ABOUT

Where, When & How

• The teams trials to represent the Western Cape at SAWBA National Congress 2022 will take place on Bridge Base Online (BBO) over the weekend of 29th and 30th January 2022.
• A total of five teams have entered, each with up to six players.
• The format is a round robin so each team plays one 14-board match against every other team.
  
• Each team will therefore play four matches and have a BYE (worth 12 VPs) for one round.
• Pre-dealt boards will be used throughout.
• 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.
• The entries, starting times and detailed match schedule are as shown here.
  
• Unlike with BBO Pairs tournaments, no registration is required - simply proceed as follows:
  • Check the scheduled start time for your match (10am, 11.45am, 2.30pm or 4.15pm)
  • 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 wil 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 at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start of play.

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

• 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.
• Play to time. Seven minutes a board should be plenty. Reserve your rights if necessary.
• 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.
• Seek 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.
  
• Substitutes (not exceeding six players per team) will be allowed in cases of emergency and/or connectivity issues but Robots will not be permitted.
• Unplayed boards will be awarded AVG+/AVG- (+/-3 IMPS) in favour of the non-offending side.

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

Play well and above all - enjoy!