What to Buy for a Bridge Drive

A bridge drive needs more than cards and tables. You also need enough boards, bid trays, scorecards and pencils for every table, plus clear table cards and running sheets for smooth movement between rounds. For refreshments, plan cups, glasses, serving trays and hot-drink equipment as well as coffee, tea and water. Use this list to check what must be bought, borrowed or brought to the venue before setup day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

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
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Sliced sausages - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Count bridge cards, bridge boards, bid trays and scorecards by table, then add a small spare supply. For a drive with 8 tables, prepare materials for all 8 tables plus at least 1 backup set.
Allow 1 chair per player and leave extra seating for volunteers or late arrivals. Coat racks are easy to overlook, especially when guests arrive in winter.
Prepare one pencil for every player using a scorecard, plus spare pencils and erasers at the scoring table. A calculator and running sheets should stay with the person checking results.
For hot drinks, provide coffee cups, tea glasses, teaspoons and serving trays in addition to the coffee machines, kettles or hot-drink urns. Set out water jugs and water glasses before the first round starts.
Buy or borrow table cards, tablecloths and a welcome sign before printing directions and layouts. Check the printer and paper at least 2 days before the drive so missing table cards do not delay setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many bridge cards and boards do I need for a bridge drive?: Prepare one bridge card set and one bridge board set for each playing table. For 8 tables, that means 8 sets, with at least 1 spare set available for damaged or missing materials.
How many chairs are needed for a bridge drive?: Provide 4 chairs per playing table, then add seating for volunteers and anyone waiting or arriving late. For 8 tables, start with 32 player chairs and keep several additional chairs available.
How much coffee and tea should I buy for a bridge drive?: Plan roughly 2 hot drinks per person for a half-day drive, then add 10% for refills and volunteers. Buy or prepare extra water as well, since guests may choose water instead of coffee or tea.
When should I prepare the bridge drive shopping list?: Check the full list at least 1 week before the event, after registrations give you the player count. Confirm borrowed furniture and equipment 2 to 3 days before setup, and do the final shopping no later than the day before.

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.