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Frequently Asked Questions

Update: We will continue the split District 11 Finals for different flights the way we began last year. Please see the FAQ below for more details.

Part of the beauty of duplicate bridge is that it allows us to enjoy the game at our own pace. Many of us love to play at the club level, and some prefer tournament-level games, or even national events.

The North American Pairs, or NAP, is a special opportunity to give that “next level” a try. The District 11 Board and the Cincinnati Bridge Association would like to invite you to participate in the NAP District Finals at the Cincinnati Bridge Center next fall (October 11-12, 2014).

How exactly does the NAP work? You may have heard of the NAP, or even “qualified” at a local club game, but you may still have questions. . . . Hopefully, we can provide some answers.

Q: What is the NAP?

A: The NAP event has been a major ACBL pair championship since 1979 and was originally known as the Grand National Pairs. After several qualifying stages, it culminates in a national final held in conjunction with the Spring NABC, which will be held next in New Orleans in March 2015.

Q: How is the event structured? How many pairs move on to the NAP Finals in Dallas?

A: The contest has three Flights: Flight A (open); Flight B (fewer than 2500 masterpoints); and Flight C (non-Life Master with fewer than 500 masterpoints). Our District will send the top 3 pairs in each Flight at the District Finals on to New Orleans.

Q: What are the “split” District Finals you referred to?

A: Last year, we tried something new, as all 3 Flights did not hold their District Finals on the same day. It worked pretty well, so we’re doing the same thing again this year. The Finals for Flight B will be Saturday, October 11, and the Finals for Flights A and C will be Sunday, October 12. Times will be announced.

The NAP District Finals will be at the Cincinnati Bridge Center, 2860 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241.

Q: Does that mean I can play in the District Finals in more than one Flight?

A: Yes! Of course, you need to be under the masterpoint limit in your Flight, and you will need to qualify in any Flight in which you wish to compete (more on that below), but you may play in the District Final in Flights A and B or in Flights B and C. However, a person or pair may represent a district in only one flight at the national level, so if you happen to place in the Top 3 in multiple Flights at the District Finals, you will have to choose a Flight in which to compete in Dallas.

Q: I expect to make Life Master soon. I am ineligible for Flight C?

A: The cutoff date for determining eligibility for the NAP is the June 2014 masterpoint cycle. This means that masterpoints won after May 6, 2014 will NOT affect your eligibility for a particular Flight. In other words, if you weren’t a Life Master on May 6, 2014, you’re eligible for Flight C. Similarly, if you didn’t reach the 2500 masterpoint level as of May 6, 2014, you’re eligible for Flight B. Check your June 2014 Bridge Bulletin for your masterpoint total that counts for NAP eligibility.

Q: What’s the deal with these “qualifying” games at my club?

A: To play in the District Finals in Cincinnati, you must “qualify” at a local club anywhere in the District. NAP Qualifying games may be held twice per month at each club during the months of June, July, and August. To qualify for a particular Flight at your club, you must finish in the top 50% of that section (rounded up and including ties); in addition, any pair with at least an “average” score not in the top half of a section also qualifies.

Q: Why do I have to pay more for these “qualifying” games?

A: The ACBL sanction fee is increased for these games, so that’s why most clubs charge a bit more. However, NAP qualifying games are “100% sectionally rated,” paying 50/50 red and black points. This means that winners get triple the points than they typically would at a “regular” club game. For an additional buck, it’s really one of the best deals around!

Q: Do I have to play in the District finals with a player I qualified with at the club level?

A: No, club level qualification is earned as an individual and not as a partnership. You may play in club qualifying games with as many different partners as desired. Both members of a partnership must, of course, be individually qualified at the club level to play together at the District Finals in Cincinnati.

Q: Is there a Unit qualifying event?

A: Maybe. Some Districts have separate qualifying events at the Unit level; our District has eliminated the Unit stage, qualifying individuals directly from the club level to the District Finals. However, Units have the option of holding a substitute unit qualifying game that pay 100% sectionally-rated GOLD/red points. For example, Cincinnati is holding one of these games on September 28 as an “NAP Warmup game” with the winners receiving a free entry to the District Finals. Check with your Unit to see if they’re doing something similar.

Q: Do the winners of the District Finals receive any financial support?

A: Yes! The first place winners of the District Finals in each Flight will receive $700 per person, and the second place winners receive $300 per person. These awards are paid directly from the ACBL. Our District has historically provided a $100 per person award to the third place winners in each Flight, and we expect to be able to do so again this year.

Q: If my partner and I finish in the Top 3 in our Flight, do we have to go to New Orleans next spring?

A: We’re not sure why you wouldn’t, as it’s a real honor to participate in the National NAP Finals. However, if for some reason you or your partner can’t make it (and there are no substitutions allowed), please let the ACBL know so they can extend an invitation to the next place finisher in your Flight.

Q: What color points do the NAP District Finals award?

A: It’s a little complicated: the District Finals pay red points for session awards, gold points for section tops in Flights A and B (red in Flight C), and gold for overall awards (25% gold/75% red for Flight C).

Q: What are the District Finals like?

A: The NAP District 11 Finals are conducted as a two-session pairs event. You must play in both sessions. The two-session Flight B Finals will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at the Cincinnati Bridge Center. The two-session Flight A and Flight C Finals will be held the following day, Sunday, October 12, 2014, also at the Cincinnati Bridge Center. Starting times will be announced soon.

If you have any questions about the NAP, please feel free to contact our District NAP/GNT Coordinator, Larry Jones (larry.jonesmeadpaper@earthlink.net) or at 614-530-0551.

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