Friendly Swiss Pairs

A friendly pairs is an event where the emphasis is on relaxed competition. It is open to non members of Berks and Bucks. Copies of the hands played will be available at the end of play. Unlike other county events, a plated tea is included in the price.

Permitted Systems and Conventions

Level 2 system and conventions may be played.

Movement

There will be 5x6 board matches. All boards are pre-duplicated. Hand copies are provided, one for each pair, with plenty spare. The interval will be after match three. Each match is scored by VPs. 70% of the match points secures a 20-0 victory.

There is normally a stand-by pair who will play in the event if there is an odd number of entries. The Event Secretary will advise of the arrangements that have been made.

Speed of Play

Bidding boxes will be used. The target rate of play is 45 minutes for each match.

Checklist for Announcements

The opening announcements should include:

only Level 2 conventions allowed. No Multi 2¨

please help less experienced players with the bidding boxes

that smoking in the playing area is not allowed

arrangements for drinks and refreshments

non-expert pairs (see 3.5.6) should mark their table slip accordingly

the use of special score slips. The back copy of this slip should be detached after four boards have been played and placed in the back of the bidding box of either North or South, whichever is most convenient for collection

At the end of each match, players should be told:

to put the boards on the table for easy collection

that new boards will be found under the chair of either North or South

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

the arrangements for collection of the plated teas

a request to return the plates to the kitchen area

information on 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 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

Prizes

Number of Tables	Prizes
10-15	1st + best 1st session + best 2nd session + non-expert
16-20	1st 2nd + best 1st session + best 2nd session + non-expert
21-25	1st 2nd 3rd + best 1st session + best 2nd session + non-expert
26-30	1st 2nd 3rd 4th + best 1st session + best 2nd session + non-expert
31-35	1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th + best 1st session + best 2nd session + non-expert

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 first session is awarded to the pair with the highest score in the first four matches. The prize for the best second session score is awarded to the pair who have ascended the most places in the last three matches. This information is given by the scoring program. Pairs are eligible for the non-expert prize if both members are ranked below District Master (1000 master points) on 1st July previous.

B&BCBA vouchers will be given to the top 10% of the field who do not receive another prize, rounded up. These can be used for a free entry to any B&BCBA county event (except for Friendly competitions) in the following three years. Players who take advantage of this offer to play in county events which require county membership will need to join the EBU and B&BCBA if they are not already members.

Master Point Awards

Local points for the top third of field.