Regulations for LCBA Competitions

LCBA Competitions are played under the 2007 Laws of Duplicate Bridge and any relevant Bye-Laws, regulations or directives made by the EBU or its Committees, and all players, whether or not they are LCBA members, will be bound by these even if they come into force after entry is made.

In most areas in which the LCBA has discretion, i.e. in respect of matters in which the policy or practices of the EBU, whether acting as Regulating Authority or National Bridge Organization, are not binding upon a constituent county bridge association, but upon which the EBU has published guidelines, it is the policy of the LCBA to follow these guidelines. However we do exercise our right to vary in a number of areas, for example in using an unusual 12 VP scale in the LCBA league.

Moreover in other areas where the EBU has not published guidelines the Association has perforce developed policies as how best to interpret the 2007 Laws which will again this season be applied in LCBA organized competitions and are also presented as guidelines to Clubs, albeit not binding upon them in non-LCBA events.

Most variations and policies are expressed explicitly either in the General Conditions below, or in the individual competition rules, including the LCBA league rules. Other variations, particularly in regard to the Laws, the updated 2006 Orange Book and Best Behaviour at Bridge, appear on this LCBA website.

Where a matter is not covered explicitly by such LCBA documents then EBU policies are applied, and where this is not explicit in available literature EBU advice is taken. (This link provides an index to all relevant LCBA documents.)

If the entry to an event renders the originally planned format or regulations inappropriate then the Association as Tournament Organizer normally acting through its Tournament Sub-Committee (TSC), the Competition Controller (CC) or the Director are empowered to amend arrangements in line with EBU guidelines in order to implement its smooth running. Whilst if possible such amendment would be a committee decision, the Director will sometimes have to exercise his own initiative to make necessary on the spot decisions. Any failure to adhere to such EBU guidelines will not in itself be regarded as grounds for invalidating the result of a competition.

Entry to Competitions

Entries received by CCs (Competition Controllers) by email are acknowledged. If none is received within 48 hours please assume it has not been received and re-submit. If you leave an answer-phone message, follow this by making direct contact to confirm receipt.
Please note that if you do not enter competitions in advance you will only be accommodated at the discretion of the Director and risk being subsequently disqualified if later found to be ineligible.

Withdrawal from Competitions

Members wishing to withdraw from any LCBA competition must notify the CC [see the event notice], giving if at all possible, at least 3 days notice.
If the appropriate CC is not available then in emergency telephone either Neil Beasley or Robert Northage.
In the case of a Preliminary Round Regional heat of the Gimson Trophy or the Josephs Bowl, if within 7 days of the heat members must notify the CC Robert Northage; not the host Club Secretary.
In all cases failure to turn up without notice inconveniences everybody taking part and consequently may lead to disqualification from future events.

Small Entries – Prizes and Cancellation Policy

Third prizes shown in the individual event notices will only be awarded if nine or more pairs or teams play in the event. The award of the second prize is similarly conditional on at least six pairs or teams playing. If an event is run with a still smaller entry only the first prize will be awarded

If the entry for any event is less than either 6 pairs or 3 teams at the official closing date, usually seven days previously, then normally the event will be cancelled. Later cancellation may occasionally be necessary following late withdrawals.

Robert Northage