The Bridge Zone

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

The BZ Crew talk about • Labour Weekend Congress is seeing strong registration with 27 pairs and 23 teams currently entered • New System Regulations effective October 1st have caused frustration among intermediate players, specifically those using the Polish Club system who are now ineligible for the intermediate section • Disciplinary Actions Any misconduct are being made public by the NZB Conduct, Discipline and Disputes Committee to ensure transparency Judge Julie clears up some things - Director Rulings and Etiquette • Wrong Hand Procedure: If a player plays from the wrong hand, a director must be called Defenders may accept a lead, but they cannot consult each other before doing so • Simultaneous Actions: When multiple actions occur at once, the laws prioritize the person who is next to act • Player Etiquette: Stronger players are encouraged to call the director for errors (even their own) to remove pressure from inexperienced players and ensure correct information is provided • Hesitations: Acknowledging a partner's long bidding time can reduce table stress, though it does not preclude a director's ruling Mr Jinn shares results from around the motu • Intermediate players are now prohibited from playing Polish Club, a regulation change effective from October 1, 2026 • Mr. Jinn currently holds the first-place position on the Local Master ranking list • The JIN Club and The Bridge Zone will host a get-together at the convention center's upstairs bar during the upcoming Congress Got some news or feedback, flick us an email [email protected] Plenty to listen to, just click and hear our discussions See you at the tables The BZ Crew