On the six Mondays in the year that were provisionally scheduled for Random Teams, we propose to run PAIRs sessions, but using the "Butler Scoring" method. In this scoring method, the score achieved by a pair is compared to an average score and the difference is turned into IMPS.

This is probably best illustrated by an example:

Playing East/West suppose 4 pairs get 620 for 4 hearts and 3 pairs get 170 for 3 hearts plus 1.

A "datum" score for this board is calculated by taking out one highest and one lowest score and averaging the rest.

In this case the datum is 440.

All scores for this board are compared to the datum and turned into IMPS. 4 pairs get +5 IMPS for +180(620 - 440).

3 pairs get -7 IMPS for -270(170 - 440).

The winner is the pair with the highest total IMPS over all the boards played (there are separate North/South and East/West winners).

Fortunately, all this scoring can be done by the Scorebridge package after the event, using the travellers filled in exactly as normal and the results will be issued by Susie as she does for any other pairs night.

The pair will the best 3 results over the 6 nights allocated to this new "Pairs - Butler Scoring" will be awarded the Hudson Salver.

The first night is 23rd July. Full rules will be published by then.

Whether you like pairs or teams, we feel this format has something new and good to offer - we hope as many as possible will come and try it.

Cliff Short

Competitions Secretary.

Byron Cup Rules

1.      Teams may consist of up to 6 players only 4 of whom may play in any one round.  There must be at least one member of HHBC playing at all times.

2.      No team member is allowed to play for more than one team.

3.      An elimination heat, based on a multiple teams event will be held at the club to determine which teams are eligible for the Knock-Out stage.

4.      If there are 12 teams or above entering the eliminating heat, 8 will go forward to the Knock-Out stage.  If there are 11 teams or less, the top 4 will qualify. Ties for places will be resolved by the head to head result of the teams involved.

5.      The Knock-Out rounds must be played at the club, except in exceptional circumstances agreed by the Competitions Secretary, and normal table money will be paid.  Dates for completion of each round will be notified to team captains.

6.      The team winning the qualifying evening will become home team in the next round to the last qualified team; the second team will become home team to the second to last qualified team etc.  Tables must be booked with the Competitions Secretary or a committee member.

It is the responsibility of the Home Team to provide their opponents with 3 dates which must include at least 2 different days of the week.  If these cannot be arranged, the Away Team must offer 3 alternative dates which must also include at least 2 different days of the week.

In the event of continued difficulty, the Competitions Secretary will appoint a club night upon which the tie will be settled.  Non-appearance on that night will give a walkover to the attending team.

7.      Lateness of 60 minutes or more counts as non-arrival and will give a walkover to the attending team.  In the event of a delay of 15 minutes or more, the non-offending team may withdraw 2 boards, plus 2 more boards for each subsequent 15 minute delay, and they shall be awarded 2 IMPs for each unplayed board.

8.      All rounds will be played over 24 boards.  In the event of a tie at that stage, 2 more boards will be played, followed by 2 more and so on to determine a result.  Seating positions for the extra boards shall be decided by the Captains on the toss of a coin.

9.      Captains should resolve disputes on the night with advice from the Director at the club.  Should this prove impossible, the Tournament Director must be informed.  He/she will resolve the dispute, if necessary referring it to the Appeals Panel.

10. Results for Knock-Out rounds must be sent to the Competitions Secretary on the appropriate form within 3 days of the match.  This is the responsibility of the winning team captain.

11. Completed identical convention cards must be carried by competitors for all rounds.

Ladder Competitions

Ladder competitions run from 1 June to 31 May. Ladder nights exclude all club competitions, teams nights, simultaneous pairs, county or Marjorie Lukyn heats.

The ladder winner for each of the 3 nights (Mon, Tue, Thurs) is the player with the highest average percentage on that night, but counting only their best results over a qualifying number of games which is half the number of ladder nights (rounded down). Those not reaching the qualifying number of games are excluded from the ladder.

For 2007 / 8

Mon: Ladder nights 52 - New Year's Eve – Christmas Eve - 6 Butler Pairs - 3 SIMS - 4 Comps(Carpenter, Fitzgerald, Lukyn, Smith) = 37. Qualifying games 18.

Tue: Ladder nights 52 - New Year's Day – Christmas Day - 1 SIMS - 2 Comps(Trophy, Bowl) = 47. Qualifying games 23.

Thur: Ladder nights 52 - Party - 4 SIMS - 11 Comps (HBA, Byron, Humble, Chairman, Hobson, Feldenwood, Sutcliffe, Hemmings x 4) = 36. Qualifying games 18.

The AGM night is a Ladder night. 

We publish full averages for those who have been to half the possible games (rounded down) till the expected Qualifying games (say 18) are reached and then it becomes the average of the best 18 results for those who have been to half the possible games. 

Hudson Salver

Description

Pairs events on 6 Mondays during the year will be scored using the Butler method. Under this method a “datum” score is calculated for each board by taking out one highest and one lowest score and averaging the rest. All scores for this board are then compared to the datum and turned into IMPS. The winning pair is the one with the highest total IMPS over all the boards played (there are separate North South and East West winners). Master points are awarded for the highest placings, according to normal EBU rules.

Eligibility

For a pair to win the Salver they must both be Members of the Club. If a player joins the Club part way through a year, he/she will only be eligible for scores achieved from the date of joining. Visitors may play on Pairs (Butler Scoring) nights but are not eligible for the trophy.

Timing

There will be six Pairs (Butler Scoring) nights in the year; the last Mondays of July, Sep, Nov, Jan, Mar, May. Where there is a clash with a Bank Holiday or Simultaneous Pairs the Pairs (Butler Scoring) night is brought forward a week.

Calculation of Winners

The winning pair is the one with the highest total Master Points results over any 3 of the 6 sessions. If there is a tie on Master Points the number of 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd places act successively as tie breakers, and after that IMPS scored in the 3 chosen sessions.

A player may participate in more than one pairing, but each pair is a separate entry.

Sutcliffe Plate (pivot teams)

1.                  This is an event for mixed pivot teams.  All players must be members of the  Hemel Hempstead Bridge Club.  Any ‘mix’ of male/female is acceptable.

2.                  The competition will be played over 24 boards where possible.  A player will play approximately 8 boards with each of his/her team members depending on the number of teams entered.

3.                  The team with the highest total of IMPs will be the winners.

4.                  Convention cards to be carried by players, for each pairing.

Hemmings Individual Competition

1.The Hemmings will be played on four Thursday nights with different partners.  All players in the competition and their partners must be paid-up members of the club.

2. Hemmings nights will have single winner, either by an Arrow Switch or by a Howell Movement.

3.The lowest percentage score will be eliminated and the other three scores aggregated.  The individual with the highest aggregate wins.  It is possible to compete in the competition by playing on three nights only.

           4.It is permitted to play twice with the same partner but only the score   achieved on the first occasion counts towards the aggregate.

            5.Other club members and visitors may also play on these four evenings, but without standing.