TDing the TD's

[hrothgar]

Because of these limitations, internet tournament bridge in the long run is bound to fail.

Few comments here:

 

To my knowledge, "Internet Tournament Bridge" as you define it really doesn't exist. Most of the "tournaments" that take place on BBO don't offer much in the way of prizes. The Matchpoint awards from the ACBL are roughly equivalent to a club game. The monetary prizes awards by groups like SkyClub feel more like a lottery than a game of skill. The only exception to this that comes to mind is that College Championships that the ACBL runs using an electronic playing format.

 

With this said and done, this doesn't mean that it is impossible to run "secure" events that use an electronic playing environment. The easiest way to do this is to use some form of physical proctoring. (I believe that the aforementioned College Championships use this system). As I noted in an earlier thread, I think that I could design a (reasonably) secure tournament format that makes collusion extremely difficult but doesn't require any kind of proctoring. The only requirement is that you abandon the concept of "duplicate". (I'd argue that this really isn't much of a loss)

 

1. Tournament participants are anonymous. Identifying one's self is against the rules.

 

2. Randomly partition the tournament into groups of eight players. Partion each group into two teams of four. Each team will play a two or three board round using whatever scoring method you prefer (BAM, MP, IMPs, whatever)

 

3. Calculate results and then randomize the tournament once again.

 

4. Repeat until you have a statistically significant result.

 

I certainly wouldn't claim that its impossible to cheat using this system. In theory, it would be possible to make multiple entries into the same tournament. Eventually, you're going to get lucky and have two "players" sitting at the same table at the same time. The odds of this happening is a simple function of the size of the tournament and the number of simultaneous entries. Given large enough tournament enrollment, trying to coordinate all of those simultaneous entries becomes very difficult.

 

If you want to preserve the concept of "duplicate" then you need to partition the tournament into a series of separate smaller individual events. Each individual would exist as a separate virtual "section" and compete using the same boards. Running the individual event would make collusion significantly easier (you have more people playing the same boards). I prefer my original proposal.

 

I don't claim that this system is perfect. The system is highly impersonal. Players can still cheat by using external aids to calculation. However, I feel that this does eliminate most forms of collusion.

[Elianna]

The easiest way to do this is to use some form of physical proctoring. (I believe that the aforementioned College Championships use this system).

The two times I've played in this, there was no physical proctoring of any kind in the computer qualification rounds. You were left to your own honor. They may have changed it this year, but I doubt it.

[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 ;)

[hotShot]

This pause can also be used to make the player define 4/5 card major and nt - range

[pigpenz]

picking tournaments run by different TD's is probably like picking partners...sometimes your right and sometimes your wrong. So if you have a bad experience then dont play in their tourneys again.

 

I ran a speed ball pairs the other day, I announced 8 boards 8 rounds 5minutes per board, I announced no adjustments....after 2 rounds everyone got the idea and there was no problem with time. I kept stressing claim when you can, it took them a while but by 3 rounds they got it ;)