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ACBL Tech File
Event Guidelines

 

This document is provided courtesy of the
American Contract Bridge League

2990 Airways Blvd. S Memphis TN 38116–3847
901–332–5586
S Fax 901–398–7754

     NOTE: to view the latest revision of the handbook,
download the latest version of ACBLScore

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 1) 

                                                       ___________________ 

     EVENTS

     SIDE GAME SERIES

     SCHEDULING

     A "Side Game Series" may be run at a Sectional or Regional.  It must

     have at least three sessions.  It must be an open event unless the

     tournament is otherwise restricted.

 

     PARTICIPATION: Players buy entries for each session as pairs; they may

     play with different partners in different sessions; they may play as

     many sessions as they wish.

 

     OVERALL SCORE AND RANKING: Players compete for the overalls as

     individuals.  An individual becomes eligible for the overalls by

     playing two or more sessions (with the same or different partners).

     His overall score is the sum of the percentage scores of his two best

     sessions.  His two best scores may be achieved with different

     partners.  A difference of 0.01% is sufficient to break ties for the

     overall standings.

 

     MASTERPOINT RULES FOR THE EVENT: At Sectionals, overall awards are

     silver at 80% of open Sectional.  At Regionals, overall awards are

     gold/red at 80% of open Regional. Overalls are calculated as a

     two-session pair event based on the average of the tables in play in

     the two largest single sessions.  (The depth of the overalls is not

     doubled just because the competitors are individuals.) Session awards

     are paid at 100% at Sectionals and Regionals. At Senior Regionals

     overalls are 70% and session awards 80%.

 

     Each individual session may award single session overall awards and

     session awards (in the same manner as side games at 65%). Each

     individual session may be stratified.

                                       (Board of Directors - July, 1995)

 

     MASTERPOINT RULES FOR EACH PARTICIPANT: No player can rank more than

     once in the overalls. Each player receives the greater of (1) the sum

     of all his session awards, and/or side game awards or (2) his overall

     award plus those session awards for the sessions not used in

     determining his overall finish.  A player's section top in a Regional

     Continuous Pair event will be gold only if he plays in two or more

     sessions of the same event. At Regionals, Blue Ribbon qualifications

     will be given to first and second place finishers (and ties) in the

     event.

 

     COMPACT KNOCKOUTS

     A bracketed knockout event consisting of four person teams in which

     each match is half the normal length (i.e., at least twelve and

     probably not more than fourteen boards) is an approved tournament

     event. This event shall be permitted at Sectionals, for silver points,

     and at Regionals for red and gold points.
 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 2) 

                                                       ___________________ 

     The formula for masterpoints, including the factor for the number of

     boards in the match and the reduction for concurrent knockout events

     (when applicable), shall be used to determine the masterpoint awards.

     Additionally, in order to receive an overall award, a team must play

     two complete sessions (four matches). In brackets with an original

     entry of nine or more teams, the losing semifinalist must play off

     (producing a clear third place and a clear fourth place) in order to

     meet this requirement. In an event with an original entry of five

     through eight teams, the final match shall be of full length. In an

     event with an original entry of three or four teams, all matches shall

     be of full length.

 

     The depth of awards shall be limited to four places with an original

     entry of nine or more teams, to two places with an original entry of

     five through eight teams, and to one place with an original entry of

     three or four teams. No playoff matches for additional overall awards

     shall be permitted. Sanction fees shall be collected as for one

     session zip knockouts, i.e., the number of entries sold times the

     length of match (expressed as a fraction of a full length match). For

     example, an event with an original entry of sixteen teams will sell

     thirty-two entries (16=8=4=4). Each match is 1/2 of a full length

     match -- 32 x .5 = 16 tables for sanction fees.

                      (Board of Directors - March, 1996)(Rev. August, 1996)

 

     NOTE: When compact knockouts are scheduled a consolation must always

     be offered.  Single session Swiss team may be offered instead using a

     side game rating.  (Office Policy - Dec, 2003)

 

     CHARITY EVENTS

     Any events run to benefit the ACBL charity, or another charity as

     approved by ACBL regulations, will receive championship rating (not

     subject to the 65% "M" factor limit). This includes International Fund

     games.

 

     TEAMS PLAYING FOR MATCH AWARDS ONLY

     Where Swiss Teams are used at a Regional tournament as a qualifying

     event for Knockout Teams, Sponsoring Organizations may allow the

     participation of teams which announce upon entry that they do not

     intend to play past the qualifying rounds. Such teams shall be

     eligible for match awards only. Teams playing for match awards only

     shall not be included in calculating overall awards for the Knockout.

                                      (Board of Directors - March, 1975)

 

     ROUND ROBIN (BRACKETED) SWISS TEAMS

     1. Teams are ordered by the average masterpoint holding for each team

     using the masterpoints of all participants. Brackets are formed

     according to one of the following principles:

 

     2. Each bracket will contain 7-9 teams except for the bottom bracket

     which will contain between 8 and 15 teams. With fewer than 14 teams

     there is only one bracket.

 

     3. Each bracket will contain 16 teams except for the bottom bracket

     which will contain between 16 and 31 teams.


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 3) 

                                                       ___________________ 

 

     4. At NABC's it might be necessary to allow for unequal bracket sizes

     depending on anticipated attendance.

 

     5. At sponsor's option, the event may be handicapped.

 

     Under 2. above, each bracket would be run as a complete round robin

     (could change bracket size to 9 teams if one feels it necessary to run

     eight matches) while the last bracket might of necessity be run as a

     partial round robin. It is recommended that matches for all brackets

     be predetermined and posted as soon as feasible.

 

     Under 3. above, the event should be run as a standard Swiss team with

     matches based on current records. The event may be run with as many as

     the first 4 matches predetermined and the remainder according to

     record.

 

     MASTERPOINT AWARDS

     Masterpoint awards will be computed according to the General Formula

     using "M" values calculated as follows. Each of the brackets will have

     a minimum "M" value according to the table below:

     Brackets     I       II        III        IV          V     VI,etc.

 

                1.00     0.75      0.60       0.50       0.40     0.33

 

     The "M" value for any bracket will be higher whenever the average

     masterpoint holding of the highest team in the bracket would have a

     higher value according the "M" table in the ACBL masterpoint book. For

     example, if the average holding for the top teams in bracket 3 were

     800 points, the "M" value for that bracket would be increased to 0.70,

     the value of the "M" factor for the next lowest upper limit in the

     book (in this case 0-750).

 

     For regionally rated events, overall awards will be red and gold

     according to the following table:

 

                   I    100% Gold

                   II   100% Gold

                   III   90% Gold, 10% Red

                   IV    67% Gold, 33% Red

                   V     50% Gold, 50% Red

                   VI(or higher)   33% Gold, 67% Red

 

     Match awards will be computed according to the formulas, using the

     appropriate "M" value.

 

     First overall in any bracket will be based on the number of teams in

     that bracket plus all of the number of teams in all lower brackets.

     The number of overall awards in any bracket will be one third of the

     number of teams rounded up.  (Board of Directors - Summer, 1996)

 


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 4) 

                                                       ___________________ 

     INTERNATIONAL FUND GAME AT SECTIONALS

     A. Effective as soon as can be implemented by Management, all Units

        (i.e. Sectional Sponsors), are permitted to run up to two (2)

        International Fund session at each Sectional with the exception of

        STaCs.

 

     B. An International Fund game can be run as an open game, senior

        game, team or pair game, newcomer game, or any other game that is

        run at a Sectional.

 

     C. The point awards will be regionally rated silver points.

 

     D. The Sponsor of the Sectional will be charged $1.00 per player.  In

        Canada the charge will be $1.00 Canadian.

 

         1.  If the game is run at a Sectional in the US, the money will go

             to the US International Fund.

         2.  If the game is run at a Sectional in Canada or Mexico, the

             money will go to the NBOs International Fund.

 

     B. The normal sanction fee for Sectionals will also be charged to the

        Sponsoring Organization.

 

     C. All previous motions governing International Fund Games held at

        Sectionals are rescinded.

                                        (Board of Directors - July, 2003)


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 5) 

                                                       ___________________ 

 

     PERMISSIBLE EVENT TYPES AND RESTRICTIONS

     The following event types and restrictions are authorized for ACBL

     sanctioned tournaments. Management is authorized to sanction other

     events on an experimental basis.

 

     PERMISSIBLE EVENTS and RESTRICTIONS

      I   TYPE:

              INDIVIDUAL

              PAIR

              TEAM (SWISS, BOARD-a-MATCH, KNOCKOUT)

              PAIR/TEAM    (One-session event with masterpoints to be the

                           greater of the pair event or team event.)

      II GENDER:

              OPEN

              MEN'S

              WOMEN'S

              MIXED

              UNMIXED

     III AGE:

              OPEN

              JUNIOR       (25 years and younger)

              SENIOR       (55,65,75 years and older)(any 2 separate events

                           may be scheduled)

     IV  EVENTS:

              OPEN:        (No masterpoint restriction.)

              FLIGHTED:    By masterpoints only.) Two or three flights.

                           Flight C may have up to 5 strats.

 

              NOTE: Flighted KO events at Regionals may be bracketed

              (may not be randomly grouped) to finish in 4 sessions.

 

              STRATIFIED:  (By masterpoints only.) Two or three strata.

              STRATIFLTED: Flight A separate and unlimited. Two or three

                           strata.

 

              NOTE: Only Flight A and Strat B with 750 masterpoints or

              greater are eligible for Gold points.

 

              HANDICAPPED: Based on masterpoint holding of entrants.

              BRACKETED:   (KO and Swiss teams) Based on masterpoint       

                           holding of entrants.

              COMPACT:     (KO) Two matches are played per session, at     

                           least 12 boards per match.

              MASTERS:     One member of each partnership must meet minimum

                           limit.

              NON-MASTERS: All entrants must be under maximum limit.

              LMS:         All entrants must meet Life Master requirement.

              RESTRICTED:  (Upper masterpoint limit)  All entrants must be

                           under maximum limit.)

              SIDE SERIES: (Pair game only)  May not be restricted by age,

                           gender, or masterpoint holding.

                           (May be stratified for single session awards    

                           only.)


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 6) 

                                                       ___________________ 

 

     NOTE: SIMULTANEOUS SPLIT REGIONALS SHALL HAVE THE SAME CHAMPIONSHIP

     PAIR EVENTS PLAYED SIMULTANEOUSLY AT BOTH SITES. THESE GAMES CANNOT

     BE QUALIFYING EVENTS.

 

     V  SCORING METHODS:

          INDIVIDUAL: Matchpoint, IMP,

          PAIR:       Matchpoint, IMP

          TEAM:       Win-loss, victory point, total points, bam

          PAIR/TEAM:  Matchpoints + one from "Team" above (must be a one

                      session event only)

 

     VI  REGIONAL STRAT/FLIGHT LIMITS

         FLIGHTED   FLIGHT    A  0-INFINITY (AX must be at least 500

         PAIRS                   higher than upper limit for B,max 5000)

                              B  0-750,1000,1250,1500,1750,2000,2500

                              C  0-100,200,300,NLM (max 500),500,750,1000

                                 (MAY BE STRATIFIED)

 

         STRAT      STRATA    A  TOP "B"-UNLIMITED

         PAIRS                B  TOP"C"-750,1000,1250,1500,1750,2000,2500

                              C  0-100,200,300,NLM,NLM(max500)500,750,1000

                                 (OPTIONAL)(IF NO C"=0)

                    STRATA    A  Both over 300,LM,500,750,1000,1250,1500,  

                                 1750,2000,2500

                              B  One over & one under

                              C  Both under

 

         STRATIFLT  FLIGHT    A  UNLIMITED (STAND ALONE)(AX must be at 

         PAIRS                   least 500 higher than upper limit for B,  

                                 max 5000)

                    STRATA    B  TOP OF "C"-750,1000,1250,1500,1750        

                                 2000,2500

                              C  TOP OF "D"-300,NLM,NLMmax500,500,750,1000

                              D  0-100,200,300,NLM (less than 500 pts)

                                 (IF NO "D", C is 0-50,100,200)

 

         FLIGHTED   FLIGHT    A  0-INFINITY

         KO TMS               B  0-750,1000,1250,1500,1750,2000,2500

                              C  0-100,200,300,NLM,500,750,1000

                        NOTE: May be bracketed to finish in 4 sessions

         BRACKETED Must be bracketed by:  Average MP's all team members

         KO/SWISS                                 

         FLIGHTED   FLIGHT    A  0-INFINITY (AX must be at least 500 

                                 higher than upper limit for B,maximum     

                                 5000)

         SWISS                B  0-750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  0-200,300,NLM,500,750,1000

                                 (MAY BE STRATIFIED &/or 1 SESS)

 

         STRAT      STRATA    A  TOP "B"-UNLIMITED

         SWISS                B  TOP "C"-750,1000,1250,1500,2000

                              C  0-200,300,NLM,500,750,1000            

                                 (OPTIONAL)(IF NO "C"=0)


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 7) 

                                                       ___________________ 

         STRATIFLT  FLIGHT    A  UNLIMITED (STAND ALONE)

         SWISS      STRATA    B  TOP OF "C"-750,1000,1250,1500,1750,

                                 2000,2500

                              C  TOP OF "D"-300,500,750,1000

                              D  0-200,300,NLM (less than 500 pts)

                                 (OPTIONAL)(IF NO "D", C is 0-200,300)

 

     VII SECTIONAL STRAT/FLIGHT LIMITS

 

          FLIGHTED  FLIGHT    A  0-INFINITY

          PAIRS               B  0-300,500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  0-50,100,200,300,NLM,500,750,1000

                                 (MAY BE STRATIFIED)

 

          STRAT     STRATA    A  TOP "B"-UNLIMITED

          PAIRS               B  TOP"C"300,500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  0-50,100,200,300,NLM,500,750,1000 

                                 (OPTIONAL)(IF NO "C"=0)

 

                    STRATA    A  Both over300,LM,500,750,1000,1250,1500

                              B  One over & one under

                              C  Both under

 

          STRATIFLT FLIGHT    A  UNLIMITED (STAND ALONE)(AX must be at

          PAIRS                  Least 500 higher than upper limit for B)

                    STRATA    B  TOP OF"C"-500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  TOP OF "D"-200,300,500,750,1000

                              D  0-50,100,200 (OPTIONAL)

                                 (IF NO "D", C is 0-50,100,200)

 

          FLIGHTED  FLIGHT    A  0-INFINITY

          KO TMS              B  0-300,500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  0-100,200,300,NLM,500,750,1000

 

          BRACKETED must be bracketed by:  Average MP's all team members

          KO/SWISS          

                            

          FLIGHTED  FLIGHT    A  0-INFINITY

          SWISS               B  0-300,500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  0-100,200,300,NLM,500,750,1000

                                 (MAY BE STRATIFIED)

 

          STRAT     STRATA    A  TOP "B"-UNLIMITED

          SWISS               B  TOP"C"300,500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  0-100,200,300,NLM.500,750,1000

                                 (OPTIONAL)(IF NO "C"=0)

 

          STRATIFLT FLIGHT    A  UNLIMITED (STAND ALONE)

          SWISS     STRATA    B  TOP"C"-500,750,1000,1250,1500,2000,2500

                              C  TOP OF "D"-200,300,500,750,1000

                              D  0-50,100,200

                                 (OPTIONAL) (IF NO "D", C is 0-50,100,200)


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 8) 

                                                       ___________________ 

     TEAM OF TWO PAIRS

     SETUP: Each team (WHICH MAY CONSIST OF NO MORE THAN FOUR PLAYERS) is a

     "N-S" team or an "E-W" team; the two pairs sit in the same direction,

     at the same table number, in a pair of sections.  The worst score is

     posted for each team in a pair game format.

 

     Usually, if "A" and "B" are the sections, N-S scores are posted in "A"

     and E-W scores in "B". This is facilitated if each board is scored on

     a separate ticket and these are then sorted into "worst N-S" and

     "worst E-W" stacks.

 

     SCORING: Score each section separately; post only the appropriate

     recap sheet, discarding the irrelevant one. For example, the A E-W

     sheet will be meaningless, since A is the N-S team.  Remember to

     adjust the M value to 110% of pair rating if you put masterpoint

     awards on the recaps.

     NOTE: Effective July, 1997 the Team of Two Pairs event must be scored

     by using the team's TOTAL.

 

     MATCHPOINT score to be calculated in determining all rankings.

     EXAMPLE: Each pair sits the same direction in different sections. The

     event is scored as a normal pair game.  The matchpoint scores of each

     pair are added together.  The sum is their team's score.

                                             (ACBL Board - Summer 1997)

 

     TYPING: For press sheets, use the Swiss program.  For recap sheets,

     type, via HDE, the Captain's name ONLY, and ONLY in the appropriate

     direction (N-S for A and E-W for B).  A copy of the Swiss generated

     press sheets should be posted next to the recaps for the players'

     information.

 

     CROSSOVERS: For two session events of two sections only, you will

     probably want to switch directions, except for the stationary pairs.

     It is suggested, but not mandatory, that one group switch their pairs

     between the sections so that new opponents are met, even though the

     same "teams" meet. (At the current time, there is no way to convey

     this instruction through the computer.) Your crossover screen should

     read:                         A.N-B.E

                                   A.E-ZZ.N (or any nonexistent section)

                                   B.N-ZZ.E

                                   B.E-A.N

     With four sections the section crossover would read, for example:

                             A.N-B.E     C.N-D.E

                             A.E-Z.N     C.E-X.N

                             B.N-Z.E     D.N-X.E

                             B.E-C.N     D.E-A.N

     Individual crossovers need only be done for the relevant directions.

 

     COMMENT: The vital issue, when using the above format, is to send the

     nonexistent half of each section to limbo. Failure to do this can

     cause a moderate to severe disaster.

     NOTE: Each pair of sections can be posted as a single section of pair

     game using special for every board, with two-way scores. While this is

     a bit more difficult to post, the crossover is much simpler.


 

 

                                                       EVENTS.033 (PAGE 9) 

                                                       ___________________ 

     DEFINITIONS

     STRATIFIED PAIRS

     1. The event will be scheduled with up to three strats.

     2. The strats shall be mutually exclusive.  Partnerships may cross

        masterpoint boundaries, provided the player with the higher

        masterpoint holding is eligible for the strat they wish to play

        in.

     3. The event may be scheduled for two or more sessions, but only as

        playthroughs.  ACBL does not allow qualifying in stratified

        events.

 

     STRATIFIED SWISS TEAMS

     Sanctioning of stratified Swiss teams at ACBL sponsored events is

     approved.  (December 1988)

     Comment:  Directors should identify which strata each is entering, run

     the event with no regard to flights and rank it the same as a

     stratified pairs.

 

     No qualifying/consolation may be held in any portion of an event that

     is stratified.

 

     WIN-LOSS OR VICTORY POINT SCORING

     The sponsoring organization shall determine the method of scoring used

     in any Swiss Team event at its regionals, sectionals and other special

     events.  If Victory Point scoring is selected, either of the approved

     ACBL VP scales (20-point or 30-point) may be used.  Any other VP scale

     must be approved by Management prior to use.

 

     VICTORY POINT SWISS TEAM

     When victory points are the basis of determining the overall winner,

     then individual match pairings must be based on current Victory Point

     standings rather than on the win-loss records of the team.


 

 

                                                      EVENTS.033 (PAGE 10) 

                                                      ____________________ 

     VICTORY POINT SCALES

     30 VPs___________________IMP DIFFERENCE_________________

                x-8     9-11   12-15    16-20   21-27   28-36

                Bds     Bds     Bds      Bds     Bds     Bds

     15-15        0        0       0     0- 1    0- 2    0- 2

     18-12        1        1    1- 2     2- 3    3- 5    3- 6

     19-11        2        2    3- 4     4- 6    6- 8    7-10

     20-10        3     3- 4    5- 6     7- 9    9-12   11-15

     21- 9        4     5- 6    7- 8    10-12   13-16   16-20

     22- 8     5- 6     7- 8    9-11    13-16   17-21   21-26

     23- 7     7- 8     9-11   12-14    17-20   22-26   27-33

     24- 6     9-10    12-14   15-18    21-24   27-31   34-41

     25- 5    11-13    15-17   19-22    25-29   32-37   42-50

     26- 4    14-16    18-21   23-26    30-34   38-44   51-60

     27- 3    17-19    22-25   27-31    35-40   45-52   61-71

     28- 2    20-23    26-30   32-36    41-47   53-61   72-83

     29- 1    24-27    31-35   37-41    48-55   62-71   84-95

     30- 0      28+      36+     42+      56+     72+     96+

 

     20 VPs___________________IMP DIFFERENCE_________________

                x-8     9-11   12-15    16-20   21-27   28-36

               Bds     Bds     Bds      Bds     Bds     Bds

     10-10        0        0       0     0- 1    0- 2    0- 3

     11- 9     1- 2     1- 2    1- 3     2- 4    3- 6    4- 8

     12- 8     3- 4     3- 5    4- 6     5- 8    7-11    9-14

     13- 7     5- 7     6- 9    7-10     9-13   12-17   15-21

     14- 6     8-10    10-13   11-14    14-18   18-24   22-29

     15- 5    11-13    14-17   15-19    19-24   25-32   30-38

     16- 4    14-16    18-21   20-24    25-31   33-41   39-48

     17- 3    17-19    22-25   25-29    32-38   42-50   49-59

     18- 2    20-23    26-30   30-35    39-46   51-60   60-71

     19- 1    24-27    31-35   36-41    47-55   61-71   72-84

     20- 0      28+      36+     42+      56+     72+     85+

 

     STRATIFLIGHTED EVENTS

     Flight A may be stratified into two strats provided that the limit of

     the lower A strat is at least 500 points higher than the limit of the

     flight below.

 

     Overall awards are based on the appropriate "M" factor for the flight

     or strat on the tables in that flight or strat and all those below.

 

     Gold points (overalls and section tops) are awarded in Flight A (both

     strats) and in the highest strat of Flight B, provided the upper limit

     is 750 or higher.

 

     STRATIFLIGHTED/FLIGHTED EVENTS

     I. Masterpoint awards for the second strat of the unlimited portion of

     a stratiflighted event:

 

     (Two-Fold Stratified Event) shall be as follows:

                 0-3000 = 0.90

                 0-5000 = 0.95

                 5000+ = 1.00


 

 

                                                      EVENTS.033 (PAGE 11) 

                                                      ____________________ 

 

     II. Upper masterpoint limit for Strat "A2" is selected from among

     1500, 2000, 3000, 5000 at sponsor option with the proviso that the

     limit is at least 500 points higher than Strat B.

 

     III. For this event-type only the upper three strats in regional event

     award gold points for overall and section tops as long as the upper

     limit of each is at least 750 masterpoints.

 

     IV. Session and Overall Masterpoints

     A. Session masterpoint awards for all strats are calculated using the

        appropriate "M" factor and the number of pairs in the comparison

        group.

     B. Overall awards for the unlimited strat "A1" are calculated as now

        using the general formula based on the total number of tables in

        play in all strats.

     C. Overall awards for the second strat "A2" are calculated using the

        general formula (and the appropriate "M" factor) and based on the

        number of tables in the strat other that "A1" and "A2".  Table

        from other restricted events used in the calculation of strat "A1"

        overall award are not used in the calculation of the strat "A2"

        overall award.

     D. The depth of the "A2" award shall be a maximum of 35% of the "A2"

        field.

 

     SWISS QUALIFYING FOR REGIONAL KNOCKOUT TEAMS

     Except for those districts under the McConnell-Rubin grandfather

     clause, Swiss qualifying for all ACBL Regional Knockout Teams shall be

     abolished.  (Board of Directors - Boston, 1981)

 

     STRATIFYING FLIGHT C

     In a Flighted Event Flight C may be stratified within their flight.

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