The Bridge Zone

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🃏 The game we know as Contract Bridge departed from 'whist' with the creation of 'Biritch' (or Russian Whist) in the 19th century, and evolved through the late 19th and early 20th centuries to form the present game. The Bridge Zone is a radio show and podcast encouraging fellow Bridge players to share the passion that enthusiasts have in playing this challenging game.

  1. 1d ago

    The Bridge Zone - 07-10-2026

    The BZ Crew talk about • Labour Weekend Congress is seeing strong registration with 27 pairs and 23 teams currently entered • New System Regulations effective October 1st have caused frustration among intermediate players, specifically those using the Polish Club system who are now ineligible for the intermediate section • Disciplinary Actions Any misconduct are being made public by the NZB Conduct, Discipline and Disputes Committee to ensure transparency Judge Julie clears up some things - Director Rulings and Etiquette • Wrong Hand Procedure: If a player plays from the wrong hand, a director must be called Defenders may accept a lead, but they cannot consult each other before doing so • Simultaneous Actions: When multiple actions occur at once, the laws prioritize the person who is next to act • Player Etiquette: Stronger players are encouraged to call the director for errors (even their own) to remove pressure from inexperienced players and ensure correct information is provided • Hesitations: Acknowledging a partner's long bidding time can reduce table stress, though it does not preclude a director's ruling Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • Intermediate players are now prohibited from playing Polish Club, a regulation change effective from October 1, 2026 • Mr. Jinn currently holds the first-place position on the Local Master ranking list • The JIN Club and The Bridge Zone will host a get-together at the convention center's upstairs bar during the upcoming Congress Got some news or feedback, flick us an email bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew

  2. Sep 29

    The Bridge Zone - 30-09-2026

    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 bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables

  3. Sep 15

    The Bridge Zone - 16-09-2026

    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 bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew

  4. Sep 1

    The Bridge Zone - 01-09-2026

    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 bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew

About

🃏 The game we know as Contract Bridge departed from 'whist' with the creation of 'Biritch' (or Russian Whist) in the 19th century, and evolved through the late 19th and early 20th centuries to form the present game. The Bridge Zone is a radio show and podcast encouraging fellow Bridge players to share the passion that enthusiasts have in playing this challenging game.

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