Denton bridge studio policies

1. 
   Game Fees ! These will be determined by the Board of Directors. See the Schedule at the end of this Appendix.
   

1.01 "Student Fee: Any college student or high school student presenting a valid ID

2. 
   Free Games
   

1. 
   FREE GAMES for Members.
   

2. 
   Life Master Achievement. When a Member is named a Life Master by ACBL, the honoree will play for free in that Game. The Player is free to “upgrade” the honor with more elaborate food, drink and décor. The Board may also offer to provide a free game when a player reaches Gold Life Master, or a higher level.
   

2.03 Special Birthday Parties. The Club will sponsor a Birthday Party (cake and food) for any Member who reaches age 90/95/100. The Member will play free.

A “free play” covers the standard game fee only. Upcharges must still be paid if applicable, in the game where the free play is used. Free plays are issued to a particular individual and are not transferrable. The Board may put expiration dates on a free play.

4.01 Guaranteed Partner: DBS will endeavor to provide a partner to play with a newcomer or a visitor. At least 24 hours notice is appreciated to both try to find a most appropriate match and to give prospective partners an opportunity to make appropriate arrangements to play. DBS currently does not have a specific guaranteed partner for most games. Regular players are expected to find their own partners.

5. 
   01 The minimum table count for “making the game” is two and one-half tables. DBS is committed to its small games. If it appears that the game might not make, the Director is authorized and encouraged to take remedial action to assure that there are at least three tables and strive to eliminate half tables if at all possible. He or she may, at their discretion (and with a minimum of delay):
   

1. 
   find additional players to eliminate a half table
   
2. 
   If director is not playing find a fill-in to play with him/her only to eliminate a half-table
   

When there are not twelve players at a regularly scheduled game, the assigned Director may cancel said game and provide all players who did show up a voucher worth ($ 2 or an amount tbd by BOD) towards a future game. Director him/herself receives $ 5 (or an amount tbd by BOD) if it has been decided to compensate Directors.

1. 
   Rulings. When there is an irregularity, call the Director to the table. The Director should give (or read) the applicable ruling to both sides in a courteous manner, referencing the ruling in The Laws of Duplicate Bridge. The players involved should be notified as soon as possible if there is to be a penalty or adjusted score.
   
2. 
   Appeals: If a player disagrees with the Directors’s ruling, the player may appeal by calling for a committee within ten minutes of the completion of the game and scored determined. The committee shall consist of three experienced players present, chosen by the Director. The committee will meet immediately (or no later than by the next day, if there are not three experienced players present) to review the hand/situation, consult the game director and the complainant when possible, review the Laws and make a ruling, which may support or overrule the Director. Their ruling is final.
   
3. 
   Zero Tolerance: A director may assess a scoring penalty if a player becomes belligerent or obnoxious. If warranted, the Director may issue a “Zero Tolerance” warning to the player with notice to a special Judiciary Committee or the Board of Directors. The Club enforces the ACBL Zero Tolerance Policy for conduct, a copy of which is posted at DBS and also available on the DBS and ACBL websites. Major violations or repeated violations may be submitted to the BOD for disposition which may include temporary or permanent suspension from playing at the Club. If there is a question wherein the Director and/or his/her partner are involved in a ZT dispute and/or an offense of protocol, another director should be called. A director cannot make a ruling at his own table.
   
4. 
   Convention Cards/Psychs. Each player should have a convention card which is identical to his playing partner, available for inspection by the opponents. Bids should have meanings consistent with what the convention card says that they mean. Occasional deviation, in a context that partner would NOT anticipate may be allowed for a good “bridge” reason (ex. to discourage a lead in a specific suit) and NOT merely to vex opponents. Even so, no more than two psychs by any player will be permitted in one session. The Director will decide what constitutes a psych and if there is a complaint, may report excess psychs to the Judiciary Committee.
   
5. 
   Fair Play. Players are held to a high standard of ethics. Players must alert bids with special meaning (based on the ACBL Alert Chart) to give the opponents fair notice. Players should NEVER take unfair advantage of special agreements, body language, or knowledge of partner’s habits, or otherwise engage in unethical behavior. Violations should be reported to the Director and may be reported to a Special Judiciary Committee or BOD for disposition, which may include prohibiting a player from playing with a specific partner, or even temporary or permanent suspension from playing at the Club.
   
6. 
   Access to Information. No one other than the Director or his/her assigned assistant is allowed access to game percentages until the last round.
   
7. 
   Etiquette. Players are placed in close quarters and should strive to keep the playing area comfortable for everyone. Players shall follow the basic rules of etiquette to assure that opponents are not distracted and the room is no overwhelmed with noise.
   

Players should refrain from:

Snapping the cards when playing

Tapping their fingers on the table

Humming or making noises that would make others uncomfortable

Staring at or making prolonged eye contact with partner or opponents during play

When the cards come out for a new hand, conversation should cease. Between hands, conversation should be in low tones while others are still playing.
Players must take care to not discuss hands openly when they have not yet been played by others. Cards should be shuffled slightly after a pass out. Scores should not be announced loudly- this is duplicate bridge and players need to avoid giving other players at another table information that could assist them when they play that board.
Smoking/Hygiene/Perfume. There is NO SMOKING at DBS. If you must smoke, please be sure you have the time available and smoke outside, away from the entrance to the Club. Further, many players have allergies and sensitivities such that smoke residue could remain on one’s clothing. Similarly, excessive use of perfume is to be discouraged. All players are expected to maintain good personal hygiene.
Scoring: At DBS, personal hand held scoring devices are used. N/S enters the scores and E/W approves the entry and submits it. Scoring errors will be corrected when confirmed by someone from each side, or when there is no question about the error based on the hand, provided corrections are made in a timely manner. Late corrections are not guaranteed. The Board may adopt a separate score corrections policy.
6.0 Games
6.01 Regular Game schedule. The Board determines the regular game schedule and appoints game directors and sets the pricing for the game. The Board will endeavor to provide games for both experienced players and beginner players. Game schedules will be posted both at the studio and on the website.
6.02 Special Games. DBS will host as many ACBL-sponsored special games as possible each year to allow players access to earn more masterpoints (including some silver, red or gold masterpoints) and to participate in different types of events. All special games will be approved by the Board, placed on the calendar and promoted on the website.
6.03 Unit Games. DBS will support Unit 183 activities that benefit DBS members, including Unit tournaments, hosting or co-hosting special events or games, and promoting Unit games. The Board wil endeavor to represent the DBS members with the Unit and make the Unit resources available to the club and its members.
6.04 The Board may add or remove games.

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  Holidays. DBS is closed on Christmas, New Year’s and Thanksgiving
  
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  DBS closes at its discretion during local Sectional tournaments
  
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  DBS closes for Regional and National tournaments in the DFW Metroplex
  
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  The Board, the Club Manager or the director for a specific game may cancel a game for weather-related situations. This should be posted as soon as possible.
  

6.05 Game Directors

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  Qualified. All DBS games will be conducted by an ACBL Game Director. Regular game directors shall be appointed by the Board. A Board member responsible for special appointments may designate directors for special games and/or designate an interim or substitute director for their own games. The Board and Club Manager shall maintain a calendar of games indicating the game directors for each.
  
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  Duties. Directors will be subject to the duties imposed on them by the ACBL and the policies of DBS.
  
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  Continuing education. Directors are encouraged to attend seminars and/or educational classes to maintain their directorial skills.
  
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  Silver Option Fees, Game Fees and Up-charges are waived for fulltime directors. Substitute directors will receive a free play when they are a director or for a future game that they play.
  

7. 
   Player/Member Management
   
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     New player Information. Directors shall collect information about a new player on a New Player Slip, as set out in 3.01 of this Appendix.
     
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     Membership
     

Members vote to elect a Board, are eligible to serve on the Board, and have a voice in the operations of the club. Membership dues support the fiscal health of the club.

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  ACBL Memberships. Club members are encouraged to join the ACBL, although this is not a mandatory requirement for playing at or being a member of the DBS.
  
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  Recognition Parties. The Board may set a policy for recognition parties. Suggested situations are when members attain Life Master status, Gold Life Master status, attaining certain ages (? 90, 95, 100). The club may spend up to $ 50 for such parties and the recognized player will play for free. Said player, and/or friends may upgrade the party at their own expense.
  
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  Death of a member. The club Secretary or his/her designee will send a card to the immediate family, if appropriate.
  
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  Directory Information. The Club will maintain contact information and may use it to contact members about information and opportunities related to the Club. The Club will not distribute or sell personal information to others, aside from coordinating directory information with the Unit or the ACBL.
  

7. 
   Studio Management. The Studio Manager is the contact person designated by the Board for facility related issues. The manager may have a Facilities coordinator to assist in the details of maintaining the studio. He/she would report directly to the Studio Manager.
   

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  Hours of Operation. The Studio may be open before or after regular bridge sessions with approval of the Board.
  
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  Third Party Use of the Studio. Use of the Studio for classes or other functions that are not sponsored by the Club will be at the discretion of the Board. Rent for such functions will be set by the Board.
  
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  Third Party Ads. Bridge-related opportunities may be promoted by flyers placed in an approved display area, at the discretion of the Board. Similarly, vendors or sales displays are permitted solely at the discretion of the Board.
  
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  Use of Moveable Property. No boards, bidding boxes, cards, chairs, tables, dealing machines, event timers, kitchen equipment, etc. may be loaned to an individual without prior Board approval.
  

7. 
   Club Management. The club is managed by its duly elected Board, which is accountable to the membership. The Board may delegate part of its duties to committees (either Standing Committees or Special Committees.)
   

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  Informing the Membership. The board will keep its members informed as to the operation of the Club and changes in policy for the Club.
  

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  Minutes. A copy of board minutes will be posted in the Studio and on the website. This will be done in a timely manner.
  
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  Calendars. A monthly calendar will be provided and posted in the Studio and a printable version will be available on the website.
  
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  Financials. Financial reports will be posted in the Studio. DBS will arrange for an annual audit with a report at the annual meeting.
  
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  Job descriptions. A list of Board members, game directors, officers, committee chairpersons and other appointees will be maintained on the website.
  

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  Suggestion box. This will be under the responsibility of the Club President and the Secretary. Suggestions must be legible and with a name. Responses will be done in a timely manner.
  

11. 
    Other Special Committees In addition to the Committees as indicated in 10, the Board may establish other Special committees from time to time to deal with unique events/situations. These committees will perform their assigned duties, report to the Board and then these committees will cease to exist, unless the Board votes to add them to the Standing committees.
    

Examples of such committees might be: Food manager, Club Policies Committee, Judiciary Committee (dealing with ethics, appeals, disciplinary actions, etc.)

Game Fee = Basic + Upgrade (if any) + Food (if any)

$8 All Other Games

Upgraded Club Championship Game

Club Appreciation Game

Unit Championship Game

Junior Fund Game

Charity Game (not ACBL-wide)

International Fund Game (not ACBL-wide)

Education Fund Game

NAP Qualification Game

STaC Game

ACBL-wide Seniors Game

ACBL-wide International Fund Game ACBL-wide Charity Game

ACBL Instant Matchpoint Game

World-wide Bridge Contest
Food

None Anything less than full meal