ABOUT

Where, When and How

• The SAWBA Interprovincial Teams for 2023 will take place on Bridge Base Online (BBO) over the weekend of 18-19 March 2023.
  
• Teams from each province will compete in three sections - A, B and C (Bunny Pritchard Bowl).
• Morning sessions will commence at 09h30 and afternoon sessions at 14h00.
• Unlike with BBO Pairs tournaments, no registration is required and you no longer have to accept an invitation to play. Simply log in to BBO (or click here) at least 10 minutes before the match is scheduled to begin and you will be seated automatically.
• Click on the following links to download the information you need:
  • Team Entries - unless you say otherwise, it is assumed that the line-up for the first match in each section will be Players 1 and 2 as a pair partnering Players 3 and 4
  • Match Schedules - start times and opponents for every match in all three sections
  • VP Scales - the IMP to VP conversion scales for 18-board and 16-board matches using the WBF Continuous Scale.
• There are four teams in each section so you will all play a Round Robin of three matches each day, making a total of six matches where you play against each opposing team twice.
• Each match will be split into two equal segments allowing for a short comfort break at half-time and for pairs to swap tables so you face off against both halves of the opposing team.
• Sections A&B will play 18-board matches and are allowed 7  minutes a board.
• The teams in Section C will have a slightly easier time and will play 16-board matches with 7½
  minutes a board (something of which we believe Bunny Pritchard would have approved).
• Pre-dealt boards will be used throughout and hand records downloadable here AFTER play!
  
• 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.
  
• Your Tournament Director will be Steve Bunker using the host name sabf_7 (among others).
• 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. Call the Director to reserve your rights if you feel you are running out of time.

• 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.
• Each player must play at least one match to be considered part of a team.
• Except in an emergency, the four players who begin a match must complete that match – i.e. no switching of players while the match is underway.
• No player or substitute may play for more than one team.
  

• It is the Team Captain’s responsibility to inform the Director via the Whatsapp group of the intended line-up (using BBO Names) at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each match; unless informed otherwise, the line-up will be assumed to be the same as for the immediately preceding match.

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! 🤣)

Thank you for taking part and for helping to keep bridge alive.

Play well and above all - enjoy!