HEREFORDSHIRE BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

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COMPETITIONS HANDBOOK

2007/2008

 

Changes for this year:

The Mixed Pairs is now a single session stand-alone event.

 

Significant dates to note:

AGM Friday 14th September 2007 at the Birches.

Green Point weekends at the Larruperz Centre:

16th/17th June 2007

21st/22nd June 2008

 

The Herefordshire Bridge Association organises a programme of competitions that run from September to June each year. Most of these events are open to full and dual members of the County Association. In addition, some competitions are open to non-EBU members, and details are given in the relevant paragraphs below.

 

The first section of this handbook describes the three competitions that require entries to be made in the summer for the whole season. Separate entry forms are available at your club or on the County web site, (www.herefordshirebridge.co.uk) or you can use those at the back of this booklet.

One or two of these competitions may be played in members’ own homes at times to suit the players. In this case the home team are expected to provide no more than a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.

Please remember convention cards are required for these events, too!

The other events takes place in a pre-booked venue on set nights and the County will usually organise tea or coffee and biscuits at half-time.

 

CLUB TEAMS OF FOUR LEAGUE – 5 sessions at Ledbury.

Dinedor Shield:   current holders:  Hereford Bridge Club

Entry to this competition is made by your Club. Clubs may enter one or more teams, but should ensure that they have enough players available to cover absences, as they will be expected to provide the full number of teams for every session. Teams will probably vary in composition and players may only represent one club, although they can play for any of that club’s teams. To facilitate the organisation, each club should provide a named contact to take responsibility for all the club’s teams. There is no entry fee, but players pay £2 table money for each session.

Ideally, each team should play every other team over the 5 sessions, and depending on numbers, this will be arranged. The use of ‘duplimated’ boards will help to make this possible.

An opportunity to represent your club at one or more of the sessions.


COUNTY TEAMS LEAGUE

1st Division for the Portman Building Society Trophy

current holders:    John Griffiths, Sarah Mathews, Dave Weller, Peter Watts, Tony Truluck

2nd Division for the HCCBA Cup    

current holders: Geoff & Madeleine Harrington, Basil & Gill Goddard

BfA 1st Division for the Cotterell Cup

current holders:     Audrey Caine, Ray Caine, Ronaldo Rossi, Cheryl Rowberry

BfA 2nd Division

current holders:     Vi & Peter Pascoe, Sally Williams, Anna Russell, Jean Mullan

Please remember to enter your team – there is no automatic follow on from last year! This competition is open to all full and dual members of the HBA, and the teams will be arranged in divisions according to previous performance. One section of one or more divisions is reserved for less experienced players, playing Standard English(SE) conventions, otherwise Level 3 conventions are allowed. The top team in each division is usually promoted and the bottom team relegated each year, except that teams are not relegated into the SE section. If you are a completely new team you will be placed in an appropriate division - 2 or below, but if only half the team has changed, you will be placed as though there had been no change. Promotion from the SE section is optional in the first year of winning, but it is hoped that the successful team will accept the challenge to move up!

The winners of Division 1 represent the County in the EBU competition for the Pachabo Cup.

An opportunity to play teams bridge all season, meeting players from different parts of the County – and maybe represent your County in a National event!

 

COUNTY TEAMS KNOCKOUT – played in own homes.

Current holders are:

  C & G Trophy:     John Griffiths, Sarah Mathews, Peter Watts, Dave Weller

  KO Plate:           Sue Munday, Derrick Munday, Graham Ling, Brian Meadows

This is a major Green pointed, knockout event, limited to full members of the HBA. All teams are guaranteed at least two matches as the losers in the first round will be automatically entered for the Plate.

The bridge equivalent of the FA cup – often with surprising results!

 

 

The second part of this handbook describes the competitions that occur throughout the year, for which individual entries need to be made.  Entry forms for all competitions are provided at the back of this booklet, but separate entry forms will also be available at your club or on the County web site a few weeks before each event.

Where feasible, the County tries to provide a graded competition, with some restrictions on entry. This is usually in the form of a limit on Master Point Ranking and on the bidding systems that are allowed. When considering your eligibility for these limited events, please remember that it is Master Points earned that should be counted, not just those registered!

 

 

RESTRICTED COMPETITIONS

 

BIDDING SYSTEMS

Bidding systems for the ‘Ace of Spades’ and the ‘No Fear Teams’ are laid down by the County Association, and as far as possible reflect the preferences of the less experienced players in Herefordshire. For these two competitions you may play only simple ACOL, in the form of either:

A Standard English System (convention card available from the Events Organiser)

OR    All Level 1 conventions as given in the Orange Book plus

1C opening may be played as natural or balanced or 4441 with a singleton club. Forcing or not.

1D response to a forcing 1C may therefore be artificial and negative.

Responses to 1NT and 2NT openings may include red-suit transfers.

 

NB all players will be expected to have identically completed convention cards.

 

Players holding the new Premier Master ranking (10+ Green Points)

will not be eligible to play in these events.

 

ACE OF SPADES   Ace of Spades Trophy  current holders:  Janet Dowdle, Rosie Wilson

A pairs competition, limited to players with Master Point Ranking below Advanced Master (less than 7,500 points), and the bidding systems are limited to those detailed above. It comprises one evening session, playing about 26 boards. Entry by non-EBU members is at the discretion of the host club.

An opportunity to take the first step outside your club and meet players from all over the County.

 

NEXT STEP PAIRS Woolhope Cup current holders: Frances Nightingale, Janet Miles

A pairs competition limited to players with Master Point Ranking of 1* Master and below (less than 15,000 points). EBU Level 2 systems allowed. This is a single session event, played during an evening.

As the name implies – this is where you can take the next step!
NO FEAR TEAMS    Queenswood Trophy 

 current holders:    Sarah Weller, Sandy Dowle, Rosie Wilson, Janet Dowdle

A single session ‘teams of 4’ competition, played on a Friday evening. Only one member of the team may be Advanced Master or above (7500+ master points), and bidding systems are as for the Ace of Spades. It is hoped that experienced players will take the trouble to recruit 3 other people within the required master point range. Juniors are particularly welcomed at this event when a 50% concession on the entry fee is offered for those in full time education.

An ideal opportunity for students and others to venture out into County Bridge.

 

NATIONAL NEWCOMERS PAIRS    GT Tool Hire Cup

This is an EBU competition of which the HBA or a neighbouring County (eg Worcestershire) may organise a ‘heat’. It is designed for current and previous EBU members, new to Tournament Bridge, who are below the rank of Master as at 1st October 2007, and for less experienced non-EBU members. It is suitable for Bridge for All and other students who have completed at least one year of their course, and will be played as a two-session event on a Sunday in March. Bidding systems are limited to Level 2 as detailed in the EBU’s Orange Book, and competitors will play in the region of 30 boards. Players all over the country play the same boards, at the same time, on the same day. The competition is then scored over the whole entry to obtain a final ranking list. The result of the local heat will be available very shortly after play finishes, and should appear on the Ecats Website later that evening.

This is an opportunity to play in a National competition in the security of a friendly County!

 

 

OPEN COMPETITIONS

 

BIDDING SYSTEMS

Systems up to Level 3, as defined by the EBU in their Orange book, are permitted.

 

STANDARD ENGLISH SECTIONS

Where demand is sufficient, the County will organise a ‘Standard English’ section to play alongside the Men’s and Ladies’ pairs. The S.E. section may play fewer boards than the open section. Only the Standard English bidding systems will be allowed and players must be below the rank of Master (less than 5,000 points).

NB all players will be expected to have completed convention cards.

(Copies of the S.E. cards will be available at the event)

 

 

SINGLE SESSION EVENT

 playing about 26 boards.

 

NATIONAL PAIRS QUALIFIER   current holders: Nigel Edmondson, Noel Downes

This is a qualifying heat of a National event, and attracts Green Points. It will be played on a Friday evening at Bartestree Village Hall. Depending on the total entry, 2 or more of the leading pairs will be invited to go on to the Regional Final.

 

MIXED PAIRS    Ray Paul Salver   current holders:  John Thacker, Karin Fairweather

This is a mixed pairs competition, playing for the Ray Paul Salver, donated in memory of a previous County Chairman. It will be played as a single session event on a Friday evening at Bartestree Village Hall. All mixed pairs are eligible regardless of ranking.

 

 

TWO SESSION EVENTS

 with light lunch or sandwich and cake tea.

 

Some of these events will start in the morning and finish late afternoon. Others will start at 2pm and go on into the evening. See your calendar for the times.

 

AVOCET TEAMS      Avocet Pools Cup

current holders:   Neville Shorrick, John Crowe, Peter Edwards, Glynis Coy

Expect to play about 40 boards, in Swiss format if sufficient entries. Otherwise it will be all-play-all multiple teams with VP scoring. This event is suitable for players of a wide range of ability and the scoring is not too difficult. However, help will be at hand if you have not played Teams before – just ask!

 

MEN’S AND LADIES’ PAIRS – may include a Standard English section.

   current holders:

Men’s Open:  Country Gentleman’s Association Trophy   Peter Edwards, Michael Cox

Ladies’  Open:           Lambe Corner Salver                        Sue Munday, Carol Brown      

No SE Sections

A two session pairs event with the obvious restriction!

A chance to indulge in ‘the battle of the sexes’ as both sections will play the same boards –36 to 40 in total for the open sections and about 30 for the SE sections.

 

SWISS PAIRS    Bulmer Rose Bow,   current holders:    Sue Munday, Derrick Munday

This is like Swiss Teams, but for pairs (no team-mates to blame!), playing 40 boards in five 8 board matches. The computer does the scoring so no problems here! This event is open to non-EBU members who have not entered this event in previous years.

 

MULTIPLE TEAMS OF 4    Sun Valley Rose Bowl

current holders (open):  Kate Neale, Linda Scott, Janet Holder, June Homes

Ideally all teams will play all other teams, with scoring at the refreshment break if the movement allows. Expect to play in the region of 40 to 45 boards.

 

CLUB TEAMS OF EIGHT     Chadd Shield   current holders:  Hereford Bridge Club

This is a local qualifying heat of a National event. Each Club may enter one or more teams of eight. Clubs are responsible for the entries for this, so if you are interested, let your club know!

The winning Club then sends a team to represent Herefordshire in the Regional heat of the National competition for the Garden Cities Trophy.

 

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS    Inco Alloys Bowl

current holders:   Peter Watts, Dave Weller

This is the County’s premier pairs event attracting Green Points for the leading pairs. With a suitably large total entry, this will be organised as a qualifying session followed by a final and a consolation final in the second session. In this case each session will be of 24-26 boards, making a total of up to 52. If the number of entries is lower, a two-session, all-play-all movement will be organised, playing 40+ boards.

The County Association will pay the entry fee for up to three of the leading pairs, who are full HBA members, to play in the EBU competition for the Corwen Trophy. The actual level of funding provided will depend on the total entry to this qualifying competition.

 

HEREFORDSHIRE OPEN TEAMS

current holders:  Herefordshire:     Sue Evans, Sue Page, Sue Lane, Denis Loynes

Herefordshire invite neighbouring counties to send teams to this event. Any number of Herefordshire teams may enter, but provided that at least one third of the teams are from other counties, we can award master points at Regional instead of County level. Expect to play about 40 boards, in Swiss format if sufficient entries. Otherwise it will be all-play-all multiple teams with VP scoring.

Please ensure a good turnout from Herefordshire as a courtesy to our visitors!
BARBARA FORRYAN MEMORIAL TROPHY

This highly successful event, organised jointly by the Marches BfA club and the HBA in memory of Barbara Forryan, will continue to be played in May each year. It is a duplicate pairs competition, open to any member of the HBA and their bone fide guests. Bidding systems are limited to Standard English only (Foundation or Modern ACOL). You can get an SE convention card from the EBU website, or you could ask our Events Coordinator for a copy. You will play 36+ boards and all proceeds will go to St Michael’s Hospice, where Barbara spent her last weeks.

 

 


Please note that the closing date for entry to the County competitions is usually 10 days before the event. Do make sure that you get your entry in early as it takes time to organise movements, boards, refreshments, etc.

 

Proprieties

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before a competition is due to start. Display a convention card that is identical to that of your partner, and remember to familiarise yourself with your opponents basic system and no-trump strength before the bidding starts. If you have any problems at all, do not hesitate to call the Director – please don’t try to sort it out yourself! Finally, be courteous and friendly – your opponents may just be the friends you haven’t met yet!

  Warning:   If you are not seated at the table before the scheduled start time,

the Director may not allow you to play.

 

 


If you have entered these events before and enjoyed them, please tell your friends and encourage them to enter this year. If you have not enjoyed them, please tell the Events Organiser, or any committee member, why!!

If you have not entered before, why not give it a try – you will be assured of a warm welcome.

 

More bridge players equals more fun!

 

NB from time to time the County supports extra events, often in aid of specific charities. These will be advertised via the clubs, newsletter and word of mouth. If you or your club want to run such an event, do contact the County Chairman or Events Coordinator for help and advice.