This competition is open to non-members. The heats are held in clubs with a final at Windsor. We find that players tend to arrive early for this event so the room is set up earlier than usual to allow these arrivals to enter the playing area to wait for the start of the event. (See the B&BCBA Events Planning and Operations Guide for the rules of the club heats.)

 3.3.1 Permitted Systems and Conventions

Level 3 systems and conventions only are allowed.

 3.3.2 Smoking

This is a non-smoking event but there will be one extended break, limited to five minutes, in each session.

 3.3.3 Movement

The number of tables is usually in the range 40-50. We expect to play about 36 boards, preferably in two board rounds. There will be a half-time score. Pre-duplicated hands will be available. Hand copies will be provided, one for each pair, with plenty spare.

 3.3.4 Speed of Play

Bidding Boxes will be used. The target rate of play is 16 minutes for a two board round and 23 minutes for a three board round. The Director should take an active role in encouraging pairs who are persistently slow to speed up. If necessary, a board should be removed.

 3.3.5 Checklist for Announcements

The opening announcements should include:

• that only level 3 systems and conventions are allowed
• non-expert pairs (see 3.3.6) must mark their table slip accordingly
• ask players to ensure that travellers are marked clearly with the section number and that this is visible on the back copy. (This announcement will be repeated for the second session)

The announcements at the end of the first session should include:

• the start time and starting positions for the second session
• information about prizes, including a reminder of the prize for the best second session score
• a reminder to keep the refreshment area as tidy as possible, putting all rubbish in the bins provided
• the arrangements for corrections to scores (see section 2.3.7)

The closing announcements should include:

• ask players to put any rubbish in the bins and return empty glasses to the bar
• ask players to put bidding cards into bidding boxes
• the arrangements for corrections to scores (see section 2.3.7)

A pair may win only one prize. At the end of the event, the Director will allocate positional prizes first, then the prizes for the best first and second session, then the non-expert prize.

The prize for the best score in each session is awarded to the pair with the highest percentage, not the highest score which might need to be factored according to the number of boards played to obtain a fair comparison. Pairs are eligible for the non-expert prize if both members are ranked below Master (10,000 master points) on 1st July previous.

Local points are awarded to the top quarter of the total original entry in all the club heats. It is therefore likely that most of the pairs in the final will receive points.