Rules and Regulations of the LBHCBA
Background
Our articles of association were significantly reformulated during the upheavals of 2019-21 and passed at the 2021 AGM. When the changes of that period, principally the move to online matches, proved more persistent, further amendments were made which were presented and passed at the 2023 AGM.
The process is not yet complete: the 2021 & 2023 revisions were to matters of governance, how the Association is run and its obligations to members, not how its bridge should be arranged, played, scored etc. That last segment is a work in progress.
Governance
In conformity with most bridge clubs and associations, our Association has a Constitution and a Privacy Policy.
- Constitution
- Formal definition of the association, make-up of committee and functions of officers, conduct of meetings etc.
- Privacy Policy
- What personal data the Association holds and what it does with it.
The documents above replace the 'Rules of the LBHCBA' [PDF] (2009).
Conditions of Contest
As per the background notes above, the way matches are played and scored is, except where other judgements overrule (e.g. VP Scales, number of players allowed, also see below) remains unchanged since 2009.
- Bye-Laws of the LBHCBA [PDF]
- Submission to Laws of duplicate and rules of EBU, conduct of league, knock-outs, Selfridges Pairs, SURDOC Multiple Teams, etc. Last revised at the AGM on 8-Sep-2009.
Fees
- Annual Subscription
- £5 per team attending the AGM but £15 otherwise
- League
- £20 per team (increased 2023)
- Knock Outs
- £5 per team (minimum two matches; one Cup, one Plate or two in Cup)
- SURDOC Teams-of-Four
- Recently (2023), when held online, this has been of the order of £20 per team
- Selfridges Pairs
- Comments as the SURDOC, typically, £10 per pair
Conduct of Matches
These guidelines were updated slightly in September 2025 to explicitly mention online play. The precedent dates from 2007.
It has long been a principle that there are no forfeited matches in League matches and it remains so. This applies to matches played online, just as it does to those played face-to-face. In knock-out matches this does not apply and forfeits, though regrettable, may arise by failure to supply a team or by not keeping to an agreed time and date.
The tenets of play in the League are still well summarised as follows,
- The League is a competitive but friendly forum for bridge.
- All matches should start by 19:00. A captain cannot be compelled to start a match half an hour later than the agreed start time or 19:00 (whichever is the earlier).
- The matter of adjustment of League matches is the sole responsibility of the committee. Note, the removal of boards and imposition of an IMP penalty, is not sanctioned. Matches may however be shortened by mutual consent (to a minimum of 16 boards).
We urge understanding of players' difficulties and tolerance in modifying arrangements. There might be more latitude to manage online delays, but it should not be depended upon and the timing constraint above applies.
Where a fixture has to be abandoned, it should be rearranged with accommodations to the non-offending side. Though there have been very few occasions over the years, all have provoked committee discussion and informed the above. A case-study can be found here, which despite its age, remains relevant.