Bishop Auckland Bridge Club - New members and visitors are being encouraged to join the club where there are currently over 60 members.

There are a number of forms in which bridge can be played from 'rubber' bridge, where players gamble for high stakes, to a friendly foursome at home.

At Bridge Clubs which are affiliated to the English Bridge Union (EBU), the body which regulates events and rules of play, the format is 'Duplicate' where pre-dealt hands (boards) are circulated around the room and all players play the same boards. Scores are awarded and each pair achieves a percentage.

Players in the first three positions are awarded Master Points which they collect and their tally over the years gives the player a status.

The club has a team which competes in the local league with modest success and has several social events each year while it also participates in several national competitions. As well as the regular Duplicate sessions, there are two or three team nights each year which add variety to the programme.

Players joining a Bridge Club usually join the EBU, for a modest annual fee which entitles them to a monthly magazine, the Master Points scheme and eligibility to enter national competitions.

Bridge is played by a partnership of two people.

For those who do not have a partner, the club can usually find one from the list of members.

The club was formed in the late 1970s and met in King James School. In the late 80s the club moved to its present venue in Bishop Auckland Town Hall where it meets every Thursday at 7pm.

Players are requested to be in their seats by 6.50pm.

Anyone interested in playing this game and meeting new faces should telephone the chair on (01388) 488643 or the secretary on (01388) 768412.

Results, June 7: North/South: 1 G and A Young, 58.12; 2 B Taylor and D Hughes, 56.17%; 3 J Burrell and M Hook, 55.52%.

East/West: 1 W Gordon and J N Dobson, 59.42%; 2 R Cottrell and R Potter, 57.14%; 3 M Clark and B Thompson, 53.90%.