Changes to Regulations from August 1st 2010

The L&E and the Tournament Committee have met to discuss possible changes to licensing in the wake of comments received about 1 and 1 openings.

The following decisions have been made:

• A revision to the regulations will apply from August 1st 2010 when the updated Orange Book is published.

• There will be two revised levels. Level 4 will be the same as now except that 1 and 1 opening bids must show that suit.

• Level 5 will permit all that was already licensed at this level plus anything already licensed at the current Level 4. The main effect of this will be that 1 and 1 openings that do not show the suit will be permitted at this level only.

• The WBF convention card will be permitted in all Level 5 events and not at any lower level.

• There are no changes below Level 4.

• All county associations and clubs that permit Level 4 can continue exactly as now unless they wish to permit non natural 1/1 openings.

• The events which will be played at Level 5 are the Spring Foursomes, Crockford’s Cup and Plate, The National Swiss Teams Congress, the Ranked Masters (at Life master and above level only) and the Tollemache (both qualifying round and Final ). BGB sets its own regulations for the Gold Cup and Silver Plate but these have traditionally closely followed EBU levels and the Premier League is currently played under Level 5 regulations.