Team Games Explained

49er TEAMS

All players have fewer than 50 masterpoints.

99er TEAMS

All members of every team have fewer than 100 masterpoints. The event usually is run either as a Swiss or a Knockout.

199er TEAMS

All members of every team have fewer than 200 masterpoints. The event can be run as any one of the three basic types.

299er TEAMS

All members of every team have fewer than 300 masterpoints. The event can be run as any one of the three basic team categories

BOARD-A-MATCH SWISS TEAMS

The basic formula for the way in which Board-a-Match Swiss Teams is conducted can be found under Swiss Teams. The difference between this type of Swiss Teams event and others is the method of scoring.

The scoring for this type of event is radically different from the other two forms of Swiss Teams. After play is finished and the team compares scores, one matchpoint is awarded for each board won and half a matchpoint for each board tied. The margin of difference on any board is of no consequence; winning a board by 10 is the same as winning a board by 4000; it's one matchpoint. This type of game is rare. Occasionally it is run at an NABC, but seldom elsewhere.

BRACKETED KNOCKOUT TEAMS

Some method of seeding based on ability and experience is used to divide the total field into two or more groups. The breakdown is according to the average masterpoints of all players on each team. Each bracket comprises a separate event with its own masterpoint awards. There is no interplay between brackets.

The size of each bracket and the number of brackets depend on the number of teams entered. The purpose of bracketing is to establish groups within which each team is competitive.

COMPACT KNOCKOUT TEAMS

The usual match in a Knockout event runs for at least one full session. However, in a Compact event, the matches are shortened so that two matches can be played in one session, with just four players per team. This makes it possible to determine a winner in a 16-team game in just two sessions. This means the entire event can be finished in one da

FLIGHTED TEAMS

An event that is broken down into two or three fields based on masterpoints. Each field competes as a separate event. The flight for which a team is eligible is determined by the masterpoint holding of the player with the most masterpoints. Teams may opt to play in a higher classification but not in a lower one. Often the breakdown is as follows:

• Flight A - 0 to infinity

• Flight B - 0-750

• Flight C - 0-300

All teams are eligible to compete in Flight A. Only teams with fewer than 750 points for each player (Flight B limit) are eligible to play in Flight B. Only teams with fewer than 300 points for each player (Flight C limit) are eligible to play in Flight C. Teams eligible for Flight A only may compete in Flight A only.

HANDICAP KNOCKOUT TEAMS

A handicap is assigned to each team based on a formula that takes experience and ability into consideration. The handicap is in the form of International Matchpoints (IMPs) and is added to the IMP total of the less experienced team. The winner is determined by the score after the handicap has been added in.

JUNIOR TEAMS

All members are younger than 26.

KO TEAMS

A shortened form of Knockout Teams.

MASTER TEAMS

A Master Team usually runs in conjunction with a Non-Master Teams. An arbitrary lower limit of masterpoints is set, and at least one member of each team must have at least that number of masterpoints.

MINI-KNOCKOUT TEAMS

The Mini-Knockout Teams consist of a series of very short matches. It is designed to produce a winner in just one session of play. It often is played as a midnight game at regionals and NABCs. It's often called a Lose and Snooze Teams because the winners play on while the losers can get to bed a little earlier.

MIXED TEAMS

A Mixed Teams comprises at least two men and two women. The maximum number of team members is six, and the breakdown by gender must be as even as possible; for instance, with a six-player team, three must be men, and three must be women. The team at all times must field mixed pairs; at no time may a pair consist of two men or two women. The event can be a Knockout, a Board-a-Match, or a Swiss.

NEWCOMER TEAMS

All members of every team have fewer than a previously determined number of masterpoints. The event usually is run either as a Swiss or a Knockout.

NON-MASTER TEAMS

A Non-Master Teams is usually run in conjunction with a Master Teams. An arbitrary upper limit of masterpoints is set, and all members of each team must have no more than that number of masterpoints.

OPEN TEAMS

In Open Teams, there are no restrictions on the makeup of the teams�except the numerical limit is six. The event can be run as one of the three basic types.

RANDOM DRAW KNOCKOUT TEAMS

The teams that remain in the competition are paired for their next match by means of a random draw. Typically, all the possible positions are written on slips of paper, and the captain of each team draws his next assignment at the time he reports his winning match result. The pairings for the first match also are random.

ROUND-ROBIN TEAMS

All teams play a match against each other team in the field. Usually, IMPs are translated into Victory Points for each match, and the team with the most Victory Points is the winner. The Win-Loss system also is sometimes used.

SENIOR TEAMS

All members of every team are at least 55 years old. The event can be run as any one of the three basic types.

STRATIFIED TEAMS

A Swiss Team event that produces more than one set of winners. The event is run along the same lines as an Open Swiss Teams. Any team may be paired against teams from any of the other brackets.

The only difference comes in the rankings. First, overall in the top stratum is determined by comparing all scores. Then, the scores from the top stratum are eliminated and a second ranking takes place for the remaining teams. Next, the scores from the second stratum are eliminated and a third ranking takes place.

It is possible for teams in the second and third strata to place in a higher stratum, but teams in the top stratum are eligible for awards only in the top stratum.

The stratum in which a team plays is determined by the player who has the greater number of masterpoints. Teams do not have a choice of strata�they are automatically placed in the lowest strata for which they are eligible.

STRATIFLIGHTED TEAMS

A Stratiflighted Teams is almost identical to a Stratified Teams, with one major difference; the teams in the top stratum compete in a separate event, totally apart from the other strata. The top flight can be divided into two strata if preferred. The remaining teams play a stratified game handled exactly like a Stratified Teams.

UNSEEDED KNOCKOUT TEAMS

Another name for Random Draw Knockout Teams.

VICTORY POINT SWISS TEAMS

The basic formula for the way in which this game is conducted can be found under Swiss Teams. The difference between this type of Swiss Teams event and others is the method of scoring.

Up to a point, it's the same as Win-Loss scoring; the boards are IMPed, and an algebraic sum is derived. However, this figure is then translated into Victory Points according to a formula worked out in advance. Subsequent matches are paired according to a team's Victory Point total, not according to its win-loss record. Overall rankings are based on Victory Point totals. The 20-point and 30-point Victory Point scales are printed on the ACBL convention card.

WIN-LOSS SWISS TEAMS

The basic formula for the way in which the Win-Loss Swiss Teams is conducted can be found under Swiss Teams. The difference between this type of Swiss Teams event and others is the method of scoring.

This is the usual method of scoring: A team compiles its results and determines whether the total is plus or minus. If the total is plus 3 or more, the match is deemed won and the team receives one matchpoint. If the total is plus 1 or plus 2, the team receives three-quarters of a matchpointï; this result is termed a "winning tie" If both teams score exactly the same number of IMPs, each team gets half a matchpoint. The team that loses by 1 or 2 is said to have suffered a "losing tie" and is awarded one-fourth of a matchpoint. If the team loses by 3 or more IMPs, they are a loser and get no matchpoints. No losing team receives masterpoints for the match, even if they lose by only 1 or 2 IMPs. Winning teams receive full match masterpoints even if they win by only 1 or 2 IMPs.

WOMEN'S TEAMS

All members of every team are women. The event can be run as any one of the three basic team categories listed earlier.

ZIP KNOCKOUT TEAMS

Another name for Compact Knockout Teams. This type of event often is staged as a midnight game at regionals and North American Bridge Championships.

ZIP SWISS TEAMS

Speed of play is a major factor. Each match consists of five boards, and an average of only five minutes per board is allowed for play {25 minutes per round). Usually, five rounds are played, and the event sometimes is called a five-five-five Swiss. This event frequently is a late-night game during a sectional, regional, or NABC. It is sometimes flighted or stratified.