Gweny

:) Dear experts. In case you do not notice you BBO TDs ask for you help. So far not one of you even OFFER to do clinic for us. You will note title of this forum is TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS forum. Frankly I come here to see what my FELLOW DIRECTORS is worry about, new suggestions for td interface, tournament discipline issues, etc. I do NOT come here to read harassing and basically disrespectful posts from people who make no attempt to help us but seem to adore pointing out how much we lack at every opportunity. I like compliment you on you handy work. I am sure my fellow tds notice a strong tendency, since you share you undying admiration for our abilities, of arguementative players questioning td rulings. And i am not referring to complex bidding/alert problems I am talking of even minor issues. Thanks so much. I respectfully ask you to leave us alone if you is not going to help us. Go post in tournament forum and leave director forum for directors. We know we is not perfect and we strive to improve. So like they say put up or hush.

<_< Well Luis, 2 times now I invite any of you who is clearly superior to us amatuers to come and give us clinics to help us improve our skills. So far not one of you offer to give back to us. We is volunteers so it is not like we expect you to give us anyting however we appreciate very much if you do decide to help us improve our directing skills.

Dear Luis, And how do YOU classify "real" tds. I direct on average 10-15 tournaments per week for last 3.5 years. Do this mean I am "real" td? And conversely do this mean I am not "real" td since I cannot quote chapter and verse of you rules? Do some person taking some test who never direct 1 time qualify as "real" td since he pass this test? Do some person with no internet experience qualify as "real" td for BBO? How exactly do you measure this definition of "real"? I understand need for certify tds for certain types of tournaments. ie ACBL, WBF, etc. To run this type of tournament it makes perfect sense to require TD to meet certain standards of familiarity to governing body rules. However, to run some non sanction tournament here in BBO I like to know what exactly is you point? Reason we such very healthy robust tournament schedule is because good heart people volunteer they time to provide ENTERTAINMENT for others. Skill levels of this TD run full gambit from rank novice to World Class star players. Do this change character of tournaments they direct? Of course! Is all people interest in playing tournament where one must keep 25 kg rule book beside computer? Of course not! Where you and many other "purists" is missing point is we is all not in agreement with importance you attach to this point. Some people will never read all this rules you constantly quote or refer to but do this mean they is less in love with bridge than you? I think no - they simply do not care since this rules, while underlying everything bridge, is not why they play this wonderful game. Bridge is many things to many people. You need to accept not all people hold same passion for this set of rules as you do. In no way do I deny importance of continuing education of TDs. Learning will only improve quality and depth of our td community. I invite you, and other rule afficinados to come and give BBO TDs clinics on this topics. I make same offer yesterday but to date I do not see one of you offer to donate little bit of you time to help improve knowledge base of volunteers of TD community who give so much to players of BBO.

:) Unfortunately Jack, since both Spwdo and me direct clocked events we is constrain by time, and unfortunately allowing undos is constant source of irratation, conflict, and time delays resulting in players leaving, making rude bids, and howling loudly to unfortunate director who must then mediate. As rules of bbo say - any player has right to reject - claims, or undos. While I prefer nice honourable opps who do grant undos for obvious bad clicks what do you do when some person do 2-3 undos in one game? is this abuse or is it bad/dirty mouse, or perhaps it is bad day for Parkinsons sufferer. And what of delays someone with this disease experience? If you like try it then please attach you arm to rapidly vibrating object then place you hand on mouse and see how much success you get at hitting "moving target" Is this with in you rules also? I honestly wish we allow undos in Fishys. We consider making this move many times and maybe within next month we try it and see how bad /or good it work.

JRG, very nice intro and stating of positions. I agree not all tds hold view 2. And some of us do need further education on rules group 2 people hold so dear. I am happy you do post this rules for I am very annoy and disgust with people who DO know this rules who continue to argue with TD some times for 20-30 min in hopes td is change mind or ruling. Clearly this to is violation of this group 2 rules. As for conditions of contest I do not post one since we only hold 1 restriction in Fun Fishys - alert non natural bids. Yet even this one little SHORT rule is frequently violate - often by this same group 2 people who is very aware of rules of game and therefore really do know better. As for every tournament requiring same rules I think to much restrictions and tds say fine you do it. We is not all here for same type of game who interest someone of high level. Nor is all tournaments design (yes design - preplan, premeditate to address certain group of users) to attract group 2 devotees. Consider Total Points club tournaments. Many of you scoff when mention is made of this games and you maybe point fingers and laugh as you comment this is not "real" bridge. But you fail to see it is nursery where "young" (no reference to age here) players is in protect environment and "rules" is very reduce set. Goal of Total Points is to START people on they journey and people do get addict to tournaments in more social environment than tournaments in other area. Fishy is next step after Total Points. It is BY DESIGN open friendly tournament where "young" players can get exposure to "real" bridge/duplicate, enjoy good competition, and get to see broad spectrum of conventions from 30+ nations who grace our lovely BBO. Is it in strict adherence to ACBL or with group 2 users? No it is not. For example we allow 1 grace warning for classic naughties like talking dummy, or failure to alert. But we DO keep notes in each players profile and DO share this information with each other. It is stricter now than in past since we want our players to realize what is expect in ACBL tournaments. We offer Fun Fishy for FUN and to help educate our "young" players. Do this mean only "young" players play in Fishys? of course not. Any good fishing spot include minnows and sharks :-) What is disheartening is common phenomenon of "old"(again not some reference to physical age) "experts" beating up "young" players. Instead of fostering our "young" ones like role models such as Cascade, and Baronreit, this people seem to delight in pushing director button since opps "refuse" to relate infomation like carding. I like remind you some people absolutely no idea what is carding. And instead of asking in some other form like "what discards do you use" these experts DEMAND director force compliance. Sham on all who do this. It is also very annoying when this same "old" "experts" do same with people who do not speak fluent english. When you look at profile of opp and it is clear this person do not speak good english then why oh why do you expect this person to give you articulate detail bid explainations? I wish some people understand it is all some can do to type in memorize english phrases when ask for explaination of some bid. We all seem to publically denouce bigotry for race or religion - I like propose we also include bigotry against non english speakers and people not fluent in language of bridge. I direct tournaments for I enjoy providing fun entertaining events for my friends here in BBO. Yes my education is continuing - (thanks to all who mentor me and answer my sometimes silly questions) If I am face with some ruling where I am not sure then I call on one of my many mentors to advise me, for this is only way I will learn and do better next time. Do this entitle some player to argue some decision for long periods of time - it most certainly do not. Please see Rule 81. To those who make my life difficult by constant arguement of even trivial rulings I suggest you look to other tournaments. I will not suggest you try it [directing] for I doubt you is mentally suit for it. Director is many things but no. 1 requirement is ability to not get personally involve and understand 99% of rude or mean things is not direct personally at TD but is rather reflection of personality of rude individual coming out. I am FIRM believer in training, and training and more training. We develop TD101 as means to introduce people to BBO TD interface, and we develop mentor group who is willing to foster growth of new TDs but none of this is require to gain approval to direct - at this time. We start BBO Tds Coalition in hopes of strengthening budding BBO TD community - it is working and if any of you serious group 2 types like come and give us presentation on rules then I am happy to set up meeting. Continueing education is necessary for growth and majority of TDs is interest in honing skills so we may providing better and better tournaments for our players. Thank you very much for excellent thread JRG. And thanks in advance for any clinics any Group 2 types might decide to provide to BBO TDs. Thanks for listening

:unsure: Tee hee Jack I think you need open other eye. Total Points tournaments is more for enjoyable social bridge with competition than any real excitement over format. It go to duplicate if method exist to separate results in club from main. And yes this is place who originate what we call "Hail Mary" convention. tee hee This is when you need slam to win and put you poor partner in 6nt while holding 3 hcp. People new to total points often find this annoying but it is rather fun at times. Total Points Club is community and since it start in March of 2003 over 1500 people earn points. Yes it is different from main but it is also little bit addictive also. While it is not duplicate, you will find definate strategies exist for playing this format. it is not always to you advantage to bid game and it is sometimes necessary to invoke Hail Mary convention.

:) It is right after I get approval to direct and Total Points Olympics is coming so I think it is good idea to test drive doing Speedball tournament So I make tournament for 5 min boards with 1 board per round. People is wanting more seats so i happily add more thinking this is very fun. Tournament start and it is like 200+ tables and bbo lose some major connections and calls start coming in and poof i am boot tee hee it is huge mess and one of kind yellows cancel it for me when i am boot. and also last timei try for 5 min boards!

:rolleyes: How do we thank someone who is always on call for us, who is always open to new thoughts, suggestions and ideas, and is always trying to make our jobs easy as TDs? After coming from site who do not even answer emails I am very thankful for such responsive and sensible administrator. Thanks for latest upgrades and improvements Uday - we all eagerly wait to see what majic you work next!

McBruces GREAT IDEA McBruce [director] blah blah blah or maybe McBruce [td] Any one is great and wonderful idea mcbruce! Is it doable uday?

Many of you comment on this topic... Vote!

Well it do occur to me Total Points tournaments is maybe good alternative for this people since they is manual tournaments. I am so impress with our players response to Udays magical program. Not only is tournaments running smoothly with less subbing but sheer volume of people who is doing it is falling to very low number compare to earlier rates. I think message is send and recvd.

;) Dear Faoud, not to stiffle you enthusiasm but no need to reinvent wheel with you posts... I invite you to visit BBO TDs website and check out TD Corner page where you will find mminutes of past meetings and other things. www.bridgebase.com/tourneyschedule

;) I agree Dog... Often players is sitting and not bidding and later say oh sorry i am looking at movie! Maybe this is other idea to consider make current movies unavialable until board(s) for current round is finish.

;) Well maybe bright side exist with this marc... when you consider it is only 3.5 months past we start doing regular scheduel and now it is difficult to find open spot where no conflict occur with some event. On topic of private clubs some is no problem. They offer restrict tournaments to members and do not overlap in users they serve. This is not true for 3 particular private clubs who all serve same group of users. Every effort is make to avoid overlap or conflict and I like applause both Abalucy and Topflight for their ongoing cooperation re scheduling events. Third club in this mix is Stars and Yellows and manager of this club is also trying very hard to cooperate to avoid conflict. Thank you all. Except for this 3 clubs I am not aware of any other private clubs with conflict issues past or present.

;) Friends... One person who play Fishy on regular basis is all time calling me for this same problem - delays in bidding. I watch Cavendish last week and notice extremely long delays and not 1 time do i hear comentators raise hue and cry and claim this is ui. No I personally do not make adjustments base on what opp percieves is delay in bidding. Since I am not personally in table to observe this delay how may i adjust for it? In online environment I ask how do you tell this is intentional delay vs some form of internet delay, stuck player, or host of other connection relate problems. Many of you is ready to assume it is somehow lack of intelligence or learning of rules by td when it actually come down to common sense for we no idea when some person SEE what bid is make, and we no idea how long it take for this person bid to register at all other players (opps in particular) screens. You can ask any td how many time they get call from some player claiming opps is playing slow when in fact it is this person who is lagging. A little consideration please gentlemen unless you can tell me how long is this "hesitation" in light of vagrities of internet connections from all points of globe.

;) Hi all. Let us remove part of mystery here... I am director in question. I do NOT remove this pair for playing natural system. And I explain this is not reason for removal. (hence my confusion at this thread) Further I do not bar either partner from playing in Fishy - this is evident by one of this players playing in Fishy last night. I remove this pair for failing to answer me. While log show what one partner see/respond, other partner is evasive and answers contridict what is post. Opps is confuse and mad for they experience same non responsiveness from one of partners. Other partner seem to focus on defense vs "natural" system when this is not what is question. Fishy is very open casual tournament and only requirement is to alert NON NATURAL bids. Where I experience problem is when I do not get straight answers to reasonable questions. System they use play absolutely no part in removing this pair from Fishy. So please remain calm I am not prejudice vs any system. I remain you servant...

:) Maybe we is asking wrong questions here. Maybe question we need ask is if our wonderful wizard programmer Uday can give us some tool to identify habitual slow players/pair. I am referring to people who chronically do not finish rounds. I am aware of some slow people but while tournament is going i no way of knowing from round to round if it is same people who do not finish. Maybe in tournament stats area it show us pairs who fail to finish x number of rounds. Maybe after x number of failure to finish rounds this pair is excuse from tournament? If we know who this is we can either suggest they find unclock tournamnets or take other measures so people who sign up for 7 min rounds actually get to play 7 min boards.

:) Many people say it is not good to bar people with bad connections for they can not help this. Is maybe potential solution to this problem to allow this people to play in unclock no host automatic tournaments while they is bar?

to mcbruce... well this is maybe option if i do not own young parrot who do tele, emergency cars, sparrows, cricket and other sounds he hear frequently. i force to turn off sound in bbo when i realize he is making all of sounds we here in bbo. tee hee this is why i ask for simple clock. to zibuyu... yes it is annoying and very frustrating so here is my short term solution. when i see "lurking subs" - ones who do not answer or refuse to accept sub duty then i manually sub this people in and sub they right back out again. often it is interesting to note they sign right back up. <throws hands up> i no idea what this people is waiting for but i wish they maybe im td privately and say "if Fred needs sub call me" tee hee instead of sitting doing nothing for round after round. I wish we auto thing who automatically remove name from list after x number refusals or invites to sub who go unanswer.

:) Oh Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Programmer Hear my plea.... May we please see how much time is left in round without entering tables? We do not need much... a simple clock is fine...

Dear Pat, Here is my thoughts. Playing in tournaments is not right it is priveldge. People who direct for you is volunteers and at some point when we see same people over and over all time booting it gets little bit exhausting. Is it discrimination to other players to knowingly allow people who consistently boot into tournament? For it is how many people who suffer from 1 person with bad connection? Here is what happen... We need sub for this person if they turn red We need keep checking to make sure they is connect We need maybe extend time of round for they do long lags/lapses Poor opps often do not get to play last board in round and often ave or ave+ do not really cover this for it is annoying to come to play and spend entire round waiting for good connection to occure People often mistake bad lags as cheating (i know i know but we tds do hear this) Perhaps uday can write some filter who allow people with bad connections to play in special bad connection tournaments. I also think if you bad connection this maybe keep you out of tournaments but it do not prevent you from playing in main, in public clubs, or in team matches. it is not prejudice it is practicality.

:D Our fishy policy is simple. We sub agressively in rounds 1 and 2. If original player return then we ask sub if they mind yielding to original partner. If they say fine no problem we replace... IF AND ONLY IF we time to do all of this but if it happen 2nd time then sub stays in. Our subs do this ( I think,) for maybe it is they who experience problem next time. I understand wanting to finish with original partner but at same time waiting - even when opps agree to a- is very very time consuming for we need keep checking back to see if it is ok now. and in 8 min round what is reasonable wait? if we wait 3 min and person return and the opps experience problem and we need wait suddenly we lose entire board and who is to blame? sigh. in perfect world we pass glue and no people ever boot.

Somethings Fishy he say inquiry-ingly

My god you bid with

:angry: he finesse Fred and try