The Bridge Zone

The Bridge Zone – Episode 436
• System card compliance was identified as a recurring issue at the Palmerston North Congress

• Directors' intervention is seen as necessary to enforce system card completion, potentially through adjusted scores or standing players down for a match

• Tournament results were shared, including the Cormac Cup (best women's team) won by Jane Stearns, Gillian Corbett, Claire Coles, and Joy Williams

• Regional winners included Auckland Seniors – Patrick Carter, Julie Atkinson, Grant Jarvis, Jonathan Westoby, Waikato Bays - Jenna, Christine Gibbons, Kate Terry, Judy Pawson and Top of the South -intermediates: Aidan Gunn, Stan Naylor, Michelle Gunn, Sue Glue and Open won by Wellington Peter Newell, Martin Reid, Alan Grant and Anthony Ker

• Otago was the most consistent overall, winning the Dougal McLean Trophy

• More Congress news next week

• Talk with Murray Wiggins continues
NZB Board Member on Player Rank and Tournament Changes next week chat
• NZ Bridge Youth Raffle email me for the banking details

• $10 per ticket – prize is free entry into the 2027 Congress

• Supporting the 27 strong Youth group travelling to Canberra in January 2027 to compete in the Australian Youth Championships
• Even if you are not at Congress you can support this great cause, email payment receipt to bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com and I will allocate a ticket number for you
Got some news or feedback, flick us an email
bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com

Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussion
See you at the tables
The BZ Crew

Podcast produced and first broadcast at Free FM 89.0 - a platform for direct involvement in the media. Hamilton Kirikiriroa, NZ

The Bridge Zone – Episode 435
Lysandra Zheng received a 12-month suspension from playing, directing, and kibitzing after being caught cheating online - the topic is raised and we discuss next week
• New ranking rules will regrade approximately 18–20 frequent intermediate players to open/limited status, causing significant frustration due to short notice and impact on restricted tournament eligibility.
The Jinn Man - Otago Tour Highlights
• Does the Double The Jinn Man picks up plenty of B points winning both the Otago intermediate pairs (with Deirdre Oliver) and the teams (with Graham Dale and Blair Corlett) during a successful Otago Bridge tour.
• Club Visits:
o East Taieri, Otago and Balclutha
The Bridge Zone Talks with Murray Wiggins
– NZB Board Member on Player Rank and Tournament Changes
• District Master rank created for current Local Masters with 5 or more A-points. 8
• Novice grade introduced for players who have not yet obtained a certificate of proficiency. 9
• Restricted grade split from the Open grade; it includes Provincial Masters, Masters, and National Masters as of January 1 each year. 310
• Club Masters will remain Junior players even if they have 5+ A-points, reversing a previous rule that automatically made them Intermediate. 311
• Limited tournaments will allow any pairing except those where both players are Provincial Master or above (Open/Restricted players). 45
• Restricted tournaments are intended for Restricted players and below, providing a competitive environment for those who might avoid Open events. 12
Judge Julie rules
• Partner mis-explanation (declaring and defending side)
• Uncertainty about a bid
• Appeals process

Got some news or feedback, flick us an email bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com
Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions
See you at the tables
The BZ Crew

Hamilton Labour Weekend Congress is approaching with 28 pairs in the Shirley Waymouth open pairs, 23 teams in the team’s event, and 24 pairs in the Swiss pairs.
Tournament history is estimated to be around 30 years, possibly starting in 1997, though Barry recalls playing there as an intermediate in the early 90s.
Youth participation is highlighted with players like Calexico (Theodore) and Toby attending Congress for the first time.
The new Masterpoint scheme will be in effect by the time of the Congress
New Zealand Wide Pairs - Tournament field:had approximately 800 players (around 200 tables)

Judge Julie rules on

Scoring discrepancies in the New Zealand-wide pairs are explained by the difference between local club scoring and scoring across a larger national field.
Tournament and club results
Barry asks for a bottle of plonk

The Gambler tips on

Negative doubles - reinforced as a key bidding tool

Mr Jinn announces the results of the Jin Club tourneys
• Waitomo Restricted, New Zealand-wide Pairs, Hastings Intermediate, Northshore Intermediate, Alex Baker, Barfoot and Thompson Gin Club Championship winner, Cambridge Intermediate and the Waikato Bays Intermediate Championship winner
Upcoming Events
Otago Southland Congress (Dunedin) for the Jinn man chasing the B points

Got some news or feedback, flick us an email bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com

Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions
See you at the tables The BZ Crew

Head Director, Matthew McManus joins the Bridge Zone this
He clarifies that simplified versions of the Polish Club system remain permitted for intermediate players, while overly complex relay-based systems are restricted
The New Zealand Bridge Board is releasing a new document to resolve existing ambiguities in the regulations
Additionally, the directing team for the upcoming Congress has expanded to include three new members, including a national director from Australia
Regulations and System Clarifications
• Polish Club:
• Intermediate Restrictions
• Regulation Updates:
Director Perspectives and Training
• Role Philosophy: Directors are viewed as "servants of the players" and should aim to assist rather than act as an overbearing presence
• Law Application, Technology Impact, Information Display, Congress Directing
• Staffing: The directing crew for Congress includes two trainees (Justine Hart and Mary Christensen) and Darryl Whitfield from Canberra
Mr Jinn announces the results of the Jin Club tourneys
• Tournament results were shared for several junior and intermediate events, including Napier, Te Awamutu, Croxford, Matamata, and Paraparaumu.
• Rule clarification was provided: a dummy cannot initiate a call to the director for an infraction; another player must first bring it to the table's attention.
• Upcoming events include the New Zealand-wide pairs on Friday and several tournaments over the weekend.
Barry and Mereana talk about the North Island Pairs in Auckland
had a quality field of 16 tables, won by Ashley Bart and Nick Jacob
Got some news or feedback, flick us an email bridgezoneshuffle@gmail.com

Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions
See you at the tables The BZ Crew