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
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.

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

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 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.

Novice
One who has played bridge in the past but now needs to update his or her skill for Internet bridge (e.g. playing duplicate/new conventions) to be once again competitive.

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.

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 Inquiry. If he is not on duty any "Yellow" can respond. 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.

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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