The County Association organises two leagues, one for club teams of 8 and the other for individual teams of 4 (Brown Cup). For current results see the link. Additionally, an annual teams of 16 match is held.


B&B Teams of 4

Entries for the BBCBA League of 4 are solicited in the County Bulletin, which arrives during the Summer. Any group of individuals who want to play can form a team. The teams are not entered under the auspices of Bridge Clubs. The playing season runs from around October through to the following April. In order to take part in the League you must be a member of the Berks and Bucks County Bridge Association. You may only represent one team in the League during any one season and no more than six people can represent any one team during the season.

The League has several Divisions with promotion and relegation (in general 2 up and 2 down) between seasons, assuming that the entry each year is similar. This is normally observed strictly in the higher divisions, but changes in the number of teams entered in the lower divisions may mean that some relegations might not take place. Each team in a division usually plays each other team once over the course of the season and the venue alternates year on year assuming that both teams remain in that division. Venues are usually the home address of one of the members of the Home team and it is usual to provide more hospitality (drinks and sandwiches are the norm) than is the case in the Teams of 8 League. Divisions consist of around 6 or 7 teams so each team will play 5 or 6 matches over the 6 or 7 month season, split equally as far as practicable between home and away. Occasionally the lowest division will have a smaller number of teams who play each other on a home and away basis during the season but in general the total number of matches and the relative split between home and away matches will remain very similar. The schedule for the matches during the season is issued by the League secretary when the total entries are known but the actual dates on which matches are played is then negotiated between the two captains. All matches are played over 24 boards. Teams can originate from anywhere in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, so in theory one could be travelling to Hungerford in the West or to Milton Keynes in the North. In practice most of the participating teams exist between Reading in the West, Amersham in the North and Slough in the East.

The standard varies considerably through the divisions. Division 1 usually contains teams including some of the top county players, but new teams will usually commence in the lowest division (Division 4 currently) where the competition is much less fierce. They then have the opportunity to progress through the divisions if they are successful. For more details and rules of the competition see here.


B&B Teams of 8

Entries for the BBCBA League of 8 are made by affiliated Bridge Clubs in around July each year with the playing season running from September through to the following April. In order to take part in the League you must be a member of the Berks and Bucks County Bridge Association. You may only represent one club in the League during any one season and there are regulations in place, which control any appearances you might make for a club team other than your normal team. These are designed to allow substitutes to play when Team Members are unavoidably absent, rather than allowing the flexibility to tailor the team to achieve some ulterior objective.

The League has several Divisions with promotion and relegation (in general 2 up and 2 down) between seasons, assuming that the entry each year is similar. This is normally observed strictly in the higher divisions, but changes in the number of teams entered in the lower divisions may mean that some relegations might not take place. Each team in a division usually plays each other team once over the course of the season and the venue alternates year on year assuming that both teams remain in that division. Venues are usually the Home Bridge Club or an alternative hall, which the club hires for the purpose. Biscuits and tea or coffee are normally provided at half time by the Home club. Divisions consist of around 9 or 10 teams so each team will play 8 or 9 matches over the 6 or 7 month season, split equally between home and away as far as practicable. Occasionally the lowest division will have a smaller number of teams who play each other on a home and away basis during the season, but in general the total number of matches and the relative split between home and away matches will remain very similar. The schedule for the matches during the season is drawn up at a fixture meeting in July or August. All matches take place over 24 boards. Teams can originate from anywhere in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire so in theory one could be travelling to Hungerford in the West or to Milton Keynes in the North. In practice most of the participating clubs exist between Reading in the West, Amersham in the North and Slough in the East.

The standard varies considerably through the divisions. Division 1 contain teams including most of the top county players, but new teams will usually commence in the lowest division (Division 5 currently) where the competition is much less fierce. They then have the opportunity to progress through the divisions if they are successful. For more information see here.

Reading Bridge Club enter a number of teams in the BBCBA League of 8 (5 in the 2003/2004 season, of whom 2 are in Division 1, 2 are in Division 2, and 1 in Division 5). Members (preferably in pairs) are invited to apply to be considered for selection for these teams on a sheet posted on the notice board in Late April or Early May each year. The Club Committee appoints a Selection Committee and formulates the selection policy, and the Selection Committee then forms the successful candidates into squads for each team. Ideally each squad will consist of five pairs, which is usually sufficient to provide a team on the appointed dates without encroaching on the squads of other teams. A captain is appointed from the squad who organises the team during the season.


B&B Teams of 16

This competition is open only to members of the County Association (BBCBA). There are 3 matches between selected teams from Berkshire and Buckinghamshire:

• "A" match - the best players from each county
• "B" match - nominated players from clubs not playing in the 1st division
• "C" match - nominated from so called 'non-expert' players (ie players below the rank of Regional Master)

The teams are selected by county selection commitee enevouring to spread the representation around the clubs as far as possible. In the season 2002/2003 Buckinghamshire won A & B matches and Berkshire won the C match. For results see here.


Last updated: 03/09/2003