SCBA Affiliated Clubs League West Division 2008 - 2009 Rules &
Regulations
1. General
A league for teams of four played in three areas of
2. Promotion and Relegation
The top team in each division (except Division 1) is
guaranteed promotion. Normally two teams are promoted to the next division and
two teams relegated, subject to the number of teams entering in the next
season. New teams usually start in the lowest division but exceptionally, at
the discretion of the Organiser, it may be possible for a team to start in a
higher division.
3. Entry.
Entry is by clubs, not team members, and any bona fide
club member may play in a team. All team members must be members of the English
Bridge Union. Clubs will be expected to play their better players in the upper
teams but it is acceptable to waive this to keep together a team who has won
promotion.
The League is also open, at the discretion of the
SCBA, to clubs within a ten mile radius of the
Players will be recorded as members of a club team
when they play in their first match. Subsequently in that season they may not
represent any other club or the same club in another team in the same or lower
division but they may play for a team in a higher division once only. If a player
plays for a team in a higher division more than once that player becomes a
member of the higher team and may not 'play down'.
It is the responsibility, of each team Captain to
check the eligibility of all members of the team before the start of the match.
A team playing a non-eligible member may be disqualified.
4. Dates for Matches.
A programme of fixtures, allowing at least three weeks
for each match, is issued at the beginning of the season. Matches should be
played within the scheduled periods, following
If a team fails to arrange a date for a match or
cancels a match without valid reason - and thus concedes the match - the team
to whom the match is conceded will get 13VPs or, if greater, its average in all
other matches or, if greater, the average of all teams against the defaulting
team. The defaulting team receives no Victory Points for that match.
The Organisers may
impose the penalty of non-entry on all members of the defaulting team in the
next season.
5. Play
Matches shall be of 24 boards, scored by IMPs and
converted to VPs using the scale below.
|
IMPs |
0-1 |
2-4 |
5-8 |
9-12 |
13-17 |
18-22 |
23-28 |
29-34 |
35-41 |
42-49 |
50+ |
|
VPs |
10-10 |
11-9 |
12-8 |
13-7 |
14-6 |
15-5 |
16-4 |
17-3 |
18-2 |
19-1 |
20-0 |
Only systems permitted by Level 3 Licence may be
played.
A fouled board in the first half should be replaced by
adding a board to the second half. A fouled board in the second half is not
replaced.
No correction of scores is permitted after the result
has been agreed by the captains. The winning team, or the home team in the case
of a draw, is responsible for notifying the Organiser of the result of their
match. The Organiser needs to have the names of the players in both teams and
their EBU numbers.
6. Refreshments
The home team is expected to provide light refreshments.
7. Late Arrival
If a team is more than 30 minutes late and there is a
valid reason for the late arrival, the opponents have the right to curtail the
match by two boards for each full 15 minute period, a right which they may
exercise or renounce at half-time.
If a team is more than 30 minutes late and there is no
valid reason for the late arrival, the match is reduced 'by two boards for each
full 15 minute delay and the non-offending side is awarded 3 IMPs per board. A
shortened play period is to be played of the remaining boards. After one hour
of late arrival (not notified), or two hours of late arrival (notified), the
match is awarded to the non-offending side. See item 4.
8. Final
Divisional winners from each area will be invited to
play in a Final. See Competitions Brochure for date. The first division winners
will play the other first division winners for the DOLPHIN TROPHY. The winners
of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th divisions will play a multiple teams event to decide
their winner.
Teams may not play someone who has played for another
team in the League during, the season. If the winning team in the Division is
unable to play, the second team may take their place and represent the Division
in the final.
9. Results
The Area Organisers shall at
all times have available the latest league positions. Final league tables will
be issued on completion of all fixtures.
10. Rules
The League Organiser shall implement the rules. Clubs
have the right of appeal.
11. Smoking Regulations (as per
In all Surrey competitions held in clubs or private
homes, in addition to the published rules at the venue, any player may require
that there shall be no smoking at the table at which he/she is playing.
In matches played privately in homes, it is the duty
of both Captains to indicate the likely wishes of their team in this matter
when arranging the match.