FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our packages include:

For players:  hotel (room and breakfast) and both main events (Open Pairs and Open Teams)

For non-players:  hotel (room and breakfast)

Optional additions:

• Airport transfers
• Traditional dinner and entertainment
• Gala dinner on final Sunday

For prices please see the flyer for the current year (under the VENUE & TRAVEL menu)

Yes, we offer a selection of hotels.  Please see the current year’s flyer under the VENUE & TRAVEL menu.

All of the hotels offered as part of our packages are less than five minutes’ walk from the venue.

We do not make specific recommendations.  All of the hotels included in our packages have been evaluated as suitable by the organisers, but which hotel you choose depends on budget and personal preference.

No, we are not able to arrange flights.

For airlines serving Madeira, please see our FLIGHTS page

Yes, we offer discount packages for both main bridge events (Open Pairs and Open Teams), with or without the Traditional Dinner and Entertainment and/or the Gala Closing Dinner.

Please see our ENTRY FEES page for details.

No, the packages offered do not include the Warm-Up Pairs.

For the entry fee for the Warm-Up Pairs, please see the ENTRY FEES page.  The entry fee is payable in cash at the table.

No, the side events are pay-per-play, with the entry fee payable at the table in cash.  For entry fees see the ENTRY FEES page.

To book your place, complete the BOOKING form which will be available from 1st June.  You will have the option of booking with or without accommodation, and for Open Pairs, Open Teams or both.

PLEASE NOTE:  since people often book packages and accommodation with one person, but play in the tournament with another, we have a TWO-STAGE process for entries.

BOOKING guarantees your place in the tournament, once payment has been made.  Since, however, we do not know automatically who your bridge partner will be, there is a second stage:

REGISTRATION for the Open Pairs.  This tells us with whom you will be playing in the event.  Until we have this information, your entry for the Open Pairs is not complete.  Registration is by means of the online REGISTRATION form which will also be available from 1st June, but which cannot be completed until you have BOOKED and received confirmation.

(For the Open Teams, registration will be by means of the paper registration form available on site, which should be handed in at the Welcome Desk, or to a Director if the Welcome Desk is not open.  Please use this form even if you do not have team-mates:  we will match you with the most suitable pair available provided you submit the form before the deadline.

You therefore do not need to register before the start of the tournament for the Open Teams.  But you do need to BOOK to guarantee a place.)

Yes.  We offer a discount for entries and packages booked and paid for by 31st August.

Please see the ENTRY FEES page for details.

31st August.  In order to attract the discount price, bookings must be made and paid for by this date.

All entry fees and bridge-only package prices may be found on the ENTRY FEES page.

For packages including accommodation, please see the flyer for the current year (under the VENUE & TRAVEL menu).

Refunds will be given in accordance with the policy published on the BOOKING & REGISTRATION page.

Please scroll to the bottom of the page to view our current policy.

Yes.  We will accept entries for the Open Pairs and Open Teams at the Welcome Desk up to the deadline for entries, provided there is space and the movement permits.

Please note, however, that the number of tables, and hence the number of entries, is limited.  If you have not booked and registered your entry in advance, we cannot guarantee a place.

The Welcome Desk cannot take card payments, so entries at the venue will need to be paid for in cash.

For the OPEN PAIRS and OPEN TEAMS, we cannot guarantee a place unless you have booked and paid in advance.  If the tournament is full, we cannot accept further entries.  Subject to this proviso, however:

For the Open Pairs, the entry deadline is 20:30h on the Monday (the day before the Open Pairs starts).  After this time we will accept entries ONLY if the movement permits, and such entries will not be included in the seeding:  pairs will be allocated to a section at the directors’ convenience.

For the Open Teams, the entry deadline is 16:00h on the Thursday (the day before the Open Teams starts).  We will accept entries after that time if the movement permits, but teams will be allocated opponents in order of registration, rather than at random.

If you need us to find you team-mates, you MUST complete and hand in the Teams registration form by 16:00h  on the Thursday.

For the side events, there is no deadline – you can just turn up and play.  But please be considerate and arrive 15 minutes before the start of play so that we can start on time.

Please note that we cannot accept card payments on site.  You will need to pay in cash at the Welcome Desk.

If you decide in advance that you want to add the Open Teams to your booking, you can contact us by email at good2019events.booking@gmail.com and we will send you an amended confirmation and instructions for payment of the difference in the entry fee.  

If you decide after the start of the tournament that you want to play in the Open Teams, you can change your booking at the Welcome Desk (please note we do not accept card payments at the Welcome Desk).

You can book a package as a single player, and we will try to find a suitable partner for you.  Please make a note in the ‘Speical Requests/Other Information’ field at the end of the form, so that we know you are looking for a partner.

We have always managed to do this in the past, but bear in mind that we do not have an unlimited pool of players so it may not be someone of the same standard as you.

If you have asked us to find you a partner but subsequently arrange one for yourself, please let us know straight away  Otherwise we will be left with a different player without a partner. 

We have always managed to find partners for individual players in the past.  If we cannot do so, we will refund the NET amount of your entry fee (i.e. if you booked a package for the Pairs and Teams, the difference between the package and the entry fee for the Teams alone).

If we offer you a partner and you refuse, we will not provide a refund. 

We cannot provide refunds for hotel bookings, except as stated in the Cancellation policy on the BOOKING & REGISTRATION page.

You can book for the Open Teams without team-mates, or even without a partner. 

We will have a ‘Team-mates required’ noticeboard near the Welcome Desk, but if you still haven’t matched yourselves with another pair by the Thursday afternoon, we will find team-mates for you.  Please bear in mind that this may be as part of a team of five or six. 

We will always try to find team-mates of a similar standard, but cannot guarantee this. 

If you have asked us to find team-mates but subsequently arrange the team yourself, please let us know straight away.  Otherwise we will be left with a different pair with no team-mates.

We have always managed to find team-mates for every pair or player.

We try to find team-mates of a similar standard but cannot guarantee this.  Occasionally we have offered team-mates as part of a team of five or six.

If we offer you team-mates but you refuse, we will not refund your entry fee.

You will pay the difference between the entry fee for the Open Pairs and the fee for the Open Pairs + Open Teams package, depending on the date of booking (i.e. with or without Early Bird discount).

Players who are members of or affiliated to a National Bridge Organisation (NBO) must be in good standing with that NBO (i.e. not be subject to a current ban).

Furthermore, we reserve the right to refuse entry if there is, in the opinion of our Credentials Committee, good cause to do so.The Credentials Committee will consider it good cause for refusal if it would not be in the interests of the tournament to permit a particular player to participate.

The start times for all events are published on the website (see PROGRAMME), in the Tournament Guide and at the Welcome Desk.

On most days there is only one session.

The exception is the Saturday of the Open Teams, when there is one session from 11:00 to 13:15 (approx). and another from 14:30 to 19:30 (approx).  A light lunch is provided at the venue between these two sessions.

We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes before start of play, so that you can find your table (or be allocated a table) and be seated by the published start time.

The playing rooms are in the Selvagens Suite (Tower 2), Desertas Suite (Tower 1) and Congress Centre.

For the OPEN PAIRS, we publish section and table assignments in advance, on the website, by SMS, on the window of the Tower 2 lobby (near the Welcome Desk), and on the entrance doors of the Congress Centre.

For the OPEN TEAMS, we publish the table assignments for the first match in each session as above.  Table assignments for subsequent matches in each session are shown on screens in the lobbies of Tower 2 and the Congress Centre.

For SIDE EVENTS, there are no pre-allocated tables.  You will be asked to take an envelope on entering the playing room, and this envelope will have your table number and NS or EW.  (You write your names and Bridgemate numbers on the envelope, put your table money in the envelope, and leave the envelope on your table, where it will be collected by the Director.)

The Open Pairs is played as matchpoint pairs with multiple sections:  the number of sections depends on the number of pairs playing.

Most sections play a straight Mitchell movement in each session, with pairs switching between sections for each new session.  There may be one or two Howell movements to ensure fairness.

You will normally play 26 boards in a session.

We seed the Open Pairs according to playing standard and distribute players evenly between sections, to ensure that all of the top players are not playing against each other in the same section.

The exception to this is if a pair has entered after the official deadline.  In this case you will be allocated to a section to make numbers even, or at the Directors’ convenience.

We use an Australian movement, in which teams on similar scores play against each other in each match (like Swiss, except that we don’t move teams about as much). The event is scored in Victory Points (VPs) according to the international scale for the number of boards played:  the VP score depends on the net IMP score for each match.

Since there is more than one playing area – the Selvagens Suite in Tower 2 and the Congress Centre – it is important that you check your assignment for the next match as soon as possible, and find out which playing area your table is in.

We rank teams in order of current VP score, and for each match allocate opponents with the same or nearest similar score.  (The exception to this is where the teams have already played each other; in this case we allocate a different opponent with a fairly similar score.)

The Thursday Matchpoint Pairs, Charity Challenge, Warm-Up Pairs and Cool-Down Pairs are scored as matchpoint pairs (i.e. percentage scores).

The Friday and Saturday side events are IMP tournaments, scored in IMPs across the whole field.

No.  We use Bridgemate machines to register scores.

Scorecards are, however, available, and we recommend that one player in each pair keep a scorecard in case there is a discrepancy or dispute at the end of the session or match.

We issue bar-coded badges printed with your name and your tournament Bridgemate number.

The bar code contains details of the bridge and social events you have paid for.  You will need to have it with you for every bridge session or social event.

(If you are a member of the Portuguese Bridge Federation, your Bridgemate number for the tournament will be your usual FPBridge Bridgemate number. Para licenciados da Federação Portuguesa de Bridge, o seu número de Bridgemate para o torneio será o seu número habitual de Bridgemate da FPBridge.)

Any system is permitted which is considered Category 2 by the European Bridge League Rules and Regulations Committee.  We do not permit HUM systems such as Forcing Pass systems.

You do not need a convention card for systems such as SAYC, Standard French or Basic Acol, but it is in your interests to provide one since it may be evidence in your favour in case of dispute about detailed agreements.

If you are playing an artificial method such as Strong Club, or any system with which other players are likely to be unfamiliar (bearing in mind that this is a tournament at which players of all standards are welcome), you MUST have two identical convention cards available at the table for your opponents to look at.  If you do not provide convention cards for the opponents to read, we may insist that you play a simple system until you have completed convention cards.

Convention cards are provided at the Director’s table, or may be downloaded from the IMPORTANT INFORMATION page.

The Madeira International Bridge Open has adopted the European Bridge League regulations on alerting and announcing.

The alerting policy may be found on the IMPORTANT INFORMATION page.

Players are asked to respect the spirit of the policy as well as the letter.

The complete EBL Alerting Policy may be found HERE.

We publish an estimated prize fund each year, but this may vary depending on the number of entries.

Details of prizes may be found on the PRIZES page.

The list of the prizes we expect to award for each of the main events may be found on the PRIZES page.

Please note that the value of prizes, and the availability of special category prizes, may vary from the published list depending on overall entry numbers and entries in each category.

Prizes for the side events are not published in advance, and depend on entry numbers.

Yes.  We publish the list of prize-winners at the end of the tournament, in the Bulletin and on the website.

For previous years, please use the link at the bottom of the Winners photo gallery page for the year (via the GALLERY menu and then the year).

The office is usually open for collection of cash prizes on Friday early evening, Saturday late morning and early afternoon, Sunday between close of play and the Gala Dinner; but please check the exact times and the location in the Tournament Guide and/or in the Bulletins. 

If you are unable to collect your prize in person, we will accept your written authority for someone else to collect it on your behalf, or we may be able to transfer the money by bank transfer. Please notify the Welcome Desk or email good2019events@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp message to (+351) 935 925 598.

Trophies are presented at the Gala Closing Dinner.

Yes.  There is a Welcome Cocktail party (open to all, free of charge).  We also offer two dinners and a range of excursions, all of which can be booked at the Welcome Desk.  Prices are shown on the ENTRY FEES page, and on or both of the dinners may be purchased as part of our packages.

Monday (before the Warm-Up Pairs):  Welcome Cocktail party

Wednesday:  Traditional Dinner & Entertainment at restaurant O Lagar (coach transport included)

Friday:  Excursions (for this year’s options see SOCIAL & EXCURSIONS page; departure times vary according to option chosen)

Sunday:  Gala Closing Dinner & Prize-giving

The Madeiran speciality of espetada*, with a range of accompaniments, followed by dessert.  Wine is included.

After dinner, entertaiment by a local group of folk dancers and musicians.  You will be encouraged to join in.

*Vegetarian options available upon request:  please let the Welcome Desk know when you buy your ticket

An excellent 3-course dinner, with wine and coffee included.  Musical entertainment during dinner.  There is a disco (optional) after dinner.

The presentation of trophies and special awards takes place at the start of the dinner.

The excursions, which represent excellent value, differ each year, though they usually include:

• A boat trip, for whale- and dolphin-watching
• A guided walk along one of Madeira’s famous levadas
• A full-day tour of part of the island, including lunch and stops for sightseeing

For this year’s excursions please see the SOCIAL & EXCURSIONS page – where you will also find highlights of previous years’ tours – or the Tournament Guide.  Excursions can be booked at the Welcome Desk.

Please see the ENTRY FEES page for prices.

18:00 at VidaMar.

For non-players, social events must be purchased individually, either when booking or at the Welcome Desk.

The Welcome Desk is in the lobby of Tower 2.

The opening hours for the Welcome Desk change from year to year, according to the tournament schedule, but it is usually open each day before start of play, and for longer on Monday and Tuesday when most people arrive.

Details may be found in the Tournament Guide for the year (see the drop-down menu under OPEN [YEAR]) or in the Latest News section of the website Homepage.  There is also a notice at the Welcome Desk of the current year’s opening hours.

You will need either an identity document or your confirmation email.

VidaMar Resort Madeira is 2.4km from the cathedral and 2.9km from the Old Town (Zona Velha).

It is an easy walk into town; a rather less easy walk back (some of it is uphill).

Yes, there are many opportunities to experience the culture, history and art of Madeira, including a theatre, classical and other concerts, museums and tours.

For more information please visit:

• the tourism service’s website at https://visitmadeira.com/en/ (there is a language toggle for Portuguese, German, French and Spanish), or
• the Regional Government’s Madeiran Culture website at https://cultura.madeira.gov.pt/en (available in English and Portuguese).

Yes.  There is an excellent and frequent bus service from the Estrada Monumental, just outside VidaMar.

Most bus routes start and/or terminate at one of three points in the centre:

• Conselheiro (R. Conselheiro José Silvestre Ribeiro), next to the theatre
• Alfândega (at the other end of the seafront)
• Pinga (R.  Artur da Sousa “Pinga”), next to the Electricity Museum in R. Dom Carlos I

Public transport throughout Madeira is now under one umbrella called SIGA, at https://siga.madeira.gov.pt/

A route map (.pdf) of buses in Funchal can be found HERE

Yes, though they are much less frequent than the Funchal urban bus services.  Most inter-urban bus routes start next to the cable car station in R. Dom Carlos I.

See the SIGA website for more details.

PLEASE NOTE:  for those hoping to do the 25 Fontes levada walk, there are no bus services crossing Paúl da Serra, though there are various minibus companies which offer transport to Rabaçal, the start of the walk.  You can find them online.

There is a shuttle service – the Aerobus – from the airport with stops in the city centre and near all major hotels.  It runs every day at intervals of between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on time of day.

It costs €6.40 (as at 1.12.24)

The route map (including a key to hotels) and timetable are HERE

There is a daily ferry (except Tuesdays):  see https://www.portosantoline.pt/ for timetable and fares.

Binter (the Canaries airline) provides daily flights to and from Porto Santo:  https://www.bintercanarias.com/en 

In a medical emergency please call the European Emergency Number:  112

If you need medical attention but it is not an emergency, please ask at the reception desk of your hotel in the first instance.

For details of emergency services on the island please see the list provided by the Tourist Office HERE