Limiting disclosure of explanations

[1eyedjack]

A "problem" has been highlighted by others in the past, that if you click on an opponent's bid in order to elicit an explanation, the explanation is then broadcast to both opposing players. In so doing the fact that an explanation was requested becomes common knowledge to both members of the partnership. It might be argued that the question (about the bid) is itself potentially a source of UI, the elimination of which would be desirable if within the capability of the software.

 

Personally I am pretty relaxed about this "problem". If it is a problem at all it is no less of a problem in face to face games (where screens are not in place) and yet it is not for the most part regarded as a significant problem in that (face to face) environment.

 

It may be that the problem in the face-to-face environment is simply accepted as a fact of life because (in that environment) there is no reasonable solution.

 

In BBO there is possibly a solution (as below), and I propose the following:

 

1) If you enter an explanation for a bid without being prompted, then the explanation is immediately broadcast to both opponents.

 

2) If you enter an explanation for a bid in response to an enquiry (click on the bid by oppo) then the explanation is broadcast only to the opponent who enquired.

 

3) A possible extention to 2 above is that if the Alert button was flagged when the original bid was made then any explanation subsequently appended to the bid is immediately broadcast to both opponents, regardless of whether that explanation is in response to an enquiry by just one opponent. (I am undecided about the merits of this extension).

 

4) If both opponents click on the bid for an explanation but with sufficient delay between each click for an explanation to be entered between the two, then the latest explanation already entered would be displayed automatically to the second opponent to click on the bid. (This does not entirely rule out UI, because the lack of delay between the second opponent clicking on the bid and receiving the explanation may alert him to the fact that his partner has previously requested an explanation. Even so it would be preferable over forcing the player to explain twice).

 

Just some random thoughts. I suspect that FD will eventually replace entirely the process of clicking on bids and explaining within the bidding window, but I could be mistaken. And like I say, I personally don't view it as much of a problem, but as I happened to think of a possible solution I thought I would share it. Feel free to reject it.

[jillybean]

I suspect that FD will eventually replace entirely the process of clicking on bids and explaining within the bidding window, but I could be mistaken. 

Any improvements to the alert/explanation process would be most welcome. FD creates another source of UI itself by providing the explanation (or not) for all to see, including the partner of the person making the bid.

 

jb

[barmar]

I've never been too concerned about this little bit of UI. It's not like f2f bridge, where the way you ask your question can have implications. All you're doing is asking for an explanation of a bid; if you need to ask more specific questions, you can do it with private chat to the opponent.

[paulg]

Although recognising the issue, I feel that it should be very low on the list of priorities for future development.

 

This UI is minor compared to the advantages of self-alerting and explanations.

 

Paul