LOCATION:    582 North River Road, Charlottetown, PE  C1E 1K1 - home of the Benevolent Irish Society (BIS).

GAME TIME:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, commencing at 1:00 pm.

SPECIAL GAMES in JANUARY:

Week of January 24-27 - CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Please be on site and situated at a table by 12:40 pm to enable the Director to set up the game in a timely manner.

Table fees for regular Club games will be $6.00

Whether you’re just starting to play, or you’d like some refresher practice, Novice Bridge could be the gateway both to improving your game and enjoying it more!

Novice Bridge, hosted by the Charlottetown Duplicate Bridge Club, is offered most Tuesdays, 7-9pm, January through June, and September through December.  (The fall session usually starts after Labour Day and ends before Christmas.)  We play at the Benevolent Irish Society (website, Facebook) on the upstairs level unless it is booked for another function, in which case we meet on the bottom level.  The cost is a modest $4/person.

CDBC Novice Nights are a great way to practice, and to gain a better understanding of the game.  Partnerships are guaranteed, so come as a couple, or come single.  If there is a sit-out, that pair will receive a dedicated coaching session on whatever topic they choose while play continues at the other tables.  Table talk is allowed – even encouraged – as the primary goal is to improve our game.  Coaching is available to assist with bidding, play, and to explain rules.  It is a learning environment – not a competitive setting.  Above all, we want players to be comfortable and to enjoy themselves.  Scores are reviewed for the purpose of understanding the scoring system but, at the end of the evening, there are neither winners nor losers – just better players!

Whether you attend novice sessions or not, we recommend these free, online practice sites to improve your declarer skills.  Your opponents are robots, so no pressure to play quickly.

• The first site is https://www.acbl.org/just-declare/.  You do not need to be an ACBL member.  Just ‘x’ the sign-in menu and enjoy! 
• The second website, however, is a major step up in sophistication.  It has multiple levels of difficulty, it allows hands to be replayed, and it explains the solution if you’re unable to achieve it without guidance.  Once you see the solution, it’s best to try it yourself.  Be aware, however, that the opponents’ cards are fluid, i.e. distribution and key cards may change with each attempt.  The goal is to ensure success regardless of the opponents’ holdings.  https://www.bridgebase.com/v3/?bridgemaster

For those on our novice email list, occasional updates are sent out as reminders and to notify of any changes in dates.  If not already receiving these emails, you join our list by emailing novice@callard.ca. You may unsubscribe at any time.  Come give it a try.

                   CDBC Disciplinary Policy

General

ACBL has recognized that ACBL clubs are not franchises, but rather, independent legal entities. They have stated that while the ACBL has a responsibility to see that all sanctioned club games are conducted in accordance with the Laws of Duplicate Bridge, unacceptable behavioral issues fall within the club management’s purview.

Unacceptable behavior includes but is not necessarily limited to:

1. Violation of ACBL Zero Tolerance Policy;

2. Unethical practices; or

3. Cheating.

CDBC has therefore decided that the adoption and enforcement of a consistent disciplinary process is essential. All cases of unacceptable behavior will be dealt with fairly and promptly by:

1. The Director; or

2. The CDBC Disciplinary Committee.

CDBC will adhere to ACBL guidance concerning disciplinary matters which highlights the fact that no player can be suspended based upon race, creed, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, national origin, physical handicap or proficiency at bridge.

The Director

In most cases, the Director is first on scene to handle any matters involving unacceptable behavior. They will resolve the situation as they see fit, based on their experience. No limits are put on the Director’s powers in this regard. If a Director believes that a suspension is warranted, he would normally refer the matter to the CDBC Disciplinary Committee.

There could be a case of a Director however, determining that in order to maintain order and discipline, immediate action must be taken. Under Law 91 the Director is empowered to immediately suspend a player for the remainder of the game. A decision such as this is final and cannot be overruled by any appeal process.

The Director may at any time, for any reason, decide that a situation involving unacceptable behavior should be dealt with by the CDBC Disciplinary Committee.

CDBC Disciplinary Committee

A Disciplinary Committee has been established for the purpose of dealing with instances of unacceptable behavior which have been reported to them (normally by a Director). This committee will consist of the following members:

1. Chair – CDBC Vice President;

2. Member – CDBC Past President; and

3. Member – CDBC Director Representative.

Should any one of the above be directly involved in the infraction being dealt with, a member of the CDBC Executive will replace them for the duration of the Disciplinary process.

The Disciplinary Committee shall not be bound by rules of formal law, evidence or procedure, and shall be liberal in receiving evidence.

CDBC Appeals Committee

The CDBC Appeals Committee will be established for the purpose of listening to and deciding upon any appeal that has been brought forward by someone who disagrees with how they were dealt with by either the Director, or the CDBC Disciplinary Committee. This committee will consist of the following members:

1. Chair – CDBC President; and

2. two members of the CDBC Executive appointed by the Chair. The Chair will ensure that these members have not been previously involved with the matter being appealed.

If a punishment awarded consists of a suspension of an ACBL Member from any ACBL, unit or district sponsored games, the CDBC Appeals Committee cannot hear the appeal. The appeal must be heard by the Unit Disciplinary Committee.

If an ACBL Member feels that he was awarded a suspension based on upon race, creed, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, national origin, physical handicap or proficiency at bridge, the appeal can only be heard by the Unit Disciplinary Committee.

Objectives:

a) to bring together people who are interested in the game of bridge;
b) to further in those people a spirit of good sportsmanship and decorum, and to offer them an opportunity to improve their knowledge and competence in the game of bridge; 
c) to promote the game of bridge in the City of Charlottetown and surrounding areas;
d) to educate public opinion regarding the recreational value in the game of duplicate bridge

Membership is open to anyone interested in playing and promoting the game of duplicate bridge.

Our facility is wheelchair accessible via elevator.

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FRIENDLY REMINDER
It is appreciated when players arrive and are seated 20 minutes before start of game. This allows the Director time to determine the number of pairs/tables, distribute movement patterns,boards and Bridgemates and input information for the electronic scoring units. The aim is to start on time – thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The Charlottetown Club operates under the ACBL Zero Tolerance Policy.
Directors do remind the members/players of this policy at the start of each session.

ACBL "Play Nice"

PLEASE REMEMBER...in the words of our late friend Karl Hicks:

"YOUR PARTNER DID NOT COME HERE TODAY TO RUIN YOUR GAME.  SO, IF THEY DO SOMETHING THAT YOU CONSIDER HORRIBLE OR INFERIOR AT BEST, SAY NOTHING.

FIRST, UPON REFLECTION, YOU MAY BE WRONG.

SECOND, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE IN THE BIDDING OR PLAY TO HELP YOUR PARTNER MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION.

FINALLY, YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING EQUALLY HORRIBLE AND YOU DON'T WANT IT BROUGHT UP!

SO, BE NICE TO YOUR PARTNER AND YOUR OPPONENTS, AND EVERYONE WILL HAVE AN ENJOYABLE GAME."