[mr1303]

Well, from what I can tell from touring the local bridge clubs round here, there aren't any students who are playing outside of university who aren't playing at university.

We do hold a stall at the Fresher's Fayre every year, and get around 20-30 people sign up, of which about 10-12 come along for the first week or two, or which between 6-8 turn up regularly.

I do like the ideas of maybe playing in the bar area (on a quieter night, otherwise no-one would be able to concentrate), and clubbing together to get take-away pizza. I'll suggest these at the next committee meeting.

Any further ideas are welcome.

[Rossoneri]

Any campus wide sports/games events where you can possibly have a mini-bridge tournament? We tried doing one during One World Week this year, not that it was very successful though!

[ClaceyJ]

Hey Mark

I have spent the last 6 years as tournament directtor/chairman/captain of my university bridge club (yes, studying medicine takes a long time)

We typically get 8 tables in our first term and 5-7 then onwards, with about another 6-8 who play competitively for the university but not at the club. This is more than we got about 5 years ago.

Our organisation is such- We go all out to sign people up during freshers fair. We try to get around 100 sign-ups, of whom around 30-40 come along at the beginning. We then try to keep ahold of them by doing seperate free lessons during our first term, and running a club night in a seperate venue. We try to persuade about 12 or so to carry on attending, thus maintaining out membership.

What does this suggest- go all out during freshers. If freshers fair is badly organised, find other ways to approach players during the beginning- if other societies get to them first you've already lost.

Have access to beer etc during the night- it doesnt effect the game in general, and adds to a relaxed feeling.

Find a way to play competitively- getting peoples winning desires involved is a good way to keep people you get along.

Ill see if I think of anything else.

[CSGibson]

Another thought - switch to rubber bridge, and offer duplicate as a occasional special event. Put some sort of small stake on it, if allowed. Rubber bridge is much more flexible, allowing people to come in & drop out as needed, which is a big deal at university IMO, since there are so many competing activities and schedules.