Intermediate Newcomer (I/N) News

Free Learn to Play Bridge software is available from the ACBL web site.

We have a number of games in our unit that have upper limits on master points. Common limits are 49r, 99r and 199r, meaning that no one can play in the game that has more than 49, 99 or 199 master points respectively. The available games and their master point limits are listed on our competition page. There are also links on that page where you can find your YTD master points and where you rank in the unit.

For players between 0 - 49 master points, there is a game every Thursday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm at the Orinda Community Center, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA Tel (925) 254 2445. Everyone is allowed 2 questions per session on difficult bidding or play issues. No need for a partner. And there is always a warm welcome to newcomers. Director Carol Griffin also offers a 0-199 mp section at the same game. See more on her web site.

There is a 199r (0 - 199 master points or less per contestant) ACBL duplicate bridge game every Wednesday morning, at the Walnut Creek Senior Center, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 94596 (map). Phone: 925-943-5851. The director is Larry Miller. His email is oldlw@aol.com and this is his website

For players between 0 - 299 master points, There is a Thursday evening game at The Bridge Center, 2219 Morello Ave, Pleasant Hill, 925-676-4414. 6:45-9:30 pm. See their web site.

There is a 0-299 game every Tuesday Morning at 9am The Bridge Center, 2219 Morello Ave, Pleasant Hill, 925-676-4414. Marvin Suchman (email marvim019@sbcglobal.net) runs the game and is very helpful to newer players. Here is the website.

And lastly, there is the Carol Griffin 0 - 299 game on Thursday afternoons at the Orinda Community Center supported by her. web site.

There are a number of Bridge Lesson programs in our unit. Please check our Bridge Learning web page to contact the teacher you're interested in.

Bridge in our Unit

Unit 499 belongs to the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Its mission is to promote the game of Bridge. We have small business owners and Bridge teachers that conduct weekly duplicate games and teach Bridge. Almost all of our tournaments use a style of Bridge called "Duplicate" where the same hands are played by multiple contestants and the results compared to determine winners. This means success is due to skill rather than receiving good cards. Rubber bridge players are encouraged to attend a weekly duplicate game and see how enjoyable it is. One interesting thing about duplicate tournament bridge is that (if you choose to) you can play against the best players in the world in big tournaments. You may also want to join the ACBL for a nominal annual fee and have the time of your life.

Units, Districts, Western Conference, ACBL

The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) uses a bridge volunteer organization to promote Bridge. It divided North America into "Districts" and "Units". We are in District 21 (Northern California) and Unit 499 (Contra Costa County) with a Board of Directors. There is also an association of Districts 17, 21 and 22 called the Western Conference that combine forces to produce the monthly Forum newsletter, mailed to all ACBL members in these districts. The ACBL mails an excellent monthly publication to all its members.

Results are Uploaded for all Games

A service provided by our unit is online duplicate bridge game results created by our each. To see them, find "Weekly Results" on our Home page, then select the City, game and date of the game. Another way is to go to the competition web page where all games in the unit are displayed, and click on a game and date. Just allow a few hours for the games to be uploaded The directors create the game reports and then volunteers upload the reports to the web site, usually in the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about Rubber Bridge, Intermediate/Novice Games, Weekly Duplicate Games or ACBL Tournaments? We have answers for you on our FAQ page.

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