Call the TD!

[jmcw]

I played for the 1st time at a duplicate (ACBL MP) game last night, nice venue, nice director, nice players, none who told their partners to ^&%^&%^ off before walking out.

 

On one hand my partner was playing 4♥ and claimed but did not make a clear statement of line of play.

There was a trump outstanding and that opp rightly wasn’t happy about the claim. He said he could have asked his partner to lead a certain card and would have ruffed.  I said you should call the director, his reply; “oh no, we don’t do that in this game” 

So we wrote up our game and left, no doubt leaving the opps feeling like they had been duped.

 

After hearing that its no wonder players wont call the TD. I think it would be good to see the ACBL run a “call your friendly director” campaign.

Hi Jilly;

 

In a city of 1/2 million we manage 1 ACBL game per week (often not well attended). However, bridge prospers in many relaxed games throughout the city. Having discussed this problem tirelessly, it seems clear that many find the the stiff and unfriendly atmosphere of a sanctioned game clearly intimitading. Many will tell you that the mere presence of a TD endangers their enjoyment of the game.

[jillybean]

Hi,

 

People can be stiff and unfriendly regardless of whether they are following the laws or making up their own. Its possible to be polite, friendly and even have fun within the laws.

 

Im not sure what you mean by a “sanctioned game” , do you mean any ABCL MP game run by an ACBL director? If so, these are the games I am referring to and they seem to be well attended here. I am not concerned with laws at our church rubber bridge games and I would not expect the same level of laws to be followed at the duplicate games in the community centers.

 

IMO the problem is that often the players are running the game, not the TD. Seasoned players who never call the td, make their own rulings and make comments that you ‘shouldn’t do such and such’ must have an influence on newer players and the game.

 

I know I am in a tiny minority who is concerned about how the game is played, and that surprises me.