Welcome to the Handbook for the 2007 – 2008 season. I hope that you will find many events in here of interest.

I was delighted that attendance increased at some of our competitions last season, particularly the Club Pairs Championship, and hope that it will continue. If you play in our events then please encourage other members of your club to try them, as often people don’t realise that all standards of player are welcome and that at quite a few of them non members of BBCBA are welcome. The best publicity is word of mouth.

I hope not only to see familiar faces but many new ones too in the coming season.

B&B is a non-profit making organisation, and a member of the English Bridge Union (EBU); it exists to promote bridge in Berks and Bucks, and to assist clubs, where appropriate, with any problems they may have. This handbook publicises:

• County competitions for the 2007-2008 season.
• Open tournaments run by bridge clubs affiliated to B&B.
• Bridge clubs in our area.
• General information about the Association and how to contact us.

Further general information about the Association is available on pages 24 and 25.

The B&B AGM starts during the tea interval (not before 5:00 p.m.) of the Swiss Teams on the 15^th of June 2008 at Windsor. Although most prizes for the year are presented at the events to which they relate, there are a number of prizes to which this does not apply, and these are presented at the end of the AGM.

The contents of the Handbook, latest news and an up-to-date set of results for county events and leagues can be found on the site - ‘www.berks-and-bucks-cba.co.uk’.

Because of lack of support the Student league and the Novice league have been suspended this season. Consideration will be given next year either to reinstating them or to introducing a similar competition for beginners if it is felt there is sufficient demand.

We aim to start all Sunday events at 2.30 p.m. promptly. Therefore we ask that all players are seated by 2.20 p.m. There will be a fine at the County Pairs Final and Plate for any pairs not seated by 2.20 p.m. who have not contacted us in advance. The finishing time is between 8.00 and 8.30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

The entry fee for all events where you have to bring your own food is £6 per player (£3 for juniors). If food is provided the entry fee is £11 (£5 for juniors). All entries should be sent to the Event Secretary - Lyn Holman - unless otherwise shown. Entry forms to all events are in the centre of this handbook.

We try to have events to cater for all levels of players, ranging from the County Pairs and Teams Championships for players who take their bridge seriously to Student, Improver and 'Friendly' Pairs for players with little experience and those who just wish to play bridge in a relaxed environment. Most of our events are on Sunday but there are two events (the Seniors Pairs and the Improver Pairs) which take place in the daytime.

We try to make all our events friendly, whatever the level. If you find players unfriendly then please talk to us about it. If you haven’t played in our competitions before, why not give it a go? If you are not sure if an event is right for you then ring the Event Secretary or a member of the Competitions Committee who will be pleased to advise you. Details of the events are on the following pages and details of the rules for the events are on the Berks & Bucks CBA web site.

The County also runs two leagues during the season. The League of Four (for the Brown Cup) is for all levels of player and currently is in four divisions. If you would like to join this league but don't have boards or bidding boxes then talk to us and we can probably arrange to lend you some. The League of Eight is an inter club competition that is currently in five divisions. Both leagues welcome new teams.

The Victor Ludorum is awarded to the individual who achieves the greatest success in the County’s qualifying events over the course of the season. Winners of events are awarded 5 VL points. Other players in the top quarter of the field are awarded VL points on a scale descending from 4 to 1. VL points are not awarded for Leagues, Berks v Bucks, Plate events, Friendly events, the Seniors or the Flitch. In the County Teams Championship VL points are awarded in the qualifying stage and the knockout rounds.

Except where shown, the entry fee for all the Friendly, Student and Improver events is £11 per person (£5 for juniors) and this includes a plated tea in the interval,. For more information, please contact Nigel Thompson or Margaret Hatch. Send entries for all these events (except the National Newcomers) to Nigel Thompson

This is the EBU inter counties championship for teams of 8. The qualifying event takes place on 24/25 Nov 2007 at Kettering. The team is chosen by the County Selection Committee from amongst the strongest players in the County. Any pairs who wish to be considered for selection (who are not already being considered) are invited to contact Mike Ribbins on 0118 947 3207.

This is an inter county event amongst south east counties. It is held at Ardingly, West Sussex in May. The teams are chosen by the County Selection Committee. The A and B teams of 12 are chosen from amongst the strongest players in the County. The C team of 8 comprises keen and improving players. Any pairs who wish to be considered for selection (who are not already being considered) are invited to contact Mike Ribbins on 0118 947 3207.

The County accepts invitations to play in other counties’ events and sends teams of 4 to four or five events a year. The standard of competition is usually good without being frightening and the Selection Committee is keen that many members of B&B should play in these events. Any pairs who wish to be considered for selection are invited to contact Mike Ribbins on 0118 947 3207.

Rules. The Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge currently in force govern all our events. Players will be expected to follow the new Orange Book rules regarding announcements and alerting. There is however a second year of grace for players to become familiar with the changes. We have a number of specific regulations of our own, but for the most part we follow EBU practice. In particular, the EBU is the last "court of appeal" when our procedures are exhausted.

Conventions. At events open to non members we allow Level 3 conventions. At ‘Friendly’ and Novice events we only allow Level 2 conventions. At all other events we allow Level 4 conventions. The top two divisions of the League of Eight and the League of Four will also be Level 4.

Starting Positions and Seeding. There is a draw for starting positions in most events. In the County Pairs Qualifying round and the County Teams Qualifying round we try to balance the playing strength between the sections by seeding. We may also seed at some other events. At the Club Teams Final, teams may be allocated a starting position in advance so that experienced teams and teams from the same club are spread throughout the field

Late Arrivals. Players held up en route should phone Margaret’s mobile 07803 208628. Players who do not phone will be accommodated if possible. Players are asked to be seated by 2.20 p.m. so that we can start promptly.

Correction Period. In Teams events players are required to check the traveller as this will be the final arbiter if there is a disagreement on scores. Teams will be given a team score sheet for the first session which must be checked. At the end the correction period is the same as for pairs.

In Pairs events at the end of the first session players will be given a personal scorecard. All players are asked to check this - the director will announce the last time for corrections. After the event the scores will only be changed if there is an input error, an impossible score or both pairs agree that there has been an error. At the end of play, because many players will not wish to stay to check their scores, a provisional result will be announced and the trophy, goblets and prizes (if any) presented. The scorer will print personal score cards on request if time allows. The full results will normally be available on the web the same day. If it is not possible to publish these details on the web or players do not have access to the web they may request personal scorecards from the Event Co-ordinator. Players have until midnight on the Monday following the event (or the day following publication on the web if later) to report errors. The final result will then be confirmed.

Should the result change then the trophy and goblets will be awarded to the correct players. Additional prizes will be distributed as necessary but no prizes that have been distributed on the day will be withdrawn.

Results. Our aim is to make results available within a short time after play ceases. Provisional results are posted on the web site as soon as possible. We also circulate results to all B&B affiliated clubs, and offer a postal results service, including personal score sheets on request, to contestants in individual events.

Players with special needs. We will try to accommodate any special requirements that you have such as a stationary table or dietary, where the entry fee includes tea, if you let us know at the time of entry.

Prizes. Except for the two Primary Championship events, the County Pairs and the County Teams, prizes are awarded to approximately 10% of the field. Where there are two positional prizes or less the 1^st prize will be £15 per player and all other prizes will be £10 per player. If there are three positional prizes or more then 1^st prize will be £20 per player, 2^nd prize £15 per player and all other prizes will be £10 per player. At the Mixed Swiss Teams we give bottle prizes rather than cash.

Non-Expert Prizes. In most events, we encourage less experienced competitors to take part, by offering prizes for the leading non-expert pair or team not otherwise eligible for a prize. The prize is a voucher for free entry to a regular County Event. The definition of "non-expert" is based on EBU Master Points issued (whether registered or not) up to the day of the competition. The Committee reserves the right to refuse claims of non-expert status that are contrary to the spirit of the prize. This prize is only awarded if there are at least three non-expert pairs or teams competing.

Master Points. All events qualify for EBU Master Points; these are direct-credited to the player’s record at the EBU every quarter. Players who are not members of the EBU may ask the event co-ordinator to send them a certificate.

Hands. For all events pre-duplicated boards are used, and printed copies of the hands are available. They are also published on the web with the results.

Refreshments. Coffee, tea and squash are available free throughout all our events. Food is only provided at events where a plated tea is specifically included in the entry fee. In all other events, there is usually no facility to purchase food and players are advised to bring their own.

Mobile phones must be switched off. The TD may impose a fine if phones ring.

Smoking. In accordance with the new legislation, smoking is not allowed inside any public building in which the competitions take place.

Appeals. Appeals against decisions made by the TD require a deposit of £20 (pairs) and £40 (teams). The deposit will be retained if the appeal is thought by all the members of the Appeals Panel to be frivolous. Appeals must be lodged before leaving an event. Guidance on rulings and appeals in B&B matches played privately are included in the rules of the events concerned.

Comments and Suggestions. All players are encouraged to use the Comments Book or speak to a member of the Competition Committee.

Complaints. Any player who has a complaint should contact the County Secretary.

• For our two "club" events, the Club Teams Final and the Club Pairs Final the entries are submitted by the clubs holding a heat direct to the Event Secretary.
• Details are sent to the clubs, of whom any enquiries should be made.
• The clubs also collect and submit the entry fees.
• Cancellations should be notified to the Event Secretary as below.

• If you have to cancel your entry, please notify the person taking the entries as early as possible. On the day, only if you are unable to contact the organiser, please contact Margaret Hatch on mobile 07803 208628.
• You will normally be entitled to a refund if you cancel in reasonable time.
• Players who do not pay in advance will be liable for all fees unless they cancel their entry.

Windsor: New Windsor Community Association, Hanover Way, Windsor. SL4 5NW. Margaret Hatch - Mobile 07803 208628. Directions - Take the A332 south from the M4 at junction 6. 'Leave the A322 at the first exit, taking the A308 to Maidenhead. After half a mile turn left into Vale Road. Hanover Way is the third turn on the right.

South Bucks Bridge Centre: Britwell Road, Burnham. SL1 8DF

Margaret Hatch - Mobile 07803 208628. Please do not ring the centre with queries about entering County Events held there. Directions - Join the A355 either by travelling North from J6 on the M4 or South from J2 on the M40. Travel to the double mini roundabout at Farnham Royal. Turn West at the double mini roundabout along the road sign-posted to Burnham (Farnham Lane); this road twists and becomes quite narrow. 1.5 miles West of the double mini roundabout turn right at a roundabout into Britwell Road, SBBC is on the left in a quarter of a mile.

Lane End Village Hall. Finings Road, Lane End, High Wycombe, HP14 3EY. Mobile (on day only) 07803 208628. Directions – From the A4155 in Marlow take the B482 to Lane End. The hall is in the centre of the village next to the pedestrian lights. A free car park is on the opposite side of the road. There is some disabled parking just beyond the hall. Do not park in the Resident bays in Church Path.