12:30 – 3:30 PM -- 24 boards, “OPEN”
Friday, 12:30 – 3:30 PM -- 24 boards, “OPEN”