What to Buy for a Bridge Drive

A bridge drive needs more than cards and tables. You will need the playing materials for every table, paperwork for registration and scoring, and enough cups, glasses, plates, and cutlery for the catering setup. Drinks are easy to underestimate when players stay for several rounds. Use the plan below as your shopping checklist, then confirm quantities against the final participant list before you buy or print anything.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Bridge tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 48
Buffet tablesqty 2
Registration desk
Tableclothsqty 14

Game materials

Bridgeboardsqty 24
Playing cardsqty 48
Bridge foldersqty 48
Bied boxesqty 48
Competition clock
Prizesqty 6

Paperwork

Score sheetsqty 80
Travel formsqty 40
Participant listsqty 15
Match schedulesqty 15
Table numbersqty 12
Information boardsqty 4
Pen setsqty 15

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Printer paperqty 2
Printer cartridges
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Calculatorsqty 2

Tableware

Water glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving utensilsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Kitchen towelsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- White sandwich loaves - 8 loaves
- Whole wheat casinobread - 6 loaves
- Multigrain rolls - 48 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Mini pastries - 60 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Count bridgeboards, playing cards, bridge folders, and bidding boxes by table, not just by player. Add one spare set of cards and paperwork if the event depends on uninterrupted play.
Buy or prepare at least one pen for every player who will score, plus several extras at the registration desk. Pens are commonly missing when score sheets are handed out.
Plan tableware for the full catering service rather than only the number of players: include coffee cups, water glasses, plates, and cutlery for each expected guest, with a small reserve.
Check coffee supplies before shopping for drinks. A coffee machine is not enough on its own; you also need enough cups, glasses, and serving items for the breaks between rounds.
Do the final shopping after the participant list closes. That gives you a reliable headcount for drinks and catering, while printer paper, cartridges, and extension equipment should be checked several days earlier.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a bridge drive?: You need bridge tables and chairs, boards, playing cards, bidding boxes, folders, a competition clock, and scoring paperwork. Also prepare registration materials, table numbers, prizes, refreshments, tableware, a laptop, and printing supplies.
How many bridge boards and card sets do I need?: Plan one bridgeboard and one playable card set for each bridge table in use. Confirm the number after the table layout is complete, and keep at least one spare set available if possible.
How much stationery should I buy for a bridge drive?: Prepare score sheets and match schedules for every table or round that will be played, then add around 10% spare copies. Have at least one pen per scorer and extra pens at registration.
When should I buy supplies for a bridge drive?: Check equipment and printing supplies several days before the drive, especially printer paper, cartridges, extension cords, and power strips. Buy perishable catering items and chill drinks after the participant list closes, preferably one day before the event.

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