1.1 The League season shall run from about mid-September to mid-April.

1.2 The ‘Hybrid’ League

1.2.1 For the foreseeable future each season will operate a ‘Hybrid’ system where matches may be played face-to-face or on-line, as agreed by the team captains.

1.2.2 Prior to the start of each season, the Committee shall recommend to the AGM a ‘default’ position for the arrangement of matches (i.e. face-to-face or on-line) such that, in the event of no agreement between captains, the ‘default’ in place for the season will apply.

1.2.3 Notwithstanding the ‘default’ in place, the social benefits of playing face-to-face are acknowledged and teams are encouraged to play matches in this manner if possible.

1.2.4 On-line matches may be played on either the RealBridge or BBO platforms.

1.3 Entries for the season must be made via email to the League Secretary by the end of June (the actual closing date will be announced during the League AGM each year). The appropriate fee should be sent direct to the Treasurer at the same time as the entry is submitted. The preferred day/time-of-day (i.e afternoon or evening) for their home matches must be specified by each team along with their preferred platform for any on-line home matches

1.4 As soon as possible after the End of Season Pairs competition, the League Secretary shall notify all League Clubs of the results of the previous season and the consequent provisional promotions and relegations for the following season.

1.5 New Teams applying to join the League.

1.5.1 A new team applying to join the League will normally be entered into the lowest Division for the following season.

1.5.2 At the discretion of the Committee, who shall particularly take into account the proven playing ability of the new team members, the new team may be entered into a higher Division subject only to the caveat that any teams directly affected agree to the positioning of the new team. An example of a 'directly affected' team could be where a team was not promoted in order to accommodate the new team.

1.6 At the discretion of the Committee, who shall particularly take into account the proven playing ability of the likely team members for the next season, an EXISTING team who are demonstrably better or worse than the standard of the Division they would normally be playing in next season may be fast tracked to a higher or lower Division as appropriate, subject only to the caveat that any teams directly affected agree to the repositioning of the existing team. An example of a 'directly affected' team could be where a team was not promoted in order to accommodate the fast tracked team.

 3.1 For any match a team shall consist of four players.

6.1 The contact of the home team shall get in touch with the contact of the away team at least five days before the date in the match programme to:

1. Agree whether the match will be face-to-face or on-line, in accordance with Rule 1.2.2 and
2. If face-to-face, then agree the venue and any issues such as security, safety or road works etc.
3. If on-line, then confirm the platform and the number of boards to be played, in accordance with Rule 9.3
4. Agree a start time

6.2 Failure to arrange contact between the teams prior to a match may lead to the forfeiture of a match at the discretion of the Committee. The away team contact has a responsibility to the home team contact under Rule 6.1

9.1 Matches may be played at any time mutually agreed by the two captains. Failing any other agreement, matches shall be played on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening.

9.2 Matches Played Face-to-Face

9.2.1 Each match played face-to-face shall normally consist of twenty four boards. In the event of a late start or slow play the captains may agree to play fewer boards (minimum eighteen). Both captains shall be responsible for ensuring that the players are seated at the correct polarity at both tables.

9.2.2 Except at the mutual agreement of the two captains concerned, the match location shall be within a ten mile radius of the site of Bracknell Railway Station. This area includes the following places: Ascot, Bagshot, Blackwater, Bracknell, Camberley, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Holyport, Jealotts Hill, Sandhurst, Sunningdale, Sunninghill, Winnersh, Wokingham and Yateley.

9.2.3 In the event of a disagreement over the legality of a proposed match venue, the dispute shall be settled by the Committee.

9.2.4 In matches played in a private house, the standard arrangement is that smoking is prohibited at the playing tables throughout the match. However, the match host shall provide an area away from the playing tables, which may be outside the house, where smoking is permitted during scoring breaks. Team captains may wish to discuss smoking arrangements when arranging a match and the standard arrangement may be varied by mutual agreement. (Vide the EBU Competitions Handbook)

9.3 Matches Played on-line

9.3.1 Matches may be played on either RealBridge or BBO, subject to the agreement of the two team captains. In the event of no agreement, the match shall be played on the preferred platform of the home team.

9.3.2 The default number of boards for on-line matches in Division 1 is 24 and 20 in lower Divisions.  However, between 18 and 24 boards may be played by prior agreement. The 24 boards may be played as two sets on separate days by agreement, but the default is on the same date.

9.3.3 For matches played on-line it is the responsibility of the home captain to provide all necessary information to the opposing captain so the match may proceed smoothly. The home captain shall be responsible for ensuring that the players are seated at the correct polarity at both tables.

9.3.4 Additional advice for setting up and playing matches on-line is contained in a separate annex which may be found here

9.4 Matches will be played in accordance with English Bridge Union (EBU) rules and regulations in force at the time. From 1998, the EBU has defined various categories of permitted conventions. Only those systems and conventions listed as falling within the category defined as level 4 may be used in league matches and competitions.

9.5 For matches played on-line, ‘Undos’ are allowed during the auction only for calls that are unintended within the meaning of Law 25A. ‘Undos’ during the play are not permitted.

9.6 For on-line matches played on BBO, players must self-alert/announce and any explanation must reflect the partnership agreement. Matches played on RealBridge must alert/announce their partner’s bid in the same manner as face-to-face matches.

9.7 In all matches the away team has seating rights - viz the home team pairs take their places and the away team chooses where they will sit. In the second half, the home team pairs must play the other opposition pair.

9.8 Pre-dealt boards, including computer dealt boards, may be used for matches with the prior agreement of both captains. Hand records may be provided after the event if required.