ABOUT

Where, When and How

• The teams trials to represent the Western Cape in the Interprovincials at SAWBA National Congress 2023 will take place on Bridge Base Online(BBO) over the weekend of 3-4 December 2022.
  
• The Match Schedule including players and match start times can be found here.
• The format will be a round robin and each team will play one 24-board match (in two 12-board segments) against every other team.
• Pre-dealt boards will be used throughout and hand records downloadable here AFTER play!
• All matches will be scored in IMPS converted to VPs using the WBF Continuous Scale.
• In the unlikely event of a tie in the final VP score, the winner will be the team with the highest net IMPS gain in the match (or matches) between the tied teams.
  
• If your team has more than four players, your Team Captain must let the Director know by email or Whatsapp who will be playing with whom at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each match.
• Unlike with BBO Pairs tournaments, no registration is required - simply proceed as follows:
  • Check the scheduled start time for your match
  • Log in to BBO (or click here) a few minutes before the match is scheduled to begin
  • Wait to be invited to the match
  • Accept the invitation within 30 seconds (or the invitation will be cancelled).
• Your Tournament Director will be Steve Bunker (logged in as capefest01 and capefest02).
• The results and hand records will be available on this web site as each round completes.

Rules, tips and common courtesy

This event is governed by the Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017 and the various SABF Regulations and Codes, all of which can be found here. If you find all that a little heavy-going, just remain calm and courteous at all times and adhere to these basic rules:

• Log in and be seated at least 10 minutes before the start of play.

• Greet opponents and pre-announce your basic system and carding at the start of each round.

• Play to time. You have 7 minutes a board. Call the Director to reserve your rights if necessary.

• Claim or concede whenever you can to save time (and preserve the little grey cells).

• Request (and allow) an UNDO for a mis-click during the bidding, but not during the play and never for a change of mind or a mistake in a conventional sequence. If in doubt, call the Director.
• Do not make your own rulings at the table - if you need assistance, call the Director.
• Do not refer to system notes during the bidding or the play of a hand.
• Alert and explain your own artificial/conventional bids. How?
  • Step 1 - type explanation in box using plain English (e.g. 4-cd fit, 8-10 pts);
  • Step 2 - click your bid.
• Ask for an explanation or clarification by clicking on an opponent's bid and await an answer. Do not ask or answer via table chat. Call the Director if you need assistance.
• Log off and on again as quickly as possible if you experience computer or system issues.
• If you think a player is experiencing connectivity/computer problems, wait a short while (but not too long) before summoning the Director.
  
• Unplayed boards will be awarded AVG+/AVG- in favour of the non-offending side.
• Substitutes (not exceeding six players per team) will be allowed in cases of emergency and/or prolonged connectivity or system issues, but Robots will not be permitted.
• No person may be a substitute player for more than one team.
  

In view of loadshedding, the onus is on each of you to ensure you have adequate backup power and Internet access. (NB. Do not rely on a bicycle - you may need that to reach dummy! 🤣)

Play well and above all - enjoy!