The 2025 local bridge calendar gave XMMBRIDGE multiple opportunities to test ourselves across different formats and levels. Over the course of the year, we sent teams to Pesta Sukan 2025, Matchpoint Teams 2025, and Singapore Youth Teams 2025. Each event offered a different challenge, and together they marked a meaningful year of participation and progress for the club.

At Pesta Sukan 2025, XMMBRIDGE took part in both the Corporate Pairs event and the Main Teams event. In the Corporate Pairs, we fielded two pairs and were delighted to finish first and second, a strong start to the competition. The Main Teams event proved more challenging. Our qualifying phase performance was below expectations, but the team stayed composed and still qualified for the Corporate Club Finals, which we had registered for. In the finals, the team won, securing the Top Corporate Club award.

In Matchpoint Teams 2025, we sent two teams to compete. Team XMMBRIDGE (Misclick) produced an outstanding performance, winning the event with a 67 percent score and finishing 14 percent ahead of the second placed team.

The year concluded on a high note at Singapore Youth Teams 2025. We fielded a team comprising four U26 women players alongside two founding members of the club. After two full round robins, the team finished first with a commanding lead of more than 20 VPs over the second placed team. The event provided a valuable opportunity to blend youth and experience in a competitive setting.

Across these events, the results were encouraging, but more importantly, they reflected the depth, commitment, and shared spirit within the club. We are thankful for the opportunities to compete locally and look forward to building on these experiences in the seasons ahead.

We are grateful that the festival provided a social league format that allowed our juniors to participate meaningfully. In particular, we would like to thank the other participating clubs for their understanding and support in allowing a concession for our team. This made it possible for our players to compete for half a match at a time, with substitutions in between, creating a fair and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

XMMBRIDGE Club took part in the Interclub Bridge Festival this year, fielding a team made up of our young players from the beginners class, aged between 10 and 14. For many of them, this was their first experience competing in an interclub setting, and it proved to be a valuable and encouraging opportunity.

From a performance standpoint, the team exceeded expectations. XMMBRIDGE finished 5th overall out of 9 teams, a commendable result given the age and experience profile of our players. More importantly, the event gave our juniors exposure to match conditions, table etiquette, and the rhythm of competitive play beyond the classroom.

We are thankful for the opportunity to be part of this year’s festival and for the welcoming spirit shown by the interclub community. The experience has strengthened our commitment to junior development, and we look forward to participating in the Interclub Bridge Festival again next year!

Our girls recently travelled to Salsomaggiore Terme, Italy, to compete in the World Youth Team Championships in the U26 Women’s category. For many, this was their first experience competing at the world level, and it proved to be an eye-opening and valuable journey.

Facing teams from established bridge nations highlighted the intensity and consistency required at the highest level. The precision in bidding, discipline in cardplay, and ability to sustain focus across long matches set a clear benchmark for what international competition demands.

Beyond the results, the championships offered lessons that cannot be gained at home. The team learned how to manage pressure, recover from difficult boards, and support one another through a demanding schedule. Just as importantly, they gained a clearer understanding of where they stand and what it takes to improve.

This experience in Italy marks an important step in our development pathway. It has strengthened the team’s resolve and provided valuable perspective that will guide their growth in the years ahead.

Since December 2024, our bridge club embarked on a journey like no other — mentoring a spirited group of six young women with the aim of preparing them for international competition. What began as a modest coaching initiative quickly transformed into something remarkable.

In May 2025, these girls proudly represented Singapore in the APBF Youth Championships, competing in the Under-26 Women’s category held in Thailand. Against seasoned youth teams from across the region, they held their own with determination, skill, and grit — ultimately finishing in 4th place, Singapore’s best-ever result in this category.

Their performance did more than just set a new national benchmark. By finishing among the top teams, they have qualified for the World Youth Teams Championships — a truly outstanding achievement and a testament to their dedication and resilience.

But this event was about more than just bridge. It was a vibrant, international gathering where friendships were formed across borders. Our team had the opportunity to network with fellow youth players from other countries, bonding over shared passion and spirited competition. The atmosphere off the tables was as memorable as the games themselves.

One of the highlights of our presence was the debut of our custom-made “Singapore Youth” playing cards. Beautifully designed and proudly representing our nation, these cards quickly became a talking point. We gifted them to our opponents and the tournament organizers — and they were very well received. It was a small but meaningful way to share a piece of Singaporean identity and bridge culture with the international community.

Throughout the tournament, the girls faced formidable opponents, tight matches, and high-pressure situations. Yet they fought hard and held their heads high, showing maturity beyond their years and a passion for the game that inspired everyone who followed their journey.

We couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished — not only in terms of results but in the spirit they showed along the way. Their success marks a significant milestone, not just for our club, but for youth bridge in Singapore as a whole.

As we look ahead to the world stage, we know this is just the beginning. Congratulations to our incredible U26 Women’s team — your hard work, sportsmanship, and heart have made history!

Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) hosted their inaugural SCC Bridge Challenge Trophy: SCC Open Pairs Tournament in March. Susan from SCC has graciously extended the invitation to xmmbridge. Cheng Yen and Gao Heng represented xmmbridge for the event. There were a total 64 players from local and overseas clubs, competing in this event. The refreshments served before the game and at half time were great! This was also one of the few local tournaments that offered a cash prize. By a stroke of luck, our pair emerged the winners of the event, receiving 2 beautiful plaques and the $200 cash prize.

We didn’t compete in the event for the cash prize. It was already sufficiently rewarding, to have an enjoyable afternoon of bridge, with the passionate bridge players from the various clubs. The $200 was indeed a bonus. Instead of pocketing the sum, we’ve decided to pay it forward, as a gratitude for SCC’s generosity and hospitality.

In 2025, there were a few schools (NYGH, TMJC and EJC) which newly introduced a bridge section to their mind sports club. We’ve donated the full $200 to SCBA, for the purpose of purchasing new bridge boards for these new kids on the block. Besides these schools, we’ve also replaced some of the worn-out boards at HCI. The $200 was enough for 5 sets of 16 boards, each of the boards were pre-loaded with the custom cards for SG Youth.

Here are the students with the received donation (ghiblified their photos, since this is the hot/fun thing on ChatGPT now).

After chatting with the student leaders of various school clubs, we realized that they can do with some help. Many schools were using second hand cards from SCBA. After years of use, the cards were now worn out and dirty. The schools would definitely benefit from a donation of cards, which they could use to either refresh their existing inventory, or give out as prizes during their recruitment drives.

We started a community-driven project, together with Beverly (from U26 Women’s team and RIJC). We decided that we could take matters into our own hands, to actively help the youth bridge community in Singapore. Beverly studies Art and is appointed as the sole designer of the cards. We fund the purchase of the cards, and liaise with the necessary supplier from China who bulk produces custom cards at an affordable price. We subsequently coordinated with a freight company, to deliver the cards to Singapore.

Within a couple of months, the 2000 decks of custom cards have been designed, printed and shipped to Singapore. Hundreds of decks of cards have also been distributed to the various school clubs (NUS, NTU, RIJC, HCI & TMJC).

Here are cards, specially made to celebrate for SG Youth Bridge. If you look closely at the cover, there’s a merlion, and 5 stars & the crescent representing Singapore.

After months of weekly classes, we’ve finally completed our inaugural run of the elementary and beginners course.

Without prior experience in teaching bridge to students of such a young age (9-14), the conduct of the course had indeed been challenging for us. We’ve taught students at JC and University, but there’s a totally different ballgame compared to teaching students this young. We had to carve up the content into manageable bite-size portions that could be taught within the students’ short attention span. Homework also had to be given to ensure that the students revised and applied the content that was taught in class. Credit has to be given to the awesome teaching crew, for painstakingly coming up with the material and patiently teaching these mischievous kids in class.

We’re extremely thankful that the parents have been extremely supportive throughout this journey, and we certainly hope that the students enjoyed the course, and will continue learning and playing bridge. Perhaps one day we can see them representing Singapore at the U16 level!

We’re nearing the end of 2024, and the two Singapore bridge leagues have successfully concluded.

XMMBridge emerged victorious in both leagues, maintaining a 100% win record across 13 matches in both leagues.

In the National Bridge League, amongst 8 teams XMMBridge averaged 15VPs over 7 matches.

In the Interclub Bridge Festival, amongst 7 corporate clubs, XMMBridge averaged 17.8 VPs over 6 matches.

Congratulations, and thank you to all our XMMBridge club players who’ve contributed to the victory!

XMMBridge competed in the Easter Congress Open Teams and Easter Congress Inter-club Pairs events.

The Open Teams event was held over a gruelling 2-days. Amongst the 16 participating teams were professional bridge players from Indonesia, and Asian Games medallist from Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Despite the strong field, XMMBridge emerged as the champions of the event.

In the Inter-club Pairs events, XMMBridge clinched the title of the Top Public Club. A shoutout to Tanglin Club, the Top Private Club, who were the biggest winners of the event.