Any member or visitor arriving alone for a Pairs Competition will be guaranteed a partner and will almost certainly find that there is a choice of several others also seeking partners. If there is an odd number, a Duty Officer will ensure that all get a game.

Most of the room will be playing with their regular partners or will have made arrangements beforehand. But a growing number are prepared to take a chance and play with those available on the night. The system of Duty Officers was re-introduced in 2010 as a service to members. Limiting the number of times that the service could be used was thought unnecessary. In fact it would have been counter-productive. Those without partners for any reason are now encouraged to turn up and find one knowing that this also enhances the choice of others.

There are four or five members without regular partners who make themselves available most weeks. The number is enhanced by new members seeking permanent partners, those without a partner for an evening or even the regular partner of the Duty Officer. There are no fixed rules for fixing partnerships. The candidates agree among themselves. The ambitious seek the best. Others are prepared to help the less experienced or to continue with a previously interesting partnership.

Partnership Agreements

Partners playing together for the first time may have only a few minutes to agree upon any conventions. The Club has prepared an aide-memoire to help them agree a simple system quickly and not waste time discussing pet features that are unlikely to occur. They are even permitted, in St Albans events, to refer to this standard aide-memoire during the bidding or play.

They are of course entitled to make any agreement that they wish or even to suggest amendments to the standard aide-memoire but all in good time.