PAIR GAMES EXPLAINED

CHARITY PAIRS

The Charity Pairs is a regular pair game, the only difference being that a minimum amount of the proceeds from the selling of entries is earmarked for a specified charity, such as the ACBL

Charity Foundation.

SIDE GAME SERIES

The Side Game Series is always a multi-session event. Each session is a regular pair game, and awards are given for each individual session. In addition, there are overall awards for those who

perform best during the various sessions. Each individual receives credit for his/her best two scores, and the overall ranking is done from these figures. Each player may play with as many different partners as there are sessions since the overall standings are determinated on an individual basis.

The series must consist of three or more sessions. At North American Bridge Championships, session awards are paid in red points, but overall awards incorporating the scores from all sessions are paid in gold points. Masterpoint awards are based on the formula for a two-session open event.

HORIZONTAL STRATIFIED PAIRS

This type of game is different from most others because it produces more than one set of winners. The field is divided into two or three strata, each with a predeterminated maximum and minimum masterpoint limitation. The tournament director attempt to seed the field in such a manner that approximately equal numbers of players from each stratum are competing in each direction. During the course of the event, pairs from each strata play pairs from all other strata.

All pairs in the event are ranked when computing the overalls in the top stratum. The pairs in the top stratum are then eliminated, and a second set of rankings is determinated for the pairs remaining. Next, the pairs in the second stratum are eliminated, and a third ranking is done for the third stratum. It is possible for pairs in the second and third strata to place in a higher stratum, but pairs in the top stratum are eligible for awards only in the top stratum.

The stratum in which a pair plays is determinated by the member of the pair who has the most masterpoints. Unlike flighted events, pairs do not have a choice of strata--they are automatically placed in the lowest stratum for which they are eligible.

The game is run like an ordinary Open Pairs, although the field is carefully seeded so that each Strat A pair plays against all Strat A pairs in the section against which they are competing.

A present limit on masterpoints is set. If both members of the partnership are over the limit, they are in Strat A. If one is over and one is under, they are in Strat B. If both are under, then the pair is in Strat C. Otherwise the conditions are similar to those of regular Stratified Pairs.

The term horizontal means that the event will be run in two sessions , held in two consecutive days, and at the same starting time.

0-20 PAIRS

This is an otherwise open event, but all players must have fewer than 20 masterpoints.

STRATIFLIGHTED PAIRS

The Stratiflighted Pairs is almost identical to a Stratified Pairs with one major difference -- the pairs in the top flight compete in a separate event, totally apart from the other strata. The top flight can be divided into two strata if preferred. The remaining pairs play a stratified game handled exactly like a Stratified Pairs. In other words, there are two games, both of which are run along the lines of an open pairs.

TEAM GAMES EXPLAINED

BRACKETED KNOCKOUT TEAMS

Some method of seeding based on ability and experience is used to divide the total field into two or more groups. The breakdown is according to the average masterpoints of all players on each team. Each bracket comprises a separate event with its own masterpoint awards. There is no interplay between brackets.

The size of each bracket and the number of brackets depend on the number of teams entered. The purpose of bracketing is to establish groups within which each team is competitive.

STRATIFIED TEAMS

A Swiss Team event that produces more than one set of winners. The event is run along the same lines as an Open Swiss Teams. Any team may be paired against teams from any of the other brackets.

The only difference comes in the rankings. First, overall in the top stratum is determined by comparing all scores. Then, the scores from the top stratum are eliminated and a second ranking takes place for the remaining teams. Next, the scores from the second stratum are eliminated and a third ranking takes place.

It is possible for teams in the second and third strata to place in a higher stratum, but teams in the top stratum are eligible for awards only in the top stratum.

The stratum in which a team plays is determined by the player who has the greater number of masterpoints. Teams do not have a choice of strata--they are automatically placed in the lowest strata for which they are eligible.

WOMEN'S TEAMS

All members of every team are women.

COMPACT KNOCKOUT TEAMS

The usual match in a Knockout event runs for at least one full session. However, in a Compact event the matches are shortened so that two matches can be played in one session, with just four players per team. This makes it possible to determine a winner in a 16-team game in just two sessions. This means the entire event can be finished in one day.

HORIZONTAL OPEN TEAMS

In an Open Teams there are no restrictions on the makeup of the teams--except the numerical limit is six. The event can be run as one of the three basic types.

The term horizontal means that the event will be run in two sessions, held in two consecutive days, and at the same starting time.

STRATIFLIGHTED TEAMS

A Stratiflighted Teams is almost identical to a Stratified Teams, with one major difference--the teams in the top stratum compete in a separate event, totally apart from the other strata. The top flight can be divided into two strata if preferred. The remaining teams play a stratified game handled exactly like a Stratified Teams.

SENIOR TEAMS

All members of every team are at least 55 years old. The event can be run as any one of the three basic types.