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| ZERO TOLERANCE |
ZERO TOLERANCE - Fact or fiction in clubs?
Many bridge clubs claim to apply a `zero tolerance' policy. What is it and is it enforced?
The 93 rules of bridge which apply to all tournaments run by national Federations affiliated to the WBF are reviewed every 10 years. The next review is in 2017. Generally very few changes are made. The last review in 2007 did however give much more power to Directors. Primarily to improve discipline in clubs. The three most relevant Rules are clear and unambiguous. In my opinion, these laws are still not being enforced rigidly enough. I am not saying that zero tolerance has to be the norm, merely that the rules are there for the Director to take action when required. Especially against serial offenders. If someone leaves the club never to return because of the behaviour of a fellow member who was clearly to blame, then the director and Committee are not doing their jobs properly. That said, the Director is there to HELP all players. For the long term benefit and enjoyment of all members. Beginners especially should not hesitate to call the Director if they have any query or problem at the table.
Here then are those WBF Rules:
Trevor 21/10/16
LAW 74
CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE
- A. Proper Attitude
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- 1. Courtesy
- A player should maintain a courteous attitude at all times.
- 2. Etiquette of Word and Action
- A player should carefully avoid any remark or action that might cause annoyance or embarrassment to another player or might interfere with the enjoyment of the game.
- 3. Conformity to Correct Procedure
- Every player should follow uniform and correct procedure in calling and playing.
- B. Etiquette
- As a matter of courtesy a player should refrain from:
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- 1. paying insufficient attention to the game.
- 2. making gratuitous comments during the auction and play.
- 3. detaching a card before it is his turn to play.
- 4. prolonging play unnecessarily (as in playing on although he knows that all the tricks are surely his) for the purpose of disconcerting an opponent.
- 5. summoning and addressing the Director in a manner discourteous to him or to other contestants.
- C. Violations of Procedure
- The following are considered violations of procedure:
- 1. using different designations for the same call.
- 2. indicating approval or disapproval of a call or play.
- 3. indicating the expectation or intention of winning or losing a trick that has not been completed.
- 4. commenting or acting during the auction or play so as to call attention to a significant occurrence, or to the number of tricks still required for success.
- 5. looking intently at any other player during the auction and play, or at another player's hand as for the purpose of seeing his cards or of observing the place from which he draws a card (but it is appropriate to act on information acquired by inadvertently seeing an opponent's card
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- 6. showing an obvious lack of further interest in a deal (as by folding one's cards).
- 7. varying the normal tempo of bidding or play for the purpose of disconcerting an opponent.
- 8. leaving the table needlessly before the round is called.
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LAW 90
PROCEDURAL PENALTIES
- A. Director's Authority
- The Director, in addition to enforcing the penalty provisions of these Laws, may also assess penalties for any offense that unduly delays or obstructs the game, inconveniences other contestants, violates correct procedure, or requires the award of an adjusted score at another table.
- B. Offenses Subject to Procedural Penalty
- The following are examples of offenses subject to procedural penalty (but the offenses are not limited to these):
1. arrival of a contestant after the specified starting time.
2. unduly slow play by a contestant.
3. discussion of the bidding, play or result of a board which may be overheard at another table.
4. unauthorized comparison of scores with another contestant.
5. touching or handling of cards belonging to another player
6. placing one or more cards in an incorrect pocket of the board.
7. errors in procedure (such as failure to count cards in one’s hand, playing the wrong board, etc.) that require an adjusted score for any contestant.
8. failure to comply promptly with tournament regulations or with instructions of the Director.
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LAW 91
PENALIZE OR SUSPEND
- A. Director's Power
- In performing his duty to maintain order and discipline, the Director is empowered to assess disciplinary penalties in points or to suspend a contestant for the current session or any part thereof. The Director’s decision under this clause is final and may not be overruled by an appeals committee. In performing his duty to maintain order and discipline, the Director is specifically empowered to assess disciplinary penalties in points or to suspend a contestant for the current session or any part thereof (the Director's decision under this clause is final).
- B. Right to Disqualify
- The Director is specifically empowered to disqualify a contestant for cause, subject to approval by the Tournament Committee.
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