The Cambridge Sixes - 10th August 2023

The Cambridge Sixes is a fantastic concept aimed at getting more of each grade taking part in tournaments. The inaugural event held Sunday 11th August 2013 was, in effect, three tournaments taking place simultaneously. There was a 3A for the Open players, a 5B for the Intermediates, and a 3B for the Juniors.

This event also filled a need in the national calendar ... there were, and still are in 2023 apart from Sixes events run in Wellington and Christchurch), absolutely no Swiss Pairs events specifically for Intermediates or Juniors. C'mon Guys - what are we trying to protect them from? It's FUN!

Eleven years on, we haven't seen fit to change anything but the venue - and the price which was $6x6pp until 2019 but now, sadly, we cannot maintain the quality of this event for less than $50pp in 2023 - 2024 price to be confirmed. In 2014 we moved to the Cambridge Town Hall which was packed out with 54 tables. In 2015 we had the maximum of 36 teams signed up again two months ahead of the event.



We really spread our wings in 2016 when we moved out to the fabulous new Sir Don Rowlands Centre at Lake Karapiro just 5km from Cambridge. This place is a fantastic venue with all mod cons and great views out over the lake. There are some attractive book-early on-site options for accommodation that could work well for a group of fun bridgees.

Unfortunately, along with may other events, the 2020 party was canned. This year we are thrilled to announce that the Cambridge Sixes will again be under the joint control of NZ's Chief Director Murray Wiggins ably supported by Caroline Wiggins, also a National Director.

The really different thing about the Cambridge Sixes is that entries have to be comprised of one pair from each grade. Open players who wish to have a crack at getting three A points must find an Intermediate pair and a Junior pair to come along with them. Open players proved to be the prime movers in getting the 66 tables we had attending our sixth Sixes in 2018. Run as a triple Swiss Pairs tournament there is prize money in each grade, most of the $3000-odd in prizes goes to the best performed Teams of Six when the scores get added across the grades.

Cambridge runs friendly open-handed events but this format is one right out of the box!! It provides not only serious bridge but also a bit of fun (ranging from quiet amusement up to hilarity) between rounds with the Trivia quizzes and prizes for the Teams judged to be wearing the most "distinctive uniform" (read costume).

We have a preference for both entries and payments accepted on-line. Teams can enter through the NZB website where all clubs are encouraged to take their entries.

On the day, morning tea is available from 9:00am for a 9:30 start. We try to wrap everything by 5:15pm in order to give those attending from distant places an early start on the road home. Compass electronic scoring has been specially adapted by Bob Fearn so that the results come out as soon as the last score is entered. Comprehensive reports are available on this website throughout the day which is handy for those with phones and tablets - they don't have to walk up close to see the draws on the big screens.

The Cambridge club very much appreciates the phenomenal support it has received from players and our own members but especially from our major sponsor AFT Pharmaceuticals. After such enjoyable days we look forward to seeing this format continue to grow.

NB - Several people, so keen to attend the next one, book ahead as soon as the entries open. In 2024 we have space enough to handle a very large number of entries. From 1st of July, partial entries will go into a holding pattern as e-mails are sent out to encourage at least four names. This preserves their place until 1st of August. From that date on we ask that partial teams protect their place by paying the full entry fee.

The club will be pleased to assist with completion of full entries by cobbling together players from different clubs if necessary.

Looking forward to seeing you and your team at Karapiro on the 10th of August