CBF Online Team League 2025-2026

1. Overview

The CBF Online Team League is open to teams of 4 to 8 players. Round-robin stages will run for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the number of teams entered. Matches are scheduled on RealBridge for Saturdays at 12:00 PM ET and Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET.  Teams may also schedule matches on BBO at other days or times providing both captains agree. Team registration deadline is September 30: Click here to register a team.

2. Entry Fees & Prizes

We hope that we will be able to issue ACBL masterpoints this year – details to be finalized.

3. Eligibility

• All players, including substitutes, must be current CBF members in good standing. Not a member yet? Click here to join the CBF
• Each player must meet the masterpoint limits for their flight as of the September 2025 ACBL masterpoint report.
• Players may only register on one team for the season.
• Each player must participate in at least one-third of the round robin matches to be eligible for the playoffs.
• Substitutes may only play for one team only during the season and must meet the flight’s masterpoint limit.

4. Registration Details

• Registration deadline is September 30, 2025
• Click here to register a team
• A minimum of 6 teams per division is required.
• If a division is cancelled due to low registration, teams may choose to enter a higher division instead.
• Play is scheduled to start on Saturday October, 11th

5. Contest Rules

• 20-board matches played weekly starting the week of October 7th.  Each match played in halves with compulsory change of opponents.  (unless both teams agree to play the same opponents)
• Scoring: WBF 20-point Victory Point scale
• Default play will be on RealBridge with games running on Saturday at 12:00 ET and Thursdays at 8:00 pm ET.  [Screens will be used in the Open flight].
• Teams may arrange their own matches on BBO if both captains agree.
• Convention cards must be submitted to team-info@cbf.ca by October 7th.
• CBF Zero Tolerance rules apply.
• Playing a HUM (highly unusual method) system? Notify the opposing captain 72 hours before the match.
• ACBL Open+ chart is allowed for the A, Open chart for the B.
• Each person is required to self-alert all bids requiring an alert.

6. Disconnects & Forfeits

• Matches should proceed at a reasonable pace
• Late starts beyond 15 minutes may result in penalties.
• Unplayed matches may be scored as forfeit (12–0 VP) against the non-appearing team.
• If a player is disconnected for any reason and is unable to rejoin the match within 15 minutes,, the match is terminated unless the players agree to wait longer.  The remaining boards must be rescheduled within 72 hours.

7. Substitution Policy

• One substitute allowed if the team has fewer than 8 members.
• Substitutes cannot play mid-match or in playoffs.
• Captain must email admin@cbf.ca before the match with substitute details.

8. Platform & Irregularities

• Set scheduled matches will be played on RealBridge – a game link will be sent to captains at least 24 hours before the match begins
• All players must use their real names on RealBridge and have stable internet
• If playing on BBO – captains are responsible for table set-up and reporting scores
• There are no directors.  Any scoring issues, irregularities or ethics concerns need to be reported by email to admin@cbf.ca
• Frivolous complaints may incur a 3 VP penalty

9. Tie-Breakers & Playoffs

Two Teams  If two teams are tied with the same number of Victory Points at the end of the round robin, the tie shall be broken as follows:

a) IMP quotient (total IMPs won divided by total IMPs lost) in all matches played by the tied teams

b) IMPs earned by the tied teams in the match they played against each other.

Three Teams If three teams are tied with the same number of Victory Points at the end of the round-robin, the tie shall be broken according to the following:

a) IMP quotient in all matches played by the tied teams.   If one tie still remains it shall be broken in accordance with a two team tie.   If the three teams remain tied, then:

b) If one of the teams earned more VPs against each of the other two in the matches it played against them in that particular event, it shall be declared winner.

Subject to change depending on the number of teams registered.

• The top four teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs.
• The team finishing first in each division will choose from the 3rd and 4th place teams in the other division. The second-place team will play the 3rd or 4th place team from the other division that was not chosen.
• All playoff matches:
  • 40 boards, played in two 20-board halves (can be split over two days)
  • No carryover from round robin
  • If tied: 4-board playoff sets until winner is determined

10. Schedule

• Default Match Times on RealBridge:  Saturday at 12:00pm ET and Thursdays at 8:00pm ET

• If teams wish to play at a different time on BBO, both captains must agree.
• Matches may not be delayed by more than 7 days beyond the scheduled date.
• If a match is rescheduled, the new date must be reported to the league coordinator.
• The last match of the Round Robin must be completed by December 31st 2025

• If one or both teams are unable to play a match (or reschedule within the allowed period), the team(s) will be considered in default and the match will be forfeited.
• The draw and match schedules will be published shortly after the registration deadline.

11. Match Set Up

• If playing on RealBridge, no set-up is required. Players simply log in 5 minutes before game time and sit at their assigned table.
• If playing on BBO, the two team captains are responsible for agreeing on who will set up the match on BBO and confirming the parameters to be used.
• Instructions on how to set up a Team Match on BBO can be found here: How to Set Up a Team Match on BBO

Captains are responsible for submitting their results to admin@cbf.ca