ellie26

Is there anyone out there who knows more than I can find out regarding the partnership desk for San Diego or the sites where those seeking partners are using to register? The one that I see active under the ACBL has very few requests and this seems rather strange considering that the tournament is less than 3 wks away. In the past, I've always had great success finding suitable partners from the partnership desk. This time I find it cumbersome and lacking any enthusiasm. Maybe it's the swine flu scare or the economy that makes this tournament unattractive. Tks, ellie

I'm looking for a good partner for tournament bridge and to practise on BBO. I play 2/1 with most gadgets. ellie26 or ellie_

I'm looking for an advanced partner for Gatlinburg for 7 days. Willing to play KO's or pairs. I'll be there for the week. Please email ebk@ns.sympatico.ca

It never occurred to me to find a partner using BBO Forums. Why didn't I think of this earlier?? I am still seeking a strong 2/1 partner for some of the events at the Nationals in Boston. I am flexible as to the events, however, I do have a partner for the open pairs. If there is still someone out there looking, please contact me. I play most conventions and consider myself fairly disciplined. I've played in numerous Nationals with a good degree of success.

I'm considering going to the Regional in Gatlinburg and will need a fun and strong pard who can carry me, .. ;) If anyone is interested, please contact me on BBO. ellie26

jillybean2, I like your idea !! The announcement should go a long way to help discourage cheaters. At least it brings attention to the fact that they are being watched. Hope more think seriously about your suggestion. ellie

Uday, am I understanding you right when you say that other players shouldn't get involved? Are you asking that kibitzers not report cheating accusations ? I have no problem with that as long as I understand it correctly. I have no idea how many cheating accusations that abuse receives in a week and I have no idea what is involved. All I know is the attention that has been brought to suspect cheaters and how it takes away from the enjoyment of the game. I do know of one episode where at least 8 kibbers at one time were watching rather strange plays at one table and I doubt if all 8 kibbers ( mostly experienced players) could be that wrong. Finally, the cheating was so obvious that the director was called to the table by one of the opps to look at the bidding sequence. I hope that BBO doesn't fall in the category where it is acceptable to cheat, and and I say that because cheating online is so easy. That is the reason I so strongly feel that one case of continual suspect cheating warrants attention. However, if the management feels that they don't want the issue raised, then please let us know and I, for one, won't pursue it. Back when kibitzing was disallowed in an ACBL game ( maybe as a test) to hopefully limit one of the aspects of online cheating, I protested vehemently as I didn't want my freedom restricted and I felt that the kibitzers were the better at detecting cheating suspects than the CIA,, lol.. Anyway, I know it isn't easy and a balance has to be reached where the players feel they are treated fairly and not being subjected to bad score results because of others who are unethical and have no respect for the integrity of the game. Hope that sheds a little light on the issue. ellie

Hmm,, all I can add is that there are many bad bids that are turning into good scores on BBO. Seems it never works for me !! When I make a bad bid ( happens many times), I am usually punished severely for it. I've kibbed some at acbl and because of the questionable bids, plays, etc, I normally refuse to play in pay tourneys. I want to support BBO, and have a few BBO bucks in my account. However, I will have no part of anything that looks like blatant cheating. This has been one of my pet peeves, and I have suggested the formation of an independent committee of acbl directors and reputable players to scrutinize some of the boards that look questionable. I'm not saying that my idea will work, but at least make it appear that there is an honest effort to discourage any unethical behavior. ellie

There is no doubt that kibitzers are your " private eye". Most kibbies can be identified. The few who arrive with a blank profile do look a little suspicious, but they are few. Most of the cheating is done by messengers with mic, etc. Only a few bridge players are going to the trouble of using another computer to get a good score, although I hear it does happen. Making announcements that cheating is not acceptable behavior should make the cheater a little more uncomfortable. If cheating becomes acceptable behavior, then there will be some who will do it for the " lark". I spend more time on BBO than I care to admit, and I do not remember an incident of abuse that I couldn't look after myself. I don't know if you are referring to abuse of TD or of players. There is that little feature of " Ignore Enemies" that will work wonders and if someone has a problem with a player, perhaps they should use that rather than complaining to abuse. ellie

I agree with Brandal. I too, like to kib. Kibitzers are the best detectives for sniffing out cheaters that BBO has. That's one reason that kibitzers should be encouraged to report any suspicious findings. However, I doubt if you will find cheating from the " BIG STARS". They don't have to cheat to win. Personally, I feel that there should be more emphasis put on fair play by the tournament directors. I have never yet noticed a TD mention before the game that it is imperative to play ethically and that cheating will not be tolerated. Until I see some effort on this issue, I refuse to put any more BBO $$ in my account for playing fees. ellie

I believe in an orderly lifestyle, and therefore believe in following the rules. Even the DOG is expected to follow the rules in my household. We are members of ACBL because we believe and have faith in the way the organization is managed. We have rules to follow and guidelines that are accessible. Therefore, I think all ACBL games should have an appeals committee. The reason that we pay to play in ACBL is because we expect the game to be run as described by the ACBL Laws of bridge. If not, there should be a device in place for appeals. This has nothing to do to embarass a TD or make anyone look bad. It is a learning process. Why are so many so afraid of being criticized for making a mistake? Only those who do nothing make no mistakes. Oh, I do tend to forget that many are on the chase for ACBL masterpoints, and they really don't care how they accumulate them. Perhaps a category to segregate these people is in order, lol... only kidding !! ellie

Does ACBL allow 1NT openers holding a void suit? I played in an ACBL online when my rho opened 1NT with 18 hcp and a void D suit. Of course, the opener's void was my long suit, so I lead my 4th best, giving the opp the free finess that will make an extra trick, and -12 for me, lol.. lol... I looked under ACBL bridge law, but I can't seem to find if it is written in the law. Maybe I am not looking in the right place. I do remember playing in a local sectional when I opened 1NT holding a singleton Ace ( I couldn't find another bid ),, however, when the hand was over, the Director was called to the table by my opp and he ruled in my favor, only because I held the singleton Ace. But, it was a bit of a warning for me as well. ellie

Glad I caught someone's attention.. Tks Inquiry,, was afraid no one would read my post. :) :) I am very opinionated when it comes to cheating. Even though cheating cannot be eliminated, it at least has to have the perception of being "under control". It is not easy, but allegations of cheating cannot be taken lightly. And as you indicated, I'm sure there are many non-valid complaints, that comes with the territority. To make players feel more confident, these concerns have to addressed, or they will just lose interest. BBO is a great playing site. The programmers have done a terrific job. I will never be a World Class player, not even close. But I do enjoy the principles of the game and BBO can boast about the marvellous people with such intense interest in the betterment of the game as being players on this site. I think it is wonderful. I have a couple of concerns about your posting and I will speak to you in private. I have a little incident to tell you that is of reading interest. I played in a NABC game and the caddie got the boards mixed up in a swiss team event. Mistakes happen, but at the National level, I felt this mistake shouldn't go unnoticed, so I went to the office to report it. The ACBL at the office showed no interest at all. And guess what ? I boycotted the ACBL National games for a year. Nobody cared, and I was the one to suffer, but at least I found a way to vent my frustrations. All the office had to do was to show some concern, give me a free entry to the next Swiss event and I would have gone away happy and would have been buying entries to the NABC for the next year. Get my point? ellie

I can't resist the temptation to reply to the above comments. Firstly, we join ACBL because we consider it an institution where " fair play" and " ethics" take high priority. Many of the players choose ACBL tournaments online because they feel these attributes are adjudicated. Secondly, if a player has a concern about cheating, etc, and if they have taken the time and effort to report their concerns, then they should not be considered as a nuisance or a waste of time. That particular person has a reason to be concerned and I think those concerns have to be addressed. The institution of the ACBL , similiar to the Justice System, as an example, must be perceived as being fair. It was only a couple of days ago that I suggested to Uday to consider an independent ethics committee to look after allegations of online cheating. This committee would be totally independent from BBO staff and would be made up of qualified ACBL directors, teachers, club owners, managers and only those who have had some years of experience. With 100,000 playing members on BBO, I am sure there are lots of qualified people who would be willing to donate their time for a term on such a committee. Apparently the workload is too great for abuse, as there are too many complaints that are a waste of time, or irritating. Such a committe will free up precious time for abuse to address other issues. Rays Bridge Ladder had an issue with cheating a couple of years ago, and they were able to address it with much fewer members to draw from than BBO. Sorry my message is so long,, wasn't intended, but I feel cheating needs to be addressed. ellie

"IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY" took back seat on ROB.TV's " Report on Business Channel" as Fred Gitelman emphasized " IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GAME". Immediately following GE's boasting of double digit revenues for Q4, Fred Gitelman in his quiet manner brought attention to the game of bridge on National Television. The majority of bridge players will never be in the class with Versace, Lauria, Meckstroth, Garozzo, etc,, but there is a place for everyone. Whether at a kitchen table, at a club, at a National or World Class event, the enjoyment of the game is expressed at every level of play. Despite the fact that Fred is a household word in bridge circles, he is " Canadian" :) (or I think he still holds that distinction) and therefore, will not develop an "ego" regardless of where he stands on the world stage. His love and his dedication to the promotion of the game makes him a #1 ambassador. How fortunate we are to have access to people from all over the world with a click of the mouse and our gratitude to those who make BBO accessible to all. ellie