Hamman int

[the hog]

I guess Hamman wants openings on 3 card minor suits banned? Everyone should play Acol.

[mycroft]

For "any event of consequence", at least where I direct, that includes "club games". We are directed to *never* make judgement rulings by ourselves, and so, SB TD that I am, I don't.

 

It's lucky that I have several directors and better players (and sometimes both) available to me, such that I can almost always reach at least one or two with no notice, true - but I've sort of planned that.

 

Ideas: 1) Why an individual? Why not a pairs game? Because that way we get 3) for free? Or is it for potential "more accessibility" issues?

2) I have no clue what that would mean. It would be nice if we could work on, first, getting bids and plays down to a reasonable tempo - no more 2x6-hour Spingold sessions, for example. But if, say, with computer bidding and play, all calls are smoothed out to 3 seconds +/- 10% (at least for partner), with the obvious exceptions, and a big flag made available when that can't be done because the player took too long, maybe. Possible? possibly. Acceptable? Not a chance.

3) I've found almost always that when I hear "limiting conventions", it means "I want to play *my* useful tools, but I don't see why I have to defend against *their* crazy bidding." Usually, but not always, it comes from people whose strength is in the play part of the game; of course they think that what they're good at is the "soul" of bridge, and that other part is just the leadup to the "real" game.

4) I find all the appeals nonsense more sound and fury than anything else. I've had two decisions appealed in 12 years of (granted, very part-time) directing, and have had one ruling that was bad enough that we were going to appeal (until we heard what the ruling actually *was*, which was nowhere near what was said at the table. *That* ruling we disagreed with, but it wasn't *wrong*, so we weren't going to appeal it). So, I don't particularly care, one way or the other. But, you know, I don't make my living playing bridge, so it Just Isn't As Important to me.

[Statto]

In any event of consequence this is effectively what happens. Directors make their rulings after consultation with other directors.

Thanks for clarification, I was hoping someone would say that :)

 

However, for some teams knock-out events of some consequence, such as the EBU Gold Cup, the director may only be available at the end of a telephone line, and in these cases I doubt they would consult with others before making a ruling, whilst advising of the right to appeal...

[Statto]

Moreover, I'd argue that environments like BBO are technical superior for broadcasting the game than television.

I'm inclined to agree in the modern age. But I really would like live audio commentaries rather than text.

 

My main point was about getting a wider audience for the game, and encouraging new players. This is what I think should happen in bridge.

[aguahombre]

I'm inclined to agree in the modern age. But I really would like live audio commentaries rather than text.

Then use the Client version and listen to the voice commentaries (when they do that, on the really big events). If you prefer the non-client graphics, you can watch on that one and listen on the other one.

[awm]

I think there is a fantasy held by some bridge players that somehow bridge will become a popular televised spectator affair with big cash prizes. While they recognize some of the problems with this (the game is too complicated, the pace is too slow, etc) they seem to believe that stricter time regulations or restricted bidding methods or an individual format will somehow make it possible.

 

While this would obviously be good for the popularity of bridge, I don't think it's particularly realistic. Even with radically simplified bidding, bridge is still a complicated game that won't lend itself to being televised... and radically simplifying the bidding would make bridge a less interesting game to those who love it. I just don't see it happening.

[Antrax]

I completely disagree with the "dumbing down" evaluation made above by hrothgar. There's a lot more skill even in Texas Hold'Em than there is in most draw variants.

As for televised Bridge, you could edit out the "boring" parts (ranging from routine push boards to tanks before bidding), just like they do in poker. Similarly, if they superimpose par scores and maybe even possible lines of play, their chance of winning in general and whether or not they work on this deal, it might be easier to follow. Not that I think it would work, but it's not as hopeless as you put it.

[gnasher]

However, for some teams knock-out events of some consequence, such as the EBU Gold Cup, the director may only be available at the end of a telephone line, and in these cases I doubt they would consult with others before making a ruling, whilst advising of the right to appeal...

 

Last time I asked for a telephone ruling that required judgement, the director consulted another director before ruling. I don't see why you think they'd behave differently than when directing in person - if it merits consultation and they can find someone to consult with, they'll do so.

[Mbodell]

A prepared defense is one which is required (in the ACBL) by players wishing to play certain conventions. So, basically he advocates no mid chart conventions which required a provided written defenses (which must be approved by the ACBL). It sounds like he wouldn't stop there.

 

I agree that I read his answer as saying ban any bid that requires a written defense. I'd agree with that if, and only if, it was achieved by eliminating the practice of written defenses. Let people play what they want. Let other folks develop meta-agreements to handle the unexpected. Pages of written defense aren't needed once folks are used to playing against things that were once unfamiliar.

[Trinidad]

I guess Hamman wants openings on 3 card minor suits banned? Everyone should play Acol.

They asked Hamman a couple of questions. The level of the questions was right above "What is your favorite color?". Hamman is nice enough to answer the questions and he also answers a question about what he would like to see in bridge.

 

So, let's put it in perspective. They asked Hamman, he answered. He didn't write a letter to the ACBL, WBF or the editor of the Bridge World. He didn't state a "vision", he didn't say that "this should happen to bridge or else..". He didn't even say whether it was important to him that these things would happen, nor did he say that they were feasible. He was asked what he would like and he answered.

 

I would say that is nice to know what Bob Hamman would like for bridge. At least, I am more interested in that than what his favorite color is.

 

Rik

[RMB1]

However, for some teams knock-out events of some consequence, such as the EBU Gold Cup, the director may only be available at the end of a telephone line, and in these cases I doubt they would consult with others before making a ruling, whilst advising of the right to appeal...

 

You would be surprised by what goes on then.

 

Certainly amongst the top directors, if we get rung up for a judgment ruling during a match then we invariably ring at least one other national tournament director, even if we think the ruling is obvious. We might also ring an EBU referee (or a household with more that one) to consult, in the way that we might consult a player. The whole process takes some time, which is why the TD may appear slow in getting back with a ruling.

 

We also do this if we are the only director (or even one of two) at an event.

[billw55]

Let people play what they want. Let other folks develop meta-agreements to handle the unexpected. Pages of written defense aren't needed once folks are used to playing against things that were once unfamiliar.

I agree with this so strongly that I had to quote it in addition to repping it.

 

And about television, this is just a total fail idea for bridge, it will never work. To draw a large audience you need a product that (a) a lot of people are interested in, and (b) that they can understand. Bridge may have the numbers if you count home players. But many of those players just won't sufficiently grasp what is going on in a world class level game. It is very different from say, golf, where the legions of hackers can have a reasonable idea of what is going on at the Masters. They just can't do it. But in bridge, understanding it and doing it are very closely related, because there is no burden of physical execution.

 

Cash prizes are a different matter. Chess easily supports big tournaments with meaningful cash prizes supported by entry fees; perhaps bridge can too. The main hurdle in this case is cheating.

[TimG]

So, let's put it in perspective. They asked Hamman, he answered. He didn't write a letter to the ACBL, WBF or the editor of the Bridge World. He didn't state a "vision", he didn't say that "this should happen to bridge or else..". He didn't even say whether it was important to him that these things would happen, nor did he say that they were feasible. He was asked what he would like and he answered.

Maybe 20 years ago, Hamman was part of a Blue Ribbon Committee set up by ACBL to work on saving bridge's popularity. One of the things that the committee proposed was events where only basic systems were allowed. It was not so strict as Yellow Card where everyone played the same system, it allowed for more options like choosing between limit and forcing raises, but it was much more simple than the GCC. I seem to think that there was some discussion about whether 4-card majors would be allowed in such events. There is at least one member of that committee that occasionally posts here.

 

Anyway, Hamman has long held the opinion that bidding systems should be simplified. And, I don't think it is an opinion that he has kept to himself except when asked.

[Trinidad]

Anyway, Hamman has long held the opinion that bidding systems should be simplified. And, I don't think it is an opinion that he has kept to himself except when asked.

That may be true (well... err... it is true), but do we really need to react as if bitten by a snake as soon as Bob Hamman answers a question where we disagree with his answer?

 

Rik

[barmar]

That may be true (well... err... it is true), but do we really need to react as if bitten by a snake as soon as Bob Hamman answers a question where we disagree with his answer?

 

Rik

I don't think anyone was doing that, they were just expressing their disagreement. Isn't that the point of this thread -- to discuss what we think of Hamman's ideas? Some expressed their opinions sarcastically, is that a problem?

[Finch]

Appeals Committees: if you look at sports, the trend seems to be away from allowing the 'on-site' referee/TD/Umpire to have the final say and in favour of appeals - look at how e.g. cricket & tennis have changed where originally the umpire's decision was always final, and now players have a number of challenges available to correct clear misjudgements.

[mike777]

http://justinlall.com/

 

You might want to take the time and read Justin's blog entry for March 30 2012

 

------

 

http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/news_fetch.php?id=1116

 

Full interview with Bob H.

[Statto]

Re: bridge on TV.

 

It has been done before. There was a series on BBC2 (UK) in the 1980s featuring Zia Mahmood and 3 other good players of the time playing on a cruise ship, I guess rubber bridge because there were only the 4 of them. With expert commentary it seemed to work well, but doesn't appear to have been experimented with since, though I can't speak for all countries in the world...

[barmar]

Re: bridge on TV.

 

It has been done before. There was a series on BBC2 (UK) in the 1980s featuring Zia Mahmood and 3 other good players of the time playing on a cruise ship, I guess rubber bridge because there were only the 4 of them. With expert commentary it seemed to work well, but doesn't appear to have been experimented with since, though I can't speak for all countries in the world...

And of course there was the "Championship Bridge with Charles Goren" series in the early 60's. It was also rubber bridge, and episodes would have celebrity players in addition to bridge champions. There's a YouTube video of the episode with Chico Marx:

 

 

But there's a big difference between this style of bridge, which is more like party bridge, with plenty of table talk. Televising a major bridge tournament would be very different.

[nigel_k]

People watch stuff because it's on TV. They don't have to understand it. If baseball or cricket was only watched by people who understand what is going on, those sports would never be on TV. You just need entertaining commentary and the occasional ball disappearing over a fence and people will tune in. The hard part is getting it on TV in the first place.

 

Possibly the answer is a bridge reality show. We can watch jlall brushing his teeth and maybe they throw in a couple of bridge hands as well.

[barmar]

People watch stuff because it's on TV. They don't have to understand it. If baseball or cricket was only watched by people who understand what is going on, those sports would never be on TV.

I'll bet that in most households where it's being watched, at least one of the viewers understands the game. Others may be watching it to socialize with them, but they're probably not going to tune in on their own just because it's on. Maybe there are a small number of people who just like sports, and will find any kind of sports to watch, but I don't think a TV broadcaster can really depend on them.

 

It's possible that a niche cable channel like ESPN2 could put on a show like this, since they typically show lower-interest sports.

[mike777]

doubt without violence or gambling or sex you can expect an audience, a large enough one.

 

Poker at least has the gambling and the verbal, emotional violence in the game. There is certainly an undercurrent of violence in the game of Poker and hints of sex.

 

 

Football has all three factors but very heavy on the gambling and violence.

 

With Bobby Fisher and Chess you had the emotional violence and the whole USA vs the evil USSR thing going...

[the hog]

I don't think anyone was doing that, they were just expressing their disagreement. Isn't that the point of this thread -- to discuss what we think of Hamman's ideas? Some expressed their opinions sarcastically, is that a problem?

 

Mine was not a sarcastic reply. In our notes my regular partner had defences to 3 card minor openings. They were written. Maybe 3 card minors are "natural" to Hamman; they aren't to me or to Acol players.

 

 

So Trinidad, my question is legitimate. Would he want 3, (or less in the case of Clubs), card minor openings banned?

[Hanoi5]

So, why doesn't Mr Hamman himself initiate this Individual Bridge League with money prizes?

[billw55]

People watch stuff because it's on TV. They don't have to understand it. If baseball or cricket was only watched by people who understand what is going on, those sports would never be on TV. You just need entertaining commentary and the occasional ball disappearing over a fence and people will tune in. The hard part is getting it on TV in the first place.

 

Possibly the answer is a bridge reality show. We can watch jlall brushing his teeth and maybe they throw in a couple of bridge hands as well.

The general conclusion that people will watch anything that is on seems doubtful. Perhaps, anything will get a few viewers, but a lot of programming doesn't get enough. Dozens of shows are cancelled every year. The stations and networks delivering these shows keep very careful track of what is being watched in meaningful numbers, and what is not. If anything was good enough, none of this would be necessary.