Newent Bridge Club Competition Rules

Amended - 2010

For competitions played during the normal Wednesday session, play is not restricted to those players taking part in the competition, although we do encourage as many players as possible to take part. The session will be run and scored as a normal duplicate competition and Master Points awarded in the usual way. Consequently any of the particpating pairs can win the session. However the winner of the competition will be the highest ranked pair that meet the entry requirments. This allows for two competitions to be run at the same session (e.g. The Flitch and The Mixed Pairs) but also allows any other pairs to compete. Visitors are welcome to take part in these sessions but their results will not be included in the competition reckoning.

General Restrictions

Unless specificaly mentioned below, players may use any EBU licensed bidding system and conventions deemed by the EBU Laws & Ethics Committee as within level 4. However if they play any systems or use conventions not within the "EBU Simple System" each player must have identically completed convention cards.This can be downloaded by clicking the button of the left.

Each competition is listed below with a brief description of its format.

The Flitch and Mixed Pairs is played at a single Wednesday duplicate session, usually in February and as the name implies, the Flitch is restricted to players married to (and playing with) their partner. The mixed pairs must be a male and female partnership (not just someone who is mixed!) It is usually played using a ¾ Howell movement, of 26 boards in 13 x 2 board rounds. The general restrictions apply.

The Ladies and Mens Pairs is played at a single Wednesday duplicate session, usually in November and as the name implies, is restricted to pairs consisting of a same-sex partnership. It is usually played using a ¾ Howell movement, of 26 boards in 13 x 2 board rounds. The general restrictions apply.

The Jack Prichard Trophy is played at a single Wednesday duplicate session, usually in March and is restricted to Mixed Pairs (see above). It is usually played using a ¾ Howell movement, of 26 boards in 13 x 2 board rounds. The general restrictions apply.

The Michael Smyth is played over 7 Friday duplicate sessions, usually two per month from July to September. The Competition runs within a normal weekly session usually played as a ¾ Howell movement, of 18 to 24 boards. The competition is scored as an ordinary session, but no Master Points are awarded. The Tournament Trophy runs in parallel to this. To qualify each player must play with a different partner in each round. Each competing player is award 1 point for each pair they beat, irrespective of whether the other pair are playing in the competition or not. First year beginners are awarded a starter bones of 3 points per round. A player may play with the same partner more than once, but only the first (not the best) scored will be counted towards the final total. The other score(s) will be not be included. Four scores are required to qualify for the Trophy, with the best 4 being selected if more rounds are played.

Please note. Players are only permitted to use a "simple" Acol bidding system. The system is summarised as: 1 No Trump opening is 12-14HCP, Stayman, transfers or weak take- out responses are permitted. All 2 level openings are strong. No restrictions are placed on Slam asking bids. Defence to no-trump openings must be natural (system bids such as Pinpont or Aspitro are not permitted). No other conventions are permitted. Any recognised discard system is allowed. This system is shown on the front of white club scoring cards, consequently a convention card is not required.

This competition is runs as a "hosted" event, so that there will always be a "spare" (and different) player available to make up a partnership for each round.

The Winter Pairs Competition is played over 7 Wednesday duplicate sessions, usually one per month from October to April. Each pair must play in at least 5 rounds, if they play more, the best 5 results will be used. A pair may use up to 3 substitutes and substitutes are not restricted to one pairing. However scores gained when playing with a substitute will be the first to be dropped if more than 5 results are recorded. Each round is usually played using a ¾ Howell movement, of 26 boards in 13 x 2 board rounds. The general restrictions apply.

The Winter Teams Tournament is played as a teams-of-four competition at 7 Wednesday sessions, usually one per month from October to April. Each team must play in at least 5 rounds, if they play more, the best 5 results will be used. A team may use up to 3 substitutes pairs and substitutes are not restricted to one pairing or team. Scores gained when playng a substitute pair will be the first to be dropped if more than 5 results are recorded (lowest first). Each round is played using a full movement, so that each team plays every other teams. Typically each session will be over 24 to 28 boards but this will depend on the number of teams partcipating. The general restrictions apply.

The Summer Handicap Tournament is played over 7 Wednesday duplicate sessions, usually one per month from May to September. Each pair must play in at least 5 rounds, if they play more, the best 5 results will be used. A pair may use up to 3 substitutes and substitutes are not restricted to one pairing. However scores gained when playng with a substitute will be the first to be dropped if more than 5 results are recorded. To determine the winner, the 5 scores are averaged and then a handicap percentage (+ or -) added to the score. The handicap is calculated from the partnership results over the preceding year. If a score gained from playing with a substiute is included, a revised handicap will be calculated for those rounds. Each round is usually played using a ¾ Howell movement, of 26 boards in 13 x 2 board rounds. The general restrictions apply.