• Latest News

There has been a withdrawal from the Women's Playoff. A new draw has been posted.

The draws for round 1 have been posted.

Entries for the Seniors' and Women's Playoffs will open Thursday 5th October and close on Thursday 23rd November.
Please note that entries to each playoff are limited to the top 16 pairs.

 • Purpose of the Playoffs

The primary purpose of the Playoffs is to select the Australian Women's and Senior Teams for the next year. By entering either Playoff, all players declare that they are available and intend to represent Australia in any Target Event/s if they qualify.

Participation and performance in the Playoff are also major criteria in deciding to whom the ABF offers the opportunity to represent Australia in any other (non-target) representative events that may arise in that year.

All players who enter the Playoff must be eligible to play for Australia as per the ABF's Eligibility to represent Australia Policy, and be eligible for any Target Events as per their eligibility codes.

 • Venue

Canberra Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon, ACT

 • Parking

 • Accommodation

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AT THE REX.

There are plenty of accommodation choices in the general vicinity of the Rex to suit all budgets. However, why bother when you can stay at the Rex itself for the excellent rate of $160 per night for one of their stylish King Rooms including complimentary buffet breakfast for two adults. If you want to upgrade to the luxury of a Crown Suite, why not ask the Rex for a quote. We have reserved sufficient rooms for all players.

The Early Bird ends on 27 October 2017. When booking just say that you are with the Australian Bridge Federation Playoffs and quote SFOB12.

Reservations: reservations@canberrarexhotel.com.au or Telephone: 02 6248 5311.

Also, we have negotiated a 24-hour cancellation provision whereby if players cancel by 4pm for the following day they incur no financial penalty. This means players can book for the full five-day period and at most incur a one day penalty if they are eliminated after Stage 1 of the Playoff.

 • Fees and Subsidies

The entry fee for the Seniors' and Women's Playoff is $560 per pair including GST.

To simplify administration for interstate players, it has been decided to net off the entry fee from player subsidies to produce a single player payment in most cases except players from Sydney and Canberra as follows:

Table of Player Payments or Fees

*The ABF policy of discounted entry for Youth applies.  In the case of youth players an additional payment of $140 will be added to the figures in this column.

Canberra players are asked to pay their entry fee by direct deposit to the following bank account:
BSB: 082968; A/C: 641482644) by the close of business on Wednesday 29 November 2017.

Player payments will be made to a nominated bank account for each player on Monday 4 December 2017.

 • Format

The Format for the 2018 playoffs will be the same as was used for the 2014 playoffs.

• qualification by pairs (ranked by PQPs)
• up to 16 pairs with byes if an odd number of pairs enter; and
• two stages, stage I over three days, with field reduced from 16 to 10 pairs to stage II over 2 days with a carryforward from stage I.

 • Target Events

By entering the Playoff, all players declare that they are available and intend to represent Australia in any Target Event/s if they qualify.

There is no target event for 2018, since there is no World Championship or Asia Pacific event where we can send an Australian Representative Team.

Successful participants in the Playoff may be offered the opportunity to participate in any other supported events. Details will be posted as they become available.

 • Other Supported Events

The ABF will offer successful pairs support to attend one or both of the events below. The ABF may decide to support other events if they become available and are thought to be worth supporting.  

World Bridge Series in Orlando Florida, 22 September – 6 October 2018

The ABF will offer support for the pairs placing 1st and 2nd in each of the Women's and Seniors' Playoffs to attend this World Bridge Federation event. If a pair declines the offer, the offer will pass to the next highest placed pair(s).

Support will be $3,000 for the higher placed pair and $2,000 for the other pair, with a further maximum entry fee contribution capped at $1,000 per pair subject to evidence of entry expenses. The support will be conditional on the pair playing as a unit, but they will be free to play with team-mates of their choice, and in events of their choice, not restricted to Women’s or Seniors’ events.

Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championships at the Gold Coast, 14-18 February 2018

Three successful pairs in each of the Women's and Seniors' Playoffs will be invited to form teams to represent Australia in the 5^th Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championships. These teams will compete in the Trans-National Championship category.

Selection will be based on the ABF Team Selection Policy for Non-Target Events. Support will be $1800 per team plus entry fee.

 • Regulations

Supplementary Regulations Updated 3 December, 2017

Any player or official who accepts a position in an international team is deemed to be aware of the International Representative Players' Charter and have accepted and agreed to abide by its contents.

International Representative Players' Charter

 • Contacts

Tournament Organiser
Jane Rasmussen
☎ (02) 6239 2265
✉ 

Chief Tournament Director
Matthew McManus

For further information contact Laurie Kelso and Matthew McManus ✉