Grand River Bridge Club

Unacceptable (ZT) Behaviours/ Mandatory Process and Consequences

For either of the following behaviours, the Director should be called to the table or if aware of the situation, the Director should go to the table in question.  The Director will assess the situation and if, in his/ her opinion, one or more players have behaved unacceptably, will assess a mandatory ¼-board penalty to each offending person.  If both partners are at fault, the penalty is additive.  Every incident will be reported to the Lead Director by email.

If this is the 2nd or more ZT game for a player in a 6-month period, the Lead Director will issue a mandatory 1-week suspension to the player, and communicate such to the Board and to all Game Directors.  If it is a 3rd or more ZT game in the 6-month period, the Lead Director will direct it to the Conduct and Ethics Committee for further action.

1. Comments (including gestures) concerning partner's play or bidding that are easily recognized as a "hurtful" or "shaming" in nature.
2. Comments to the opponents (including unwelcome advice) that are easily recognized as "demeaning" or "condescending" in nature.
3. For either of the following behaviours, the player will immediately be sent home (no refund, no masterpoints) and the incident will be reported to the Lead Director who will issue a mandatory 1 week suspension. If the player has had another ZT game in the past 6 months, it will be referred to the Conduct and Ethics Committee.
   1. Refusal to comply with a Director’s instructions.
   2. Refusal to complete a game without approval to leave from the Director.

Other Behaviours

These behaviours will be dealt with by coaching from the Director away from the table, but reported to the Lead Director for further action if they show a behaviour pattern for the player.

• Excessive congratulatory comments on own or partner’s good play/defense.
• Shushing or giving directions to others at the table.
• Obnoxious behaviour as assessed by the “ordinary” Open player.
• Reports of others’ ZT behaviour that is deemed by the Director to be frivolous.