Kibitzing

[Trysalot]

"These are just that, suggestions... take em or leave em."

 

I vote to leave them.

[inquiry]

"These are just that, suggestions... take em or leave em."

 

I vote to leave them.

I agree.. however, IF anyone wants to make suggestions for the software or the way the BBO operates, please post those in the proper thread. Water cooler and General BBO discussion is not the correct place. The most appropriate place is the thread entitled suggestions for the software.

[awm]

Actually the first of these suggestions seems reasonable to me, at least for "serious" tournament events (like the ACBL ones).

 

I agree with Fred that it will be virtually impossible to stop people from cheating via software, and that software changes which make BBO less enjoyable for the non-cheating majority in order to attempt to reduce cheating are not desirable.

 

On the other hand, it is perhaps worthwhile to distinguish two types of cheating:

 

(1) Cheating based on two or more people collaborating.

(2) Cheating performed by a single individual abusing the software in some way.

 

The first kind of cheating is virtually impossible to stop. Two people playing together can always get on the phone and discuss their hands during the auction, and it's hard to imagine anything BBO could do about this. On the other hand I bet that there are not all that many of this type of cheater, because you have to find a "partner in crime" and approaching that person about the possibility of cheating is probably a delicate maneuver (not to mention the observation that more people in the "conspiracy" makes it more likely to be found out).

 

The second kind of cheating, however, seems like it might be possible to stop using software. For example, if kibitzers are not permitted it's hard to see how to cheat in an individual tourney. If players had an option of "hide hand from kibitzers" or "hide hand from non-friend kibitzers" this would accomplish much of the same thing, at least for those people suspicious that cheating may be occuring.

 

I think it's enjoyable (and a good learning experience at times) to be able to kibitz the top players on BBO. I've enjoyed watching Fantoni and Nunes play on many occasions, in part because I can pick up some nuances of their methods and in part because they make some remarkable plays during the hands. On the other hand, I don't really see kibitzing the ACBL tourneys in the same light -- for the most part these are not examples of top-flight play. Sure it can be fun to watch my friends play (even if they're not world class players), but if I could see only my friends' hands I don't think it would reduce the enjoyment all that much.