Music City Regional. Welcome Edition & general Info. I/N Column. Welcome to Music City. Novice & Intermediate Dinner

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Music City Regional Welcome Edition & general Info Welcome to Music City We are proud to welcome you to the third of four regional tournaments Nashville is hosting over a four-year period.

1 Music City Regional Welcome Edition & general Info Welcome to Music City We are proud to welcome you to the third of four regional tournaments Nashville is hosting over a four-year period. Nashville is known for its hospitality, and we hope you will experience it firsthand at the Music City Regional Tournament this week. Our daily bridge schedule includes something for players of all experience levels. The Intermediate/Novice program includes celebrity speakers on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and a special reception on Tuesday evening. In addition to great bridge, Nashville has many things to offer from an entertainment standpoint: the Grand Ole Opry, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Parthenon, the General Jackson Showboat, the Country Music Hall of Fame, just to name a few. If you want to take a break from bridge, the nice folks at the Maxwell House front desk can point you in the right direction. Also, the hotel has a free shuttle that will take you anywhere you want to go in a 5-mile radius of the hotel. I hope that the articles in the Daily Bulletin will answer your questions fully, but if you need additional information, please don t hesitate to ask one of our many tournament volunteers. You ll find them at the Partnership, Registration or Prize Desks. Of course, you can also ask to speak to one of the Tournament Co-chairs, Coley McGinnis or me. Your feedback is welcome. My very best wishes to all of you for a great tournament and safe travels home. Mary Margaret Hamlett Co-Chair, Music City Regional Partnerships If you need a partner or team mates, the desk will open one hour before each session. Plan to arrive early to facilitate the opportunity for best service. It is the intent to have all matches made and to close the desk promptly 10 minutes before game time. Registration Be sure to visit the registration desk. There, you will receive one of handy dandy registration gifts. Also, you can get information about restaurants and other points of interest. Registration will be open 1 hour before each session for 45 minutes. I/N Column Novice & Intermediate Dinner All 299ers: please join us for a great dinner being held in your honor on Tuesday from 5 to 6 PM in the International Room on the 1st floor of the hotel. The menu features barbecue pork and chicken sandwiches along with coleslaw, baked beans and drinks. This is a great way to meet and greet some of your hosts along with other up and coming players at this tournament. How Do I Win Gold? Most everyone in this game hopes to one day achieve the rank of Life Master. While it is easy to know that you must play in a regional or national event to get gold points, many newer players can be less clear about which events actually award gold points. Following is the scoop: Gold points are awarded for overall winners and section tops in regional events of at least two sessions. The upper masterpoint limit must be at least 750 masterpoints and applies only to the top two stratifications of stratified or stratiflighted events. In open-bracketed events (such as a bracketed knockout team), each bracket will award some percentage of the overall award as gold, irrespective of the masterpoint holding of the teams in that bracket. At this tournament, placing in these events qualifies for gold points: All brackets of the open bracketed KOs and compact KOs (although some of the lower brackets will award only a percentage in gold, depending upon the average masterpoints of the players in the bracket). Gold is awarded to those teams that place overall (2 to 4 places). The top two stratifications (A/X & B) of stratified or stratiflighted pair events. Gold is awarded for either placing overall or for a section top. The top stratification of the pairs and Swiss teams. The side series (which are likely the most confusing). These consist of 5 or 6 sessions during the week. You do not have to play in all of the sessions. As long as you play in at least two sessions, you have a chance for gold in either flight A or B (C does NOT qualify). It is awarded for either placing overall or for a section top. You may play in as many sessions as you wish. If you play in more than two sessions of a given series, your two best

2 sessions count toward your final placement in that series. The top two stratifications (A/X & B) of stratiflighted team events (Sunday). Gold is awarded for placing overall. Monday s Schedule 1:30 Win an Entry Open Pairs (Single session) Both Events in the Ballroom If your winnings do not qualify for gold, you will receive red points. These events DO NOT qualify for gold: All single-session events or if you play only one session of a side series. Overall placements below flights A & B of two-session pair or team events. Match awards earned in team events or section awards earned in pair events without placing overall in Flights A or B. New Life Masters If you achieve the Life Master rank at this tournament, we would like to share that news with everyone. Please let us know at the registration desk or ask someone to point out Patrick Williams. He would like to take your picture as well. Speakers Program Local expert and professional player, Chuck Said, had arranged for a super line up of national and international caliber players, including Eric Rodwell, Jeff Meckstroth and Chris Compton, to headline our speakers program. However, unforeseen circumstances caused the cancelation of their plans to attend our tournament. Fortunately, Nashville is home to many expert players, and they will fill the breach. The program will kick off Wednesday evening with a question and answer period hosted by Chuck Said. On Thursday, Mike Cappelletti will discuss the Cappelletti convention. Friday s presentation will be hosted by Linda Hanson and Coley McGinnis. A mystery guest will cap off the program on Saturday. Stay tuned. Info for all Location of Events Our play this week is distributed among three playing areas. However, each venue will generally accommodate the same type of events throughout the week as follows: Ballroom Pairs & board-a-match teams KO & Swiss teams At peak attendance periods, we will also use Forum E, which is near the downstairs ballroom, to house 299er and side pairs. This is the plan going into the tournament, but it is subject to change, so watch for signs and notices in the daily schedule published in the bulletin. Food & Refreshments The hotel is providing a la cart refreshment and food service before and during each session. The service area is located outside both the downstairs and upstairs playing areas. 7:00 Guitar Bracketed KO (up to 4 sessions ends Tues) Ryman Side Series (1 of 6 each evening) Pair Events in the Ballroom 10:30 Hospitality Ice Cream Bars Downstairs Tuesday s Schedule 9:30 Country Music Compact KO (ends Wed AM) Grand Ole Opry Side Series (1 of 6 each AM) Sunrise Pair Events in Ballroom 1:30 Banjo Bracketed KO (up to 4 sessions ends Wed) Stratiflighted Open Pairs (2 nd 7:00) Titans Strat GOLD Point Pairs (2 nd session at 7:00) Parthenon Side Series (1 of 5 each afternoon) Above 3 in Ballroom Forum E 7:00 Stratified Swiss Teams (single session) Ryman Side Series (2 of 6 each evening) Pair Events in Ballroom 10:30 Hospitality Veggies & Dip Downstairs Cell Phones By now, we all know the drill: the only proper setting is OFF!!! If you have special needs, please check with a director for assistance. Don t forget now, ya hear? Convention Cards Each partnership is required to have two identical convention cards. Your opponents are entitled to this information. Please do not needlessly subject yourself to penalties by failing to comply. Smoking Policy This is a non-smoking tournament and a nonsmoking hotel. Please smoke in areas outside the building and away from doorways. Daily Bulletin Articles If you want to submit a story, pointer or anecdote to the bulletin, we would welcome it. There will be plenty of bridge brilliances this week that demonstrate outstanding bidding play or defense. But we would especially welcome instances that display good sportsmanship or hospitality. Please see Patrick Williams or drop it off at the registration desk. Be Kind and Friendly We are all in close proximity this week. Greet your opponents with a smile and leave them that way.

as in the playing area before and after each session. The ultimate purpose of the Zero Tolerance policy is to create a more pleasant atmosphere in our games.

3 ACBL Zero-Tolerance Policy The ACBL Board of Directors and Management are committed to improving acceptable player behavior at all times. In accordance with Laws 74, 80F, 81C4, 90A, 91, and 92A (Laws of Duplicate Bridge) the following policy outlines what is expected of all players during NABCs and other ACBL sponsored events, as well as in the playing area before and after each session. The ultimate purpose of the Zero Tolerance policy is to create a more pleasant atmosphere in our games. We are attempting to eradicate unacceptable behavior in order to make the game of bridge more enjoyable for all. Below are some examples of commendable behavior, which, while not required, will significantly contribute to the improved atmosphere: Being a good 'host' or 'guest' at the table. Greeting others in a friendly manner Praising the bidding and/or play of the opponents Having two clearly-completed convention cards readily available to the opponents (This one is a regulation, not just a nicety.) The following list provides some examples of behavior which will not be tolerated: Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, intimidation, profanity, threats, or violence. Negative comments concerning opponents' or partner's play or bidding. Constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table. Loud and disruptive arguing with a director's ruling. Gloating over good results. If a player at the table behaves in an unacceptable manner, the director should be called immediately. Annoying behavior, embarrassing remarks, or any other conduct which might interfere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A. Law 91A gives the director the authority to assess disciplinary penalties. Also, if you have occasion to applaud particularly outstanding or refreshing behavior, feel free to report that on a player memo form, which is available from any director. Full Disclosure A major tenet of active ethics is the principle of full disclosure. This means that all information available to your partnership must be made available to your opponents. Let's take a look at weak two bids from the point of view of full disclosure. When an established partnership opens a weak two bid, they have a great deal of information of which their opponents are not aware. The convention card discloses the point range, but little else. However, the partners are aware of the range of hands on which the bid can be made (discipline?; suit quality requirements?; five-or-seven card suits allowed?; side four-card major ok?; void ok?; positional variations?; etc). Full disclosure requires that all these inferences, restrictions and tendencies be made known to any opponent who inquires about their style. If you are interested in knowing these things about your opponent's bid, merely say to the bidder's partner, "Would you tell me more about your style?" You may use the style inquiry' to ask about any call your opponent makes. The actively ethical player will often go beyond what is technically required in volunteering information to the opponents. Quite often, the declaring side in an actively ethical partnership will volunteer such information before the opening lead is made. (But remember, when there has been misinformation given, such as a failure to alert or a mis-alert, there is a LEGAL obligation on the player whose partner misinformed the opponents. He, the bidder, must give the opponents the correct information at the end of the auction if his side is the declaring side or at the end of the play if his side is defending.) New players or infrequent partnerships usually will not have understandings about the items discussed here, and, of course, it will be perfectly proper for them to reply, "We have no agreement as to style." Social Behavior Active ethics enables players to compete on equal terms. In addition, the actively ethical player contributes to the enjoyment of all players by continuously striving to maintain a courteous attitude toward both his opponents and his partner and by avoiding any behavior that would make anyone uncomfortable. These social attributes are VITAL to the game of bridge and duplicate bridge. Slow Play We Support Active Ethics There are four basic principles that comprise active ethics: 1. Full Disclosure 2. Social Behavior 3. Slow Play 4. Statement of Conventions Failure to finish on time can do a great deal to chase players away from the game and is extremely distressing to waiting players. Bridge is a timed event. If a pair takes more than their share of the allotted time for each round, they are inconveniencing their fellow competitors as well as gaining an unfair advantage over them. When a pair

has fallen behind it is incumbent on them to make up the time lost as quickly as possible whether at fault or not The actively ethical player makes a concerted effort to catch up when they have

4 has fallen behind it is incumbent on them to make up the time lost as quickly as possible whether at fault or not The actively ethical player makes a concerted effort to catch up when they have fallen behind, regardless of the reason for their lateness. All players are expected to develop this good habit. Remember: Slow play is subject to penalty, and the penalties are well earned when slow pairs disrupt the normal progression of the game. Additionally, players should be available to start each subsequent round promptly, avoiding wherever possible, being late to a table for non-bridge reasons. At the discretion of the TD, slow play penalties will be deemed to be either disciplinary (and unappealable) or procedural. If the latter, appeals committees should tend strongly to reject all routine appeals against slow play penalties. When they do deny such an appeal, they should consider imposing an additional penalty for a frivolous appeal. The burden is on the appellant to demonstrate that some unusual circumstance makes the penalty inappropriate. Statement of Conventions The latest version of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge defines a convention as a call that, by partnership agreement, conveys a meaning other than willingness to play in the denomination named (or in the last denomination named), or high-card strength or length (three cards or more) there. All ACBL events are "governed" by the appropriate convention chart which lists those conventions permitted in the event. Conventions not included on the chart are not permitted in the event. Part of the "right" to use a convention is the responsibility of deciding when it applies in probable auctions. The opponents may be entitled to redress if you did not originally have a clear understanding with your partner of when and how to use a convention you are playing. For example, a partnership that chooses to play conventional bids over opponents no trump opening bids is expected to have discussed at least the following: 1. Does it apply over strong no trumps? 2. Does it apply over weak no trumps? 3. Does it apply in the direct seat? 4. Does it apply in the balancing chair? 5. Does it apply when used by a passed hand? We all occasionally encounter situations where we are not sure what partner's bidding means. There exists an added responsibility if that uncertainty arises from a convention you and your partner have agreed to play. In these situations, you should tell your opponents all you know. Sometimes, the director will even ask you or your partner to step away from the table so that the opponents can talk openly with the remaining player. Actively ethical players do everything possible in these situations to bring their opponents back to even terms -- to remove any possible disadvantage accruing to them from their side's failure to have a complete conventional understanding. Honor Your Partner By Mark Horton Consider your partner to be a friend. Treat your partner well, even (especially) if you are playing together for the first time. Always offer your partner a drink tea or coffee is a good starting point. This will lead to a relaxed atmosphere, enabling you both to play your best. By the way, always be a pleasant and courteous opponent. Tolerate Errors. Never go on about your partner s mistakes just forget about them and move on to the next deal. You may be able to make a constructive comment at the end of the session. Your partner will surely show you the same consideration. Be Encouraging. Always be prepared to support your partner well played always goes down well and a thank you for the dummy does not go amiss. In one of my partnerships, if dummy was exactly as needed, mille grazie would let partner in on the good news! Keep a Straight Face. Never make the mistake of pulling a face or raising an eyebrow. Apart from hurting your partner s feelings, being deadpan does not let your opponents know that something may have gone wrong. Win or Lose, Always Stay Calm at the end of the session, and thank partner for the game. This is especially important if things have not gone so well. In my most successful international partnership, the first time we played together was absolutely hopeless, but we stuck with it. Coping With Disaster. The best way to cope with the inevitable disasters is to laugh them off. This tends to disconcert event the best opponents who are used to seeing their opponents argue. Conventions. Stick to the one you both feel comfortable with. A player trying to remember some convention he is not familiar with will make errors in other departments. I recently played in a tournament in the Netherlands with a strange partner. We would have won but for a couple of expensive mistakes when I forgot a couple of things because we were playing some conventions I was not familiar with. Who s The Boss? In most partnerships, one player tends to be regarded as the boss. If you are the stronger player, so out of your way to make life easier for your partner: make easy-to-understand bids, leads and signals. Don t land your partner in a tough contract well, not on purpose.

5 Have Fun! You are both out to enjoy yourselves. If your partner leaves the table feeling happy, you have done your job. Of course you want to win, but that objective should not mean spoiling the game for your partner or for the opponents. Mark Horton is an English bridge journalist who discussed How to be a good partner at a World Junior Bridge Camp in the Czech Republic. More Information & Conditions Director in Charge: Charlie MacCracken Knockouts Knockouts are bracketed based on the average masterpoint holding of all team members. This means that the directors need to know the TOTAL number of masterpoints of EVERYONE on your team in order to assign you to the correct bracket. Use the masterpoint total from your January Bulletin. You will need to fill out a bracketing slip prior to buying an entry. These are available at the selling station. It asks for the total masterpoints of your team, a captain s name and the total number of people on your team. Your will give this to the director when you buy your entry. Once the brackets have been drawn, it is too late to enter or withdraw a team. To receive an overall award, a player must play at least half of the boards his team plays, including half of the boards played in the (combined) semifinal and final matches. Otherwise, he receives the award earned in the last match won by his team of which he has played at least half of the boards. Example: A player plays the whole first match, sits out the whole second match, and plays half or all of the third match. If the team loses the third match, the player receives only a match award, not the points for tying for 3 rd /4 th overall. Compact knockout teams must be composed of exactly four members. Side Game Series Pairs The side game series will be held as three separate events: (1) morning (2) afternoon (3) evening. Within each series, you may play in as many sessions as you like and with different partners. Your best two individual sessions (not necessarily consecutive sessions) will be the ones counted for placement in the overall final standings. Bidding Boxes Bidding boxes are to be used in all events. All players must use them unless they have a sight problem or other physical handicap that contradicts their use. Non-ACBL Masterpoints & Inactive Masterpoints Players with non-acbl masterpoints or nonmembers who have earned ACBL masterpoints must declare them at the time of entry, which will allow these players to be placed in the correct flight, strata, or bracket based on the appropriate conversion factor. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and forfeiture of any masterpoints earned. Pets and Children These are not allowed in the playing area. Alerts All players have an obligation to disclose their agreements according to the procedures established by ACBL. When asked, a full explanation of the agreement must be provided. Stating the common or popular name of the convention is not sufficient. The opponents need not ask exactly the 'right' question. Any request for information should be the trigger. Opponents need only indicate the desire for information-all relevant disclosures should be given automatically. The proper way to ask for information is, 'Please Explain.' At the conclusion of the auction, if declarer or dummy is aware that partner has given misinformation to the opponents, he or she is required by law to correct the misinformation before the opening lead is made. Failure to do so may result in a procedural penalty as well as a score adjustment. A defender must announce the misinformation to his opponents at the conclusion of the play of the hand and the director should be summoned. Score Comparison Penalties No comparison of scores or discussion of results is permitted during the course of a session. Violation of this regulation carries an automatic penalty of one full board of the session in progress. Timing & Slow Play Players are normally allowed 7.5 minutes to bid and play each bridge hand. When a pair has fallen behind it is incumbent on them to make up the time lost as quickly as possible whether at fault or not. All players are expected to make a concerted effort to catch up when they have fallen behind, regardless of the reason for their lateness. Slow play, especially habitual slow play, is subject to penalty. Kibitzing 1.Barring Kibitzers-No player has the right to bar all kibitzers from his table, but each player has the right to bar one individual (excluding tournament officials, the recorder or his designee(s), or officially approved members of the press) from kibitzing play at his table during a session without assigning cause. (A traveling player may bar only one individual during a session without assigning cause). Any kibitzer may be barred for cause by the Tournament Director. 2.Kibitzing Team Members-A kibitzing team member must sit at least two tables away from each table of his/her team's match and may not kibitz at any table playing duplicated boards also being played by his/her team. Appeals "The appeal period of or for a Director's ruling expires one half hour after the completion of a session or the starting time of the next session, whichever is earlier."

A. General. American Contract Bridge League District Grand National Teams Conditions of Contest

A. General. American Contract Bridge League District Grand National Teams Conditions of Contest American Contract Bridge League District 18 2011-2012 Grand National Teams Conditions of Contest A. General 1. National Conditions: The Grand National Teams (GNT) 2011-2012 ACBL Special Conditions of Contest