We are running a monthly Ladder Competition from September to May each year. The Ladder will usually be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Dates are posted on our calendar & on the website.

The first event is a qualifying session and it is held on the 2nd Wednesday in September. If you are intending to participate in the Ladder, but are not available for the qualifier, please register your entry with Catherine/Marco in advance.

In all subsequent sessions, players will be divided into 2 divisions - the FIRST DIVISION for the leading 14 pairs & the SECOND DIVISION for all other participants of the Ladder Competition, anybody playing with a substitute plus anyone turning up without realising the Ladder is on! There is no host on Ladder sessions

There are Master Points available in both divisions plus PRIZE MONEY will be awarded to the leading 8 places with £40 to the winners

The full rules are as follows:

• the first round is a full round, arrow-switched, with 24 Ladder points to the winners, reducing by 1 point for each place

• in subsequent rounds the points are 28,26,24, ...2 in division one and 20, 19, 18,...1 in division two. Division one will be a Howell and division two will be an arrow-switched Mitchell depending on the number of tables. Seating in division one will be random

• the leading two pairs in division two will be guaranteed a place in division one for the following month; otherwise, division one will be filled by the leading players from the overall ranking list

• a pair may use a substitute up to twice during a season & any points gained will be credited fully. On the third or subsequent occasions, the absentee rules will apply. If two halves of partnerships play together they will be deemed to represent both, but anyone playing with a substitute must play in division two

• absent pairs will be given points temporarily for up to two absences: 12 points in the first round (to apply from November) and the average of their performance to date (maximum 16) in future rounds

• six rounds from the nine will count towards the final placing. Ties will be split by the performance in the seventh best round.

• players in division one will lose their right to play in the division if they are not seated by 10.50am. Players will be promoted from division 2 to take their place.

• prize money will be £40, £25, £16, £12, £10, £8, £6, £3 per pair for the first eight in the overall rankings. results will be posted on the website as soon as possible after the session, together with a list of the players qualifying for Division 1 the following month.