Bridge drive checklist and planning guide

A bridge drive runs smoothly when the format, registrations, table plan, and round schedule are settled before anyone arrives. You also need enough bridge boards, cards, scorecards, pencils, and clearly numbered tables for every round. This checklist takes you from booking the venue and inviting players to preparing refreshments, welcoming guests, and starting play on time. It also covers the small details that are easy to leave until the last hour, such as directions, dietary requirements, and prize placement.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Reserve venue
Set the bridge format
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Confirm registrations
Create the table layout
2 people
Create round layout
2 people
Assign volunteers
Order prizes
Print scorecards
Print table cards
Send directions
Do the shopping
2 people
Check bridge cards
2 people
Fill bridge tables
3 people
Set out prizes
Open venue
2 people
Ventilate the hall
2 people
Set up tables
4 people
Set up chairs
3 people
Number the tables
2 people
Set out bridge boards
3 people
Prepare score materials
2 people
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
Set up the buffet table
2 people

Event

Register participants
2 people
Handle payments
Explain the game rules
Guide the First Round
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
2 people
Process interim results
2 people
Assist with the second round
2 people
Set up the dinner buffet
3 people
Serve dinner buffet
3 people
Guide the third round
2 people
Collect scorecards
2 people
Calculate final score
2 people
Present prizes
2 people
See participants off
2 people

Aftercare

Collect bridge cards
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clear tables and chairs
5 people
Collect waste
2 people
Clean the room
3 people
Pack supplies
2 people
Lock up the venue
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Game tablesqty 13
Chairsqty 56
Coat racksqty 2

Bridge materials

Bridge cardsqty 16
Bridge boardsqty 52
Bid traysqty 52
Scorecardsqty 180
Running sheetsqty 52
Pencilsqty 60
Erasersqty 20
Table cardsqty 13
Calculatorqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Tea glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Teaspoonsqty 60
Serving traysqty 6
Water jugsqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot drink urnsqty 4
Kitchen scale
Kitchen timerqty 2
Printer

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 13
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Welcome sign
Name badgesqty 60

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the bridge format before sending invitations, including the number of rounds, movement between tables, and the expected finish time. Players need this information when they register.
Close registrations early enough to create the table and round layouts. Confirm each registration, record dietary requirements, and assign volunteers before printing table cards and running sheets.
Count the playing materials by table, not just by player. Each active table needs bridge cards, boards, bid trays, scorecards, pencils, and erasers, with spares available for missing or damaged items.
Prepare the room in a fixed order: ventilate it, place tables and chairs, number the tables, then fill them with bridge boards and scoring materials. A numbered layout makes late changes much easier to manage.
Set up coffee, tea, water, cups, glasses, and serving trays before the first round begins. Put prizes in place and display the welcome sign so volunteers are not pulled away from registration once play starts.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I send bridge drive invitations?: Send invitations at least 3 to 4 weeks before the drive, especially if players must register in advance. Close registrations several days before the event so you have time to build the table and round layouts.
How many bridge boards and scorecards do I need?: Prepare one complete set of bridge boards, cards, bid trays, and score materials for every table in use, plus at least one spare set. Print enough scorecards for every round and keep extra pencils and erasers at the scoring desk.
When should I assign volunteers for a bridge drive?: Assign volunteers at least 1 week before the event and give each person a clear duty, such as registration, room setup, scoring, refreshments, or prize handling. Confirm their arrival time separately from the player start time.
How early should the venue open on the day?: Open the venue 60 to 90 minutes before the first round. That gives you time to ventilate the hall, arrange tables and chairs, check the bridge equipment, prepare hot drinks, and resolve registration or seating changes.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.