• 1.Each pair will play the remaining pairs in their group once
• 2.The contact name in each pair will arrange time and place.
• 3. Hosts are expected to provide tea/coffee and biscuits. If a pair is unable to host they will provide biscuits. Hosts will provide cards, scorecards etc. Each match will be limited to 4 hours duration including any refreshment breaks.
• 4. Non-smoking applies unless all players agree otherwise.
• 5. Each match will consist of 24 hands of rubber bridge, subject to rule 4. and the total score for each pair determined. Hands passed out will be redealt if no player has more than 13 points.
• 6. Normal rubber bridge scoring applies, including points for honours and unfinished rubbers. At the end of an unfinished rubber you can claim a bonus if you have an advantage. For example, if you have a part score and your opponents do not, you score 100 points. If your have a complete game and your opponents do not, you score 300 points. Consequently, if you have a game and a part score and your opponents have nothing, you would score 400 points. Don't forget honours count. In No-Trumps if you have all 4 Aces in declarer's or dummy's hands you score 150 points. In a suit contract if you have 4 of the top five honour cards, Ace, King, Queen, Jack and ten in either declarer's or dummy's hand, you score 100. If you have all five honour cards in either hand, you score 150.
• 7. Each pair's gross score will be entered on a result slip and initialled by both contacts 8. Winning pair's contact will be responsible for sending Bob the result slip, even if scores are phoned or e-mailed through, the result slip should also be sent for confirmation.
• 9. Only Simple systems are to be used unless both parties agree, but in any case advise your opponents of your basic structure for bidding. If in doubt contact Bob for a ruling but see the bidding guidelines at the end
• 10. All group matches must be completed by end Feb 2004.
• 11. Winners of the groups will go forward to the Quarter Finals. A Plate Competition will be run for the runners-up. The quarter-finals and Plate Competition will then be played during March and April 2004 with the finals completed by May 15th. In the event of a tie for group winners, runners-up or best 3rds, which affects which pair goes forward to the next stage, the pair who has the most wins will go through. If the same, the winner of the match between the two contesting pairs will go through.
• 12. All Group Winners will be awarded prizes. For those who qualify for the main competition, the value will depend upon their progress. Only winners and runners-up will receive prizes in the Plate Competition. Prizes will also be awarded for the a pair's highest gross score in any match, and for the best improved group score compared with last year's group score.
• 13 In the event that a pair cannot complete their matches due to illness and provided they have played at least 4 matches, then the scores of all pairs in the group will be averaged.In future the scores of the pair unable to complete will be eliminated from all scores. In the event that we are giving longer for matches to be played we do expect matches to be completed in the timescale given in paragraphs 10 and 11.
• 14 If a match is unplayed due to other reasons, the pair unable to play will be awarded 2000 points or their Group average whichever is the lower. If the other pair has played 4 matches they will be awarded their average or 2000 points whichever is the higher
• 15. After registration a player can change his/her partner before playing the first match. In addition if a partner becomes ill or cannot continue, then the another partner can be used provided they have not already played in that year's competition.
• 16. In the event of any problems contact David on B/S 656745, or Bob Parker on B/S 654407, whose decision will be final.
• Rubber Bridge competition bidding rules.
• Systems allowed:
• 1.Acol or Standard English and the following
• 2. No trump range 12-18 with no suit shorter than 2 cards or longer than 5.
• 3. Opening bids based on 4 cards (you may specify 1spade is a 5 card suit)
• 4. Strong 2 bids in diamonds, hearts,spades; 2 clubs is a game force
• 5. 2NT opening 20-22
• 6. Weak (7 cards) at 3 level
• Conventions allowed:
• 1.Stayman over 1 NT
• 2. Gerber/ Blackwood to ask for aces;.
• Responses to 1 of a suit allowed
• 1 Direct raises based on high card points or losers
• 2. 2NT = 10-12 or 16+
• 31NT response = 6-9 non forcing
• Defences to opponent's bid allowed
• 1. Any defence to pre-emptive 3 bids
• 2. Natural bids over 1NT
• 3. Jump overcalls with 10+ points and minimum 6 card suit.
• Disallowed
• 1. Weak two bid openers
• 2. Two suited overcalls
• 3. Transfers over 1NT/2NT
• 4. Strong Club systems
• 5. Standard American
• 6. Any bid having 2 or more meanings
• 7. Negative doubles

The success of this event has been that it is by nature a competition but played in a friendly manner, so do enjoy yourselves. Arrange your dates as soon as possible. Group league tables will be published regularly and available on the BoS website www.bridgeonsundays.ic24.net or on www.bridgeonsundays.co.uk to keep you up-to-date with progress in your group.