[JanM]

fred, on Jun 21 2009, 08:48 PM, said:

xcurt, on Jun 22 2009, 01:31 AM, said:

Which brings me to a big complaint I have about the USBF/ACBL entry process to the World OPEN Pairs.  In the past (I don't know if this is still the procedure) there is some kind of selection procedure, at least in part based on high finishes in some of the national pair games.  Since the cycle is fairly long, and for me it would be time-prohibitive to play all the NABCs in a cycle AND the Worlds, it's not really an Open event, at least for Americans.

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that the World Open Pairs truly is an open event. Pretty much anyone is allowed to enter (the only exceptions might be those whose entries are rejected due to past bad behavior or cheating).

Xcurt's memory is too long . Back in the misty past, when I went to my first World Championship, and probably before Fred started to play bridge, there was limited entry to the Open (or was it Men's, I don't remember) and Women's pairs. Each zone got a certain number of pairs. ACBL assigned those slots to pairs based on performance in the National pair events (the NABC's were still called Nationals back then). The reality was that usually other pairs would be allowed to play if they showed up, but not everyone knew that - my partner and I were just below the qualifying level for the Women's Pairs in New Orleans and didn't think to try to play, although we would have been allowed to.

I'm not sure when the change to a truly Open event, with several qualifying stages, took place, but now anyone can enter the first stage of the Open and Women's Pairs. The field those first days is completely different from the field in the finals, because players still in the team events are allowed to drop into the semi-finals and finals, and pairs of World Grand Masters (I think - maybe some other title) are also allowed to drop into the finals. But a few of the pairs who start the first day do make it to the finals.

[Gerben42]

It also have an (open) mixed pairs, which is also great! I had a good time playing that one in Verona

[xcurt]

3for3, on Jun 22 2009, 04:39 AM, said:

fred, on Jun 21 2009, 08:48 PM, said:

xcurt, on Jun 22 2009, 01:31 AM, said:

Which brings me to a big complaint I have about the USBF/ACBL entry process to the World OPEN Pairs.  In the past (I don't know if this is still the procedure) there is some kind of selection procedure, at least in part based on high finishes in some of the national pair games.  Since the cycle is fairly long, and for me it would be time-prohibitive to play all the NABCs in a cycle AND the Worlds, it's not really an Open event, at least for Americans.

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that the World Open Pairs truly is an open event. Pretty much anyone is allowed to enter (the only exceptions might be those whose entries are rejected due to past bad behavior or cheating).

I don't think the ACBL or USBF even gets involved except perhaps to warn WBF that particular players should possibly be considered unwelcome for the sort of reasons that I mentioned above.

The World Open Pairs is really a great event - if you happen to make it to the Finals, the bridge is as good as it gets. Assuming that I am right that just about anyone can play, I strongly suggest you do so during the 2010 World Championships in Philadelphia

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

I can echo everything Fred has said. Play in the Open Pairs, or any of the other world events. I was lucky enough to make the finals in Montreal, and it was truly an awesome experience.

I may be a tad biased, but Philadelphia will be a great spot for a world championship, so save those dates now.

October 2-16 2010

Well I would sure love to play in that event, but right now I'm trying to figure out if I have time to play the LMPs this summer (and the playing site is 9 mi from my house!).