Berks

1.1 The League is a multi-division League for teams of eight players representing clubs affiliated to Berks & Bucks Contract Bridge Association (“the Association”). It is known generally as the League of Eight, but is referred to in these rules as “the League”.

1.2 The League is directed by a League Secretary who is appointed by the Association’s Committee and reports to the Association’s Competitions Committee. Unless otherwise specified, the term “the Committee” in these rules means the Competitions Committee.

2.1 Each club affiliated to the Association (whether or not the Association is the club’s primary County of affiliation to the English Bridge Union) may enter one or more teams in the League. There is no limit to the number of teams a club may enter.

3.1 Each season the League is divided into a number of divisions so that each team plays 8 or 9 matches in the season.

3.2 At the end of the season relegations and promotions on a two up, two down basis are applied and then a single ranking list is produced.

3.3 Any teams withdrawing from the League are taken out and new entrants are added at the end of the list (in a random order) unless they have asked for and been granted a higher place by the Competitions Committee (if the playing strength of the new team is likely to be too great for the lowest division)

3.4 Divisions of 10 or 9 teams (playing each other once) or 5 teams (playing each other twice) are formed. Where there are a number of division sizes, the higher divisions will have the larger number of teams.

4.1 Before the start of the season, the League Secretary convenes a fixtures meeting at which team captains or other delegates from participating clubs arrange the dates of all League matches for the season.

4.2 No matches may be arranged after the latest date notified to the meeting by the League Secretary, except with the express permission of the League Secretary.

4.3 If the captains cannot agree on a match date the League Secretary assists the captains to reach agreement.

4.4 Matches between teams from the same club must be played before each team has played half its matches.

4.5 Clubs with more than one team in the League may schedule more than one match at the same time and place, but each match must play different boards.

5.1 Which team is at home and which team away for each match is decided by the League Secretary and notified to the captains in time for the fixtures meeting.

5.2 In divisions where each team plays twice against each other team, each team plays once at home and once away against each other team

5.3 In divisions where each team plays once against each other team, the League Secretary ensures, as far as is practicable, that:

(b) teams scheduled to play against each other in successive seasons alternate home and away matches;

(c) when a club has more than one team in the same division, each team from any other club has a similar number of home and away matches against teams from that club.

5.4 If the visiting team gives the home team reasonable notice that it is likely to include a disabled player with special requirements, the home team must provide a venue which is able to accommodate those special requirements. If the home team is unable to do so, the visiting team has the right to switch the match to a venue provided by it at its own expense.

5.5 Captains may mutually agree to depart from the allocation of home and away matches determined by the League Secretary.

5.6 If a venue is switched under Rules 5.4 or 5.5 this fact is ignored for the purpose of deciding the venue of any corresponding fixture in the following season, unless the League Secretary decides otherwise.

5.7 Match venues must be suitable for playing a team of eight match in terms of playing accommodation, accessibility and parking facilities.

5.8 Match venues must be located within ten miles of the normal playing venue of a club affiliated to the Association, although the captain of the visiting team may waive this requirement.

5.9 Private homes may only be used as match venues with the prior approval of the Committee, which takes into account the views of other clubs in reaching a decision.

5.10 If a dispute arises as to the suitability or permitted location of a club’s venue, the matter must be referred to the League Secretary for determination.

5.11 Any restrictions concerning the closing time of a match venue must be notified to the visiting captain in advance.

6.1 Each match consists of 24 boards. In the lowest division, a 20-board match may be played if both captains agree in advance.

6.2 Partnerships may not be changed during a match. Each pair in the team plays 6 boards (5 in a 20-board match) against each pair in the opposing team.

6.3 The movement should be such that each board is played by each team alternately as North-South and then as East-West.

6.4 The use of pre-duplicated boards is permitted at the home team’s option, subject to the approval of the visiting team, which must be sought in advance.

6.5 The use of Bridgemate terminals for scoring is permitted, subject to the approval of the visiting team, which must be sought in advance.

7.1 Systems and conventions at EBU Level 4 may be used in Divisions 1 and 2 of the League. In all other divisions, only systems and conventions at EBU Level 3 may be used.

8.1 Each board is scored by aggregating the four results and converting to IMPs.

8.2 The total IMP difference for the match is converted to Victory Points (VPs) on the following scale:

IMPs difference	Victory Points	IMPs difference	Victory Points
0-2	10-10	31-37	16-4
3-7	11-9	38-46	17-3
8-12	12-8	47-56	18-2
13-18	13-7	57-72	19-1
19-24	14-6	73 +	20-0
25-30	15-5

8.3 If, at the end of the season, two teams have gained an equal number of VPs, the tie is broken (other than for purpose of Master Points) as follows:-

(a) by giving precedence to the winner of the match between the teams concerned (in IMPs, if drawn in terms of VPs);

(b) failing that, by giving precedence to the team with the higher aggregate net IMP score over the season;

9.1 Except as provided in Rules 9.2 and 11.1 below, each person playing in a match must be a paid-up member of the Association, the English Bridge Union and a bona fide member of the club in whose team he or she is playing. For this purpose a player is only considered to be a bona fide member of a club if he has been a member for at least four weeks prior to the first match in which he plays, unless both the opposing captain and the League Secretary agree otherwise in advance of the match being played.

9.2 Players who are not members of the Association or the EBU may play in the lowest division for one season, but must become a member in order to play in the League in any subsequent season. For the purpose of this rule appearances not exceeding two in any one season are not taken into account. Anyone who has been an EBU member in the previous two years cannot qualify as a non-member.

9.4 Each team captain is responsible for ensuring that all players fielded by his team comply with rules 9.1 to 9.3.

10.1 For each season in which a club enters more than one team, each of its teams is designated by a letter, in alphabetical order starting with ‘A’. A club may ask for a team to have an additional designation such as ‘High Wycombe E - Improvers ‘

10.2 Teams normally retain their designating letter from season to season, but letters may change if:

(a) a team other than a club’s lowest team is withdrawn from the League, in which case the club’s lower team(s) are redesignated (from the following season, if the withdrawal is mid-season) to avoid gaps;

(b) if a team is due to play in a higher division than a team from the same club designated with a letter nearer the start of the alphabet, the club may (if it wishes – there is no obligation to do so) redesignate the affected teams.

10.3 A team is considered to be higher than another team from the same club if it is:

(b) in the same division but with designation letter nearer the start of the alphabet.

10.4 The primary team of each player is the team for which that player first plays twice in any season.

10.5 No player may play in more matches in any season than the number of matches actually scheduled for his or her primary team. For this purpose, if a team withdraws:

(a) matches actually played both for and against the withdrawn team count as matches played;

(b) matches not played against the withdrawn team do not count as matches scheduled;

(c) if the primary team itself withdraws the number of matches scheduled for that team is the number originally scheduled.

10.6 In each of its matches a team may include a maximum of two players whose primary team is higher.

10.7 In special circumstances, the League Secretary may permit a relaxation of Rule 10.5 or Rule 10.6. In particular a relaxation of Rule 10.5 may be permitted when a player is required to play in the last match of a team ranked higher than his primary team. Any permission under this rule must be obtained by the club before the match concerned from the League Secretary or, if he or she is not available, from two Committee members who are not members of the club concerned.

11.1 In a sudden emergency shortly before or during a match, with the approval of the opposing captain, an additional player or pair may take part in a match either to allow a match to start on time or to allow a match to be completed. A substitute need not be a member of the Association, the EBU, or the club which he represents.

11.2 If a substitute plays, the circumstances, including the number of boards played, must be explained in writing to the League Secretary including any comments from the opposing captain.

11.3 If a player plays as a substitute, this does not normally count as an appearance for the purpose of any part of Rule 9 or Rule 10. However, the League Secretary may decide that the substitution will count as an appearance for the purpose of Rule 9 or Rule 10.

11.4 The secretary may impose a fine if he is not satisfied that a sudden emergency has occurred.

12.1 Although dates agreed at the fixture meeting can be rearranged before the season begins, or by mutual agreement between the captains at a later stage, postponements during the season disrupt the League and cause difficulties. Postponements should only be sought where absolutely necessary, i.e. where it is impractical to raise a team of 8 eligible players. The unavailability of particular players is not a good reason for seeking a postponement if other eligible players are available to play instead, and captains are required to take reasonable steps to ascertain this availability before seeking a postponement.

12.2 If one captain needs to postpone a match, the League Secretary must be informed immediately. Furthermore, if the captain is unable to give his opposite number at least two weeks’ notice of the need to postpone the match, an explanation in writing must be sent to the League Secretary.

12.3 If the captain who needs to postpone a match is unable to give his opposite number at least one week’s notice of the need to postpone the match:

(a) the non-offending team may choose to switch an away match to their home venue or vice-versa;

(b) the offending team can be required to meet any expenses incurred by the non-offending team in connection with the original match.

12.4 If a match is postponed, a new match date must be agreed within four weeks of the original date of the match. The captains have a joint responsibility to meet this deadline. The new date must comply with Rule 4.2, and the League Secretary must be informed of the new date when this is agreed.

12.5 If the captains cannot agree on a new match date the League Secretary assists the captains to reach agreement. He or she considers all the circumstances, and in particular must be satisfied that the team who were ready to play on the original date are not unduly disadvantaged.

12.6 The League Secretary may agree an extension to the season to allow a postponed match to be played.

12.7 The League Secretary may agree in advance to relax any of the restrictions in Rules 9.1, 9.3, 10.5 or 10.6.

13.1 The scheduled starting time for each match is 19.45 or such other time as has been agreed previously by the captains of the teams concerned.

13.2 If all or part of a team is not present 60 minutes after the scheduled starting time, or by 20.45, whichever occurs first, the captain of the non-offending team may decide that the match cannot be played on this date and the provisions of Rules 12.3 to 12.7 apply as if the match had been postponed.

13.3 If the match proceeds on the original date notwithstanding the late start, the captain of the non-offending team may elect before play has begun at all tables to shorten the match by removing boards as follows:

Period of delay after scheduled starting time	Boards removed
Up to 30 minutes	None
Over 30 minutes up to 45 minutes	6, 12, 18, and 24
Over 45 minutes up to 60 minutes	As above plus 15 and 21

13.4 If a shortened match is played, the procedure of Rule 14.5 is applied to determine the match result.

14.1 If a match cannot be played on the agreed date because one team is incomplete, it is treated in the same way as a late postponement.

(b) the captains may agree to replay the match, and the provisions of Rules 12.4 to 12.7 apply as if the match had been postponed;

(c) otherwise, both captains must send an explanation of the circumstances of the abandonment of the match, in writing, to the League Secretary and the provisions of Rule 14.3 to 14.6 apply.

14.3 The League Secretary decides whether either team is to be considered at fault for the abandonment and may apply a penalty to either or both teams.

14.4 The League Secretary decides whether to require the match to be replayed. If fewer than half the boards scheduled for play have been completed, or if no score comparison is available, he must require the match to be replayed.

14.5 If at least half the boards scheduled have been completed, a score comparison is available for the boards which have been played and the League Secretary does not require the match to be replayed, he determines the result as follows:

(b) the IMP difference is multiplied by the number of boards planned (24 unless a 20-board match has been agreed in the lowest division), then divided by the number of boards played and rounded to the nearest IMP (half an IMP rounds upwards);

14.6 For the purpose of Rules 14.4 and 14.5 a score comparison is available on a board if it has been played at least once in each direction and scores are duly recorded for each time it has been played. If a board has been played three times, it is scored on the first two results only.

15.1 The policy of the Association is that all matches will be played, wherever possible.

15.2 If a match is not played for any reason, both captains must, if requested, send an explanation of the circumstances, in writing, to the League Secretary.

15.3 The League Secretary decides whether either team is to be considered at fault for the failure to play the match and may apply a penalty to either or both teams.

15.4 The result of an unplayed match is adjudicated at the end of the season by means of a formula which reflects the results of both teams. The procedure is:

(b) calculate the difference in average IMPs between the teams, rounded to the nearest IMP (half an IMP rounds upwards);

(c) this difference is the adjudicated result of the match, and is treated for both teams exactly as if it had been the result of a match actually played.

16.1 Where a dispute arises in the course of a match, the captains should co-operate to determine the outcome.

16.2 If the captains agree upon an outcome, this outcome is conclusive and neither team has any right of appeal.

16.3 If a suitably qualified and independent referee is present, the captains may agree to obtain a ruling of first instance from that person. Alternatively, a ruling of first instance may be obtained by telephone from a member of the Association’s list of referees, or from some other person acceptable to both captains. This procedure applies to behavioural issues as well as to technical/bridge issues and the members of the referees’ panel have been requested to follow the EBU’s guidelines on such matters. The result sheet must clearly indicate that a ruling of first instance has been obtained.

16.4 Otherwise, the captains should agree a result subject to ruling and sign the result sheet accordingly. Details of the hand or hands in question, and the arguments of the parties on the matter at issue, must be completed on an appeal form and sent directly to the Appeals Secretary. Compliance with this paragraph constitutes a request for a ruling. The Appeals Secretary, on receiving a request for a ruling, appoints a referee from the panel of referees to give a ruling of first instance.

16.5 If either captain wishes to appeal against a ruling of first instance obtained under Rule 16.3 or 16.4, the Appeals Secretary must be informed in writing within seven days of the ruling of first instance being communicated. Such an appeal must be accompanied by a deposit of £20. It should be accompanied by a submission containing the arguments for appeal. The opposing captain is given the opportunity to make a submission.

16.6 The decision of the Appeals Committee is notified in writing to both captains. The appeal deposit is returnable unless the appeal is unanimously considered by the Appeals Committee to be without merit.

17.1 If a board is fouled, i.e. it cannot be played in identical form at all four tables, the captains should co-operate to ascertain the facts.

17.2 If a board is fouled because hands are not replaced in the correct pockets or cards are transferred between hands:

(a) if the fault occurred after the board had been played once, it is scored on the last two results only;

(b) if the fault occurred after the board had been played twice, it is scored normally;

17.3 If a board is fouled because a North-South pair play the East-West hands:

(a) If the problem is noticed before the board is last played, and it has been played at least once in each direction by each team, the board should be arrow switched a second time, so that it is played twice in each direction by each team. It is then scored normally;

(i) If the incorrect orientation occurs the first or second time the board is played, it is scored on the third and fourth results only;

(ii) If the incorrect orientation occurs the third or fourth time the board is played, it is scored on the first and second results only.

(c) If the board has been played four times in the same direction, then it is cancelled without a substitute board being played.

18.1 At the end of each match the results sheet must be completed, signed by both captains and retained by the captain submitting the result. It must be sent to the League Secretary on request.

18.2 The winning team captain (the home team captain in the event of a draw) should enter the result on the Association’s website within two days, failing which must send the results sheet data to the League Secretary by email or post within five days of the match. The captains may agree that the losing captain enters the results.

18.3 Where a mistake of fact such as a mis-scoring is discovered after a match, the League Secretary must be informed in writing. If the facts are not agreed, the captains must ensure that all relevant information is sent to the League Secretary for determination.

18.4 Rectification of alleged mistakes must be sought promptly, normally within five days of the match, although the League Secretary may allow rectification at a later date if satisfied that the delay is reasonable. Captains should retain travelling score slips for a minimum of two weeks in order to facilitate investigation of alleged mistakes.

18.5 Clubs may publish Butler or similar analyses of match results, but such information published on a website must not identify players from other clubs without the prior approval of the opposing captain.

19.1 If any rule is breached, the offending team is liable to a VP penalty. The penalty is determined by the League Secretary as follows:

(a) by application of the scales set out in Rule 20 for breaches for which a scale is specified;

(b) for breaches for which no scale is specified, the League Secretary determines an appropriate penalty, bearing in mind the seriousness of the breach.

19.2 All penalties are in whole multiples of 0.5 VP, and are imposed by deduction from the team’s VP total for the season as a whole (not by a reduction in its score for any particular match).

19.3 The League Secretary notifies the captain of the offending team of any penalty imposed, except in the case of a penalty under Rule 20.9 if details have been included on the result form.

19.4 The League Secretary may, if he or she thinks fit, revise upwards the score for a non-offending team affected by any breach of the rules.

19.5 If a penalty is applied under Rule 19.1 (a) an appeal may be made in writing, within seven days of the initial notification of the penalty, to the League Secretary who may rescind or reduce any fine. The views of the non-offending captain are sought by the League Secretary before making a decision on the appeal. The result of the appeal is notified in writing by the League Secretary.

19.6 Penalties applied under Rules 20.8 and 20.9 are normally rescinded or reduced by the League Secretary if the problem was the result of force majeure rather than incompetent organisation. The League Secretary will take into account the views of the non-offending captain in deciding the balance between force majeure and incompetent organisation.

19.7 If a penalty is confirmed after appeal to the League Secretary or is applied under Rule19.1(b), the club of the offending team may make a final appeal by written notice within seven days of the notification of the League Secretary’s decision.

19.8 The appeal must be by written notice to the Chairman of the Committee who refers the matter to the Committee. The views of the captain of the non-offending team are sought by the Committee before making a decision on the appeal.

19.9 The decision of the Committee is final and binding. It is notified in writing to all parties by the Chairman of the Committee.

20.1 A breach of Rule 9.1 is penalised in accordance with the scale set out in Rule 20.7. In relation to a breach of Rule 9.1, a second or subsequent offence means a further breach of Rule 9.1 involving the same player, whether or not the same team falls to be penalised.

20.2 If a breach of Rule 9.1 is not discovered until after the final results for the season have been published, the penalty will be applied to the corresponding team in the following season.

20.3 A penalty is automatically imposed for a breach of Rule 9.1, it is removed if the subscription due from the player concerned is received by either the League Secretary or the Membership Secretary within three weeks of the captain being notified of the breach. When the web host becomes aware of a breach of Rule 9.1, he or she contacts the team captain to advise of the breach, the penalty and the possibility of its being removed. The League Secretary will advise the web host and the captain when a penalty can be removed.

20.4 A breach of Rule 9.3 is penalised in accordance with the scale set out in Rule 20.7. All teams for which the player has played, from any club other than the club for which he or she first played during the season, are subject to penalty. In relation to a breach of Rule 9.3, a second or subsequent offence means a further breach of Rule 9.3 by a team which has already been penalised, or a further breach involving the same player, whether or not the same team falls to be penalised.

20.5 A breach of Rule 10.5 is penalised in accordance with the scale set out in Rule 20.7. In relation to a breach of Rule 10.5, a second or subsequent offence means a further breach of Rule 10.5 involving the same player, whether or not the same team falls to be penalised.

20.6 A breach of Rule 10.6 is penalised in accordance with the scale set out in Rule 20.7. In relation to a breach of Rule 10.6, a second or subsequent offence means a further breach of Rule 10.6 by a team which has already been penalised, whether or not it involves the same player.

20.7 The scale referred to in Rules 20.1, 20.4, 20.5 and 20.6 is as follows:

20.8 If a match is postponed less than 48 hours before it is due to take place, the offending team is subject to a VP penalty, according to the time when the opposing captain becomes aware of the problem:

Time	Penalty
prior to the day of the match	1 VP
before 12.00 on the day of the match	1.5 VPs
between 12.00 and 16.00 on the day of the match	3 VPs
after 16.00 on the day of the match	5 VPs

For the purpose of this rule notice given by a message left on an answering machine or voicemail service is taken to be received when the message is played, and notice given by email when the email is read.

20.9 If all or part of a team is not present at the scheduled start time of a match, the offending team is subject to a VP penalty, as follows:

Period of delay after scheduled starting time	Penalty
Up to 15 minutes	None
Over 15 minutes up to 30 minutes	1.5 VPs
Over 30 minutes up to 45 minutes	3 VPs
Over 45 minutes	5 VPs

21.1 If a club wishes to withdraw a team from the League, it is free to select which team to withdraw and is not obliged to withdraw a lower team before a higher one.

21.2 To avoid disruption it is much preferable to withdraw a team between seasons. Teams may however be withdrawn during the season if a club sees no reasonable prospect of all its teams fulfilling all their fixtures.

21.3 If a team withdraws during the season, having played some, but fewer than half, of its matches, the results of matches played do not count towards the result of the division concerned at the end of the season.

21.4 If a team withdraws during the season, having played at least half of its matches, the results of the matches played count towards the result of the division concerned at the end of the season, and the remaining matches are scored on the basis described in Rule 15.

21.5 The results of all matches actually played are valid for Master Point purposes.

22.1 Master points are awarded for matches won and drawn. The rate varies according to the number of divisions in the season and the division in which the match is played

22.2 Ranking points are awarded to the leading teams in each division with players receiving points if they have played at least one third of the boards, normally equivalent to three matches.

22.3 Master points are direct credited to the EBU at the end of June in each season.