Best hands forward – and win

KLAWERJAS is easily one of the most popular card games in the Cape.

On Tuesday, enthusiasts will be putting their best hands forward in what organisers are describing as “the social event to top all social events”.

The Blue Whistle sports pub in Main Road, Claremont will play host to this unique affair, entitled Klawerjazz, as popular Cape Town musician Brian Bohorn will be playing jazz music throughout the evening.

But it’s not just for seasoned players. Everyone with a love of the game is welcome.

And organisers are especially keen to attract those who are interested in learning.

Cape Town radio personality Clarence Ford, a self-confessed Klawerjas addict, will be taking part in the series of exhibition matches.

The fun starts at 7pm. And while the venue’s co-owner, Nick Feinberg, has tentatively set midnight as a finishing time – he’s expecting the event to go on until much later.

Leon Courie, the chairman of the Western Cape Klawerjas union, will also be there. He promises they won’t be too strict with the rules, which is often a bone of contention among players.

“Those who want to play their own rules can, but we will guide them. And we will try and correct their mindset as to how they should be playing.”

Courie also encouraged newbies and those interested in learning more about the game to come along.

“Whoever is interested should come along, see how it is being played and ask questions. It is a mind game that will leave you hooked.

‘” We’d just want you to come and enjoy the evening. And we might even put on a display of high calibre klawerjas players (on show) so people can see how the game is played. And some of them might even question certain strokes.”

Ford said they hoped Klawerjazz would become a weekly event. “We are hoping that starved social klawerjas players will seize on this weekly Tuesday gathering to hone their skills, meet new friends and make the klawerjas circle bigger,” he said.

Entrance is free, and there are prizes up for grabs.

DJ Clarence Ford