• One of the aims of the Club is to ensure all members enjoy their bridge equally.
• There are many reasons why the pace of play is different for different members. However, persistently slow play can make a session less enjoyable for some of us.
• A 24-board movement should take 3 hours. Therefore, on a Monday, play should start at 6.30 pm and finish no later than 9.30 pm and, on a Wednesday, play should start at 1.15 pm and finish no later than 4.15 pm.
• If the Director has asked you to move to the next round, and you have not yet started playing the last board of the round, the Director can ask you not to play that board. If this happens, you should record the board as not played on the Bridgemate by entering a zero where you would normally enter the contract. (The Director has the power to amend your score for that board at the end of the session, if he or she feels it is appropriate.)
• Hands in play will continue to be allowed to finish as normal.

There are a number of ways you can help the Director to ensure the session finishes on time.

1. A prompt start: please be seated at least 10 minutes before play is due to start; this enables the Director and Scorer to see how many pairs there are, and thus put the correct movement into ScoreBridge and activate the BridgeMates
2. Prioritise playing the hands and keeping things moving: this includes when moving tables, getting refreshments and entering information into the Bridgemates
3. Discussions about hands/previous scores: these should only take place (quietly!) if you have finished all of the hands for that round and the TD has not yet asked you to move to the next round.
4. Let the Directors do their job: disparaging comments about other members' pace of play are not helpful
5. Be polite: there are sometimes situations requiring more thought; if you do need more time to think, in bidding or play, a brief apology to your opponents can go a long way (and reassure them that you have not just nodded off!)