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 • Purpose of the Playoffs

The primary purpose of the Playoffs is to select the Australian teams for the next year. By entering a Playoff, all players declare that they are available and intend to represent Australia in any Target Event/s if they qualify.

Participation and performance in the Playoffs are also major criteria in deciding to whom the ABF offers the opportunity to represent Australia in any other (non-target) representative events that may arise in that year.

All players who enter a Playoff must be eligible to play for Australia as per the ABF's Eligibility to represent Australia Policy, and be eligible for any Target Events as per their eligibility codes.

 • Venue

Canberra Bridge Club, 5-7 Duff Place, Deakin, ACT 2600

 • Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation options available within a 5-10 minute drive to the venue from motels and hotels situated in the nearby suburbs of Forrest, Manuka and Kingston. Even if you don't have your own vehicle with you, Canberra has excellent Uber services to take you from any of these suburbs or the City Centre to Deakin.

 • Lunch (BYO)

In Stage 1 there is a lunch period of 45 minutes from 1.15pm to 2pm. In Stage 2, there is a lunch period of 40 minutes from 11.50am to 12.30pm. Players are advised to bring their own lunch or purchase items at the nearby Deakin shopping centre directly across Duff Place. There are two cafes that provide excellent coffee, other beverages, cakes, pies, sandwiches, and light meals. 

Double Shot, Shop 7  - https://doubleshotdeakin.com.au/

Opening hours 6.00 am to 2.30pm Monday to Sunday

Download Menu and contact details at website above.

Café D’Lish, http://www.cafedlish.com.au/

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7 am to 6pm, Saturday 8am – 1.30pm,  Sunday & Public Holiday CLOSED

Download Menu and contact details at website above.

Take away is an option for consumption at the bridge club. There is a large IGA supermarket at the shopping centre which includes fresh fruit, snacks and confectionary items as well as a wide variety of cold beverages and ice cream.

Chilled bottled water will be provided. There is also chilled tap water available in the downstairs kitchen to refill bottles. Instant coffee and tea bags, sugar and milk will be available with mugs for those who require it.

 • BBO Coverage/Video Camera recording/Use of Tablets

As this Playoff is run in Pairs format, there will be no BBO coverage. However, in accordance with previous Australian representative selection events, all tables will be video recorded. In addition, Tablets will be used by all players for the purpose of bidding. The Tablets replace bidding boxes and use the same software that the WBF now uses for their events.

 • Player Wellness and Dress Code

Players remain responsible for monitoring their own health and should not turn up to play at the venue if they are unwell. The TO retains the absolute discretion to exclude a player who arrives at the venue and is demonstrably unwell. Players are also reminded that they must conform with the Dress Code of the venue which includes but is not limited to no brief shorts, no bare shoulders (males only); i.e., for instance, no singlets, no tank tops no sportswear, i.e. no swimwear, no lycra cycle wear, no body suits, no sports shorts, no bare feet, no rubber thongs, no dirty shoes or boots, no soiled sneakers.

 • Smoking

Out of consideration for non-smokers, we ask that smoking be done away from others.

In addition, any organisation renting the Canberra Bridge Club premises needs to comply with ACT legislation on smoking and the required distance smokers must be from the entrance to the building. The local CBC interpretation of that distance is the bottom of the ramp that leads to the front door and not the bench at the top of the ramp or the bench at the bottom of the stairs. Players at the Open Playoff interact with CBC patrons on the weekdays and should observe this required distance every time they wish to smoke. This will be enforced.

 • Fees and Subsidies

Entry Fees

The entry fee is a single payment of $400 per player. Unless the entry fee is paid prior, entry fees will be charged to each player’s MyABF account on February 13, 2026. Players should ensure that their MyABF account has sufficient funds to cover the entry fee.

Travel Subsidies (Opt-In)

Travel subsidies will only be provided for players from South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia who opted in for subsidies when they submitted their entry. Subsidies amounts are as follows:

Playoff travel subsidies will be paid as Bridge Credits to their MyABF account on or before 15 February.

Players not making Stage 2

Any players from anywhere not qualifying for Stage 2 may apply for reimbursement of the change fee on a flexible flight on production of the airline receipt. Again, this reimbursement will be by transfer of bridge credits to a player’s MyABF account.

International Representation & Subsidies

The top three pairs will receive one and only one travel subsidy if they choose to attend the World Bridge Series AND/OR the Asia Cup. 

They must play in the same partnership to be eligible for the subsidy.

• 1st: $3,000 + 1 entry fee
• 2nd: $2,000 + 1 entry fee
• 3rd: $1,000 + 1 entry fee

Additional Notes Regarding Asia Cup Teams

• If Women’s or Mixed Pair(s) finish in the top three places in the Open Playoff they will be entitled to a place(s) on the Women’s or Mixed team for the Asia Cup and the next highest finishing Men’s pair(s) will be eligible to join the Men’s Team.
• Teams entering the Asia Cup may be either four or six player teams. Subsidies will only be offered to the top three placed pairs in each category, pursuant to the previous note.
• If at least two of the top three pairs do not form a team for the Asia Cup, the ABF’s team selection policy for non-target events will apply.
• The ABF will pay entry fees and provide uniforms for all teams sent to the Asia Cup. 
• No ABF subsidy will be provided for non-playing captains or coaches.

 • Format

Maximum 16 pairs, based on Open PQPs.

• Stage 1 (2 days): Pairs are seeded into 2 fields and play all pairs in the other field
• Stage 2 (3 days): The 10 qualified pairs from Stage 1 play a full round-robin

A minimum of 10 entries will be required.

Entries will open on this website on 24 November and close on 22 December 2025.

 • Timetable

Stage 1

9.00 – 11.00
11.15 – 1.15

Lunch (BYO) – 45 minutes

2.00 – 4.00
4.15 – 6.15

Stage 2

9.00 – 11.50

Lunch (BYO) – 40 minutes

12.30 – 3.20
3.35 – 6.25

 • Contacts

Tournament Organiser
Roy Nixon
☎ 0423 043 220
✉ 

Chief Tournament Director
Laurie Kelso
✉ 

For further information contact Laurie Kelso and Matthew McManus ✉