WARWICKSHIRE CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION
WARWICKSHIRE LEAGUE 2007/2008
HANDICAP TROPHY RULES
ELIGIBILITY
1 The competition is open only to teams playing in the League in the current season,
and is organised by the League Secretary.
2 Teams may consist of any number of players, but only four may play in any one match.
Eligibility is in accordance with rules 1 and 3 of the WCBA League. Additionally, no
player who has not played for a team in at least one previous round may play for it in a semi
final or final. The League Secretary may grant a dispensation from this rule in emergency only.
HANDICAPS
3 a) A handicap will be assigned to a team each season based on its league position in the
previous season. Handicaps will be shown in all draws.
b) The winners of division I will play off scratch. The runners-up will receive +2 IMPs, the
third placed team +4 IMPs and so on for division 1 and 2. For lower divisions the
handicap will increase in steps of 3 IMPs. The winners of division 2 will rank at the same
level as the next-to-bottom team in division 1 and so on for the other divisions.
c) In each match one team will receive a start of the net handicap difference, which will be
added to its final IMP score. However the maximum start in any match will be 50 IMPs.
MATCHES
4 Dates for completion of rounds are:-
Round 1	30 November	Round 2	26 January
Round 3	18 March	Semis	30 April
5 The captain of the home team must offer the away captain a choice of not less than 3 dates
on receipt of the draw. The away captain should reply within a week, either to accept one of
these dates, or to offer alternatives.
League rule 5 applies regarding match arrangements.
6 If application is made to the league sec. prior to a closing date one week's extension may
be given. Otherwise any match the result of which has not been notified to him within 72
hours of the closing date for the round is likely to be declared void and both teams scratched
in fairness to other competitors.
7 Matches will be of 26 boards played in two 13 board sessions with a change of opponents
at half time. Scoring will be by IMPs.
8 Conventions up to and including EBU level 4 are permitted. EBU regulations must be followed,
particularly with regard to full completion of convention cards, alerting procedures etc. Bidding
boxes should be used where available.

TIES

9 If after applying the handicap a match results in a tie, an additional 4 boards must be played.

For these 4 boards, one-sixth of the handicap will apply including fractions, (but maximum 8

IMPs). Captains will toss for the right to choose opponents for the additional boards. If the

match is still tied, the result will be decided on the toss of a coin unless both captains wish to

play a second set of 4 boards with handicaps as per this para. Opponents will be changed

for this last set.

RULINGS AND APPEALS

10 Rules 9 and 10 of the WCBA League apply. If an appeal is to be made which might affect

the result of the match, an extra set of 4 boards are to be played in accordance with rule 9 above.

These boards will only count if the ruling on the appeal results in a tied match.

RESULTS

11 A result card will be sent to the home captain. It must be signed by both captains and sent by

the winning captain to the League Secretary within 48 hours of the match.

Cards must include the handicap in the IMP scores. Late submission of a card may result in

a void match.

Alternatively both captains may e-mail these details to the league secretary.