The Bathurst and District Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge, the most popular and competitive variation of the game. Pre-dealt boards are used and scores compared to earn master points as members of the Australian Bridge Foundation (ABF).

Volunteers recently spent a morning replacing worn cards, cleaning and dealing new boards ready for this year's regular bridge sessions, including the Bathurst Congress, two beginners courses, supervised bridge and bridge on demand.

Beginners are offered seven free lessons. They will start with two sessions on Sunday, March 1 from 10am to noon and 12.30pm to 2.30pm (with lunch included), followed by five consecutive Tuesday evening sessions from 7pm to 9pm. You are advised to purchase Paul Marston's Introduction to Bridge, on sale at the club for $20.

The clubhouse provides a friendly, social environment. Located at the bottom of Mitre Street, it was recently extended to accommodate a new kitchen to cater for events.

New member Marje Prior says it's the intellectual challenge, the problem-solving and understanding partner communication that makes the game so addictive for her.

"I also enjoy the social contact with a diverse group of good players that form the nucleus of the club," she said.

While the ABF has 35,000 members in Australia, 25 million people play bridge in America, including Bill Gates, who plays to keep his mind active.

Beginners play supervised bridge before they join the regular bridge sessions held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Wednesday evening.

The second Sunday of every month provides an afternoon of social bridge.

For more information, contact Barbara Woolfe, 0428 119633.