BIL Rules

BIL Privacy Policy      BIL Terms of Use

1. BBO Site Rules
Abiding by the rules as laid out in the BBO Rules is mandatory. (in BBO's Useful Links and Information). You must treat your Partners and Opponents with courtesy and respect. We have Zero Tolerance for any form of bad behaviour.

2. Timing of Unscheduled Events
No unscheduled Event is to be held as a BIL event whereby the timing of that Event would interfere with a member's ability to attend a lesson, play in a scheduled Lesson, Fun or Pay for Tournament.

3. Unscheduled Events as BIL Events
Provided that Rule #2 has been met members may define their unscheduled event as a BIL event. e.g. Team Match, Ladder Challenge

4. Use of BIL Chat ToClub Facility
Members running their own private events outside of the BIL are NOT permitted to use the BIL Chat ToClub facility to seek players in their private events.

5. Use of "BIL"
Members running their own private events outside the BIL are NOT permitted to use the word BIL or any other inference to suggest that their events are in any way connected to the BIL.

6. Revocation of Membership
Any member failing to comply with Rules, 2/4/5 will have their membership permanently revoked.

7. Playing at a Table in the BIL
Undos are to be permitted - but do not ask for undo after an Opponent has played to the card unless the Table Host has posted permission in the table description.

When playing during an Open Teaching Session it is permissable to ask for undos and to privately ask the teacher for advice

Do not leave a table during a hand; announce your departure before the hand finishes.

7a. Kibitzing at a Table in the BIL

During an Open Teaching Session ( as advertised in the BIL Calendar) it is permissable to comment if/when the teacher in charge invites the Kibitzers to do so.

Kibitzers aere NEVER to private message the players at a Teaching table .

It is never acceptable to interupt a Mentoring Session. These are 'private' lessons betrween mentor and mentee geared solely to the mentees playing level and the system they are learning. Some mentees kindly allow kibs to sit in so others can learn while they do so. They are under no obligation to do that. It is a privilege therefore for others to sit in. Kibs who choose to stay because they find they yoo are learning something must remain SILENT !

The same applies when you kibitz a scheduled Practice table - do not offer unsolicited advice - open your own table and put in the table description that you are willing to discuss the hands if wanted to by those who join you.

8. Private Skill Level
Showing a skill level of "Private" in the Lounge is unacceptable. Some events will be classified for a particular level.

9. BIL Skill Levels
The following are the BBO skill level definitions for use in the BIL and when playing in the BIL's Play/Discuss format lessons, tournaments, and when playing social bridge. Please read them, decide on your level, and if necessary change your profile.

Beginner
A newcomer to bridge, one who is learning the basic principles.

Intermediate
One who has a good understanding of the basic principles and is learning the modern conventions and those who are developing the skills to become an Advanced Player.

For the purpose of BIL in house Courses and mentor assignments the Skill levels are further defined as:

STARTER Very little or no knowledge of bridge, wish to learn. BEGINNER Familiar with the basics. Tend to play social bridge. Not following continuations in the bidding. No idea what the opposition are doing. IMPROVING BEGINNER Need to learn the modern conventions, have attended lessons, read books. Tend to robotically follow rules and guidelines. INTERMEDIATE Comfortable with the basics of System of choice, the common conventions and basic defensive play. IMPROVING INTERMEDIATE Working on becoming proficient with Declarer Play, Defense, Counting. Have a little ability to visualize opponents hands and correctly identify card locations. UPPER INTERMEDIATE Adding some advanced treatments e.g. 2 over 1 with related conventions. Consistently scoring well in BIL and ACBL 299er tournaments. Playing with regular partner building up Partnership Agreements. Routinely reading bridge books and articles. Need to master bridge judgement and reduce error rate.

10.Systems
All systems are acceptable. Take time to re-assess your profile (click on your user name to edit). Make full use of the space available to you. This is of immense help in ensuring that when playing with a "pick up" partner you can enjoy playing together.

11.Chat to Club
The Chat to Club facility is ONLY to be used sparingly and for the sole purpose of advising kibitzers at other tables that you have spare seats available.

Do not use Chat To Club when at a teaching session (To Club goes to ALL tables in the Lounge). Members playing at other tables have the RIGHT to play in peace - unlike the Lobby Chat, Club Chat cannot be disabled.

If playing while an Open Teaching Session is on do not use Chat To Club asking for members to join you - it disrupts the lesson and in inconsiderate of the teacher giving their time. Send a message To Lobby or message friends privately - friends can be contacted by clicking on the Black Lobby button on the right of your screen and clicking on their name.

12. Problems or Complaints
If you have any matters of concern with respect to the management of the lounge, conduct of honorary members or mentors these matters must be reported to either Maureen Hall (User-Id = hallway) or  BILAssist  who will refer the matter to Maureen. When emailing always include screen shots

13. Problems at a Table
If a matter needs to be dealt with urgently, call any BBO "Yellow" they can deal with issues immediately. Report any bad behaviour to BILmanager .Be sure to take a screen shot (Print Screen to copy and Ctrl V to paste to the email )

14. Change of EMAIL Address
 Update your membership details as soon as your email address changes.

15. Correspondence
You must put your BBO Log In name on all correspondence.

16. Zero Tolerance for Unacceptable Behaviour
There is little doubt that the one thing that drives newer players away from bridge is bad behaviour. Zero Tolerance for Unacceptable Behaviour started in Canada. Follow these guidelines:

Expected Behaviour
This is anything that makes bridge MORE enjoyable for others.
Being a good Host or Guest at a table.
Greeting others in a friendly manner prior to the start of play.
Having a Convention Card available. At the very least your preferred System & Conventions on your profile.
Giving credit to partner and opponents for a good bid/play.

The BIL’s catch phrase is -  Cherish your Partner and Respect your Opposition


Unacceptable Behaviour
This is anything that makes bridge LESS enjoyable for others.

It is never acceptable to interupt a mentoring session. Those are 'private' lessons between m,entor and mentee geared solely to teh mentees playing level and the System they are learning. Soem mentees kindly allow Kibs to sit in so others too can learn while they do so. They are under no obnligation to do that, it is a privelege therefore for others to sit in. Kibs who choose to stay becuase they find they too are learning something MUST REMAIN SILENT

This also applies when kibbitzing a Practice Session- do not offer unsolicited advice - you can open a table of your own and put in the table description that you are willing to discuss hands if wanted by those who join you

Using the "ToClub" chat to invite people to your table during a Teaching Session.

Publicly criticizing partner or opponents.

Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, profanity, racist remarks.

Negative comments concerning partner or opponents biding/play.

Gloating over a good result.

Objecting to a call for the Director. Disputing or arguing with a Director's ruling.

Being disrespectful to a BIL Guest. 

Private messaging players at a teaching table commenting on their bidding/play

Zero Tolerance = removal from the membership list – which can , depending on the severity of the offence,  be permanent.

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