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Directors | Convenors | Table Duties | Club Etiquette

Directors responsibilities and information for running bridge session.

Hopefully you know most of this but just as a reminder below is what should happen over a normal night bridge session at the club.
These notes assume that you are familiar with using the Computer system. If you are not please ensure that you have checked in with and have the support from someone that is.
  1. The building should be open by grade director or convenor prior to the game.
  2. The cards should be already dealt (normally a set of 30) and available in the office with session date to identify. The Director is responsible for deciding the amount of boards to be played and the movement, ensuring correct boards are available. Directors will decide depending on table numbers and speed of play the number of boards that will be used for any particular session.
  3. Players are to be seated by 7.25pm so you can work out table numbers and set up table movement in Scorer programme – this timing is not always possible so check if there are missing individuals and that they are definitely arriving before setting up movements in bridge programme . It is difficult to alter if you have set up in anticipation of someone turning up and they subsequently don’t.
  4. Turn on the Computer and set up for the session once everyone is seated. This is a shared role with the Convenor and those running the Computer.
  5. Make sure all tables are set up with resources including tablets, boards, baskets and table number (this will be done by the convenor and support people). Treasurer will have collected the money / green tokens.
  6. Turn on the clock and set it for the time required.
  7. The President, Convenor or Vice President should make announcements at 7.25pm.
  8. The normal process once table numbers and movement is known is to hand out boards by 7.30 to get play started.
  9. You can hand out bridge tablets earlier but they will not work until setup is complete and finally activate wireless connection.
  10. Start the clock. You need to keep on top of time and keep players moving – there are inevitably some slow players that need to be encouraged along and if necessary the possibility (or actual) of play of the hand at the end of the session or penalty (on very rare occasions) may be applied – note it is often helpful to say to late pairs at the start of a round that if they have not started the last board of the round then they will have to play that board at the end of the session. That makes both pairs responsible for catching up, so if they play slow they have in fact decided to take the play later option.
  11. Deal with all queries in a polite relaxed manner and as speedily as possible. Remember a polite Director, Please will bring a friendly face and a wealth of knowledge to help your game run smoothly.

Convenors responsibilities and information for running bridge session.

  1. The Convenor's role is to ensure optimum bridge playing conditions and enjoyment for club members Communication. Announce notices to club members in absence of President or Deputy President.
  2. Liaise and assist the Director prior to commencement of play regarding eligibility of players.
  3. Advise President of any additional notices or reminders needed from conveynor.
  4. Monitor player attendance and follow up non attendees.
  5. Encourage members to play in their respective session of competition' play. If you become aware a person wanting to play (or playing) in a session where they may not be eligible to play, check the “Competition Rules” then advise the player accordingly.
  6. Keep a list of players without partners who are available to substitute for pairs / rounds in the book.
  7. Notify the President of new members and assist new members to integrate into the club.
  8. Check table containers prior to session to ensure they contain the following: 4 pens Bidding pad, (use sponsored pads) 2 “STOP” cards Table number and tablet.
  9. Place ‘Seating Rights’ Slips on tables when requested with reasoning.
  10. Liaise and assist the Director prior to the commencement of play regarding the movement/table layout he/she wishes.
  11. Visitors and substitutes are welcome to play on any night. Call-ins for standard nights and Championship nights are at the discretion of the Convenor. (Visitors should be of the appropriate standard and pay table money)

Table Duties

NORTH
Checks that the boards are in the correct angle and placed correctly on the table. Once played he/she places the board on the stool. At the end of play empty the rubbish into the bin and stack the bin.
 
SOUTH
Enters the table number, checks SOUTH, EAST, NORTH & WEST have entered correct NZB
numbers, enters the score and lead for all boards played and ensures that EAST checks and
confirms the entries.
 
EAST
Checks that all details are entered correctly and confirms the score. Clears and tidies the table at end of play including baskets, tablets and boards.
 
WEST
Is responsible for moving the played boards they have just played at the next table and placing them on the table they have just left in front of NORTH. Clears and tidies the table at end of play including baskets, tablets and boards.

Club Etiquette

Hawera Bridge Club is committed to providing their members and guests a warm and friendly environment for playing bridge and, as a result, have zero tolerance for any behaviour which may interfere with enjoyment of the game.
 
We expect players to be courteous at all times, and to behave in a manner that makes bridge enjoyable. Please ensure that you:
  • toss to determine seating. The winner sits North / South
  • welcome people to the table
  • be a good host or guest at the table
  • give credit when opponents make a good bid or play
  • place the lead card face down until your partner has checked it is correct for you to lead and said thank you partner
  • declare the number of cards in your partner's 1 club opening i.e. 2 or more
  • declare the number of points in your partner's 1NT opening i.e. 16 to 18
  • alert any unusual bids so that your opponents have the opportunity to ask for clarification

Please avoid:
  • continuing to discuss cards or play from previous boards, remember your opponents may not have played these yet
  • making corrections to irregularities without calling the director
  • calling with special emphasis, inflection or intonation
  • passing or doubling with exceptional haste or reluctance
  • making a call with undue delay which may result in conveying improper information to partner
  • indicating by facial expression or in any way showing approval or disapproval of partner's bidding or play
  • giving by word, manner or gesture an indication of the hand held. If you do this, partner must act as though you did not
  • taking advantage of unauthorised information as to an incident of the auction or play
  • volunteering information which should be given only in response to a question
  • attracting attention to number of tricks won
  • playing a card with special emphasis or playing a card with undue delay when it does not need consideration
  • detaching a card from your hand before it is your turn to play or lead, or detaching a card and then replacing it
  • indicating the expectation or intention of winning or losing a trick that has not been completed
  • remarks or mannerisms which indicate the type of hand or which could deceive the opponents
  • dummy must not touch a card from his/her hand or suggest a card be played unless directed to do so by the declarer
  • declarer must not play from dummy before left hand opponent has played
  • if your partner hesitates for an unduly long period before passing, it is quite improper for you to make a bid, unless your hand justifies doing so
  • if your partner forgets an agreement, do not say or do anything during the auction
  • that players refrain from checking the makeable tricks / deal or discussing a board when they are already late for the next table.