Gold Coast Congress 2017 Information Manual

Transcription

1 Gold Coast Congress 2017 Information Manual This document is a guide that is updated annually to include each year s events Page 1

2 Table of Contents ACCOMMODATION... 6 ADVERTISING IN BULLETIN... 6 ADVERTISEMENTS... 6 AIR CONDITIONING PLAYER COMFORT... 6 ALERTS - SUMMARY... 7 APP GOLD COAST CONGRESS APP... 7 APPEALS ADVISORS... 8 APPEALS CHAIR... 8 BAR... 8 BBO... 8 BRIDGE MATES... 8 BRIDGE MATES II PLAYER NUMBERS FOR THE TEAMS... 8 BRIDGE VID... 9 BRIDGE WIDOWS... 9 BULLETIN... 9 BULLETIN DELIVERY BUS AND BUS TIMETABLE CADDY NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS CALENDAR CATEGORIES CELEBRITY SPEAKERS CHARITY 2017 ZEPHYR FOUNDATION CHOCOLATE FROGS CLOSING TIMES FOR ENTRIES FOR EVENTS COFFEE AND TEA COLOUR CODING FOR SECTIONS CONGRESS SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS CONTACTS FOR GCC STAFF CORRECTION OF SCORES COURTESY BUS COURTESY BUS - STOPS & ROUTE DATES FOR FUTURE YEARS DINNER DANCE DIRECTOR, CHIEF TOURNAMENT Page 2

3 DIRECTORS GET TOGETHER DISCOUNT ACCOMMODATION - YOUTH BRIDGE PLAYERS DISCOUNT ENTRY FEES - YOUTH BRIDGE PLAYERS DISCOUNT PERIOD FINISHING DAY DOCTOR DRAW FOR NEXT ROUND PAGE DRESS UP THEME DAY ELIGIBILITY ENTERING ENTRIES ENTRY FEES ENTRY FORM ENTRY ID EVENT INFORMATION AND ELIGIBILITY EVENTS FOR NOVICE PLAYERS FINALS INCLUDING TOP 4 AND SEMI FINALS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS GOLF HELP BEFORE PLAY HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AND KEEPING COSTS DOWN HOLIDAY WALK INS HOSPITALITY HOUSE TEAMS AND PAIRS INDIVIDUAL PLAYER RESULTS INTERMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY LATE ENTRIES IVY DAHLER BUTLER PAIRS, SERES MCMAHON SWISS MATCHPOINT PAIRS AND FRIDAY NOVICE PAIRS LOLLIES LUNCHES MASTERPOINTS NEW ZEALAND MASTERPOINT CONVERSION NO FRILLS WALK IN NOVICE ELIGIBILITY NOVICE EVENTS NOVICE AND ROOKIE ACTIVITIES ONSITE PERSONNEL Page 3

4 OPEN PAIRS PLAYOFF POINTS OVERSEAS ELIGIBILITY PARKING PARTNERSHIP REQUESTS PAYING AN ENTRY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN LODGED PAYMENT OPTIONS PENS PIANOLA SMART TOOLS FOR BRIDGE CLUBS PLAYER NUMBERS FOR THE TEAMS USING BRIDGEMATE II PLAYER QUALIFYING POINTS POLICY YOUTH DISCOUNT POLICY DINNER DANCE PQPs PLAYER QUALIFYING POINTS PRIZE MONEY PRIZE MONEY continued PRIZE MONEY continued PROBLEMS PROTECTED PAIRS PROGRAM 37 QUEENSLANDERS ONLY AWARD - RESTRICTED PAIRS RECORDERS REFERENCE NMBER REGULATIONS RESTRICTED ELIGIBLITY RESTRICTED PAIRS PRIZE QUEENSLANDER ONLY RESULTS & DRAW FOR NEXT ROUND WEB PAGE ROOKIE AND NOVICE LIASION OFFICERS , ROOKIE AND NOVICE COLOURS , ROOKIE AND NOVICE EVENTS , ROOKIE AND NOVICE HELP ROOKIE ELIGIBILITY ROOM SET UP COLOUR CODING SCORE BOOKLETS SCORING CORRECTION PERIODS SCORING CORRECTION PERIODS - continued SESSION TIMES Page 4

5 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES SPONSORS SPRING NATIONALS FREE ENTRY TO GCC - WINNERS STAFF PHOTOES STAFFING STARTING TIMES SUBSTITUTES SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS SYSTEMS AND SYSTEM CARDS TEA AND COFFEE TEACHING TEAM CATEGORIES THEME TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS TRANSPORT TRAVEL NOTICE BOARD TRIVIA NIGHT TROPHIES UNDER 50S ELIGIBILITY UNDER 50S HELP BEFORE PLAY UNIFORMS WALK INS AT THE GOLD COAST CONGRESS WEB RESULTS PAGE WEB DRAW FOR NEXT ROUND PAGE WEBSITE WHAT S NEW THIS YEAR WITHDRAWALS YOUTH, STUDENT & OTHER CONCESSIONAL ENTRY FEES ADVISE WHEN ENTERING YOUTH PLAYERS ACCOMMODATION ZEPHYR FOUNDATION (2017 GCC Charity) Page 5

6 ACCOMMODATION For accommodation enquiries, contact Connie Schoutrop P - (07) or E schoutrop@bigpond.com. Some accommodation options are listed on the GCC website: See also YOUTH BRIDGE ACCOMMODATION: We are offering youth accommodation at $15.00 per night contact Jessica Brake at jessicabrake@hotmail.com, , or via a Facebook message. Accommodation is limited. Please spread the word. ADVERTISING IN BULLETIN Events Any ABF event and any QBA Gold Point event held prior to June 30 th is allowed to have a free advertisement size is the Editors prerogative. All other ABF events will be published in the Coming Events Calendar. Strict deadlines must be adhered to. Deadlines set by Editor with Tournament Organiser s approval. ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements are $300 a page. The editor has the prerogative to negotiate with prospective advertisers regarding possible columns to be published in the Bulletins for advertising. AIR CONDITIONING PLAYER COMFORT There are approximately two thousand, five hundred players at the venue, ensuring the comfort of ALL players is a challenge. Over time the organisers have noticed that there are areas where it is particularly cold due to air pockets coming from the air conditioner. The room sometimes leaks from condensation due to the amount of air conditioning we are using. What you CAN do to improve your personal comfort level: as advertised in all communication, please bring a jumper; we have a supply of pashminas and wraps so please just ask a caddy who will bring it to you - we do ask -that you return these to the caddy at end of the session if it is obviously too cold for you and those around you please ask the caddy to report the table number and section to the Manager located in the Administrative Office, who will bring her trusted thermometer to see if it can be fixed or perhaps we can move the table. Page 6

7 ALERTS - SUMMARY PRE-ALERTS List your unusual or complex treatments in the pre-alerts section of the system card. For instance RCO 2s, Bergen raises, DONT Dbl vs 1NT, unusual carding (leading low from doubletons, etc). ANNOUNCEMENTS Announce the number of clubs contained in a 1 opening and the HCP range of a 1NT opening. Those playing a strong club system just need to announce 1 as Strong 16+. ALERTS DURING THE AUCTION Alert by circling partner s call and saying Alert but don t offer an explanation unless asked (then aim to be concise, yet complete). DON T ALERT: Any double or redouble Any call beyond 3NT, except a conventional opening bid A bid of a suit bid or shown by an opponent Any 2 response to a INT opening bid in an uncontested auction (e.g. Stayman) Any Jump Raise in a contested auction For our New Zealand players We do NOT use STOP Cards DO ALERT: All other conventional calls (such as Transfers, 2 =hearts and a minor) Unusual natural bids. These include: weak jump shift responses, pre-emptive jump raises (but only in uncontested auctions), inverted minors, canapé tendency, negative free bids, transfer accepts that deny four trumps, etc. At the end of the auction, the declaring side should mark any unusual calls that weren t alerted at the time. Do this with a plus sign (+). IF PARTNER STUFFS UP Declarer/Dummy: If partner fails to alert or provides a wrong or misleading explanation, you should wait until the end of the auction before calling the Director and correcting. Defenders: wait until the end of the hand before piping up. APP GOLD COAST CONGRESS APP Download the 2017 Gold Coast Congress App. On this APP you will be able to follow: Contact details, scores, photos, information, guest speakers and notifications. For the online version click on the appropriate logo iphone Store ipad Store Android Store: IF YOU HAVE LAST YEAR S APP, PRESS THE TOP LEFT TO UPDATE TO THIS YEAR Page 7

8 APPEALS ADVISORS Neville Francis, Richard Ward plus David Beauchamp for the teams only. The Director will guide you to the appropriate adviser APPEALS CHAIR Michael Wilkinson BAR Subject to patronage, the Bar, run by the Convention Centre, will be located outside the playing area and will be open 30 minutes before the end of all sessions. This is how it will start out but it will be the USE IT OR LOSE IT philosophy. BBO The BBO liaison is Ray Ellaway. Round of 4 will only be on BBO if staff is available. Open Final and Semis are always on BBO. If enough staff is available, Seniors to be on BBO. BRIDGE MATES If you have never used the Bridgemate Scoring Units we suggest you arrive a few minutes before your first session and ask a Director for a quick tutorial. We are confident that your opponents will also help you to use this user friendly technology. BRIDGE MATES II PLAYER NUMBERS FOR THE TEAMS During the team events, when you turn on the Bridgemates, you will be asked to enter your player numbers. This is NOT your ABF number. Each player in every team has been assigned a number. These will be found on the bright orange sheet which will be on your table at the start of play. NS at the home table should enter the player numbers for the players in your own team. The reason for this is that, if done correctly, the scoring team will produce a summary of the results for each pair in your team, comparing their results against the average score across your section on each board (the datum). These results have no official status and are just for your own interest. It is a service we are happy to be able to provide, but in order to take advantage of it, it is important that the player numbers are accurately entered each round. Our observations from recent years show that over 90% of teams sit in the same seats for the whole event. To simplify the process for entering player numbers for these teams, from Round 2 onwards if your team is sitting in the same seats as in Round 1, you may just enter 1 for all four players. The unit will display same as Round 1 as the player names and the system will correctly record the pairs. Page 8

9 BRIDGE VID is a new online video teaching website by Pete and Laura Hollands. Learn at your own pace, in your own time from wherever you are! Pete and Laura love to share their passion for the game by running a variety of play sessions, lessons and courses for players of all skill levels. The best part, it's video teaching so you can pause, rewind and access a great database of lessons to look at anytime. BRIDGE WIDOWS We offer hospitality for those partners who do not play bridge. We designed our Bridge Widows program so that these non- bridge players can meet, make friends, and find common interests like golf, fishing, shopping, walking or join our wonderful organised trips. The cost will be $10.00 per person. Details are as follows: Saturday 18 th 2.00pm 3.00pm Get together at unit 3204 Air on Broadbeach Tuesday 21 st 10.45am am Get together at unit 3204 Air on Broadbeach Tuesday 21 st 12.00pm 4.00pm Trip to Mount Tamborine Wednesday 22 nd 11.00am pm Expedition to Springbrook Thursday 23 rd 11.00am 4.00pm Trip to Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley art Centre Royal Pines (Ross Street Benowa) are offering a bridge player special of 18 holes including free balls for $89 - ring for bookings and quote (bridge club). We are receptive to any suggestions you may make, there may be somewhere that you would particularly like to go, please let us know, do not be shy, we so want to make this time enjoyable and memorable for you. We look forward to welcoming old friends and making new ones If you are interested in joining us, contact Gay Tully by bmmgtully@activ8.net.au or Therese Tully gttully@bigpond.net.au BULLETIN David Stern, Barry Rigal and Brent Manley are the Bulletin co-editors. The quality of the Bulletin is enhanced with contributions from players of all standards. Quality play, defence or bidding or humorous stories from the tournament or even general comments or criticisms are greatly appreciated. There are many ways to make a submission including: see a Bulletin Editor there is almost ALWAYS one at the venue at any given time phone or SMS the number on the header of the Daily Bulletin ( ) send an to the address on the header of the Daily Bulletin (gcb@thesterns.com.au) put a submission in the Bulletin Submission box opposite the Administration desk Page 9

10 BULLETIN DELIVERY The Gold Coast Congress Bulletin will be delivered to the front desk each morning between 8.00am and 9.15am Monday to Saturday mornings. If you are staying nearby, you are welcome to drop into any of these establishments and collect a copy. Otherwise, they will be available at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. They may keep them under the desk or out of sight if you can t see them there please ask. Air on Broadbeach Coffee Club Hi Ho Holiday Apartments Mantra Broadbeach on the Park Markham Court Starbucks Waves BUS AND BUS TIMETABLE Courtesy Buses are available to take you back and forth times and drop off points have been published and will be published throughout the convention centre. Talk to Bridge Administration Desk or Geoff or Bev and they will assist you. PLEASE DO NOT ASK BUS DRIVERS TO VARY THE COURSE THAT HAS BEEN ADVERTISED AS THEY WILL HAVE TO SAY NO. NO COURTESY BUS TO JUPITERS OR FRESHWATER - IF YOU ARE STAYING THERE CONTACT KIM AND SHE WILL ORGANISE SOMEONE TO PICK YOU UP. The bus service will commence one hour before the start of play for each session (but not walk-ins), picking up passengers at the listed stops in numerical order. Please hail the bus. They will have a sign Gold Coast Congress Bus in front left hand windscreen. Buses will also be available to ferry people only to restaurants in Broadbeach during meal breaks, and for pickup in time for commencement of play. Please remember this is a courtesy bus, primarily for those less capable of walking over to the Mall area. Buses will also be available at the end of each playing session, stopping again at indicated stops. Regrettably buses will not be available to take people to the dinner dance. Click here for the map of the bus route: Page 10

11 CADDY NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS Players are not allowed mobile phones. Staff are not allowed mobile phones and that means caddies are not allowed mobile phones for any reason. Caddies are not allowed to have ear phones in their ears for any reason as they need to be listening to caddy calls. A good caddy is one whose section never needs to call for a caddy as we like proactive caddies. A proactive caddy is one who recognises fast tables and rather than have them call you, you have boards ready to go on their table. The Office or Coffee Shop situated in the foyer will look after your phone if you are expecting urgent calls. Feel free to bring a book however don t get immersed into the book as a good caddy is a proactive caddy. Do not leave the floor for any reason without your floor manager being advised including coffee delivery, toilet visit or upon request from someone. The Floor Manager must know where you are at all times. Caddies can be seen but not heard. You must not speak to a player unless you are spoken to first. Do not disturb them even when delivering coffee unless the player says to interrupt. Clothing - caddy attire includes a purple shirt and it is to be worn during the bridge session. The shirt provided is to be handed in every night for washing and a different shirt will be issued the following day. It is strongly recommended that you wear long shorts/pants (rather than short skirt or dress) and enclosed shoes. Short shorts or skirts are not appropriate all clothing MUST be at least half way down the thigh. All caddies MUST wear covered in comfortable enclosed shoes throughout the whole week walking around in bare feet is not allowed thongs are not considered appropriate. Caddies will be sent home if they are dressed INAPPROPRIATELY. Hours - you will need to arrive half an hour before a session. Your allocated floor manager will advise of starting times. Sunday night (and some on Saturday) is the only evening that caddies work. Pay - caddying is not an hourly rate but instead you receive $55 per session. There are two sessions per day except Monday and the final Saturday unless instructed otherwise. Caddy bags - At the start of the event you will receive a caddy bag which carries what the players may need - system cards, pens and bidding pads. Spare Scoring Booklets for the Event you are caddying should be added to your bag. You will need to have your caddy bag with you throughout each session When you start the caddy bags will have the required stationery for the first event except scoring book. After that event it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct stationery for the players. Managers will explain what the stationery is for each event. Page 11

12 Distributing & picking up boards - Each caddy will be allocated a section and Floor Manager. Your job is to ensure players always have boards to play. Each event and there are many have different board allocation requirements. LISTEN TO YOUR FLOOR MANAGER as to distribution of boards. The numbers of the boards change but it is your job to hand them in the numerical order as instructed. IT IS VITAL THAT THE BOARDS GET HANDED OUT CORRECTLY. Once the players have finished with their boards you must go and pick up the boards and put them in the correct order in your boxes. A new round within a session cannot commence until all boards have been found. Caddy calls - A player will call for a caddy for three reasons (1) when they need a new board or (2) when they need something from your caddy bag or (3) when they need you to fill in as dummy (see elsewhere). When they ask for a new board it is your job to go and find the board they are after. Your Floor Manager will advise you as to where you can get boards from and listen to the players as they usually know which boards they want. Once the players have finished with the board that you have got for them, you will need to return it to the table you took it from. Smokers are looked after at events with caddys offering to be dummy whilst the smoker or perhaps its a toilet visit plays the cards. All you have to do is pull the card that the player nominates and turn it after the trick has been played. We will show you but this is part of the service of being a caddy. Director calls if you realise that the player who is calling for the director is not being heard, you can assist by standing next to the player and calling for the director yourself. There is always something to do so if you are bored and you have not brought reading materials, ask your floor manager for jobs. Drinks are in the Board Control Room and they are there for you if it is not abused. Once the stock has been depleted, there is no more. We generally do NOT invite caddies to the dinner dance HOWEVER if you wish to attend, please see me and if there is a vacancy, I am more than happy to give you a ticket but this will be at very late notice. On most days you will not have time to go home between the sessions to get something to eat and we do not supply meals on any of the days, please be prepared. There is a snack bar at the centre which can be costly. There are snack food stores across the way or please feel free to bring your own food. A fridge is located in the Board Control Room. The office has a microwave which you are welcome to use. Caddies usually come back for a second go so it is enjoyable especially if you do the right thing by your floor manager. Page 12

13 PLEASE NOTE DO NOT BRING ANY EXPENSIVE ITEMS ON TO THE PREMISES AS THERE IS NOWHERE TO STORE VALUABLES WHEN YOU ARE BUSY. THE MANAGER IS CONTACTABLE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CONGRESS. IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, THE MANAGER S NUMBER IS CALENDAR Fri 17 Feb Sat 18 Feb Sun 19 Feb Mon 20 Feb Tue 21 Feb Wed 22 Feb Thu 23 Feb Fri 24 Feb Sat 25 Feb Bobby Richman Pairs Championship Weekend Matchpoint Swiss Pairs Monday Butler Pairs Rookie Novice Pairs Rookie Novice Pairs Holiday Walk-in Holiday Walk-in Holiday Walk-in Holiday Walk-in Holiday Walk-in Holiday Walk-in Holiday Walkin Holiday Walk-in Teams Championship Teams Finals Open Teams Final Under 50MP Pairs Under 50MP Pairs Ivy Dahler Butler Pairs Seres McMahon Pairs Friday Novice Pairs Dinner dance CATEGORIES All teams should have nominated their categories when submitting their entry. Please check to see you are entered correctly into the various categories as once winners are announced no correspondence will be entered into. Page 13

14 CELEBRITY SPEAKERS The GCC Celebrity Speakers Seminars are held upstairs at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Rooms 10,11 & 12 opposite the bridge administration centre. Cost is $5 (Free entry to Youth Players) Proceeds will be given to ABF Friends of Youth Bridge Fund. Saturday 18 Feb pm Paul Marston Why you should play semi-forcing 1NT Paul Marston has won more than 50 open national titles and his books have sold more than 500,000 copies. He is talking about the semi-forcing no-trump, the cornerstone of the Two over One system. Paul will set out three unique benefits, explaining why it has become the method of choice for good players all around the world. Sunday 19 Feb am Sunday 19 Feb pm Monday 20 Feb am Ron Klinger Improve your defensive play Ron Klinger represented Australia in world championships in 1976, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1993, 2000 and He has published books and regularly contributes to newspapers and bridge magazines. His bridge holidays and teaching classes are legendary. Liam Milne How to improve as a bridge player - from intermediate to expert and beyond Liam Milne is a professional bridge player and teacher who finished 9th in the 2014 World Open Pairs. Since then he has represented Australia in the Bermuda Bowl, and in 2016 finished 1st or 2nd in 7 national events. Liam is a member of the ABF s Inter-national Player Performance Task Force. Andy Hung Which conventions? Andy Hung is a professional bridge player and teacher who has represented Australia at both Youth and Open competitions. Although he has won Australian National and State titles, he thoroughly enjoys teaching and coaching bridge (at all levels) and plans to be the next world's best bridge coach! Page 14

15 Tuesday 21 Feb am Sartaj Hans Almost famous: Story of my favourite hand Sartaj Hans is a professional bridge player, a frequent Australian Open team representative and winner of many national and international tournaments. Sartaj recently authored a highly acclaimed book, Battling the Best. Thursday 23 Feb am Joan Butts Five steps to overcome entry problems Joan Butts has represented Australia in world championships. Her passion is bridge education. She is the Australian Bridge Federation s (ABF) National Teaching Coordinator. In this capacity she trains teachers and arranges professional development programmes. Joan is also involved with bridge online. Thursday 23 Feb pm Kim Frazer The way forward: ABF initiatives for aspiring international and state level players. Kim Frazer is an Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion in shooting. In bridge, Kim has represented Victoria and written articles on the mental side of bridge. She is secretary of the VBA, a member of the ABF Management Committee and chairs the ABF s International-al Player Performance Task Force. Friday 24 Feb am Peter Hollands & Laura Ginnan Master manipulation. Learn how to make your opponents give you more tricks with basic endplay technique Peter Hollands and Laura Ginnan are Melbourne based professional bridge players. Pete is on the 2017 Australian Open team and will represent Australia in the Bermuda Bowl in Lyon. They are revolutionising the way bridge is taught through online video teaching from their website Bridge Vid Page 15

16 CHARITY 2017 ZEPHYR FOUNDATION Please see ZEPHYR FOUNDATION CHOCOLATE FROGS Thanks to the generosity of Jay Faranda we will again be giving out chocolate frogs to any player who displays notable courtesy, ethics or equanimity as well as the person who nominates the recipient. We are pleased to announce that the value of the frogs has been increased to $200 this year. The nominator of any recipient will also be awarded a chocolate frog for taking the time to make the nomination. Recipients and Nominators will only receive one frog per congress. We would like to publish the nominations, so a short note to the Bridge Administration Office would allow the Bulletin to make proper acknowledgement to the recipients. To encourage more such acts, the editor of the Gold Coast Bulletin has undertaken to sponsor additional chocolate frogs should the proposed supply run out. CLOSING TIMES FOR ENTRIES FOR EVENTS All events except Friday events (mentioned below) close 24 hours before the event starts. Friday events: Ivy Dahler Butler Pairs Thursday 12:00 noon Novice Swiss Pairs Thursday 12:00 noon Swiss McMahon Matchpoint Swiss Pairs Thursday 12:00 noon Any player making changes to their entries at the venue will be charged an administration fee of $10 per player. Ivy Dahler and Seres McMahon events : For those pairs in places First to Tenth after Round 11 in the Open Teams no additional administration late fee will be charged. COFFEE AND TEA As a service to participants the event will be operating a tea and coffee service. Coffee is made from freshly ground coffee beans with fresh milk and will cost $3.50 a cup (additional $2.50 for an extra shot) and cookies at $3.00 each. The service will start around 30 minutes before play and continue until late into the last session for the day. Please understand that the service is run for the benefit of players by volunteers. Correct change is a blessing but not essential. Page 16

17 COLOUR CODING FOR SECTIONS For player convenience, playing areas will be colour coded for the whole event through the use of coloured table cloths and matching coloured flag. This will help to identify your section, results and playing area. Open Area will be dressed up in Light and Dark Blue Intermediate in Light and Dark Yellow Restricted will be in Light and Dark Green Novice in Maroon Seniors in Pink Rookies in Fuchsia 0-50 in Fuchsia Open Matchpoint Swiss Pairs and Open Monday Butler in Orange Matchpoint Swiss Pairs and Monday Butler in Purple Coloured Flags will identify your seating, section results and the areas that you play within. CONGRESS SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS 2017 System regulations are published on the website after 1 January Supplementary regulations are published on the website after 1 February Please refer to this link: pdf CONTACTS FOR GCC STAFF For a complete list of the GCC contacts, refer to this link: The main contacts are: General Enquiries Kim Ellaway ph (07) , Mobile: manager@qldbridge.com Therese Tully Mobile gttully@bigpond.net.au Partnership Enquiries Toni Bardon ph tmbardon@hotmail.com Or register on-line at Accommodation Enquiries Entry Enquiries Connie Schoutrop ph (07) schoutrop@bigpond.com Peter Busch ph or peter@altosoft.com.au Page 17

18 CORRECTION OF SCORES After each session, a printout of the results for each pair or team will be made available. For the last session of a stage of an event, you may obtain a copy on request from the Scoring Enquiries Desk located in the Administration Office during the pairs and outside the playing area thereafter. If you believe that there is a mistake, you need to follow this procedure: 1. on the board where you believe that there was an error, agree with your opponents that the score was entered incorrectly; 2. make the correction on your printout and have them sign it; 3. give the corrected printout to the Scoring Liaison Officer, Toni Bardon, under the sign SCORING ENQUIRIES next to the Scoring Room. She will check that you have provided all the necessary information. The correction will be made by the scorers during the following session and a new personal printout will be made available for you to collect. Agreed scoring errors need to be advised within the scoring correction period for the session in which the error occurred. The scoring correction periods are displayed prominently near the scoreboards. At the conclusion of the scoring correction period, scores become final and, under the Laws of Bridge, no further changes can be made. COURTESY BUS Courtesy Buses are available to take you back and forth times and drop off points have been published and will be published throughout the convention centre. Talk to Bridge Administration Desk or Geoff or Bev and they will assist you. PLEASE DO NOT ASK BUS DRIVERS TO VARY THE COURSE THAT HAS BEEN ADVERTISED AS THEY WILL HAVE TO SAY NO. NO COURTESY BUS TO JUPITERS OR FRESHWATER - IF YOU ARE STAYING THERE CONTACT KIM AND SHE WILL ORGANISE SOMEONE TO PICK YOU UP. The bus service will commence one hour before the start of play for each session (but not walk-ins), picking up passengers at the listed stops in numerical order. Please hail the bus. They will have a sign Gold Coast Congress Bus in front left hand windscreen. Buses will also be available to ferry people only to restaurants in Broadbeach during meal breaks, and for pickup in time for commencement of play. Please remember this is a courtesy bus, primarily for those less capable of walking over to the Mall area. Buses will also be available at the end of each playing session, stopping again at indicated stops. Regrettably buses will not be available to take people to the dinner dance. Click here for the map of the bus route: Page 18

19 COURTESY BUS - STOPS & ROUTE Page 19

20 DATES FOR FUTURE YEARS 2018 dates are Friday 16th February to Saturday 24th February DINNER DANCE Saturday 25 th February 7.30pm. Entry forms are collected from the Dinner Dance Desk (in the main playing area) for tables of ten. Regrettably we are unable to make a table of more than ten people. This year to eliminate any confusion, we are basing Dinner Entry cost on the total number of sessions played through the Congress and the entry fee paid for the event. Pre dinner drinks will be served in the foyer from 7.30pm, followed by dinner at 8pm. Doors will open at 7.50pm. No tickets will be issued this year. Your table allocation will be posted on boards next to the dining hall doors. Please advise us of any special dietary requirement when making your booking. We thank you for your cooperation in all of the Dinner Dance arrangements. No. of sessions per event Cost for sessions Championship Pairs = 5 sessions 11 sessions or more $10 Championship Teams = 6 sessions 10 sessions $20 Weekend Swiss = 3 sessions 9 sessions $30 Monday Butler = 2 sessions 8 sessions $40 2 session 0-50 MPs event = 2 sessions 7 sessions $50 1 session 0-50 MPs event = 1 session 6 sessions $60 Rookie Each session = 1 session 5 sessions $70 Seres McMahon MP Swiss Pair = 2 sessions 3 sessions $90 Friday Novice Pairs = 2 sessions 2 sessions $90 Ivy Dahler Butler = 3 sessions 0 or 1 session $100 Non-player $100 Page 20

21 DIRECTOR, CHIEF TOURNAMENT Laurie Kelso is the Chief Tournament Director DIRECTORS GET TOGETHER A Directors get-together will be conducted by Jan Peach on Wednesday from 8.30am to 10.00am upstairs in Rooms 10/11/12. Enquiries: Jan Peach janpeach8@bigpond.com DISCOUNT ACCOMMODATION - YOUTH BRIDGE PLAYERS The Gold Coast Congress offers heavily subsidised accommodation in holiday units to youth(ish) players. The cost is: $15 a night for those born in 1992 or later $25 a night for older youths (up to 30 years or so) The La Grande Broadbeach Holiday Apartments have air-conditioning in the living area and a fully equipped kitchen. The complex is a short 800 metre stroll to the venue (and is even closer to the beach). It has a pool, BBQ area, gym, spa and sauna. For details, or to book, contact Jessica Brake at jessicabrake@hotmail.com, , or via a Facebook message. Accommodation is limited. Preference is given to those born in 1992 or later, or to older youths not in full time employment Your state based bridge association or local bridge club may also offer a subsidy it doesn t hurt to ask! DISCOUNT ENTRY FEES - YOUTH BRIDGE PLAYERS All players under 20 as at 1 January on the year the congress is held get free entry. All players under 25 as at 1 January on the year the congress is held get a 50% discount. Your state based bridge association or local bridge club may also offer a subsidy it doesn t hurt to ask! DISCOUNT PERIOD FINISHING DAY The $10 discount per person for most entry fees applies if prepaid by 6 February No discount for Rookie Pairs and Under 50 Masterpoint pairs. Page 21

22 DOCTOR If you are in need of a doctor or medical assistance you can contact Kim Ellaway through the Administration Desk or alternatively contact the Broadbeach Medical Centre on , Suite GO1, 2681 Gold Coast Highway Broadbeach. Please note that they do not bulk bill. Their after-hours is handled by National Home Doctors Service on who do bulk bill. DRAW FOR NEXT ROUND PAGE The draw for the next round in the Teams and Swiss Pairs events will be published on the web at exactly the same time it is displayed on the projector screens at the venue. So if you are connected you can check your standings and the draw online. Alternatively download the Apple/Android App. DRESS UP THEME DAY The theme for this year s event is Stars and Stripes. Theme is Wednesday morning and afternoon teams sessions. ELIGIBILITY CATEGORY GENERAL ELIGIBILITY NZ ELIGIBILITY Rookie Under 10 MPs as at 30/9/2016 less than NZ Certificate of Proficiency as at 01/01/2017 Under 50 Under 50 MPs as at 30/9/2016 less than NZ Club Master as at 01/01/2017 NOVICE Under 100 MPs as at 30/9/2016 less than NZ Local Master as at 01/01/2017 RESTRICTED Under 300 MPs as at 30/9/2016 less than NZ Master as at 01/01/ MP s Under 500 MPs as at 30/9/2016 less than NZ National Master as at 01/01/2017 INTERMEDIATE Under 750 MPs as at 30/9/2016 less than NZ National Master as at 01/01/2017 SENIORS Must be born prior to 01/01/1959 YOUTH Must be born prior to 01/01/1992 ENTERING On-line entering is preferable however to enter using hard copy, please tear out the middle pages of this booklet, fill in the form, and return with payment to the QBA. Return address details can be found on page 9 of the Entry Form. Page 22

23 ENTRIES Please ensure you get your entries in and remember they need to be paid by 6th February to receive the early bird discount. Never rely solely on your team-mates to do it for you use the Check My Entry Feature and enter your name or ABF Number# and it will list all events you are entered in. Check out your friends too if you are the only efficient one! ENTRY FEES Entry Fees for the events are as follows Weekend Matchpoint Swiss Pairs: $210 p/pair ($190 if paid by 6/2) Bobby Richman Pairs Championship: $300 p/pair ($280 if paid by 6/2) Monday Butler Swiss Pairs: $140 p/pair ($120 if paid by 6/2) Teams Championships: $720 p/ team($680 if paid by 6/2) Ivy Darhler Butler Swiss Pairs: $200 p/pair ($180 if paid by 6/2) Rookie Pairs: $50 p/pair per session (No discount) Under 50 Masterpoint Pairs (1 session): $50 p/pair x Tuesday (2 sessions): $90 p/pair x Wednesday (No discount) Friday Seres-McMahon Match Point Swiss Pairs: $140 per/pair ($120 if paid by 6/2) Friday Novice Pairs: $140 per pair ($120 if paid by 6/2) Holiday Walk In Pairs: $15 per player If you have not paid, you must see Gerald at the Bridge Administration Desk before play starts. Entry to the Ivy Dahler Butler Pairs, Seres McMahon Swiss Pairs and Friday Novice Pairs will be accepted up to noon on Thursday. Any player making changes to their entries at the venue will be charged an administration fee of $10 per player. Those running in the top 10 after Match 11 will not be charged the administration fee. A $10.00 discount applies to each person for most events if entry and entry fee is received prior to the 6th February ENTRY FORM Access the 2017 entry form here: ENTRY ID The Entry ID is sometimes referred to as Ref No. This is the number allocated when an on-line entry is made. This number is used by each member of a pair or team when paying the entry fee separately so that each payment may be matched to the original entry. Page 23

24 EVENT INFORMATION AND ELIGIBILITY OPEN: Carries ABF Open Playoff Points. Swiss Pairs Events do not carry playoff points. SENIORS: Open to players born prior to 1st January 1959 and carries ABF Senior Playoff Points. YOUTH: Open to players born prior to 1 st January INTERMEDIATE: Open to players who have not attained 750 MPs as at 30 September MPs: Open to players who have not attained 500 MPs as at 30 September 2016 RESTRICTED: Open to players who have not attained 300 MPs as at 30 September 2016 NOVICE: Open to players who have not attained 100 MP s as at 30 September 2016 UNDER 50 MP: Open to players who have not attained 50 MPs as at 30 September 2016 ROOKIE: Open to players who have not attained 10 MP s as at 30 September 2016 EVENTS FOR NOVICE PLAYERS Please refer to NOVICE EVENTS or the following link: FINALS INCLUDING TOP 4 AND SEMI FINALS The top 2 from each field of Seniors, Intermediate, Restricted and Novice teams will play in finals beginning at am on Friday. The top 6 in the Open Field will play finals on Friday and then the top 2 on Saturday. OPEN - TOP 6 AT END OF MATCH 12 Round of 4-3rd to 6th Friday 9:00am 24 Boards (2x12 Board Stanzas) OPEN - SEMI FINAL 1st, 2nd and winners of the Round of 4 Friday 2:00pm 40 Boards (4x10 Board Stanzas) OPEN - FINAL Saturday 9:00am 48 Boards (4x12 Board Stanzas) NOVICE, RESTRICTED, INTERMEDIATE Top 2 at the end of Match 12 Friday 10:00am 48 Boards (4x12 Board Stanzas) SENIORS - FINAL Top 2 at the end of Match 12 Friday 10:00am 48 Boards (4x12 Board Stanzas) Page 24

25 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Please refer to this link as it may answer your question: GOLF HELP BEFORE PLAY Help will be available as follows: Rookies Under 50s Novices Sunday 19th February play starts 1pm help from 12pm onwards Thursday 23rd February play starts 10.30am help from 9.30 onwards Tuesday 21st February play starts 10.30am help from 9.30am Wednesday 22nd February play starts help from 9.30am Saturday 18th February Novice Pairs start 2pm help from 1.30pm Tuesday 21st February Novice Teams start 10.30am help from 10am Friday 24th February Novice Pairs 10am help from 9.30am Assistance will be available for filling out system cards, helping you find your seat & working out where you go, where the boards move and using Bridgemates etc. We can also assist with any queries regarding alerting or anything else you might like to know, but also refer to the timetable of activities. Helpers can be identified by their bright yellow fluorescent jackets. Our thanks to our helpers: Helen Blair, Tim Runting, Richard Wallis, Jan Peach, Joan Butts, Mick Fawcett, Lynn Tracey, Graham Rusher and Therese Tully. Page 25

26 HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AND KEEPING COSTS DOWN There has been an increasing trend for players to read the Daily Bulletin online. This has enabled us to reduce the print runs of the bulletin reducing our carbon footprint and keeping down the costs for you the players. You can further assist by returning any bulletins which you no longer require to the venue allowing us to recycle them, especially from the early days to those players who attend only for the teams. HOLIDAY WALK INS May also refer to WALK INS AT THE GOLD COAST CONGRESS Players can play in either one, two or three events with each session awarding voucher prizes. An overall prize will also be given in each event to the pair with the highest total score over three sessions. Cost is $15.00 per player per session (payment to be made at the table). Pre-entry is not necessary. Players can play in any of the Walk-In events, but players must play all three sessions within an event to be eligible for an overall prize. HOSPITALITY Hospitality is held in the Convener s Unit daily usually after the afternoon s play in the pairs and after the last match during the teams. The Convener, at times, allows other officers to host hospitality sessions. HOUSE TEAMS AND PAIRS Any nominations are welcomed in the event that House Teams or Pairs are required. INDIVIDUAL PLAYER RESULTS Individual player results are available on the Results page of the GCC website. Click on Individual Player Results and enter your Name or ABF number, then click Get Results. INTERMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY Open to players who have not attained 750 MP s as at 30 September. LATE ENTRIES IVY DAHLER BUTLER PAIRS, SERES MCMAHON SWISS MATCHPOINT PAIRS AND FRIDAY NOVICE PAIRS Entries for the end-of-week events (Ivy Dahler Butler Pairs, Sere McMahon Swiss Pairs and Friday Novice Pairs) close at Noon Thursday. To relieve the pressure on the Administration Desk at this time and to cut down on the queues, we are leaving the web site on-line entries open right up until Noon Thursday for players wishing to enter and pay on-line by credit card. Page 26

27 You will still be able to pay at the Administration Desk using cash, cheque or credit card. Changes to existing entries (different players, changing events, cancellations etc.) will need to be done at the Administration Desk however any changes will incur a $10.00 administrative fee. Pairs in the top 10 after Round 11 in the Open Teams will not pay a late fee. So, avoid the queues, and enter on-line using your ipad, notebook or smartphone. LOLLIES Available at office and scoring area (not available at coffee shop). LUNCHES The Convention Centre Kiosks will sell a few sandwiches, salads and sausage rolls. MASTERPOINTS - WALK-IN PAIRS RED AND ALL OTHER EVENTS INCLUDING ROOKIES AND 0-50MPS ARE GOLD MASTERPOINT Masterpoint Awards: Gold in main events, red for walk-ins Weekend Swiss Matchpoint Pairs - Open 0.36 gold masterpoints for each win Weekend Swiss Matchpoint Pairs gold masterpoints for each win Monday Swiss Butler Pairs - Open 0.28 gold masterpoints for each win Monday Swiss Butler Pairs gold masterpoints for each win Open Teams 1.12 gold masterpoints for each win Seniors Teams 0.84 gold masterpoints for each win Intermediate Teams 0.56 gold masterpoints for each win Restricted Teams 0.45 gold masterpoints for each win Novice Teams 0.36 gold masterpoints for each win Open Butler Swiss Pairs 0.64 gold masterpoints for each win Restricted Butler Swiss Pairs 0.26 gold masterpoints for each win Intermediate Butler Swiss Pairs 0.32 gold masterpoints for each win Seres McMahon MP Swiss Pairs 0.32 gold masterpoints for each win Friday Novice Pairs 0.21 gold masterpoints for each win Substantial awards for outright places (top half of field in pairs, top third of field in Teams and Swiss pairs). All Masterpoint awards are subject to final field size. NEW ZEALAND MASTERPOINT CONVERSION CATEGORY NZ ELIGIBILITY Rookie less than NZ Certificate of Proficiency as at 01/01/2017 Under 50 less than NZ Club Master as at 01/01/2017 NOVICE less than NZ Local Master as at 01/01/2017 RESTRICTED less than NZ Master as at 01/01/2017 INTERMEDIATE less than NZ National Master as at 01/01/2017 SENIORS Must be born prior to 01/01/1959 Page 27

28 NO FRILLS WALK IN Not being held in NOVICE ELIGIBILITY Open to players who have not attained 100 MP s as at 30 September. NOVICE EVENTS ROOKIE PAIRS under 10 masterpoints Sunday 19th Feb, 1.00pm (minimum 24 boards) finish approx. 4.30pm Thursday 23rd Feb, 10:30am (min 24 boards) finish approx. 2.00pm (2 separate events) $50 per pair, per event 0-50 MASTERPOINT PAIRS Tuesday 21st Feb 10.30am (min 24 boards) finish approx. 2.00pm Wednesday 22nd Feb, 2 session event 10:30am & 3pm finish 6.30 pm approx. (must play both sessions) $50 per pair for Tuesday and $90.00 per pair for Wednesday FRIDAY NOVICE PAIRS under 100 masterpoints Friday 24th Feb, 10am & 2pm (2 sessions) finish approx pm $140 per pair ($120 if prepaid by 6/2) NOVICE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP under 100 masterpoints 5 sessions must play all Sat 18th Feb, 2.00pm & 7:30pm finish approx pm Sun 19th Feb, 1.00pm & 7:30pm finish approx pm Mon 20th Feb, 1.00pm finish approx pm $300 PER PAIR ($280 if prepaid by 6/2) NOVICE TEAMS under 100 masterpoints - 12 matches Tue 21st Feb, 10:30am & 3pm (4 matches) finish 6.30 pm approx. Wed 22nd Feb, 10:30am & 3pm (4 matches) finish 6.30 pm approx Thur 23rd Feb, 10:30am & 3pm (4 matches) finish 6.30 pm approx $720 PER TEAM ($680 if prepaid by 6/2) (top 2 at the end of match 12 play the finals at 10am Fri 24th Feb 4 x 12 board stanzas) Page 28

29 NOVICE AND ROOKIE ACTIVITIES NOVICE & ROOKIE ACTIVITY VENUE DATE/TIME GCC Novice Pairs Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc GCC Rookie Pairs Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc GCC 0-50 MP Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc GCC Novice Teams Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc GCC 0-50 MP Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc GCC Rookie Pairs Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc GCC Novice Pairs Welcome Assistance with System Cards and How it all Works etc ONSITE PERSONNEL Maroon Tablecloths Main Playing Area Fuchsia Tablecloths Main Playing Area Fuchsia Tablecloths Main Playing Area Maroon Tablecloths Main Playing Area Fuchsia Tablecloths Main Playing Area Fuchsia Tablecloths Main Playing Area Maroon Tablecloths Main Playing Area John Wignall First Vice President of the WBF and President Zone 7 Saturday 18 th Help from 1.30pm Sunday 19 th Help from 12.00pm Tuesday 21 st Help from 9.30am Tuesday 21 st Help from 10am Wednesday 22 nd Help from 9.30am Thursday 23 rd Help from 9.30am Friday 24 th Help from 9.30am Australian Bridge Federation: Bruce Neill President Roy Nixon Treasurer Allison Stralow Secretary (Teams) Kim Frazer - Member Management Committee Jane Rasmussen Secretariat Keith McDonald President Emeritus Australian Bridge Federation, President Queensland Bridge Association New Zealand Bridge: Arie Geursen Chairman NZ Bridge Alister Stuck Executive Secretary NZ Bridge Laurie Kelso - Joint National Event Coordinator and Secretary of WBF Laws Committee Matthew McManus Joint National Event Coordinator John McIlrath ABF National Director Development Officer David Morgan Chairman ABF Tournament Committee David Stern Vice-President International Bridge Press Association. WBF Youth Committee Member Barry Rigal President International Bridge Press Association Brent Manley - International Bridge Press Association Executive Committee Member, WBF Bulletin Editor Page 29

30 OPEN PAIRS PLAYOFF POINTS The Open Pairs Championship carries ABF Open Playoff Points. Swiss Pairs Events do not carry playoff points. PQP s awarded are: 1 st = 36, 2 nd = 28, 3 rd = 20, 4 th = 12, 5 th = 6 OVERSEAS ELIGIBILITY New Zealand eligibility is publicised. Players from other countries will need to contact the Convener. ROOKIE 0-10 MP s: less than NZ Certificate of Proficiency as at 01/01/ MP s: less than NZ Club Master as at 01/01/2017 NOVICE under 100 MP s: less than NZ Local Master as at 01/01/2017 RESTRICTED under 300 MP s: less than NZ Master as at 01/01/ MP s: less than NZ National Master as at 01/01/2017 INTERMEDIATE under 750 MP s: less than NZ National Master as at 01/01/2017 Seniors: Must be born prior 01/01/1959 Youth: Must be born prior to 01/01/1992 PARKING Parking will be available for $10 per entry per day or $50 (a $30 saving) for a weekly pass with unlimited entry from Saturday to Saturday inclusive. The Bridge Administration Desk is the ONLY place you can obtain a weekly pass. It will be open on Saturday from 10.00am each day (from Friday in 2018). Weekly passes can only be used from Saturday to Saturday inclusive. For those requiring casual day parking, a one entry one exit ticket will be available from the machine upon entry. Those parking will need to pay $10 on departure at the pay stations which are located at the lifts as you are exiting. Note that the $10 ticket is a one entry and one exit ticket so if you intend to leave between sessions you will be required to pay a second $10 parking fee. A weekly parking ticket also gives you multiple entries within the day. Page 30

31 PARTNERSHIP REQUESTS You may put in a partnership request with Toni Bardon ph tmbardon@hotmail.com or you may register online at: On the partnership page you can: Contact the partnership person for the event by or phone Lodge a request for a partner or teammates Choose to hide or display your personal details If you hide your details only the Partner Contact can see them If you display your details any site visitor will be able to contact you directly by You can withdraw your own partnership request provided you save a password (at least 4 characters) when you lodge your request PAYING AN ENTRY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN LODGED When paying separately for an entry that has already been lodged, it is important that you have the original Entry ID (also called Ref No) so that the payment may be matched to the original entry. Start at the On-line Entries page. On the top right hand of the page is a coloured box: Paying an entry that s already been lodged? Click here, enter the details and the amount you wish to pay, then follow the prompts to make payment. PAYMENT OPTIONS 1. Direct Deposit BSB: Acc No: Name: QBA 2. Cheques payable to: Queensland Bridge Association 3. Credit Card (complete details below) Please charge my credit card the amount of $ Card Type: Mastercard Visa Card holder s Name: Card No: Expiry Date / Card holders signature: Post to: Gold Coast Congress Entries, Peter Busch, PO Box 1441, BUDERIM, QLD 4556 ONLINE ENTRANTS Page 31