The committee has decided that for the next few weeks, commencing on Tuesday 11th May 2004, the Tuesday Duplicates will be competed for over 12 rounds rather than the traditional 13. The intention is not to pre-judge the outcome of the referendum, which was recently instigated, but to provide some additional evidence whereby an informed decision can be made once the input from the referendum has been received and computed.

Because we do not currently have purpose-built 12 round movements, the change will be implemented in the short term by omitting the final round of the 13 round movement. The committee accepts that this may introduce a small amount of bias into the movement but believe that the effect of this temporary imbalance will not have lasting implications.

In conjunction with this change there will be some additional responsibilities on those attending the sessions. These are:

1. Players MUST be seated by 7.15pm and the session WILL start at 7.20pm.
(Those not complying WILL NOT be able to play)
2. Each 2-board round WILL last not more than 15 minutes.
3. If the second board of a 2-board round has not started after 10 minutes it WILL be removed.
4. There will be a break of 15 minutes after 6 rounds, scheduled from 8.50pm to 9.05pm.
5. Play WILL be complete by 10.35pm.
6. The Director’s decisions on the above rules MUST be adhered to.
7. Timings will be pro-rata if 3-board rounds are necessary.

The committee believe that the changes above will provide greater stability in the schedule associated with the Tuesday Duplicates and will enable members to plan their attendance with more certainty.

The outcome of this initiative will be considered by the committee at its next meeting, in mid-June 2004, in conjunction with the views emanating from the referendum.

A.J. Parkinson
Secretary
Reading Bridge Club

Last updated: 07/05/2004