An Overview of Special Events at MBC

The special events at the clubhouse can be mostly broken down into four categories: club managed special events, qualifying events for state competitions, qualifying events for national competitions and regional events.  These special events are highlighted in the calendar: MBC managed special events are blue, state level events are red, national level events are gold and interstate and regional events are purple.  Some additional regional events are included in our calendar for information only, these are shown as grey.  Looking at the year, April is usually the busiest month for special events (9) followed by October (6).

Registration

For some events you are required to register in order to play in the event.  There are a few reasons why we might need people to register: 

• Because we need to make sure that we have an even number of pairs (eg Swiss Pairs events)
• For catering purposes (eg Ros Simpson)
• To assist the director in setting up the event (eg Club Classic and Rookie Pairs)
• To provide numbers to other clubs who are hosting interclub events (eg Interclub with Batemans Bay)

All events which require registration will have a sign up sheet on the notice board at the clubhouse.  To register you either register online via our website, or you can enter your pair or team members names on the sign-up sheet.
NOTE: in the event overviews below, unless stated otherwise you do NOT need to register for an event.

Honour Boards

Excluding the club presidents, there are ten honour boards adorning the walls of the clubhouse.  With the exception of the Ruth Lumbers Trophy, the honour boards are inscribed with the names of the winning pair for that event each year.  The history of each honour board, and the names of all recipients can be found on our website

Club-Managed Special Events

Red Masterpoint (Grade B4c) Events

Each year, the NSW Bridge Association (NSWBA) allocates us a number of red masterpoints which we can use for special events. (refer secion B3.1 of https://www.nswba.com.au/handbook/docs/Club_Masterpoint_Secretary_Handbook.pdf).  In 2024, we were allocated red masterpoints for twelve sessions.  It is completely at our discretion how we will use these masterpoints (MPs):
Typically we run four seasonal events (summer, autumn etc) each having two sessions. You dont need to play both sessions of an event, though you may be eligible for additional MPs if you do;  and in 2024 we have also scheduled two Swiss Pairs events each of two sessions (ie 4 sessions in total) for which you DO need to register if you intend to play.

Club Championships (Green MPs)

In October we run the club championships for Open, Intermediate (<300MPs) and Novice (<50MPs) divisions - with MPs as determined at the end of the prior month.  These championships are run over four sessions, with the winner in each division being the eligible pair with the highest aggregate score over the four sessions. You are allowed two substitutes per pair
In November we run the club championships for Classic (<15MPs) and Rookie (<5MPs) divisions.  This event is usually played on a Saturday in parallel with the regular Saturday session. This competition commenced in 2023. You need to register for this event. There are honour boards for each of the championship divisions

President's Trophy (Green MPs)

This event is usually scheduled in March, and is by invitation only.  The ten pairs with the highest winning percentage in a club game in the previous year (certain conditions apply) are invited to compete for the trophy.

Ros Simpson Trophy (Green MPs)

Usually played in November, players are assigned partners on the day, with less experienced players being partnered with the more experienced.  A standard system card is provided as also is lunch :)  You DO need to register for this event. This proved to be one of the most successful events in the 2023 calendar and as such ...

Pro-Am Events (Green MPs)

In 2024 we introduced a new event, the Pro-Am.  The format is exactly the same as the Ros Simpson Trophy - without the trophy.  Three of these events are run throughout the year.

Qualifying Events - State

State (Country) Teams (Red MPs)

As with all of the qualifying events - everyone is welcome to play regardless of whether you are trying to qualify for the championship or not and you can play in as few or as many sessions as you wish. This event is run over four sessions, usually in Feb/Mar. The format is different to most other events as the movement is similar to a Swiss Pairs event

State (Country) Mixed Pairs (Red MPs)

Everyone is welcome to play regardless of whether you are trying to qualify for the championship or not, and you can play in as few or as many sessions as you wish.  This event is run over four sesions, usually in April. Wherever possible, it would be great to see people competing as mixed pairs - we know that this is not possible given that about two-thirds of the club are women - but please try.

State (Country) Pairs (Red MPs)

Everyone is welcome to play regardless of whether you are trying to qualify for the championship or not, and you can play in as few or as many sessions as you wish.  This event is run over four sesions, usually in June.

State Wide Pairs (Green MPs)

Not a qualifying event per se.  The State Wide Pairs is usually played early August.  This is a state managed competition where every competing club plays the same hands and the results are compared state wide.  We also compete in two similar style events: the Australia-Wide Novice Pairs (< 100MPs - May) and the Australia-Wide Open Pairs (August).  There is also an Australia-Wide Restricted Pairs (< 300 MPs) but this is usually run in October which is a busy month event wise

Qualifying Events - National

Grand National Open Teams Qualifying (Gold MPs)

This is the only national level event which is run as a club event. As with all of the qualifying events - everyone is welcome to play regardless of whether you are trying to qualify for the championship or not and you can play in as few or as many sessions as you wish. This event is run over five sessions, usually in April. The format is identical to the State (Country) Teams with the movement being similar to a Swiss Pairs event

Regional Events

InterClub Swiss Pairs (Red MPs)

There are two interclub swiss pairs with the first being played at Batemans Bay and the second played here at Mollymook.  Batemans Bay, Moruya, Malua Bay and Milton clubs are all invited to send players to compete.  These are all day events with lunch provided.  You need to register to play in these events.

Ruth Lumbers Trophy (Red MPs)

A Swiss Pairs event.  Players from Nowra, Moruya, Batemans Bay and Mollymook are invited to compete.  Winning club is inscribed on the honour board.

Other Regional Events

A number of other regional events are included in the calendar for information only.  These are highlighted in grey.