It is in the best interests of everyone at the club for all members to follow the correct etiquette and procedures at the bridge table.

BEFORE PLAY

1. Be courteous to partner and opponents.
2. Check that the right boards are in the centre of the table at the correct orientation.
3. Count your cards.
4. Announce your system, e.g. 4/5 card majors, weak/strong NT.

BIDDING

1. Do not touch the bidding box until you’ve decided what to bid.
2. Bid smoothly. Don’t hover over the box!
3. Avoid long pauses before you bid. Perceived uncertainty can convey unauthorised information. It is often ethically correct NOT to bid again once your partner has paused unduly.
4. Use the STOP card before any jump bid (including opening bids).
5. Use the ALERT card promptly if your partner makes a “convention” bid.
6. No explanation should be given unless opponent asks for it on their turn to bid.
7. Do not alert bids above 3NT unless it occurs on the first round of bidding.
8. Hidden understandings are unfair and illegal.
9. Bidding cards should be left on the table until the opening lead is made, face down.
10. Avoid unguarded comments, facial expressions or other gestures.

     ANNOUNCEMENTS (not alerts)

1. If partner bids 1NT state range of points e.g. “12/14”, “15/17” as appropriate.
2. If partner bids 1C or 1D   “That can be short” as appropriate.
3. Over 1NT opening, “transfer” to H / S as appropriate.

PLAY

1. Dummy should not touch cards during play no matter how obvious except when declarer has called for a particular card.
2. Dummy should not comment on the play.
3. Dummy may check if declarer fails to follow suit “having none, partner?”
4. Defender may also ask partner if they fail to follow suit.
5. Dummy may remind declarer which hand to lead from, e.g. “on the table” / “in your hand”.
6. Play at an even tempo. Undue delay by defender may give unauthorised information.
7. You may not look back at quitted cards except the card just played.
8. You may ask to see cards just played while your card is still up (not quitted).

Always call the tournament director if there is a disagreement or you are unsure of correct procedure.

Don’t interpret the laws yourself.

AFTER PLAY

1. Check the number of tricks before you fold the cards.
2. Check that the score is entered correctly.
3. Count and shuffle your cards and return them to the board.
4. Avoid discussing a hand until all the boards in that round are played. It is discourteous and unfair to keep others waiting.

Don’t forget…………..enjoy the game!

We, the committee, endeavour to make your bridge game enjoyable. If you have any queries or suggestions we’d be happy to hear from you.

After bridge we tidy the bridge hall and leave it ready for bridge the following morning. Leave your table as you would wish to find it. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Further information on the laws, ethics, and etiquette of bridge can be found in the CBAI bridge diary and also online.

Cypress Bridge Club Privacy Statement

What personal data does Cypress Bridge Club collect?

The data we collect include members’ names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. We collect this data directly from our members when they join the club.

We record the scores from competitions in which you play. These are displayed on our website results pages and used in maintaining the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (CBAI) Master Point scheme.

If you win a major competition or participate in a social event, your photo may be taken and displayed on our web site unless you request us not to do so.

What is this personal data used for?

We use members’ data for the administration of your membership, communication of information, and organisation of events, including club competitions and social events.

Who is your data shared with?

Your membership data is passed on to the Templeogue Castle Community Bridge Centre (TCCBC) and CBAI. CBAI shares data with Dublin South Region of the CBAI. Your results information is also passed on to CBAI for use in its Master Points scheme.

Some of your data will be available for use by Bridgewebs acting as a Data Processor on our behalf. They are not free to pass this on to other organisations that are not connected with Cypress Bridge Club.

Your personal data is not passed on by us to organisations other than those indicated above, whether or not connected with bridge.

Members’ agreement to serve on the Cypress committee, is deemed to be specific permission from them to use their contact information on behalf of the other members of the Club

Where does this data come from?

Data for our members come from them when they join Cypress Bridge Club or when they update their information either directly with the Club or CBAI. Scoring data comes directly from the results of club competitions in which you play.

How is your data stored?

This information is stored mainly in digital form on computers and in the form of written documents stored at our club storage in the TCCBC and with the club secretary. We use Bridgewebs as our data processor for this purpose. Any information that is stored remotely is stored in compliance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant laws and regulations?

We do not have a statutory requirement to have a Data Protection Officer under GDPR. Our Club Secretary is responsible for ensuring Cypress Bridge Club discharges its obligations under the GDPR.

Who has access to your data?

Members of the committee of Cypress Bridge Club have access to members’ data in order for them to carry out their legitimate tasks for the Club and CBAI. 

What is the legal basis for collecting this data?

Cypress Bridge Club collects personal data necessary for the purposes of its legitimate activities as a membership organisation and participant in the internationally recognised and regulated game of bridge.

For some data, such as that relating to payment of membership fees or for club organised events, the basis for its collection and retention is to comply with our legal obligations.

How you can check what data we have about you?

Under Article 15 of the GDPR, you have a right to obtain a copy of any information relating to you kept on computer or in a structured manual filing system or intended for such a system. You can write to the Club Secretary and request, under the GDPR, a copy of the personal data the club holds in relation to you. You may be asked to provide evidence of your identity to ensure that personal information is not given to the wrong person.

 Does Cypress Bridge Club collect any “special” data?

The GDPR refers to sensitive personal data as “special categories of personal data”.  

In general, Cypress Bridge Club does not collect any special category of personal data. The only exception is where we record disabilities of members who have requested that we do so for the purpose of giving them stationary positions in our competitions.

How can you ask for data to be removed, limited or corrected?

There are various ways in which you can limit how your data is used. 

• You may maintain your club membership with limited contact details. However, we do need to have at least one method of contacting you.
• You may choose not to receive information WhatsApp messages from Cypress Bridge Club.
• Any of these options can be implemented for your club membership by contacting the Club Secretary.

How long we keep your data for and why?

We normally keep members’ data after they resign or their membership lapses in case they wish to re-join later. However, we will delete any former member’s contact details entirely on request.

Statistical data, like scores from bridge games, continues to be necessary in relation to the purpose for which it was originally collected. Results from events used for the Master Points Scheme are not deleted  by Cypress Bridge Club or CBAI although they will no longer be attributed to a player who does not want their data to be kept.

Historical ranking lists and prize lists are required for archiving purposes and names cannot be removed from them.