bambi1

I have been directing FREE online tournaments on BBO for over 4 years now. I keep telling myself once it ceases to be enjoyable I will no longer take it on........so far I am still directing DEER pard three times a week. I must say I have very few problems. It may be the time of the tournament (9:30 EDT). Or it may be my "TDeering!" I do not allow tournament chat and yet I am always thanked by many for running the touranment. (and as far as I know I am NOT obnoxious :-) Some of the excuses players give for leaving make my day!! You gotta laugh! (they are black listed right away) I am a no nonsense TD, who follows the Laws of ACBL with etiquette and "finesse", and have a good time doing this. I also think it is VERY important to respect the players. If there is a problem that occurs I try and solve it at the time, or volunteer to meet the player in a chat room after the tournament is over. Hopefully DEER pard will continue to be a part of FREE tournaments on BBO. I am always open to asisst any TD if they need help in any way, shape or form. Happy Holidays to all. ;) bambi1

I have another idea......while uday is busy re-adjusting the software for us TDs :D I would like a few minutes at the beginning of each tournament where NO one is able to play. Players will HAVE to read what the TD is typing! This way ALL Tournament Rules can be announced, and everyone will be paying attention!! ( you think?) TD can have a "start" button to begin the tournament, and away we go ;)

I thought that was dummy's job? This really made my day.......terrific wit!!

Well done to Winstonm and Horndog........well deserved too! Congratulations

If tournaments are scheduled 30 minutes apart (like recommended by the TD Coalition) the number of sub requests would decline. There are someitmes 5 or 6 tournaments running at the same time, which makes it very difficult for TDs to find substitutes.

Works for me !

And we have to make sure the ads don't give away anyting. If you are in the middle of a winkle squeeze, and an ad appears for Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice from Florida, it could be a hint to your opps! ;)

There is a big difference between destructive bidding and creative bidding!

Yesterday while helping out a director in the afternoon, I was messaged "please adjust board 6 5D=" I responded "ty, I will review the board" On reviewing I saw that it was 5D-1. So I adjusted accordingly. The player again messaged me, "Its 5D= , not down 1" I reviewed again , just to be sure ( we do make the odd mistake), and definitely saw it was 5D-1. I messaged the player explaining, my decision, two outstanding Aces and a high trump. He then messaged me back "do not adjust the board, leave it the way it was, if I had known down 1 I wouldn't have asked" :rolleyes: Laughing really cleanses the soul!

Most of the tournaments I run, I allow kibitzing, but here are a couple of incidences that happened....... One night while directing a kibitzer messaged me and told me that a pair was known for cheating (they were at table 1). The following round I kept my eye on the pair (and the kibitzers!). The next couple of rounds I changed the tournament to disable kibitzers. Whoa and behold the pair dropped from table 1 to table 17 in 2 rounds. Coincidence? Another tournament I disallowed kibitzers, and a player messaged me and said, "could I leave please, I won't play without my kibitzer". Now, that was a first for me! All, in all, I think kibitzers should be allowed. It is a great way for ALL of us to learn more. Cheaters will cheat and there is not much we can do about it. What satisfaction comes from it? They know they didn't win legally? Does this boost an ego? And if so, I feel sorry for them.

I think it is very important that TDs remain online for awhile after their tournament ends. In "Deer" Pard, the players all know I am available after the tournament, and I have always met with anyone in a chat room to discuss decisions, adjustments etc. It works well, and usually all go home happy :D

Intentional revokes should be seriously penalized. It ruins the ethics and quality of this game. It is definitely a form of cheating, and severe punishment should take place.

I can relate to that slothy :huh:

Listening is very important........hearing is even better!!

Playing with an "ex"!! You may be in for a slam ! Enjoy !

Many people change their country daily as well as their skill level! What now? ;)

I have a Great IDEA! Why not tell the truth? And if that's not possible then maybe put "private" skill level. That way you won't be insulting the "experts" or "novices". Anyway, I was just curious why players chose to misrepresent themselves.

This is a great place to start Gweny! This post is a terrific way to let uday know how much he is appreciated and respected! Thank you uday, ty BBO

I had a dream last night, that when I was directing at our club, a very respected player called "director". When I went to the table, he said, "May I leave please, I do not like my partner!" Maybe tonight I will dream, that when I direct online, I will be summoned to the table because a player played out of turn! :unsure: Anyone know a good therapist?

hi You MUST alert any agreement you have with your partner. Your opps should know exactly what your partner knows (or thinks he/she knows!)

hi! Can someone explain to me why players alter their skill levels (sometimes daily). What is the purpose of this? Why do some players have "novice" (when they are not), and "expert" (when they are not)? Who are they trying to fool? and why?

Psychic Call - "A deliberate and gross misstatement of honor strength and suit length" (Laws of Duplicate Bridge). Law 40 A player may make any call or play (inclucing an intentionally misleading call - such as a psychic bid - or a call or play that departs from commonly accepted or previously annoucned use of a convention), without prior announcement, provided that such a call or play is not based on partnership understanding. Psychic bids are a part of this game, like it or not. As for penalties, that should be clearly stated in the tournament rules. This is online bridge, TDs can make their own rules for their tournaments here. Face to face is a different story:-) Most TDs here (certified, or not) are doing their best to provide players with an hour or two of entertainment. Indeed, some are more qualified than others, more tolerant and more knowledgeable. You always have a choice of where and when to play. (and where or when to psyche!!) Good luck!

I had this ready to post the other day, and ran out of time, so just posted it fast today. Did not see the previous post by Ben. ;) Sorry.......

hi, Ill tackle the Lightner Double, here goes..... This is a double used of a voluntarily bid slam. It asks for an unusual lead, often the first bid suit by the dummy. W p N 1d E p S 1s W p N 3s E p S 6s W p N p E X East is asking for a diamond lead. Note: Lightner doubles DO NOT apply when their slam is a sacrifice of your own game or slam. Defense. If you are declarer in a slam and your right hand opponent makes a ligntener double, you should consider redoubling when you are void in partner's first bid suit. This may bring you a remarkable profit!! On the other hand (no pun intended), if you have length in partner's first bid suit you might consider running to 6nt. Good luck!

Excellent Post. I agree 100%. Definite case of UI, intentional or unintentional.