SpadeHeart 
 DiamondClub
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The Thursday evening BBO pairs for all local players will continue for the foreseeable future.

Release 2.19r
Competition Descriptions
The Herefordshire Bridge Association organises a programme of competitions than run from September to June each year.
All events are open to full and dual members of the County Association unless otherwise specified.
Apart from the Restricted Events, all bidding systems as defined by the EBU in their Orange book are allowed, including level 4.
 
 
  Ace of Spades (for Ace of Spades Trophy)
A pairs competition, limited to players with Master Point ranking below Advanced Master (less than 7,500 points).
Bidding systems limited to Standard English or Modern Acol.
It is a single session event playing no more than 26 boards.

This competition has restrictions on entry in the form of Master Point ranking and the bidding systems allowed, and is therefore particularly suited to the less experienced player, but all players still require convention cards.
Entry by non-EBU members is at the discretion of the host club.
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  No Fear Teams (for the Queenswood Trophy)

The No Fear Teams is a single session ‘teams of 4’ competition.This competition is intended for players with little or no experience of bridge competitions outside of their bridge club. As such there are restrictions to entry based on Master Points and National Grading Scheme (NGS). Each partnership in a team must have an average NGS ranking of 9 or less (that is a combined NGS grade that does not exceed 106%) and only one player in a team can have a master point ranking of Regional Master or higher.  Like all HBA restricted events, non-EBU members and members of other counties are invited to enter (with no dual membership fee). The organisers reserve the right not to accept entries from teams deemed not to conform to the spirit of the event. Bidding systems are limited to level 2.

.This event requires a minimum of six teams.

This competition has restrictions on entry in the form of ranking and the bidding systems allowed, and is therefore particularly suited to the less experienced player, but all players still require convention cards. The relevant ranking is as at the start of the month in which the event is held.

 

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  Next Step Pairs (for the Woolhope Cup)
A pairs competition limited to players with Master Point ranking of 1* Master and below (less than 15,000 points). EBU Level 2 systems are allowed. This is a single session event.

This competition has restrictions on entry in the form of Master Point ranking and the bidding systems allowed, and is therefore particularly suited to the less experienced player, but all players still require convention cards.
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  National Pairs Qualifier
This is a qualifying heat of a National event, and attracts Green Points. It will be played at one of the local clubs on a club night. Depending on the total entry, 2 or more of the leading pairs will be invited to go on to the Regional Final.
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  Mixed Pairs (for the Ray Paul Salver)
This will be played as a single session event. All mixed pairs are eligible regardless of ranking.
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  Championship Pairs (for the Inco Alloys Bowl)
This is the County’s premier pairs event for FULL and DUAL members of the HBA. Green Points are awarded to the leading pairs.
Expect to play up to 52 boards depending on the number of entries.
The County Association will invite up to three of the leading pairs of FULL HBA members to represent the county in the Corwen Trophy.
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  Club Teams of 8 (for the Chadd Shield)
This is a local qualifying heat of a National event. Each Club may enter one or more teams of eight. Clubs are responsible for the entries for this, so if you are interested, let your club know! The winning Club then sends a team to represent Herefordshire in the Regional heat of the National competition for the Garden Cities Trophy.
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  Avocet Cup

This is now normally an all-play-all "two session" multiple teams event with total imps scoring. The minimum entry is 5 teams.

If the number of teams makes all-play-all impractical, then it is run as a Swiss Teams.

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  Ladies Pairs (for the Lambe Corner Salver)

A pairs event with the obvious restriction! The Men's and Ladies Pairs are played at the same time with the same boards. If either event has eight or less pairs, the events should be run as a combined movement. For a combined movement to be acceptable, it must be all play all with an equal number of boards against each opponent.

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  Men's Pairs (for the Country Gentleman's Association Trophy)

A pairs event with the obvious restriction! The Men's and Ladies Pairs are played at the same time with the same boards. If either event has eight or less pairs, the events should be run as a combined movement. For a combined movement to be acceptable, it must be all play all with an equal number of boards against each opponent.

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  Inter Club Teams of 4 (for the Dinedor Shield)
Entry to this competition is made by your Club. The competition takes place over 4 or 5 sessions at  Ledbury. Clubs may enter one or more teams, but should ensure that they have enough players available to cover absences, as they will be expected to provide the full number of teams for every session. Teams will probably vary in composition and players may only represent one club, although they can play for any of that club’s teams. To facilitate the organisation, each club should provide a named contact to take responsibility for all the club’s teams.
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  In House League
Open Division 1 playing for the Portman Building Society Trophy
Open Division 2 playing for the HCCBA Cup
Restricted SE Division playing for the Cotterell Cup

Open to FULL and DUAL members of the HBA.  The winners of division 1 are invited to represent the county in the EBU competition for the Pachabo Cup. Please note that only FULL members of the HBA are eligible to represent the county in the Pachabo.
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  County Teams Knockout (for the C&G Trophy and the KO plate)
This is a Green Point competition, for FULL and DUAL members of the HBA.  

The draw for this competition followed by play of the first round will take place at a central venue.

Subsequent rounds are played ‘in-house’.

The winners of the first round go on to compete for the cup, whilst the losers are automatically entered for the plate. 
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