Sport – Bridge enthusiasts from across New Zealand travelling to Mount Maunganui to play New Zealand National Bridge Congress in October

NZ BRIDGE Information here: https://gmail.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=42073a4be8734cb5355cd16ea&id=4acdd64523&e=ba01a74848

The New Zealand National Bridge Congress will be hosted in Mount Maunganui next month, October 1–8. This highly anticipated event sees the best Bridge players from across the country come together to compete and celebrate the card game they love.

The 2022 October congress also has special significance because, for the first time in its 36-year history, it will be played at the new location in Mount Maunganui.

“It is wonderful having a live National Congress once again after a three-year gap” NZ Bridge Congress Manager Richard Solomon shares. “It is also fantastic having it at a new venue at Trustpower Baypark. For the first time, the Congress will be in a large convention centre. There will be plenty of time for players to meet and socialise in the breaks between sessions or afterwards as there is no evening play. We are sure our players will love their Trustpower Arena experience at Baypark.”

This year’s Congress welcomes back international players (after a postponed event in 2021 and an online congress event in February 2022) with many players joining from Australia and even travelling from Sweden to attend. “This Congress is where players make new connections with players from all over the country and the world. Bring it on,” says Solomon.

Oscar Nathan, Tumuaki | General Manager of Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi | Tourism Bay of Plenty, says he’s delighted that the Regional Events Fund is helping to bring the Congress to Mount Maunganui for the first time.“We know the players will be focused on their games and will enjoy the camaraderie and competitive atmosphere at this key event. We trust that the entrants and their supporters will also enjoy the activities and attractions our region has to offer during their downtime.”

In October 2022 New Zealand National Bridge Congress will be attended by top international players to watch. Families are also coming together for the competition such as the Skipper family who are based in Christchurch and Auckland, and the Jacob family who are located in Auckland and Sydney.

The Congress lasts for 8 days and includes National Events for all grades of players, those who have been playing for many years and also those who have only learnt recently.

Although the competition is strong in each event, the Congress is known for being both competitive and social.

Bridge is a card game for four players, played as a partnership two against two using points of the compass to designate their position at the table. They use one pack of cards at a time and the pack contains fifty-two cards (no jokers). Having shuffled the pack the cards are dealt clockwise, one at a time until each player has 13 cards, after which the bidding phase begins. The same hands are played by everybody in the room vastly reducing the luck of the draw.

Bridge is a game for life. Played by all ages, across the world, Bridge becomes a lifelong fascination and an instant community for all who play it.

NZ Bridge Inc is the governing organisation that oversees Bridge in New Zealand and is one of 104 countries affiliated to the World Bridge Federation.

New Zealand Bridge has around 13,000 registered Bridge players who belong to 110 affiliated clubs from Kerikeri in Northland down to Invercargill in the South. The game is truly international with millions of registered Bridge players all over the globe.

New Zealand National Bridge Congress

What: New Zealand National Bridge Congress

Where: Trustpower Arena, Lion Foundation Centre, 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui

When: October 1 – 8, 2022

More information on NZ Bridge: www.playbridge.co.nz

LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE

Local clubs are offering lessons in summer. You don’t have to be a card shark to start playing. Beginners can pick up the basics quickly, but there’s huge scope to develop over a lifetime for a truly rewarding hobby.

Find contact details for your local club here: www.playbridge.co.nz/contact-us(Click on your region on the map)