Before playing in a tournament, you must be registered. Registration usually opens for a tournament 30 to 45 minutes before the start of the tournament. Once registration is opened, simply type "please register (your name/partner’s name)". The director will acknowledge the registration. If it is not acknowledged, ask for confirmation "please confirm (your name/partner’s name)".

If you need a partner, type "(your name) needs partner". You may have to do this a number of times before someone "picks you up". Most tournament players look for partners they know or have played against before. One of the most important things to finding a partner is to have a bidding profile. Without it, your chances of being picked-up are slim to none. If you see another player looking for a partner, check their profile to see if it suits you, and ask if you can play with them. Sometimes, it is better to offer to play, then check the profile, otherwise they may be gone by the time you read the profile. Once you find a partner, register your team as above.

The director will, after taking registrations, match up the teams and post them. Normally they will appear as "YOU/YOUR PARTNER V OLDYANK/FELDEN". The first pair listed should create a table and protect it, then invite the opponents. The table host keeps track of how many hands have been played in the round, and before bidding starts on the next hand posts the hand number "1/6 or 4/6 etc.". When all hands have been played, the host should go to the lounge and post the results "you/your partner 3590 oldyank/felden 120". Once that round is over and the final score acknowledged, wait in the lounge for the next opponent assignment.

• The director will decide disputes and rule interpretations.
• The director’s decision is final.
• Penalties may be assessed by the director for slow play at his/her discretion.
• Time may be added to a table’s limit due to extenuating circumstances at the director’s discretion.

There are as many different formats for tournaments as there are directors. Each director has their own preference as to number of rounds, hands per round, scoring, cuts, etc. The following is for the "Ryder Cup" format we play on Saturdays at 4:00pm in Social Lounge2.

Arrive approximately 1/2 hour before the start of the tournament and register as discussed above. Remember, your partnership is part of a larger "team" so there is normally a lot of "cheerleading" going on in the lobby. When you see your partnership "booed", it is because you were assigned to the opposing team, not because someone doesn't like you. There are times when you get cheered just as much so it evens out. Players who have finished their round encourage their teammates by joining their table to watch (kibitzing is ok if the players don't mind - ask first), or by "cheering" the results as they are announced in the lobby.

 Victory Point Tournaments - These are played in the Social Lounges at various times. When a director is available, an announcement is made that a tourney will be started. Register with your partner and wait for your first round pairings. At the end of each round, scores are computed and you are matched against a new opponent (usually with a similar score to yours). These tournaments are generally 3 to 4 rounds long and take between 2 1/2 to 3 hours to complete.

Single Elimination – 6 hands are played in each round (passed out hands don’t count). There is a 30-minute time limit for each round. All Pairs are registered and placed on a tournament bracket in a predetermined order. The "best fit" tournaments have 8 – 16 – or - 32 pairs. All other combinations will require "byes" where the team receiving the bye automatically gets through to the next round without having to play a match. When this happens, the "Bye" pairs are welcome to go to a table and play a practice round, kibitz one of the tournament tables, or just relax and wait. There is no way to avoid byes unless the "best fit" numbers are registered. Scoring is based on Yahoo scoring. Because Yahoo doesn’t include bonus for vulnerable or for part score, we have to add them to the final score (300 for vulnerable and 50 for part score). Once a team is defeated, they are out of the tournament. The last team left on the bracket is the winner.