Manly Daily Northern Beaches Pairs

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Rivalling the Olympics, card players from the twelve bridge clubs on Sydney's northern beaches start the 2008 Manly Daily Northern Beaches Pairs competition this Sunday 10 August.

More than 1,500 people play duplicate bridge on the northern beaches each week, and this is the first time a competition between pairs representing their clubs has been undertaken. This year the competition will run over three Sundays finishing on Sunday 24 August and is being hosted by the
Manly Leagues Bridge Club.

Next year it will be hosted by another of the northern beaches bridge clubs and may be run as a two session event on the same day.

"Bridge is a great mind game for those wanting to keep mentally and socially active. It combines the boldness and people-reading skills of poker, the analytical skills of chess and the partnership understanding of doubles tennis" according to Manly Leagues Bridge Club president, David Farmer. "There is an investment of time to learn card play principles and a bidding system, and to develop a good relationship with a partner - but it is worth it."

Duplicate bridge removes much of the luck of the deal that is found in many card games. Players win by achieving better scores than others playing exactly the same cards. With three sessions each of about three hours the winner of the 2008 Northern Beaches Pairs will rightly deserve their title.

The northern beaches bridge clubs have recently joined together on a number of initiatives such as this competition. Others include promoting each others' beginners' lessons and special events. More information can be found about the clubs and initiatives at their new website http://northernbeachesbridge.info.

The Manly Daily is a key sponsor of this Northern Beaches Pairs competition.