ABOUT

Where

This year's Western Cape Pairs Championships take place on Bridge Base Online (BBO).

When

Saturday 20th August 2022 - 9.30AM and 2PM / 

Sunday 21st August 2022 - 9.30AM and 2.15PM

Pre-entry required

We have 58 pairs already entered and room for a couple more, but please be quick. Last minute cancellations do occur, so please click here to register online or email Jocelyn for more information.

Click here for the final list of confirmed entries.

Competition format

Pairs will be graded (A, B or C) based on their Performance Index (PI) and adjusted where deemed necessary at the sole discretion of the organisers.  In order to accommodate such a large field over two days, the format of the competition will be as follows:

Qualifying Rounds

• Saturday (day 1):
  • a single section playing an extended Mitchell (arrow switch not available in BBO)
  • 26 rounds of two boards, total 52 boards
  • break for lunch at about 12.45pm
  • resume again at 2PM sharp
  • session ends by about 5.15PM
  • VERY IMPORTANT: When BBO has seated you please note your direction (NS or EW).
    
• Sunday morning (day 2):
  • two sections playing a straight Mitchell
  • 13 rounds of two boards, total 26 boards
  • break for lunch at about 12.45pm
  • one section will comprise those pairs who sat NS on day 1 and the other section will comprise those who sat EW on day 1 (or as close to this arrangement as numbers permit)
    
  • the two sections will be aptly named and you will not be able to register in the wrong one (no matter how hard you may try) 😀
  • both sections will play the same random set of pre-dealt boards.
• The scores from Saturday (all day) and Sunday (morning) will be combined to determine who plays in which section in the final round on Sunday afternoon.
• Pairs who finish in positions 1-14 will go forward to Section "A", 15-28 to Section "B", 29-42 to Section "C" and the remaining pairs to Section "D".
  
• Pairs will carry over their final score from the qualifying rounds.
• You will be able to see where you finish in these qualifying rounds and where you need to sit for the final round by viewing the results here in this web site by about 1.45PM on Sunday.

Final Round

• Sunday afternoon (day 2):
  • register in your section (A, B, C, or D) by 2pm as play will resume promptly at 2.15PM
  • each section will play a Howell movement with 13 rounds of two boards
  • session ends by about 5.30PM
  • final results available here by about 5.45PM
  • all sections will play the same random set of pre-dealt boards (so you can tell the 'experts' what they should have done).
• The final positions within each section will be determined by combining the carry-over score with the score achieved in this final round.
• The top ranked pair in the "A" section will be crowned Championship Winners for 2022.
  

Red (National) Master Points will be awarded and there will be cash prizes for the two highest-ranked pairs within each of the three grades (A, B and C).

How and when to register

Registration will open at 7.30AM each day. On Saturday, you need to register just once for the whole day. On Sunday, you will need to register twice - once for the morning session and again for the afternoon session.

Here's what you need to do to register:

• Both players in each pair need to be online in order to register. (NB.Decide now which of you will initiate the registration process.)
• Log in to BBO in the usual way or click here
• On the home page, click on Virtual Clubs and then on SABF - South Africa
• Locate and click on the relevant tournament (starting with the words Western Cape)
• Type in your partner's BBO Name then click Invite

If you are struggling, request help by chatting online to one of the hosts (sabf_27 or sabf_28).

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:

• Register with your partner at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start of play.
• Be seated (and check you are still logged in) 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 permit) an UNDO for a mis-click during the bidding only, 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.
• Pairs may field a substitute player for a maximum of one session provided that notice is given to the organisers prior to the start of the tournament.
• Substitutes (including the temporary use of Robots) will be allowed at short notice in cases of emergency and/or prolonged connectivity or system issues.
• No person may be a substitute player for more than one pair.
  

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!