ACBL CONDITIONS OF CONTEST

The General Conditions of Contest for pair events will apply to this event, subject to the following special conditions of contest.

These Conditions of Contest may not be changed at any level of play during the course of this event.

Lack of knowledge does not constitute cause for exemption.

1. This event is open to pairs of players each of whom is a paid up member of ACBL.

2. The NABC Fast Open Pairs will consist of four sessions, two qualifying and two final.
a. Starting times are 1:00 P.M. for the 1st session and 4:30 P.M.for the second session each day.

b. Two-board rounds will be 11 minutes in length and three-board rounds will be 16 minutes in length.

3. For the two qualifying sessions the field will be divided into comparison/qualifying groups of two sections except that one three section group is permitted when necessary. The matchpoints on each board will be calculated across each group. Approximately 50% (but in no case less than 40%) of the field in each group will qualify for the two final sessions. Ties for the last qualifying position will be broken as per ACBL regulation.

4. There will be a carryover from the qualifying sessions to the final. The carryover will be calculated as per ACBL regulations but the spread from top to bottom can be no greater than four boards.

5. For purposes of qualifying or for determining final overall ranking any fraction of a match point will be sufficient separation.

6. The ACBL General Convention Chart is in effect for this event.

7. There will be tournament directors (or other appropriate staff) assigned to monitor play for time. If circumstances permit, there will be one time monitor for no more than two sections.
The penalties indicated below are to the table finishing late. The portion of the penalty to each pair will be at the discretion of the time monitor/tournament director.
These penalties may be appealed to the Director-in-Charge of the event who may not rescind or otherwise alter the penalty but may suggest to the monitor/tournament director that he or she rescind or alter the penalty.

Penalties for late finish are as follows:
a. 0+ to 1 minute: warning
b. 1+ to 3 minutes: 1/6 Board
c. 3+ to 5 minutes: 1/4 Board
d. 5+ to 7 minutes: ½ Board
e. 7+ minutes: 3/4 Board plus referral to an appeals committee for possible additional penalty.
f. penalties to a pair culpable for more than one late finish are at the discretion of the monitor/director.

8. Masterpoint awards will be per ACBL regulation with a first place award of 100 masterpoints.

9. Regarding any of the above or any of the general conditions of ACBL pair events, the decision of the Director in Charge shall be final.