Guidelines for Commentators

[cicus]

But if you do not understand something that was said, message the commentator and ask.

In fact I did just that to a commentator before I wrote this post and, all credit to him, he apologized and promised he'd at least try.

[MBV53]

Thank you fred for nice Guidelines! every commentator must follow these. Other wise no place for them!

MBVSubrahmanyam.

[keylime]

I think the guidelines are both comprehensive and provide enough latitude for commentators to be themselves during the session. I like them a lot.

[akwoo]

I agree - that would be ideal - but it just isnt going to happen in our lifetimes.

 

Writing a FD card is a time consuming exercise and tournament organisers have far more important things to do. The best we can hope is they post copies of the cards online.

 

nickf

sydney

 

Is there any way of getting at least a basic system description somewhere? FD isn't going to happen, but even a one word description some place obvious, such as in a profile, would be useful.

[manudude03]

Is there any way of getting at least a basic system description somewhere? FD isn't going to happen, but even a one word description some place obvious, such as in a profile, would be useful.

 

Some events will have preposted convention cards online. Unfortunately they are not always available. Also, if the commentators know, they will often give a quick summary of the system at the start.

[hrothgar]

Diamond and Bathurst are two the teams to beat right now.

 

If only we knew people who played on either of those teams...

[nickf]

Is there any way of getting at least a basic system description somewhere? FD isn't going to happen, but even a one word description some place obvious, such as in a profile, would be useful.

 

I don't think a one word description like "2/1" or "Precision" or "Acol" is much use. Commentators like Al Hollander do their research and find system cards online for participants, where they exist. But he's an exception. Ideally you want organisers to upload systems cards to the interwebs before the event. Some events do so, but not a lot.

 

nickf

sydney

[arthh]

I'd like to suggest another "don't" for commentators. Don't make comments at the beginning of a hand or play based on your double dummy analysis such as "4 hearts is the normal contract and it makes" or "this hand will go down to defeat on a club lead". Personally I like to kibitz one player, such as Bob Hamman, rather than see all four hands. It allows me to compare what I would do to his actual actions. When the commentator makes a comment early in the bidding or play such as the above, it spoils what I am trying to achieve by watching just one hand.