Bridge in the Barossa

Bridge in the Barossa Buddy Program

The focus will be on beginning players (the Partner) and players with more experience (the Buddy).

Aim:   To help beginner players who are keen to improve their game and their confidence by playing with a more experienced player for 2 to 4 weeks.

The Rules

• The partnership should be for a limited time.
• Discussion of boards played can occur after a session or by email or phone call, but not at the table during play. Looking at the results on Pianola can be a good way of enhancing the discussion.
• At the end of the buddy period, both participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire to help the organisers assess the program.

For the Buddy (experienced)

• This is not a teaching situation. Focus on encouraging the Partner to use skills they already have in order to gain confidence.
• Share successes as well as failures.
• Praise in order to build confidence.
• Lead by example.

For the Partner (inexperienced)

• Establish specific goals with your buddy in order to focus direction.
• Seek and accept advice/constructive criticism.
• Provide honest feedback to your buddy.
• Keep your buddy informed of progress made.

Before starting:

• Discuss the reason for participating in the program
• Set 2 or 3 goals or objectives for the buddy relationship.
• Work out the details - when to play and the follow-up.

All players are expected to abide by the following

Bridge is a game to be enjoyed, rudeness at the table is forbidden by the Laws of Contract Bridge.

THE DO’s

At the start of each round greet other players and smile.

Volunteer the outline of your bidding system to them and forewarn them of any special calls by your partnership.

Congratulating the good play of your opponents is highly recommended.

Bid and play to time.  Claim when you can, stating a line of play.

Accept rulings from the Director cheerfully, without arguing at the table.  If you disagree with the Director, you are entitled to lodge an appeal before you leave.

Practise active ethics – when asked for an explanation, give full details of your partnership’s agreement, both explicit and implicit.

THE DON’T’s

Avoid lengthy post-mortems.

Don’t give lessons to your partner or opponents at the table.

Avoid criticisms, especially of your partner.

Profanity, badgering, gloating and making insinuations are all unacceptable.

Don’t give your own rulings at the table or of any queried results; always call the Director.

In summary, speak and behave at all times in a way that enhances the experience of the game for those around you.

Serious breaches will be referred to the Ethics Committee.