The Special Doubles section of a Convention Card (CC), when properly completed, is meant to inform your opponents about your partnership understandings, primarily when you act as the Overcaller (i.e. directly after the opener). 

The most common understanding is that, when you double in the Overcallerposition with less thana Strong Hand, defined as one having at least 15 HCP (or 14 HCP if the total of the two longest suits equals 10), you must have at least 3-card support in the remaining 3 suits. 

If you do not havesaid 3-card support, you must:

• mark your CC to show that you play Minimum OffshapeTake-Out(MOTO) doubles, or 
• be prepared to have the game director rule against you, if your opponents are harmed.

For your own protection, please make sure you and your partner have completed your CC properly. Also, be prepared to alert other non-standard conventions like Equal Level Conversion (ELC) doubles, if applicable.

Our directors will be regularly checking your CC from this point in time. While rare, unexpected deviations from announced understandings are tolerated, repeated deviations will not be.

There are several types of tournaments in the bridge world. Locally we hold sectional events three times a year as in the Pine Cone, Camellia Classic and Beaufort tournaments. Beginning February 2020 we will hold an annual Hilton Head Regional tournament (previously held every other year). At the national level there are three tournaments a year to look forward to. 

Our club will initiate monthly communications regarding qualifying events for the North American Pairs. A highly prestigious “grassroots” event, the North American Pairs starts at the club level in June, July, and August. Club-level qualifications may be earned at any club in any unit in any district. A player may qualify as often as desired and with as many different partners as desired. 

The June qualifying events at our club are at every pairs game the first two weeks in June. We are hoping to qualify as many players as possible especially in Flight C (0-500 Non-Life Masters) during these club games. About 40% of the playing field will qualify for the next step. Once you qualify, what comes next? The next steps are playoff games at the district level. Flights  A and B qualifying pairs will compete to the next step in Spartanburg November 23-24. 
 

But we have something very special for Flight C players. Our club is very excited to have our first opportunity to host the playoff game for District 7 at Hilton Head! During the Camellia Classic Sectional this November, our Flight C qualifying pairs can play to win the District level prize. $900 per person will be awarded to the winners for use at the national event in Columbus, Ohio. Gold points will be awarded to top players. 

Our club will also host qualifying events in July (15-27)  and August (5-12)  and we plan to remind you monthly about participating in these events. 

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Camellia Classic Sectional Tournament to be held November 8-10.

Additional information about the NABC event can be found at the ACBL website under special events. 

www.acbl.org/clubs_page/special-events/special-events-information/#nap

Sandy Ritchey
Cell Phone: 614-975-7645
Email: sandyoh3786@roadrunner.com
HHI Club Phone: 843-342-7529

Gerard Gardner
Email: gerardgardner@mac.com