ACBL sanctions three levels of tournaments - North American Bridge Championships, regionals, and sectionals. This chapter describes each level of tournament and the corresponding rules and regulations which apply.

SECTION ONE: NORTH AMERICAN BRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS (NABCs)

Three North American Bridge Championships are operated annually by the American Contract Bridge League. Sites are selected by ACBL management with the approval of the ACBL Board of Directors. These tournaments are rotated around the United States and Canada. ACBL tries to run one tournament each year in each of three zones, Eastern, Central and Western, and tries to arrange that each zone has a spring, summer and fall tournament within a three-year period.

I. OPERATIONS

Once an area has been selected for an NABC, the district organization is assigned the responsibility of arranging for volunteers and hospitality. The district, at its option, may assign the responsibility to a local unit, but the district organization retains overall accountability to ACBL.

The ACBL Headquarters Meeting Planner coordinates all aspects of the tournament and is the liaison for ACBL with the host organization. "THE NABC OPERATIONS MANUAL FOR TOURNAMENT CHAIRPERSONS" is available from the ACBL Meeting Planner. The purpose of the manual is to delineate the various areas of responsibility and financial obligation for the host organization and ACBL Headquarters in order to provide ACBL members with an enjoyable and memorable NABC. The division of responsibility for an NABC is as follows:

• ACBL Headquarters provides the staff and equipment necessary for the technical operation of the tournament.
• The host organization is primarily responsible for arranging all entertainment and hospitality and for providing volunteers.
• Funds are provided by the ACBL to the host organization, based on ACBL's estimate of attendance, for the implementation of the activities and services provided by the host organization. Additional funds may be provided by the host organization to enhance the hospitality or provide special events.

II. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Each day of the tournament there are at least two National Championship sessions scheduled. In addition, every day has a schedule of various two-session regional events as well as Intermediate/Newcomer events. There are also non-championship one-session events.

A. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

The schedule of national events is established by the ACBL Board of Directors. The following chart is a listing of the National Championship events by NABC.

Note: In order to participate in a Nationally-rated event at an NABC, a person must be an ACBL member whose service fees or dues are current.

SCHEDULE OF NATIONALLY RATED EVENTS AT NABCs

B. REGIONAL EVENTS

ACBL management is responsible for scheduling all events except charity and national-rated events which are set by the ACBL Board of Directors. For regional-rated events, input from the host organization is requested to insure that local preferences are considered.

The regional schedule must include an Open Pair event opposite any Swiss Team event, except for the final Sunday.

Sessions including gender-restricted pair events must contain events in which any combination of genders may play. This means that a Mixed or Open Pair event must be scheduled concurrently when both a Men's and Women's Pair event are scheduled, and an Open Pair event must be scheduled concurrently when either a Women's or Men's Pair event is scheduled.

C. INTERMEDIATE/NEWCOMER EVENTS

The ACBL Newcomer Coordinator in conjunction with the host organization is responsible for developing a complete Intermediate/Newcomer schedule of events. ACBL Headquarters has the primary responsibility for this program including flyers, ads, special club or teacher incentives, mailings, newcomer program speakers, etc.

THE NORTH AMERICAN BRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS OPERATIONS MANUAL FOR TOURNAMENT CHAIRPERSONS provides guidelines for host organization input to help insure a successful program.

III. CONVENTION CHARTS

The ACBL Super Chart is authorized for use in all sessions of National championship events with no upper masterpoint limit (NABC+) when at least 12-board segments are played.

The ACBL MidChart is authorized for use in:

• all NABC+ events.
• all unrestricted Flight A regional-rated knockout events conducted at an NABC.
• any bracket of a bracketed knockout event at an NABC which contains no team with a bracket designator (average masterpoints for the entire team or the top two players) of less than 1000 masterpoints.

In all other events conducted at an NABC, only conventions on the ACBL General Convention Chart are authorized. (See Appendix A.)

IV. SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is not permitted during bridge play or within playing areas at an NABC. Distinctly separate smoking areas will be provided at NABCs as allowed by state and local ordinances. These areas will not be the hallways immediately outside the playing area, near rest rooms or snack bars or in any area where non-smokers may be exposed.

All pair events at an NABC will have two hospitality breaks per session of at least five minutes.

V. ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

The purpose of the Zero Tolerance (ZT) policy is to create a much more pleasant atmosphere in our NABCs. This is an attempt to eradicate unacceptable behavior in order to make the game of bridge more enjoyable for all. The following 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; and having two clearly completed convention cards readily available to the opponents (required by regulation).

The following are 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; gloating over good results; constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table; and loud and disruptive arguing with a director's ruling.

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.

VI. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Except for health-related equipment or by permission of the Director-in-Charge of the tournament or event, cell phones, audible pagers or any similar communication equipment may not be operated or operable in the playing area during a session of play at NABC's. Sponsoring organizations of the other ACBL- sanctioned events are strongly encouraged to adopt this policy.

SECTION TWO: REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

I. TOURNAMENT ALLOCATION

All regional tournaments are allocated to districts. The district may run the regional tournaments or may allocate them to one or more units within the district. The following regulations apply to regional tournaments:

• Each district is annually allocated four Open or Senior regional tournaments, one Limited regional and one Junior regional.
• A district with 9,000 to 12,000 members is allowed to hold a fifth regional (open or senior).
• A district with 12,001 to 15,000 members is allowed a sixth regional (open or senior).
• A district with more than 15,000 members is allowed a seventh reginal (open or senior).
• Each district may split two of its Open or Senior regionals by holding simultaneous tournaments at two separate sites within the district. Conditions of Contest governing split regionals may be obtained from the ACBL Tournament Department.
• A district may join with another district to co-sponsor a regional tournament. If held at one site, the tournament will count against one district's allocation. If split, the tournament will count against both district's allocations.
• A district may, with permission of the other district involved, hold a regional tournament in a contiguous district.
• A district may move a regional tournament from the calendar year in which it hosts an NABC to any of the prior or succeeding three years. (Must meet scheduling requirements.)

Several districts have been granted "Permanent Site Regionals" and Canada has been granted an "Annual Regional" to be held at the discretion of the Canadian Bridge Federation. These permanent site and annual regionals do not affect regular regional allotments.

The Regional Tournament Allocation Plan will be reviewed by the ACBL Board of Directors every five years.

.II. REGIONAL TOURNAMENT TYPES

OPEN: Any ACBL member or any non-member may participate in an open tournament unless expressly prohibited from doing so by a judicial body of the ACBL.

SENIOR: Only players who have attained the age of 55 or more at the time of the tournament may participate.

OPEN/SENIORS: Permits the scheduling of only senior events for days of an otherwise open regional.

JUNIOR: All participants must be 25 years of age or younger.

LIMITED: Limited regionals may be held specifically as a 199er, limited to players with fewer than 200 masterpoints; 299er, limited to players with fewer than 300 masterpoints; or Non-Life master, limited to players who are not Life Masters.

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III. TOURNAMENT SANCTIONING

Every district must have a Tournament Coordinator. The duties of the District Tournament Coordinator include the following:

For Sectional Tournament Applications;

• Prior to approving, check the tentative schedule posted on ACBL’s WEB site for possible conflicts, include adjoining district(s). If there is a possible conflict with a tournament in an adjoining District, contact the District Coordinator for approval. Settle any conflict for tournaments within your District.
• Check sanction application for valid date, unit number, unit coordinator, & city, ST.
• Forward approved application to secregapp@acbl.org for approval and processing.
• Approve date change for previously approved applications (check for conflicts).

For Regional Tournament Applications;

• If needed, complete online sanction application. Submit applications to secregapp@acbl.org for approval and processing.
• To be considered timely, applications must be submitted at least three years in advance. If submitted less than three years and more than one year, you must get the approval of any adjoining district that has a regional scheduled. If submitted less than one year out, you must get the approval of any adjoining district that has a regional or sectional scheduled. Note that this includes a date change for any previously approved application.
• Check the tentative schedule for a possible conflict with regional in a neighboring district(s).
• Check the Tournament Coordinator Bulletin Board for announcements regarding tournaments.

  .A. SANCTION REGULATIONS

  • A regional tournament may be scheduled and sanctioned at any time provided the tournament can be included in the tournament listing in the ACBL Bulletin at least one month prior to the tournament and any rules or regulations regarding conflicts are met. (SEE III.C.)
  • Approval for regional sanction applications will be sent out three years ahead or upon approval if received less than three years ahead.
  • A regional tournament scheduled and sanctioned three years in advance takes precedence over a sectional tournament.
  • All regionals have the same status and the same rules and regulations apply.
  • Regional tournaments will not be sanctioned concurrent with any portion of a North American Bridge Championship.
  • A North American Pairs District Final, a Grand National Teams District Final or the Canadian National Teams Championship may be run concurrently with a regional tournament.

B. TRADITIONAL DATE LIST

A district that holds a regional on the same approximate dates and at the same site or area each year must submit a list of those dates and sites to the ACBL Tournament Department. If only the date remains constant, that date must be submitted. A separate list will be produced and distributed with the tentative Tournament Schedule showing these dates and sites.

• In order to protect the traditional dates, a regional sanction application must be submitted at least three years in advance.
• A regional tournament appearing on the Traditional Date List which is not held for two years within a three-year period will be removed from the list.

C. TOURNAMENT CONFLICTS

ACBL management will make a determination that a conflict exists, either on its own initiative or after a request by a party holding a sanction or applying for one. This determination will be reached by consulting internal resources, demographics of tournament attendance (if available), usual tournament size, data from involved parties, etc. If there is a disagreement with management's determination of conflict, either party may request arbitration for the purpose of determining conflict. The arbitrator's decision will be final.

The parties involved may select an arbitrator from the members of the Arbitration Board. This Arbitration Board is composed of nine people (three from each of the ACBL zones, East, Central, and West). If they cannot agree, an arbitrator not from their zone will be selected by random draw from the members of the Arbitration Board by ACBL management.

The timeliness of tournament sanction applications will affect sanctioning as follows:

ALL APPLICATIONS TIMELY: Traditional tournament dates that have been properly placed on the Traditional Date List take precedence over other timely sanction applications. Management will not sanction the non-traditional date though it may be timely. Otherwise, in the case of timely sanction applications, if the parties involved cannot resolve the conflict, both applications will be sanctioned. All decisions may be appealed to the Arbitration Board.

TIMELY/UNTIMELY APPLICATIONS: In cases where there are a timely and an untimely application; 1) if the district or unit with the timely application claims there is a conflict, management agrees there is a conflict, and the conflict cannot be resolved, the untimely application will not be sanctioned; OR 2) if the district or unit with the timely application claims there is a conflict and Management disagrees, both applications will be sanctioned.

EQUALLY UNTIMELY APPLICATIONS: For equally untimely sanction applications, both applications will be sanctioned. For the purpose of defining "equally untimely," applications received that would be listed on consecutive bi-weekly update letters will be so deemed.

NON-EQUAL UNTIMELY APPLICATIONS: In cases where there are non-equal untimely applications, these will be treated the same as timely/untimely with the earlier application being timely, the other untimely.

D. SANCTION FEE

There is a per table fee due ACBL (for a listing of fees charged for each type of tournament, (See Appendix G).

E. CONVENTIONS

The ACBL General Convention Chart (See Appendix A) applies unless it is noted on the sanction application that additional conventions may be used. Tournament sponsors may apply to use the SuperChart or a part thereof for any event with no upper masterpoint limit when at least 12-board segments are played, provided notice is included in the tournament advertising.

Tournament sponsors may apply to use the MidChart or a part thereof for any unrestricted Flight A event or any bracket of a bracketed knockout event which contains no team with a bracket designator (average masterpoints for the entire team or the top two players) of less than 1000 masterpoints, provided notice is posted at the tournament.

IV. SCHEDULING REGULATIONS

Open and Senior regionals must consist of at least three and no more than six days' worth of championship two-session events which award gold points for overall placings and section tops. A Limited or Junior regional must be a minimum of two days. Knockout team events, which may begin the evening before the beginning of the tournament. Compact knockout team events may have one match the day before the beginning of the tournament.

A maximum of three simultaneous championship gold point events may be scheduled, exclusive of knockout team and continuous pair events. Knockout and Compact knockout team events and Continuous Pair events do not affect the gold point session requirements or limitation. Concurrent similar open and women's or open and men's events (but not open and mixed) count as only one event as do stratified, flighted and stratiflighted events. Permission to exceed this limit may be granted by the ACBL Tournament Department for tournaments where exceptionally large attendance is expected.

Exclusive of knockout team and continuous pair events, four gold point sessions per day may be scheduled. Events which preclude entry into each other's events are deemed to be the same two sessions, e.g., a 10:30AM/3:30PM and a 1PM/7PM event would count for two sessions. ACBL may, with cause, disallow more than two gold point sessions per day. Only events scheduled for two or more sessions at regionals may award gold points.

A regional tournament may not be more than six days in duration, except that a Knockout Team event and a one-session pair game, which may be a charity game to benefit the ACBL Charity Foundation, the ACBL Educational Foundation, or a local charity, may be held the evening prior to the first day of the tournament.

A game may also be held on the afternoon prior to the first day of the tournament to benefit the ACBL Charity Foundation, the ACBL Educational Foundation, the ACBL Junior Team Program or the Canadian equivalent of any of the three. The current Charity Foundation formula will be used to determine the minimum monetary contribution for these games.

All regional tournament schedules must be approved by the ACBL Tournament Department before the schedule is published. Deviations from the advertised schedule are permitted only when unforeseen circumstances make it necessary. However, events awarding only red points such as morning games, midnight games, side games or masterpoint-restricted events may be added to the schedule without prior advertising.

Samples of regional tournament schedules are provided at the end of this chapter.

V. MASTERPOINT AWARDS

Masterpoints at regionals are red except for overall and section tops in certain events. Refer to Chapter 2 for masterpoint information.

VI. STARTING TIMES

Selection of tournament event starting times are routinely approved unless they are unrealistic, out of the ordinary or violate the four gold point events per day rule (exclusive of knockouts and continuous pairs). The sponsor should take care to choose times which accommodate the majority of their players and consideration should be given to out-of-town as well as local players. (SEE Sample Tournament Schedules at the end of this Chapter.)

SECTION THREE: SECTIONAL TOURNAMENTS

I. TOURNAMENT ALLOCATION

Sectional tournaments are allocated to units. While there are no restrictions on the number of sectional tournaments a unit may conduct, a district must approve the Sanction Application before it can be acted upon by ACBL.

• A unit may join with another unit(s) to run a sectional tournament.
• A unit may, with permission of the unit and district(s), hold a sectional tournament in a contiguous unit.
• With permission of the unit having jurisdiction, a sectional may be run concurrently with a Senior, Junior, or Limited regional.
• A North American Pairs District Final, a Grand National Teams District Final or the Canadian National Teams Championship may be run concurrently with a sectional tournament with permission of the sponsoring unit.
• Senior or Junior tournaments may be combined with Limited sectionals (the higher sanction fee will apply).

NOTE: A sectional sanction may be awarded to a non-ACBL sponsor to conduct a tournament in other than ACBL territory under special circumstances. Contact the ACBL Tournament Department for further details.

II. SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT TYPES

OPEN: Any ACBL member or any non-member may participate in an open tournament unless expressly prohibited from doing so by a judicial body of the ACBL.

SENIOR: Only players who have attained the age of 55 or more at the time of the tournament may participate.

JUNIOR: All participants must be 25 years of age or younger.

UNIVERSITY: Only registered college students and ACBL juniors may participate. Each University may hold one such tournament per year.

LIMITED: Limited sectionals may be held specifically as 0-100, 0-200, 0-300, or Non-Life Master tournaments. The per table sanction fee for a limited sectional will be $1 less than the fees for an open sectional.

PROGRESSIVE: A progressive tournament consists of one week of qualifying sessions in participating clubs, with a single-session final held at a central site after completion of club play. The sponsoring unit should hold the one-session final within two weeks after completing the last club qualifying game. Two separate qualifying events may be held, with the single-session final of each event held on the same day.

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT AT CLUBS (STaC): Any number of Sectional Tournaments at Clubs may be conducted by each unit (subject to district approval). A unit must officially apply for the STaC sanction and a STaC must have at least one unit specifically authorizing the conduct of the event. Each of these tournaments may include as many as seven consecutive days of sessions held at participating clubs, including only one weekend. A unit conducts this type tournament at all clubs wishing to participate within the unit.

When a club wishes to participate in a STaC for a session other than their regularly scheduled game, the unit may decide these cases. This authority to disallow a club from participating in a STaC only extends to games which would conflict, that session, with another game and only to games scheduled at other than their regularly scheduled time. Any club desiring to participate at their regularly scheduled time must be permitted to do so. While qualified or certified club directors may direct the games at individual sites, the director in charge of the tournament must be an approved ACBL employee.

The director at the individual site must be non-playing unless the entry is 17 or fewer tables and the director did not duplicate the hands. A playing director does not receive masterpoints, only the partner and/or teammates do.

A minimum section size of 10 pairs is needed to be included in the Championship session. Sections with fewer than 10 pairs may be reported, combined and included as a Sectionally rated Championship. This restriction may be modified or waived, prior to the start of the tournament, at sponsor option.

III. TOURNAMENT SANCTIONING

Every unit must have a Tournament Coordinator. The duties of the Unit Tournament Coordinator include the following:

• The Unit Tournament Coordinator is the only person authorized to submit a sectional sanction application and must use the online form.
• Check the tentative schedule posted on ACBL’s WEB site for possible conflicts within your district and any adjoining district.
• Fill out the online sanction application with all information required (TBD may be used if the site is not known). The form is automatically forwarded to the appropriate District Coordinator for approval.
• Notify your District Coordinator, by e-mail, of a date change request to an already sanctioned tournament.
• Submit applications for special requests such as, but not limited to, Senior Olympic games scheduled in your unit.
• Check the Tournament Coordinator Bulletin Board for announcements regarding tournaments.

A. SANCTION REGULATIONS

Sectional sanction applications may be submitted two years in advance. However, a sectional may be scheduled and sanctioned at any time provided the tournament can be included in the tournament listing in the ACBL Bridge Bulletin at least one month prior to the tournament and any rules or regulations regarding conflicts are met.

Approval for sectional sanction applications will be sent out one year ahead or upon approval if received less than one year ahead.

A sectional tournament scheduled and sanctioned one year in advance takes precedence over other sectional and regional tournaments not sanctioned one year in advance. Any unit attempting to obtain a sanction for a sectional tournament less than one year out must abide by the rules and regulations governing conflicts (SEE C. following).

All sectional tournaments have the same status and the same rules and regulations apply.

Only units may apply for a sanction to hold Sectional Tournaments. However, there is no objection to a unit nominating another organization to conduct the Sectional, provided that it does so in writing and provided there is no objection (for cause) by ACBL Management to the sponsor nominated. If the district within which the unit is situated is the nominated sponsor, the foregoing right of objection by management does not apply.

A unit not running at least two 99er Sectional tournaments per year is encouraged to grant approval to any club within its jurisdiction that applies for a sanction to run such a tournament and forward the sanction notification/application to the District tournament coordinator for approval.

B. TRADITIONAL DATE LIST

A unit that holds sectionals on the same approximate dates and at the same site or area each year must submit a list of those dates and sites to the ACBL Tournament Department. If only the date remains constant, that date must be submitted. A separate list will be produced and distributed with the tentative Tournament Schedule showing these dates and sites.

In order to protect the traditional dates, a sectional sanction application must be submitted at least one year in advance.

A sectional tournament appearing on the Traditional Date List which is not held for two years within a three-year period will be removed from the list.

C. TOURNAMENT CONFLICTS

When a sectional tournament is in conflict with another sectional or regional tournament within the same district, that district is the final authority as to whether any or all tournaments thought to be in conflict will be sanctioned.

In situations where more than one district is involved, ACBL management will make a determination that a conflict exists, either on its own initiative or after a request by a party holding a sanction or applying for one. This determination will be reached by consulting internal resources, demographics of tournament attendance (if available), usual tournament size, data from involved parties, etc. If there is a disagreement with management's determination of conflict, either party may request arbitration for the purpose of determining conflict. The arbitrator's decision will be final.

For information regarding the arbitration of tournament conflicts and the effect of the timeliness of tournament sanction applications as it applies to the sanctioning of tournaments, SEE Section Two-III.C.

D. SANCTION FEES AND SURCHARGES

For all sectionals, except progressive and STaCs, there is a surcharge in addition to a per table sanction fee due ACBL. For the amounts of these fees and charges, (See Appendix G.

E. CONVENTIONS

The ACBL General Convention Chart (See Appendix A) applies unless it is noted on the sanction application that additional conventions may be used. Tournament sponsors may apply to use the SuperChart or a part thereof for any event with no upper masterpoint limit when at least 12-board segments are played, provided notice is included in the tournament advertising.

Tournament sponsors may apply to use the MidChart or a part thereof for any unrestricted Flight A event or any bracket of a bracketed knockout event which contains no team with a bracket designator (average masterpoints for the entire team or the top two players) of less than 1000 masterpoints, provided notice is posted at the tournament.

IV. SCHEDULING REGULATIONS

Sectional tournaments must be at least two days and no more than five days in duration, except for Progressive Style or Sectionals at Clubs. Another exception is that any unit which has held three or more sectionals in each of the preceding three years may choose to run two, and only two, 6 day sectionals per year. These sectionals are subject to the scheduling requirements of regionals for purposes of settling conflicts.

Open or Senior sectionals must schedule at least four championship sessions. The schedule must include at least two different championship events, except when a four-session Swiss team event is scheduled. A maximum of three simultaneous championship events per session may be scheduled.

A sectional tournament may schedule up to four sessions of championship rated events (no decrease in masterpoint awards) per day. ACBL may, with cause, disallow more than two sessions per day.

The schedule must be submitted to the ACBL Tournament Department for approval, advertised well in advance of the tournament and may not be changed unless it becomes necessary to do so because of totally unforeseen circumstances. However, morning, midnight, side or masterpoint-restricted games may be added without previous advertising.

Samples of sectional tournament schedules are provided at the end of this chapter.

V. MASTERPOINT AWARDS

All masterpoint awards at sectionals are silver. For further information on masterpoints, See Chapter 2.

VI. STARTING TIMES

For sectional tournaments, selection of tournament event starting times is almost 100% within the purview of the sponsor. Unless the starting time for an event is unrealistic (second session scheduled to start before the first session could be reasonably completed) or out of the ordinary (3 p.m. and midnight), starting times are routinely approved. The sponsor should take care to choose times which accommodate the majority of their players.

SECTION FOUR: EVENTS AND RESTRICTIONS

Formulating a tournament schedule is one of the most important functions of the tournament committee. A successful tournament needs a well thought-out schedule. Events must be included for players of greatly different abilities, levels of experience, and objectives while keeping in mind the delicate balance between the number of events and anticipated attendance.

Events may be held as either playthrough or qualifying. In a playthrough event all participants are expected to play for the duration of the event. The total scores of the participants determine the overall rankings.

Qualifying events reduce the field after specified sessions. In general, the carryover scores of the qualifiers are reduced after each elimination.

Consultation with the ACBL Field Supervisor for the district and/or the tournament director in charge of the tournament is highly recommended in the planning of the tournament schedule. Other resources available to the tournament committee include the ACBL Tournament Department and the area intermediate/newcomer coordinators.

A chart containing complete information on permissible events (including restrictions and scoring methods) is provided at the end of this chapter.

I. TYPE OF EVENT

The event types and restrictions authorized for ACBL-sanctioned tournaments are listed in the "Permissible Event Types and Restrictions" chart found at the end of this chapter.

II. KINDS OF EVENT

Following is a description of various events which may be held. Events not specifically listed may be approved on an experimental basis by the ACBL Tournament Department.

A. OPEN EVENT

There are no restrictions on age, gender or masterpoint holding on players either individually or collectively as members of a pair or team in open events.

For the purpose of computing masterpoints, open events may receive credit for tables entered in a concurrent same type event that is restricted. (See Chapter 2, Section Three.)

B. FLIGHTED EVENT

Individual, pair or team events may be subdivided into two or three "flights" having designated upper masterpoint limits. Approved masterpoint limits may be obtained from the ACBL Tournament Department.

Participants may enter any flight for which they are eligible, playing only against players in their own flight. Masterpoints are awarded based on the number of tables in the flight entered added to the number of tables in all lower flights. These events may be playthrough or qualifying. However, it is recommended that only the top flight be run as a qualifying event. Flight C events may also be stratified.

C. STRATIFIED EVENT

Individual, pair or team events may be subdivided into two or three strata with specific lower and upper masterpoint limits. Participants enter the lowest stratum for which they are eligible as they compete for awards in their own stratum and all higher strata. Awards are based on the number of tables in the stratum entered added to the number of tables in all lower strata. Stratified events may be run as playthroughs only.

D. STRATIFLIGHTED EVENT

A stratiflighted event is a combination of flighted and stratified. The first group would have no masterpoint restrictions, unless the sponsoring organization chooses to stratify the top flight into two strats (A-1 and A-2). When the top flight has two strats the A-1 strat will have no masterpoint restriction while the A-2 strat would have no lower masterpoint limit and an upper masterpoint limit of 1500, 2000, 3000 or 5000 (at least 500 points higher than strat B) at sponsor option.

The second group would be subdivided into two or three strata with specific lower and upper masterpoint limits. Participants may enter either the unrestricted group or the lowest stratum for which they are eligible in the second group. Only the unrestricted group may be run as a qualifying event. At a sectional tournament the A and B flights can be combined into a group to play together with the C flight playing separately.

E. HANDICAP EVENT

Matchpoints or IMPs are given to participants as handicap points based on a predetermined scale for the type of event. Information for methods of computing handicaps may be obtained from the ACBL Tournament Department, the area Field Representative, or the director assigned to be in charge of the tournament.

F. BRACKETED EVENT

Knockout teams may be divided into groups based on either the average or total masterpoints of the top two masterpoint holders or on the average masterpoints of the entire team. Bracketed Swiss Teams must use the average masterpoints of the entire team. The method used should be predetermined by the sponsoring organization. The tournament director in charge may be consulted for further information.

G. MASTERPOINT-RESTRICTED EVENT

All masterpoint-restricted events having an upper masterpoint limit require that all entrants be below that masterpoint limit. If an event has a lower masterpoint limit, one member of each partnership must meet or exceed the minimum limit. In an event designated as a Life Master event, all entrants must have attained their ACBL Life Master status. Exceptions may be made for entrants from other recognized organizations.

H. SIDE GAME SERIES (CONTINUOUS PAIRS)

A side game series may be held as a pair game only. It is a series of at least three one-session games which may not be restricted by age, gender or masterpoint holding. The event may be stratified for side game session awards only, and may not be flighted. Participants may enter as many scheduled sessions as they wish, playing with the same or different partners each session. Overall ranking is done on an individual basis by computing the sum of each participant's two best games. Awards are computed on the average number of tables entered in the two largest sessions. Gold points are awarded at regionals to overall winners at 80% of an open pair event. Gold points are awarded for section top placing only to participants who enter at least two sessions of the event. Each session of the continuous pairs will award single session side game overall awards (red points only). Each individual session may be stratified.

I. CHOICE PAIRS EVENT

A Choice Pairs event may be held as a pairs event only. It is an event scheduled for three sessions during one calendar day (morning, afternoon and evening) and a pair must choose to play in only two of the three sessions.

J. COMPACT KNOCKOUT EVENT

A bracketed knockout event 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 is permitted at sectionals, for silver points, and at regionals for red and gold points (a minimum of nine teams is necessary to award gold points).

SECTION FIVE: TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS

I. FACILITY

Comfortable playing conditions at a tournament are essential for all participants. Handicapped players must be allowed to use any special equipment they require, such as braille cards, bidding boxes, or special chair. However, the tournament is not required to supply such equipment.

A. PLAYING SPACE

The floor space required is 64 to 81 square feet per table. Estimates when calculating the amount of space required should be very optimistic. Additional space will be needed for scoring tables, water stations, supplies, etc. Office and/or supply storage rooms near the playing area are highly recommended. For example, if the expected attendance is 100 tables in any one session, the minimum amount of space required would be 6600 square feet. This leaves some amount of space in the playing area for the items mentioned above.

B. LIGHTING

The facility must have acceptable lighting for all tables. At least 10 foot-candles of illumination 30 inches above the floor is necessary for all tables.

C. VENTILATION

The sponsoring organization must see that the playing areas are well ventilated with proper heating or cooling available. Designated smoking areas should be located away from the playing areas.

D. SERVICES

The sponsoring organization must see that adequate drinking water is provided and that the playing area is cleaned between sessions. Caddies can help keep the room clean during play. Trash bags attached to tables and/or trash receptacles conveniently located will prove very beneficial. The facility must have adequate rest rooms.

II. EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES

A. TABLES AND CHAIRS

The sponsoring organization must arrange for sufficient tables and chairs. Tables are usually provided by the sponsoring organization, but hotels and convention centers usually have a sufficient number of chairs. However, arrangements to rent chairs may be necessary. If the space used is uncarpeted, rubber-tipped chairs should be used.

B. SUPPLIES

All essential supplies such as playing cards, boards, conventions cards, etc., may be purchased or rented from the ACBL Tournament Department at the prevailing per table charge or may be provided by the unit or district. ACBL will not send supplies unless specifically requested, so orders should be submitted well in advance.

C. HAND RECORDS

Hand records are routinely provided by the ACBL for a fee. (SEE Appendix G.) They are either shipped with supplies or brought to the tournament by the director in charge or an ACBL supply director. There will be a charge on the tournament invoice for only those hand records used. Refer to Chapter 10 for more information.

D. PRINTOUTS OF THE HANDS

Copies of the hands, available for distribution to the players at the end of the session, are almost universally expected by tournament players.

One master printout is provided with each set of hand records. Usually copies are made at the tournament site, but other arrangements may be made as necessary.

E. COMPUTERS

ACBL will provide the computers and printers used at tournaments through the tournament directors. There are no additional fees for the provision of this equipment.

F. BIDDING BOXES

ACBL encourages units and districts to provide bidding boxes. Bidding boxes are the responsibility of the sponsoring organization. They are not included with ACBL supplies. Units or districts wishing to have bidding boxes available for use at their tournaments may purchase or rent them from the ACBL. (REFER to Chapter 10 of this handbook for more information.)

Bidding boxes are used in all events at NABCs with the exception of the Intermediate/Newcomer Program where they are optional

Handicapped players requiring bidding boxes will have preference when availability is limited. Non-handicapped players may use bidding boxes, if available, in events where such use is not mandated as long as no player at the table objects.

G. TIME CLOCKS

Any clocks available at regionals or sectionals for the convenience of the participants are the property of individual units or districts. They are available for purchase from the ACBL.

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTIONAL/REGIONAL APPLICATION FORM

Sanction applications should be submitted electronically by the appropriate coordinator and must include the following information:

DATE REQUESTED: Month, dates and year must be completed.

DISTRICT AND UNIT NUMBER: Enter the district and unit numbers in which the tournament will be held.

TOURNAMENT NAME: Enter the name of the tournament. If it has no name, enter the city where it will be held.

TOURNAMENT SITE: Enter the tournament site, phone number, street address, city, state and zip code. If the site is not known, enter (to be announced). The site must be submitted at least 6 months prior to the tournament date.

TYPE OF TOURNAMENT: Check the appropriate boxes for sectional or regional and type of sectional or regional including masterpoint restrictions, if any.

Sectional\Regional Application Form Goes Here

TOURNAMENT CHAIRPERSON: Enter the name, daytime phone numbers, and address of the person in charge of the tournament.

OFFICIAL HANDLING CORRESPONDENCE: Enter the name, phone numbers, and address of the person who will receive all correspondence from ACBL concerning the tournament.

DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE REQUESTED: This information is optional.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Check the appropriate box.

TOURNAMENT SUPPLY REQUEST: If you want ACBL to furnish supplies, check the SEND AT PREVAILING TABLE FEE box. If you are furnishing your own supplies check DO NOT SEND.

CONVENTIONS ALLOWED: If you wish to allow conventions other than those permitted by the ACBL General Convention Chart, check this box and include conventions that will be permitted.

TOURNAMENT CONTACT: Enter the name and phone numbers of the person and his/her phone number to be listed in the BULLETIN for players to contact regarding tournament information.

APPROVAL: The completed Sanction Application must be submitted to the appropriate District Tournament Coordinator for approval and then ACBL for sanctioning.

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.