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First, however, you need to prepare for the Club Directors Exam.
Preparation
You can prepare for this exam by studying on your own or by enrolling in the Club Directors Course, which is given regularly at the North American Bridge Championships and a number of regional tournaments. It is an open-book, written test. You must answer at least 65 percent of the questions correctly to pass the test.
Reference Material
• ACBL Laws of Duplicate Bridge • ACBL Club Directors Handbook • Duplicate Decisions • ACBLscore – Download it and take advantage of its help text. • ACBLscore for Beginners – This online course is available for $20 at lms.discoverlink.com/acbl • Chapters 4 & 5 — ACBL Handbook of Rules and Regulations • Ruling the Game online course
Refer to acbl.org for further details.
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Before the Game: For those larger games that require two directors (e.g. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the winter), please agree between the two of you in advance how these tasks will be divided so that each director will be about half of the work.
Arrival at the Club:
Before the game the Director or one of his/her assistants must do the following:
1. Open the gate at the sidewalk and the two doors to the club itself
2. Unlock the door to the patio
3. Ensure the battery backup power supply is on
4. Turn on the PC
5. Turn on the lights (switches near the entrance and the 4 breakers high on the east wall)
6. Ensure the table cards are where they should be
7. For a larger game (e.g. Tuesday or Thursday), place the strata cards
8. To reserve stationary tables for handicapped players, place the handicap cards at tables
with a stratum appropriate for each handicapped pair
9. Pass out Bridgemates to the expected number of tables
10. If not already done by the facilities manager or one of his/her helpers, the director should start the coffee.
11. If not already done by the treasurer or one of his/her helpers, the director must collect entry fees at each table.
Running the Game Itself:
The director prepares boards by first cleaning the yellow feeder roller on the right side of the dealing machine and then running it with an old or new hand record in .PBN format. If a new hand record is being generated, it must be analyzed by the dealing machine software and saved in its post-analyzed form. The director must use the estimated number of tables to determine whether multiple sets of the identical hands need to be dealt.
The director starts ACBLscore just before game time, setting the game’s movement and other parameters according to the number of tables present.
The director or his/her assistant then passes out BridgeMates and boards. The director might also have to add new players to the ACBLScore data base and/or look up player numbers in the data base. The main thing here is to reply "Yes" when ACBLscore asks if you want to use remote scoring.
To start the game, the director starts the Bridgemate Control software (BCS) by pressing key F11 and then BMS and after a short period will copy the name data from the BridgeMates to ACBLScore by F11 BMN. As needed, he/she manually corrects errors and omissions in the ACBLScore player list via F3. The main thing to remember at this stage is to do the BMN command before posting the scores.
(See the ACBLscore section for details.)
Some Common Extra Steps:
During the game, director must respond to director calls as needed and monitor the progress of each round--for example, using the BridgeMate control software's round progress screen. The director must occasionally use the dealing machine to redeal fouled boards and to use the tournament director's screen to correct erroneous BridgeMate entries. Score adjustments and late play information may also need to be entered into ACBLScore.
Closing Out the Game:
Finally, when it is time to close out the game, F11 BMP or Ctrl-P must be used to copy all the BridgeMate server data to ACBLScore. If there is a sitout or someone is waiting for a preliminary score, it can be generated using (F4) and, after all scores have been copied, final (F8) reports for printout must be generated and posted. The important thing here is that multiple post score requests might be needed to get them all. The ACBLscore screen will tell you whether all names have been entered and how many rounds have had their scores entered. The director must check this before going to the next step.
Finally, the director uses Ctrl-D or F11 DBADD to update the ACBL report that will be forwarded to the ACBL at month’s end.
(See the ACBLscore section for details.)
Optional Steps:
In addition, there are optional steps (in terms of the ACBL) but that our players find useful to a greater or lesser degree.
The director should upload the game data and results--contained in three files, .ACA or .ACM, .BWS, and .PBN--to the Club’s web site. This can be done by clicking on the icon for ScorePost or can be done manually by logging on to the web site and going to "Results Administration" under the "Administration" tab on the left side of the screen. The important thing here is that it's a good idea to bring up the Bridgewebs site on the browser--e.g. Google Chrome--and click on "results" to verify everything got there OK. The URL for LCDBC is https://bridgewebs.com/lakechapala.
We normally try to use hand records from The Common Game" (TCG) so the "TCG Merge" icon should be clicked on to trigger this.
Some people might want to use the Bridgemate App that allows the same information from the web site and some other useful information to be displayed in a user-friendly form on a cell phone. There is a fairly involved process to do this manually from the Bridgemate Control (BMC) window.
Leaving the Club:
When the game is done and everyone is leaving, the director must do the following:
1. Put the Bridgemates back in their carrying case
2. Put the strata and handicap cards in the little in basket next to the PA system
3. Ensure no one is on the patio or in the men's restroom
4. Lock the door to the patio
5. Unplug any coffee urn that's in use
6. Turn off the lights, fans, and PA system
7. Verify no one's in the women's restroom
8. Turn off the PC
9. Turn off the battery backup power supply/surge protector
10. Ensure the drawer with the entry fee money is locked
11. Lock the two front doors on the way out
12. Lock the gate at the sidewalk. (This is tricky if it's already locked in that you have to use one hand to squeeze it shut while unlocking it with your key in the other hand.)
A Streamlined Procedure:
Refer to the description elsewhere of the Bridge Game Assistant (BGA) for an easier, less error-prone way do the steps that require the use of the PC.
Notes:
Turning on/off the battery backup power supply at night is under study to see how much electricity it saves and whether it causes any problems.
It's also possible to use Bridge Base Online (BBO) robots to fill in a half table but players
don't seem to want to try it. It might be palatable for players to use their smart phones with the Bridge Base Online
app installed to exploit this feature.
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In smaller games, it is sometimes possible to reach only the first goal.
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If the mouse goes haywire and you can't get control back, click on and hold down the Windows key (with
the Windows logo on it)
and then click on the escape key "ESC". This should get you out of the magnifying glass application.
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If there is a wrong name there, press F5 to delete one or both members of the partnership and then add
the correct name(s).
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When the alert procedures are not followed, the director can refer to Law 16, Authorized and Unauthorized Information, Section B:
B.Extraneous Information from Partner
1.Any extraneous information from partner that
might suggest a call or play is unauthorized.
This includes remarks, questions, replies to
questions, unexpected alerts or failures to
alert, unmistakable hesitation, unwonted
speed, special emphasis, tone, gesture,
movement or mannerism.
and, Law 20, Review and Explanation of Calls, Sections F5a and F5b:
5.(a) A player whose partner has given a
mistaken explanation may not correct
the error during the auction, nor may he
indicate in any manner that a mistake
has been made. ‘Mistaken explanation’
here includes failure to alert or announce
as regulations require or an alert (or an
announcement) that regulations do
not require.
(b) The player must call the Director and
inform his opponents that, in his opinion,
his partner’s explanation was erroneous
(see Law 75B) but only at his first legal
opportunity, which is:
(i) for a defender, at the end of the play.
(ii) for declarer or dummy, after the final
pass of the auction.
When an opening lead out of turn is faced and offender’s partner leads face down, the Director
requires the face down lead to be retracted. Also:
A. Declarer Spreads His Hand
After a faced opening lead out of turn, declarer may spread his hand; he becomes dummy. If
declarer begins to spread his hand, and in doing so exposes one or more cards, he must spread
his entire hand. Dummy becomes declarer.
B. Declarer Accepts Lead
When a defender faces the opening lead out of turn declarer may accept the irregular lead as
provided in Law 53, and dummy is spread in accordance with Law 41.
1. The second card to the trick is played from declarer’s hand.
2. If declarer plays the second card to the trick from dummy, dummy’s card may not be
withdrawn except to correct a revoke.
C. Declarer Must Accept Lead
If declarer could have seen any of dummy’s cards (except cards that dummy may have exposed
during the auction and that were subject to Law 24), he must accept the lead and the presumed
declarer then becomes declarer.
D. Declarer Refuses Opening Lead
Declarer may require a defender to retract his faced opening lead out of turn. The withdrawn
card becomes a major penalty card and Law 50D applies.
E. Opening Lead by Wrong Side
If a player of the declaring side attempts to make an opening lead Law 24 applies.
(This is law 54 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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A. Premature Play or Lead to Next Trick
When a defender leads to the next trick before his partner has played to the current trick, or plays
out of turn before his partner has played, the card so led or played becomes a major penalty card,
and declarer selects one of the following options. He may:
1. require offender’s partner to play the highest card he holds of the suit led, or
2. require offender’s partner to play the lowest card he holds of the suit led, or
3. require offender’s partner to play a card of another suit specified by declarer, or
4. forbid offender’s partner to play a card of another suit specified by declarer.
B. Offender’s Partner Cannot Comply with Rectification
When offender’s partner is unable to comply with the rectification selected by declarer (see A
above) he may play any card, as provided in Law 59.
C. Declarer or Dummy Has Played
1. A defender is not subject to rectification for playing before his partner if declarer has played
from both hands. However a card is not considered to be played from dummy until
declarer has instructed (or otherwise indicated) the play.
2. A defender is not subject to rectification for playing before his partner if dummy has of his
own volition prematurely selected a card before his RHO or has illegally suggested that one
be played.
3. A premature play (not a lead) by declarer from either hand is a played card and if legal may
not be withdrawn.
D. Premature Play at RHO's Turn
When a defender attempts to play (not lead) to a trick at his RHO’s turn, Law 16 may apply. If his
card can be legally played to the trick, it must be played at his proper turn: otherwise, it becomes
a major penalty card.
(This is Law 57 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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When a lead out of turn is faced, declarer may: A. Accept the irregular lead as provided in Law 53, or B. Require the defender to retract his faced lead out of turn. The withdrawn card becomes a major penalty card and Law 50D applies.
(This is Law 56 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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When a player has passed out of rotation and the call is cancelled, the option in Law 29A not
having been exercised, the following provisions apply (if the pass is artificial see C):
A. RHO’s Turn to Call
When a pass out of rotation is made at offender’s RHO’s turn to call, the offender must pass when
next it is his turn to call and Law 72C may apply.
B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn to Call
1. When the offender has passed at his partner’s turn to call, or at his LHO’s turn to call if the
offender has not previously called, then:
(a) Offender’s partner may make any legal call at his proper turn, but Law 16C2 applies.
(b) Offender may make any legal call at his correct turn and:
(i) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no further rectification.
Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 23C.
(ii) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s partner must pass
when next it is his turn to call. Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.
2. If the offender has previously called, a pass out of rotation at offender’s LHO’s turn to call is
treated as a change of call. Law 25 applies.
C. When Pass Is Artificial
When a pass out of rotation is artificial or is a pass of an artificial call, Law 31, not Law 30, applies.
(This is law 30 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted. See the other laws cited above for more details concerning a pass out of turn.)
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When a player has bid out of rotation, has passed artificially or has passed partner’s artificial call
(see Law 30C) and the call is cancelled, the option in Law 29A not having been exercised, the
following provisions apply:
A. RHO’s Turn to Call
When the offender has called at his RHO’s turn to call, then:
1. If that opponent passes, offender must repeat the call out of rotation, and when that call is
legal there is no rectification.
2. If that opponent makes a legal bid, double or redouble, offender may make any legal call:
(a) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no further rectification. Law
26B does not apply, but see Law 23C.
(b) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s partner must pass when
next it is his turn to call. Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.
B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn to Call
When the offender has bid at his partner’s turn to call, or at his LHO’s turn to call if the offender
has not previously called, then:
1. Offender’s partner may make any legal call at his proper turn, but Law 16C2 applies.
2. Offender may make any legal call at his correct turn and the Director rules as in A2(a) or
A2(b) above.
C. Later Bids at LHO’s Turn to Call
Later bids at LHO’s turn to call are treated as changes of call and Law 25 applies.
(This is Law 31 verbatim with significant 2017 changes highlighted. See the other laws cited above for details.)
Note: Under Law 29, following a call out of rotation offender’s LHO may elect to call thereby forfeiting the right to any
rectification.
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A double or redouble out of rotation may be accepted at the option of the opponent next in
rotation (see Law 29A), except that an inadmissible double or redouble (see Law 36) may never
be accepted. If the call out of rotation is not accepted it is cancelled and:
A. RHO’s Turn to Call
If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made at offender’s RHO’s turn to call, then:
1. If offender’s RHO passes, offender must repeat his out-of-rotation double or redouble and
there is no rectification unless the double or redouble is inadmissible, in which case Law 36
applies.
2. If offender’s RHO bids, doubles or redoubles, the offender may in turn make any legal call:
(a) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no further rectification. Law
26B does not apply, but see Law 23C.
(b) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s partner must pass when
next it is his turn to call. Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.
B. Offender’s Partner’s Turn to Call
If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made when it was the offender’s partner’s turn
to call, then:
1. Offender’s partner may make any legal call, but Law 16C2 applies.
2. Offender may make any legal call at his proper turn and the Director rules as in A2(a) or
A2(b) above.
C. Later Calls at LHO’s Turn to Call
Later calls at LHO’s turn to call are treated as changes of call and Law 25 applies.
(This is Law 32 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted. See the other laws cited above for more details.)
Note: Under Law 29, following a call out of rotation offender’s LHO may elect to call thereby forfeiting the right to any
rectification provided the double or redouble is a legal bid.
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A revoke becomes established when the offender or his partner leads or plays to the following trick. (See Law 63.) An impending revoke can be corrected before it is established--in which case the card withdrawn becomes a major penalty card (Law 50) if it was played from a defender's unfaced hand. There is no penalty if the withdrawn card comes from any other hand.
Penalties apply only from the established revoke trick onward--not from previous tricks. Two tricks are transferred to the non-offending side if the revoking player won the revoke trick and his side won any subsequent trick. One trick is transferred to the non-offending side if the trick on which the revoke occurred was not won by the offending player, but the offending side won a subsequent trick.
If the revoke penalty insufficiently compensates the non-offending side, the director shall assign an adjusted score (Law 64C).
See Laws 61-64 for more details and minor 2017 changes.
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A. Acceptance of Insufficient Bid
1. Any insufficient bid may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option of offender’s LHO. It is
accepted if that player calls.
2. If a player makes an insufficient bid out of rotation Law 31 applies.
B. Insufficient Bid not Accepted
If an insufficient bid in rotation is not accepted (see A) it must be corrected by the substitution of
a legal call (but see 3 following). Then:
1. (a) if the insufficient bid is corrected by the lowest sufficient bid which specifies the same
denomination(s) as that specified by the withdrawn call, the auction proceeds without
further rectification. Laws 26B and 16C do not apply but see D following.
(b) except as in (a), if the insufficient bid is corrected with a comparable call (see Law 23A)
the auction proceeds without further rectification. Law 16C does not apply but see D
following.
2. except as provided in B1 above, if the insufficient bid is corrected by a sufficient bid or by a
pass, the offender’s partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call. The lead restrictions in
Law 26B may apply, and see Law 72C.
3. except as provided in B1(b) above, if the offender attempts to substitute a double or a
redouble for his insufficient bid the attempted call is cancelled. The offender must replace it
as the foregoing allows and his partner must then pass whenever it is his turn to call. The
lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, and see Law 72C.
4. if the offender attempts to replace the one insufficient bid with another insufficient bid the
Director rules as in 3 if the LHO does not accept the substituted insufficient bid as A1
allows.
C. Premature Replacement
If the offender replaces his insufficient bid before the Director has ruled on rectification the
substitution, if legal, stands unless the insufficient bid is accepted as A1 allows (but see B3 above).
The Director applies the relevant foregoing section to the substitution.
D. Non-offending Side Damaged
If following the application of B1 the Director judges at the end of the play that without assistance
gained through the infraction the outcome of the board could well have been different, and in
consequence the non-offending side is damaged (see Law 12B1), he shall award an adjusted
score. In his adjustment he should seek to recover as nearly as possible the probable outcome
of the board had the insufficient bid not occurred.
(This is Law 27 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted in yellow.)
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For example if you were to hold KC, 8C, and 2C and the 8C became a minor penalty card, you could always play the KC instead of the 8C but you could not play the 2C before the 8C.
You can only have one minor penalty card. If more than 1 card has been dropped they both/all become major penalty cards. (Laws 50B and 50C)
Refer to Law 50E also to see some 2017 changes related to information derived from a penalty card.
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If the partner of the player with the penalty card still on the table gains the lead, the declarer has three
options:
1. He can demand the lead of that suit and any penalty cards of that suit will be immediately returned to his partner’s hand.
2. He can forbid the lead of that suit and any penalty cards of that suit will be immediately returned to his partner’s hand.
3. He can allow
the leader to lead anything and the penalty card stays on the table to be played at the first opportunity. (Law 50D)
Note: Declarer can exercise these options anytime a major penalty card is on the table.
Refer to Law 50E also to see some 2017 changes related to information derived from a penalty card.
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1. Information derived from a penalty card and the requirements for playing that penalty card are authorized for all players for as long as the penalty card remains on the table. 2. Information derived from a penalty card that has been returned to hand [as per Law 50D2(a)] is unauthorized for the partner of the player who had the penalty card (see Law 16C), but authorized for declarer. 3. Once a penalty card has been played, information derived from the circumstances under which it was created is unauthorized for the partner of the player who had the card. (For a penalty card which has not yet been played, see E1 above.) 4. If following the application of E1 the Director judges at the end of play that without the assistance gained through the exposed card the outcome of the board could well have been different, and in consequence the non-offending side is damaged (see Law 12B1), he shall award an adjusted score. In his adjustment he should seek to recover as nearly as possible the probable outcome of the board without the effect of the penalty card(s).
(This is Law 50E verbatim with the 2017 changes highlighted.)
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A. Definition
A call that replaces a withdrawn call is a comparable call, if it:
1. has the same or similar meaning as that attributable to the withdrawn call, or
2. defines a subset of the possible meanings attributable to the withdrawn call, or
3. has the same purpose (e.g. an asking bid or a relay) as that attributable to the withdrawn
call.
B. No Rectification
When a call is cancelled (as per Law 29B) and the offender chooses at his proper turn to replace
the irregularity with a comparable call, then both the auction and play continue without further
rectification. Law 16C2 does not apply, but see C following.
C. Non-Offending Side Damaged
If following the substitution of a comparable call [see Laws 27B1(b), 30B1(b)(i), 31A2(a) and
32A2(a)] the Director judges at the end of the play that without the assistance gained through
the infraction the outcome of the board could well have been different, and in consequence the
non-offending side is damaged, he shall award an adjusted score [see Law 12C1(b)].
(This is law 23 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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A. No Lead Restrictions When an offending player’s call is withdrawn and it is replaced by a comparable call (see Law 23A), then if he becomes a defender there are no lead restrictions for his side. Law 16C does not apply, but see Law 23C. B. Lead Restrictions When an offending player’s call is withdrawn and it is not replaced by a comparable call, then if he becomes a defender declarer may, at the offender’s partner’s first turn to lead (which may be the opening lead) prohibit offender’s partner from leading any (one) suit which has not been specified in the legal auction by the offender. Such prohibition continues for as long as the offender’s partner retains the lead.
(This is law 26 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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A. Offender’s LHO Calls before Rectification
If offender’s LHO calls before rectification of an inadmissible double or redouble the inadmissible
call and all subsequent calls are cancelled. The auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to
call and proceeds as though there had been no irregularity. The lead restrictions in Law 26B do
not apply.
B. Offender’s LHO does not Call before Rectification
When A does not apply:
1. any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19 is cancelled.
2. the offender must substitute a legal call, the auction continues, and the offender’s partner
must pass whenever it is his turn to call.
3. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.
4. if the call is out of turn the auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call, the
offender may make any legal call at his turn, and his partner must pass whenever it is his
turn to call. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.
C. Irregularity Discovered after the Auction Period
When attention is drawn to an inadmissible double or redouble only after the opening lead has
been faced, the final contract is scored as if the inadmissible call had not been made.
(This is law 36 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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A. Players’ Use of Information
1. A player may use information in the auction or play if:
(a) it derives from the legal calls and plays of the current board (including illegal calls and
plays that are accepted) and is unaffected by unauthorized information from another
source; or
(b) it is authorized information from a withdrawn action (see C); or
(c) it is information specified in any law or regulation to be authorized or, when not
otherwise specified, arising from the legal procedures authorized in these laws and in
regulations (but see B1 following); or
(d) it is information that the player possessed before he took his hand from the board (Law
7B) and the Laws do not preclude his use of this information.
2. Players may also take account of their estimate of their own score, of the traits of their
opponents, and any requirement of the tournament regulations.
B. Extraneous Information from Partner
1. Any extraneous information from partner that might suggest a call or play is unauthorized.
This includes remarks, questions, replies to questions, unexpected alerts or failures to alert,
unmistakable hesitation, unwonted speed, special emphasis, tone, gesture, movement or
mannerism.
(a) A player may not choose a call or play that is demonstrably suggested over another by
unauthorized information if the other call or play is a logical alternative.
(b) A logical alternative is an action that a significant proportion of the class of players in
question, using the methods of the partnership, would seriously consider, and some
might select.
2. When a player considers that an opponent has made such information available and that
damage could well result he may announce, unless prohibited by the Regulating Authority
(which may require that the Director be called), that he reserves the right to summon the
Director later (the opponents should summon the Director immediately if they dispute the
fact that unauthorized information might have been conveyed).
3. When a player has substantial reason to believe that an opponent who had a logical
alternative has chosen an action suggested by such information, he should summon the
Director when play ends. The Director shall assign an adjusted score (see Law 12C1) if he
considers that an infraction of law has resulted in an advantage for the offender.
C. Information from Withdrawn Calls and Plays
When a call or play has been withdrawn as these laws provide:
1. For a non-offending side, all information arising from a withdrawn action is authorized,
whether the action be its own or its opponents’.
2. For an offending side, information arising from its own withdrawn action and from
withdrawn actions of the non-offending side is unauthorized. A player of an offending side
may not choose a call or play that is demonstrably suggested over another by unauthorized
information if the other call or play is a logical alternative.
3. The Director shall assign an adjusted score (see Law 12C1) if he considers that a violation of
C2 has damaged the non-offending side.
D. Extraneous Information from Other Sources
1. When a player accidentally receives extraneous information about a board he is playing or
has yet to play, as by looking at the wrong hand; by overhearing calls, results or remarks; by
seeing cards at another table; or by seeing a card belonging to another player at his own
table before the auction begins (see also Law 13A), the Director should be notified
forthwith, preferably by the recipient of the information.
2. If the Director considers that the information would likely interfere with normal play he
may, before any call has been made:
(a) adjust the players’ positions at the table, if the type of contest and scoring permit, so that
the player with information about one hand will hold that hand;
(b) if the form of competition allows of it order the board redealt for those contestants;
(c) allow completion of the play of the board standing ready to award an adjusted score if he
judges that the extraneous information affected the result;
(d) award an adjusted score (for team play see Law 86B).
3. If such extraneous information is received after the first call in the auction has been made
and before completion of the play of the board the Director proceeds as in 2(c) or 2(d)
above.
(This is law 16 verbatim with the significant 2017 changes highlighted.)
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Game Preparation:
1. Hang the canvas team assignment in a prominent location.
2. If necessary, reserve stationary tables for some teams and put a note or other indicator
on the team assignment board at the slot for their assigned table.
3. Prepare the whiteboard for recording match results during the game. Columns should be
something like "Team #", "Captain", "Match 1", ..., "Match 4", and "Ranking".
4. Enter team numbers and captain names on the white board.
5. Enter team numbers in the computer.
6. For games involving head to head matches, put out section B table cards two rows over
from their associated A table cards.
7. Put the first round team assignments in the canvas team assignment
display.
8. Put team score cards on the director's table next to the convention cards.
9. Put 3 or 4 match scoring tickets (just a small, blank sheet will do) at each table.
10. For a large game, put out extra sets of boards.
11. For a 5 or 7 table game, put a guide card at each table. (See notes below.)
Running the Game:
1. Start ACBLscore.
2. Open new game, add a section, and select #2, Team.
3. Select Victory Points on scale of 20.
4. Select 1 stratum, unlimited , for 8 is enough or handicapped event. For
stratified, use the same strata as for the pair games.
5. For further team count-related setup details, refer to the "Running Swiss Teams" document at the back of the case containing the Howell table cards.
6. Use key F3 to enter each team's member names, captain first. Pgdn after each to
get to the next team.
7. After each match, enter scores for the current round using F2.
8. Enter each team's IMP score by typing team #, "enter", and IMPs (preceded by
minus sign if appropriate).
9. Post the resulting VPs on the whiteboard and assign new pairings as indicated
by ACBLscore.
10. After the last round has been scored, PF8 for hardcopy and post the results on the cork board.
Terminating the game:
1. DBADD.
2. Update to the web site using ScorePost and browse it to verify it's correct.
3. Restore the table card setup to what it should be for tne next days's
pair game.
4. Return other Swiss materials (team assignment board, scoring tickets, etc.) to
storage.
Notes:
See "Running Swiss Teams" at acbl.org for Swiss Team details. This document should also
available in hardcopy in a plastic folder at the back of the table card box. This folder
also has guide cards for 5 and 7 table Swiss teams.
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In general, the goals when selecting a movement are as follows:
1. Every pair should play all of the boards.
2. It would be nice if each pair played as many of the other pairs as possible, ideally, all of them.
3. Minimize the number of boards per round if there is a sit-out.
4. Have enough stationary pairs to accommodate those who cannot easily move from one table to another.
However, keep in mind the LCDBC goals are rearranged slightly:
1. Accommodating movement- or vision-challenged players by making stationary tables available to them.
2. Avoiding 4+ board sitouts
3. Playing a reasonable number of boards--usually in the range of 24 to 28
4. Maximizing the fairness of the game through field balancing and playing more rather
than fewer of the opponents
In smaller games, it is sometimes possible to reach only the first goal, if that.
Finally, the director should never be expected to run a movement they aren't comfortable with.
Movement Details:
If you are really interested in a lot of details, here are some comments from a club director on the internet concerning bridge movements:
For 2-6 tables, Howell movements are easy, no surprise there. In fact, for 2, 3, 4, or 5 tables, Howell movements are perfect movements, in that they satisfy both of our primary goals.
For 7 tables, a Howell and a Mitchell are both perfect movements. The Mitchell is, of course, a two winner movement. If an overall winner is desired for any Mitchell game, well, let's just say that isn't so great for a one session game and leave it at that. ACBLScore is not bothered by it though.
6 and 8 table Howell movements are very good, all pairs play all boards, and each pair plays against all but two of the other pairs. An 8 table Mitchell (with a skip) violates the first goal, and also invites a 4 board sit-out. With 7 1/2 tables, the 8 table Howell is also much better than the 7 1/2 table Scrambled Mitchell (a one winner movement), because it mixes the N/S and E/W pairs more thoroughly.
9 and 13 table Mitchell movements are perfect two winner movements.
Now for the problem table counts.
10, 11, and 12 tables are not so good. A 10 table Mitchell is not too bad, each pair plays 27 out of 30 boards, 11 and 12 table Mitchells are just plain ugly. However, 10, 11, and 12 table Howells work very well, all pairs play 13 2-board rounds. There are also quite a few stationary pairs, all those from #14 on up, most will be arrow switching though. The 12 table Howell does require Tables 11 and 12 to share boards on every round. Most of our club members were surprised to discover that a Howell could be run with that many tables (technically, I believe they're called 3/4 Howell movements). The bridge supply vendors do not carry table mats for the 10-12 table Howells, but guide cards can be printed from ACBLScore and given to each pair. Alternatively, table mats can be created using a set of guide cards (it is a pain, but not terribly difficult, and only needs to be done once, not just before game time, though). It is also possible to run Web movements for 10-12 tables (see below), but 2 sets of 27 boards are required, and we're too lazy to deal them when one set will do.
For 14 or more tables (up to and including 18), a single section Mitchell will leave unplayed boards by all pairs. 14 and 15 tables are not too bad, but single sections of 16 or more tables get progressively worse. 14 tables can split into two 7 table sections, playing either Mitchells or Howells. 18 tables can split into two 9 table sections playing Mitchells. Scores should be combined across the sections, it's easy in ACBLScore. 16, 20, 22, etc. do not play so well even in two sections, in that they violate the first goal. That's where the Web movement comes into it's own. Two sets of boards are needed to play two sections anyway, but the Web movement makes one big section with two sets of 26 boards in play. It's actually easier on the dealer, he only needs to deal two sets of 26 boards rather than two sets of 36 boards. A web movement with an even number of tables is really quite easy to run. Just pick Web movement when setting up the game. We have diagrams showing which boards to start at which tables, ACBLScore's instructions are not too clear, there's a surprise. Two tables will have a stack of boards, and pairs move normally, up one table at a time. There are no skips in Web movements. The section is divided into two subsections, boards stay in the same subsection. Boards move down one table as normally.
What about an odd number of tables, greater than 13? Splitting into two sections of Mitchells leaves differing table counts in the two sections, violating our primary goal. The Web movement will also work here, although there is one negative. Either 3 sets of boards are needed, or some of the tables (#14 and higher) will be sharing boards on some rounds. This is not as bad as it sounds though, we've found that giving each North player (from Table 14 up) a slip telling him which boards will be shared with which table on which rounds eliminates the confusion. We print the slips just before the game starts (after we have the table count). The odd numbered Web movements are located in the "External" movements in ACBLScore, for some reason ACBLScore insists on an even number of tables when selecting "Web" in setting up the game.
With an odd number of pairs, choose either a bump or a sit-out to get to an even number of tables, thus avoiding the board sharing. For example, with 18 1/2 tables, choose an 18 table Web with a bump (again, in "External"). With 17 1/2 tables, choose an 18 table Web with a sit-out.
There is another solution for an odd table count from 15-25, which does not require board sharing. The idea is to play two sections with different movements, combining the scores across sections. For instance, with 23 tables, if it is desired to avoid the board sharing in a Web (which gets worse as the odd table count increases), a 13 table Mitchell could be run in one section, and a 10 table Howell in the other section. Alternatively, an 11 table Howell and a 12 table Howell could be run.
26 tables could run 2 sections of 13 table Mitchells, or a 26 table Web (the difference being that the E/W pairs cross section boundaries in the Web). 27 Tables and up require 3 sets of boards, but the extension is obvious. For example, with 29 tables, run 2 sections, a 13 table Mitchell, and a 16 table Web. With 32 tables, running two 16 table Web sections would require four board sets, but a 13 table Mitchell and a 19 table Web could get by with 3 sets. Of course, if you're getting that many tables, you're getting awfully close to needing to deal four board sets anyway ...
So, to summarize, we play Howell movements with 2 to 12 tables (except 9, for which we play Mitchell), Mitchell with 13 tables, and Web with even table counts of 14-24 tables. We're still deciding which way to go with odd table counts of 15-25, but we have run the Web, and not had any difficulty.
... and from another director:
How extensive is the need for stationary pairs? (At my club, it is nearly half. Being in Florida, I'd expect for you it would be at least 1/3.)
I am never dealing with sections of more than 13 tables, but here is some information on the 6 to 13 tables movements I have learned and used:
1. 6-table, 8-table, and 12-table games where all pairs play all 24 boards using a bye-stand and relay (share). In the 12-table game with only 2-board rounds, best if you have an extra set of boards for one of the sharing tables (otherwise, you better have three consecutive fast North-South pairs as the two sharing tables plus the next table up that feeds them boards). Yes, you can use a Double Weave Mitchell for 12 tables, but I've seen it used once in tight quarters and was a comedy show. I am the "mad scientist game director" at my local club and even I doubt I'll ever try a double weave Mitchell when the bye-stand relay (share) with a second board set available for a sharing table and all pairs play all 24 boards seems much easier and as equitable as the Double Weave Mitchell.
2. If you use a Mitchell for any 5, 6, 7, or 8 table game, use a last round arrow switched round (moving pairs play with the East-West cards) to create a one-winner movement.
3. If you have a special game with special overall awards, you should be using a one-winner movement. Especially if the game is relatively small.
4. With 10 tables, instead of the standard 9x3 Skip Mitchell with 30 boards in play, you can use two sets of boards in a web movement (one set at Tables 1-5, and the second set played in reverse order at Tables 6-10) so only 27 boards are in play and all players play all boards.
This also allows a 10-table game with a phantom instead of a 9 1/2 table Rover Mitchell where pairs 10, 9, and 6 have special movements.
5. With 11 tables, you can do either of the following:
(a) play a 12x2 Hesitation Mitchell where at one table (traditionally the highest numbered table), the moving pairs play in the North-South position for one round. This also means you need to arrow switch at least the last round (preferably the last two rounds). All pairs play all 24 boards and play against all pairs in the opposite direction.
(b) use a 9x3 web movement where the second set of boards is used only at Tables 10 and 11. You still miss two opponents in the opposite direction, but all pairs play all 27 boards in play, better than having 33 boards in play.
6. The 11 1/2 table game can also be played as a Hesitation Mitchell (13x2) or a web 11-table Mitchell with rover.
7. With 10 1/2 tables, please use an Appendix Mitchell (all North-South pairs play all 27 boards in play). Do not use an 11-table standard 9x3 Mitchell with a phantom pair where 33 boards are in play instead of 27 boards in the Appendix Mitchell. (14 1/2 tables is also best using an Appendix Mitchell, but is not that much better than a standard 15 table Mitchell with a phantom pair.)
8. With 7 1/2 tables, use a Hesitation Mitchell 9x3 where there is sharing between two tables. There are also 3/4 Howells with several stationary pairs available, but all pairs do not play all other pairs. Either of those I would prefer to the H8ROVER external game that comes with ACBLscore.
9. With 6 1/2 tables, if you need more than a few stationary pairs and need to play at least 24 boards, this one is tough. There are some 3/4 Howells 9x3 available but all pairs do not play all other pairs. Other than that, the 4-board sitout in a 7-table Mitchell or a standard Howell with only one stationary pair are the other two common options.
... and a comment about the H8rover movement for 7 1/2 tables:
What is your objection to H8Rover? It can't be the one-winner aspect in light of point 2.
I think the bad thing about the H8Rover (I think it's also called a 7 1/2 table Scrambled Mitchell) is that the N/S and E/W pairs are not thoroughly mixed. That is, all pairs are either N/S or E/W and never play each other, only the roving pair moves back and forth between N/S and E/W.
The single positive to H8ROVER is having only a 2-board sitout.
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If a director is willing to be non-playing on occasion, having the option of having a fill-in single on call could avoid a sitout altogether but that's a lot to expect. If a 4+ board sitout would be necessary, the director should first try to get a fill-in pair and, if that doesn't work, ask the group if any pair would want to leave in order to avoid the sitout. Finally, if a sitout is still unavoidable, if possible a movement should be chosen that would minimize the sitout duration.
The notes below might help in making some of the tradeoffs.
Number Movement Stationary <------- ACBLscore Options -----> Notes of tables Pairs # tables # Rds Bds/rd Phantom ------------- -------------- ---------- -------- ------ ------ ------- ------------------ 3 Mitchell all NS 3 3 9 N 3 Howell 1 NS 3 5 5 N 3.5 Mitchell all NS 4 3 9 Y-EW Don't even try unless using robots 3.5 Howell 1 NS 4 7 4 Y 4 board sitout--avoid or do 3 boards/round 4 Mitchell-Bye all NS 4 4 7 N 4 Howell 1 NS 4 7 4 N 4.5 Mitchell all NS 5 5 4 Y-EW 5 board sitout--avoid 4.5 Howell 3 NS 5 9 3 Y 3 board sitout 5 Mitchell all NS 5 5 5 N 5 Howell 3 NS 5 9 3 N 5.5 Mitchell-Bye all NS 6 5 5 Y-EW 5 board sitout--avoid unless using robots 5.5 Howell 1 NS, 2 NS, 3NS 6 9 3 Y 3 board sitout 6 Mitchell-Bye all NS 6 6 4 N 6 Howell 1 NS, 2 NS, 3NS 6 9 3 N 6.5 Ext-H7Rover all NS NA 6 4 NA 2 board sitout (incl. bye, & relay), Note 1 6.5 Mitchell all NS 7 7 4 Y-EW 4 board sitout--avoid or do 3 boards/round 6.5 Howell 4 NS 7 13 2 Y 2 board sitout 7 Mitchell all NS 7 7 4 N 7.5 Ext-H8Rover all NS NA 7 4 NA 2 board sitout, Note 1 7.5 Mitchell-Bye all NS 8 8 3 8-NS 3 board sitout 7.5 Howell 1 NS, 2 EW, 4 NS 8 13 9 Y 2 board sitout 8 Mitchell-Bye all NS 8 8 3 NOther Notes:
# Tables Possible Choices -------- ---------------------------- 8.5 27 board Mitchell with an EW phantom 9 27 board Mitchell 9.5 27 board Mitchell with rover (9 tables) 10 27 board skip Mitchell* 10.5 27 board skip Mitchell with rover (10 tables) 11 27 board Mitchell 11.5 27 board Mitchell with rover (11 tables) 12 24 board bye stand/relay or 27 board skip Mitchell 12.5 26 board Mitchell with an EW phantom 13 26 board Mitchell 13.5 The above with a bump 14 28 board bye stand relay, 26 board skip Mitchell, or web movement 14.5 26 board Mitchell with an EW phantom 15 W1513 Web movement (three sets of boards) or Standard Mitchell (one set of boards) 15.5 The above Mitchell with a bump or a 16 table web with an EW phantom (two sets of boards) 16 WEB1608 Web movement (two sets of boards) or a skip Mitchell (one set of boards) 16.5 The above Mitchell with a bump or a 17 table web with an EW phantom (three sets of boards) 17 or more Use a web movementNotes: Consider using a Howell or a scrambled Mitchell for something like a club championship where an overall ranking will be produced.
* The problem with a bye stand and relay with 10 tables is that there would be 30 boards in play with 3 boards a round and 20 boards in play with 2 boards a round. Both are legal, of course, but some players would find the former game too long and the latter game too short.
However, when a bye stand and relay are appropriate, the ACBLscore default is to have the relay between the first and last tables with the bye stand directly opposite. If the last table is far from the first, if you add 1 when ACBLscore asks where the bye stand should go, the result would be a relay between 1 and 2 and there would be no need to move table 10 next to table 1.
Using a skip instead with 10 tables results in playing 27 or 24 boards--which is a good number of boards time-wise.
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Click on SET--F9--and select option 5, change movement parameters. Update with new number of tables and phantom pair information.
Here are some examples:
A. A pair arrives late to an 8 table Mitchell with a skip after 4 (7 rounds) and we want to add them.
1. Enter F9 to reconfigure the movement.
2. Keep the number of tables at 8, leave the boards per round at 4, and set to appendix mitchell.
3. Enter F11 and EDMOV to verify that there is now a relay between tables 1 and 8 of boards 1-4 rather
than having NS 8 and EW 8 playing boards 29-32 as before. The new pair, 9 E-W, is sitting out
the first round.
4. Enter F11 and EDMOV and print a guide card for the roving pair 9 E-W.
5. Restart the Bridgemate (BMS) and have players re-enter player numbers and scores so far.
B. A pair arrives late to an 8 table Mitchell with a bye stand and relay and we want to add them.
1. Enter F9 to reconfigure the movement.
2. Keep the number of tables at 8, leave the boards per round at 4, and set to rover bye stand Mitchell.
3. Enter F11 and EDMOV to verify that there is still a relay between tables 1 and 8 and the new pair,
9 E-W, is sitting out the first round but bumping starting at round 2.
4. Enter F11 and EDMOV and print a guide card for the roving pair 9 E-W.
5. Restart the Bridgemate (BMS) and have players re-enter player numbers and scores so far.
C. A table arrives late to a 5 table Mitchell and we want to add them
1. Enter F9 to reconfigure the movement.
2. Change the number of tables to 6 but leave the boards per round at 5.
3. Enter F11 and EDMOV to verify the results.
4. Restart the Bridgemate (BMS) and have players re-enter player numbers and scores so far.
For the steps needed for the Bridgemate server to add a table, refer to
Adding or Deleting a Table
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Set up your game (on the computer) for 4 tables if you have not already done so. The options provided when you use EDMOV will be more for Howell movements than those of other movements. "Display or reassign pair numbers" and "Add an appendix table or pair" will be the additional options. To add the two pairs that were mentioned in the first paragraph, select the sixth option ("Add an appendix table or pair"). On the new screen, ACBLscore will ask the table number to add appendix and give you a table that is duplicated below.
1 8 1 (Not eligible)
2 3 6
3 2 7
4 5 4
The first column of this table is the table number, the second column is the N-S pair number, and the third column is the E-W pair number. "Not eligible" indicates that there is a stationary pair at the table. As you can see from the table above, four table Howell has only one stationary pair which is at table 1. You can add an appendix to any table you want unless there is a stationary pair at the table. The default to the question for the table to add appendix is the table with the lowest table number that does not have a stationary. After your answer, ACBLscore will ask you whether to add 1 or 2 pairs. Then, an explanation of changes that need to be done will be displayed at the lower part of the screen. In our case (4 tables), the explanation (when you select table 2 to add appendix) will be as follows:
· Original pair three becomes pair 9 and remains stationary at 2 N-S.
· One new pair becomes pair 3 and starts at table 5 N-S.
· One new pair becomes pair 10 and remains stationary at table 5 E-W.
· Tables 2 and 5 relay boards
Change the numbers of the pairs accordingly and note that tables 2 and 5 relay boards.
The procedure to add only one pair to the movement is very similar to the one described above. The only difference is the explanation given by ACBLscore.
Here are some more examples:
A. A pair arrives late to a 4 table Howell during the first round and we want to add them.
1. Select EDMOV option 6, add an appendix table or pair.
2. Select a table without a stationary NS as the table to add an appendix. Say table 4.
3. Enter 1 at the prompt because a pair is being added.
4. Instructions will now appear telling what need to be done. For example,
Original pair 5 becomes pair 9 and remains stationary at table 4 N-S.
The new pair becomes pair 5 and starts at table 5 N-S (first round sit-out)
5. Look at the resulting movement to ensure it is correct.
6. Restart the Bridgemate (BMS) and have players re-enter player numbers and scores so far.
B. A board has already been played in a 5 table Howell and another table arrives we want to add rather than turn away.
1. Select EDMOV option 6, add an appendix table or pair.
2. Select a table without a stationary NS as the table to add an appendix. Say table 1.
3. Enter 2 at the prompt because a full table is being added.
4. Instructions will now appear telling what need to be done. For example,
Original pair 7 becomes pair 11 and remains stationary at table 1 N-S.
One new pair becomes pair 7 and starts at table 6 N-S.
One new pair becomes pair 12 and remains stationary at table 6 E-W.
Tables 1 and 6 relay boards.
5. Look at the resulting movement to ensure it is correct.
6. Restart the Bridgemate (BMS) and have players re-enter player numbers and scores so far.
For the steps needed for the Bridgemate server to add a table, refer to
Adding or Deleting a Table
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For the steps needed for the Bridgemate server to delete a table, refer to
Adding or Deleting a Table
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First, if the board was fouled and it's detected immediately afterward it's simple to correct it by redealing. For example, table 7 passes the boards to table 6 and table 6 notices one hand has 12 cards and another 14 cards. It seems safe to assume the board was fouled at table 7.
In this case, the easiest thing to do is the following:
1. Pick up the fouled board and put it in the Dealer 4 to redeal it.
2. Start Dealer 4.
3. Load the previously-dealt hand record by clicking on "File", clicking on "Load", selecting today's game file yymmddx, and clicking on "Open".
4. Click on Deal.
5. Click “Next” repeatedly until the fouled board's number appears.
6. Insert the board and run Dealer 4 for that one hand.
7. Exit Dealer4 (optional) and return the board to its table.
However, a second approach must be taken if the fouling of the board is detected too late. The director must find out or deduce at which round the board was fouled and change the matchpointing of the board so that there are two separate groups playing that board--before and after--and matchpoint the players only within their own groups.
In the example below, let's assume that board 18 was fouled on round 3.
To tell ACBLscore this, press F11 and click on "Foul". Type "18" in the first prompt--which will be for the board number. An arrow "-->" will appear at the left of the next screen. Just space down to the round where the board was fouled and the round number box on the left shows a "3". Assuming the board wasn't fouled a second time, press "F" until the arrow gets to the bottom.
See the fouled board procedure described in the ACBLscore help for further details.
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You will probably need to use the STRAT command to change one or more strata assignments. The easiest way is to click on Auto Stratify.
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To reflect this change in the movement on ACBLscore, type EDMOV at the command line.
Select "Display or change movement" from the Select EDMOVE Option window, and "edit one cell" from the 12 item menu. ACBLscore will ask you the table and the round number. Then, it is going to ask you whether this will be a partial round adjustment. Press Y (for yes) since the pairs played only one board of the round sitting the wrong direction.
Next, ACBLscore asks you the N-S pair number and gives the opponents of the correct N-S players as the default (with the assumption that the pairs sat the wrong direction at the same table) - in our case the default is pair 10. Then,it asks the E-W pair number and the board number. Press ESC after you answer these questions and then "Save and Exit".
Partial change does not change the pair numbers that are displayed when you select the "Display or Change Movement" option. However, the posting scores screen for round three changes to allow correct entry. (You can see this change by using the F11 - ROUND command.)
The procedure to reflect the change in the movement when pairs 10 and 1 play the entire round sitting the wrong direction is similar to partial round adjustment except the fact that you should answer N to partial round adjustment and ACBLscore changes the schedule on the screen.
After exiting from EDMOV, do F11 and SCORE to update the score based on the EDMOV changes.
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At this point, the strata and eligibility for stratified game will need to be changed because without the names and the each player's associated masterpoint information the game will not have been properly stratified.
Refer to the stratification FAQ for details.
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If that doesn't work, try F11 - BMR to restart the Bridgemate without resetting it and then posting the scores.
Finally, cancel the running BMC job (using BGA) or Ctrl-Alt-Del and task manager. Restart ACBLscore, bring up the game in question, F11 - BMR, and then post the omitted scores.
Once a new session has started or BMC has otherwise been reset, it is too late.
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ACBLscore will ask you the board number, which will take you to a table which, at the top, gives the section letter, board number, vulnerability, and top. Below this line, there are four columns: N-S pair number, score (from N-S perspective), E-W pair number, and the matchpoints earned by N-S.
At the bottom of the screen, enter the N-S pair number whose score is wrong. Then, you will be asked the score of the pair; enter the score. Next, there will be "N-S pair [ ]" prompt at the bottom of the screen again, to let you change the scores of any other pair on the same board. If the rest of the scores are right, press ESC. This time there will be "Board # [ ]" prompt which allows you to check other boards. Press ESC or zero to quit.
The following applies when entering scores: The last zero is always dropped. [400 is
entered as 40, 110 is entered as 11]. All scores are entered from the N-S point of view.
-800 is typed " 80-" or "80+". To back up, press the "B" key. To move forward, press the "F"
key.
For artificially adjusted scores:
Average both ways, type "A". For Average Plus N-S, Average Minus E-W, type "A+". For Average Minus N-S, Average Plus E-W, type "A-". For other adjusted scores, see Special Scoring discussed below.
To protect a N-S score to Average Plus or better and the complementary E-W score to Average Minus or less, type "P", then the score to protect. To protect a N-S score to Average Minus or less and the complementary E-W score to Average Plus or better, type "Q", then the score (from the N-S point of view). "P" gives the pair the matchpoints they would get for the score or Average Plus, whichever is greater and "Q" gives the pair the matchpoints they would get for the score or Average Minus, whichever is less. Type "P45" press Enter key to give N-S the matchpoints for +450 or Average Plus, whichever is better, and E-W the opposite score. Special scoring can be used to post noncomplementary protected scores.
The F2 key from the main window can also be used to correct scores by round number.
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The hand record is used by the dealing machine to deal the hands (clicking on "Deal") for a session of bridge. When "Analyze" is selected the dealing machine analyzes the hands and adds the analysis to the hand record. Note that when a previously generated hand record is to be used it has probably already been analyzed. However, if a new hand record is generated it must be analyzed and saved (clicking on "Analyze" and "Save").
If multiple sets of boards are needed, go back to board one and deal again. When all necessary sets are produced click "File" - "Exit" to terminate Dealer 4.
The club uses hand record names that are in
yymmddx.PBN format and that are stored in “c:\acblscore\GAMEFILE.” The "yymmdd" in the name
represents the date of the session in which the hands will be used and "x" is the ACBL-defined session identifier
where "a" represents an afternoon session and "m" represents a morning session. For example, "140208a.pbn" would be an afternoon
game on Feb. 8, 2014.
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The Bridge Game Assistant can help with this process by fetching and renaming The Common Game hand records----are pre-analyzed--for you.
It also fills in the correct name automatically--eliminating another source of error.
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If you have the right table, the director should go to the Bridgemate's TD menu to force it to be logged on (replying OK when prompted). The wrong table will then be forced off and the director should notify them to start over again with the correct table number and section specified.
Any scores entered at the wrong table will have to be corrected.
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Also, check the battery icon to ensure it's not all dark.
If all else fails, logon using another Bridgemate, taking over the table number of the
failing Bridgemate, and set aside the failing Bridgemate for service.
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The correct score(s) can then be entered by the NS pair and verified by the EW pair.
Scores can also be corrected after they have been posted to ACBLscore but in this case it requires changing them
on ACBLscore itself.
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First, you can do it manually through general Windows functions by:
1. Simultaneously press the 3 keys Ctrl, Alt, and Del. That will get you to the task manager. (Check first to see if an icon for the task manager has previously been pinned to the
task bar at the bottom of the screen and click on that instead. The icon seems to be a dark screen with a green line graph on it.)
2. Click on the "Applications" tab.
3. Locate the application that is named "Bridgemate Control Software" and right click on it.
4. On the new menu that appears, click on "End Task".
Another option is to locate and open the folder BGA -> Shortcuts -> Specialized -> C-Disk -> LCDBC
and then double click on "BGA - BMC_Exit". (There might be a shortcut for this on the desktop if it needs
to be done often.)
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Entering a No Play: Enter 0--not Pass--as the score. Depending on the Bridgemate setting, the director might have to enter the PIN and enter it himself/herself.
Entering a Late Play: Play the boards and report the result to the director who will then enter the result on ACBLscore with the F2 command.
Awarding an adjusted score: At the table, with the cursor positioned at CONTR select the TD menu followed by adjusted score (4, 5, or 6 representing 40%, etc. for each pair) and resend. However, it is probably easier to change the score on ACBLscore after play is over.
Correcting a score not yet accepted by E-W: Press cancel to go back and correct it.
Correcting a score already accepted by E-W:
The director must erase the score from the TD menu and the new score must be entered and accepted again. However,
if the score has already posted to ACBLscore, it must be corrected on ACBLscore.
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To delete:
Go to the Bridgemate server's client tables tab, select the tables to remove and for each one right click and select "remove from server." The tables will now be removed.
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The program receives player
numbers and contract data from the BridgeMates, sends it corresponding player names
from its player data base, and informs the BridgeMates of expected players and boards by
round. It does match-pointing, tabulates results, determines rank of players and assigns
masterpoint awards. The game file is used to update the ACBLscore database which is used later for
monthly reporting to the ACBL and can be uploaded to
the Club’s web site's “Results” area, to The Common Game, and, if there's any interest, to the Bridgemate App.
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Sample Initial Setup:
1. Start ACBLscore and click OK on the Welcome screen.
2. Click on "Game" on the big green screen that appears after
3. Verify the date (yymmdd) and session information (M or A) and click OK.
4. OK to set up a new game? “Yes”
5. Issue F11 ADD or Ctrl-A to add a section.
6. Select “Pairs”
7. Letter for section 1 “A” - OK
8. Select section color choose - OK
9. Select “1. Mitchell (or 2.Howell, etc.) choose one - OK
10. Select number of tables - (#) fill in - OK
11. Select maximum number of played rounds - choose - OK
12. Select boards per round - choose - OK
13. Phantom pairs - (#) Y or N - OK (2 additional prompts here if there is a phantom)
14. Pickup by board sequence number - choose Yes - OK
15. Select event rating - Choose 1, Club Masterpoint, for example - OK
16. Select “3 Strata, average of both” and set their upper limits according to the posting on the board
17. “Newcomer game?” - No
18. Flighted Event - No
19. Club information, etc. - defaults are set and fields to fill in are obvious.
20. Do F11 - BMS to start the Bridgemate Control software (BCS) so people can enter their table and player numbers.
21. Soon after the game has started, F11 - BMN to copy the player numbers from BCS to ACBLscore.
Where defaults are set for the above steps, they are almost always what you should use except always say yes to the prompt concerning remote scorers which has a default of "No" for some reason. (The defaults for at least one of the relay and bye stand movements are wrong--at least for our club.)
Sample Game Closing:
1. Use F11 - "LATE" if you need to determine which boards have a late play. If the late play will not be taken,
use F10 to change that particular board's scores to "N", no play, for the pairs who will not be playing that board.
2. Post the scores from BridgeMate into ACBLScore (Ctrl-P). Repeat as necessary.
3. Print the results with F4 when it's the next to last round and people want to view them and with F8 if all scores are in.
4. Update the data base by Ctrl-D or F11 - DBADD. When prompted, respond
no report OK / OK / OK.
5. Close ACBLScore
Uploading results to the Internet:
1. Post results to the bridgewebs site Using ScorePost.
2. Post results to The Common Game (TCG) if it's a sanctioned pair game.
3. Post results to the Bridgemate App if it's convenient--for example, running with BGA.
4. Verify that the results have been posted by opening the browser for the bridgewebs site and clicking
on "Results" in the left hand box to confirm proper uploading.
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Move the arrow down to the pair to be penalized. Press enter to highlight them and then enter the penalty in the form of negative matchpoints.
For example, assuming a half board penalty is to be assessed and each board is played 5 times the top would be 4 so the penalty would be -2.
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This will upload the results to http://www.bridgewebs.com/lakechapala/.
If necessary, the results can also be uploaded manually to the bridgewebs site.
Note that ScorePost is invoked automatically when the Bridge Game Assistant (BGA) is being used.
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Normal Operation:
1. Double click on the Lake Chapala icon on the desktop
2. Click on the post results button (or PF4)
3. Click OK
4. Click Exit
Current, Abnormal Operation:
1. Double click on the Lake Chapala PC's ScorePost icon on the desktop
2. Click on the post results button (or PF4)
3. Deselect all games
4. Select the game file of interest (usually the latest)
5. If necessary, click on column 2 and browse to find the hand record first in the ACBLscore Gamefile directory and then,
if not found search for it on the C: drive in general.
6. Click OK
7. Click Exit
If all else fails, game results will have to be posted manually.
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If there are games that appear on the Post Games screen that you know should not be uploaded,
a better long-term solution is to instead remove them from the list of games to upload by doing the following:
1. Press Cancel to exit the Confirm Posting screen.
2. Click on the View button at the top of the screen and then click on History. This will give a list of previously posted results.
3. Click on Add. This will list the gamefiles that you saw before--some of which you don't want to upload.
4. Select those you don't want to upload click OK and click OK again. This will add these files to the history of already uploaded results.
5. Select Post Games again and you will no longer see those that you added to history.
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TCG Merge uploads regularly sanctioned club game results for pre-dealt TCG hands to The Common Game web site at http://thecommongame.com/.
Once on the TCG web site, they are matchpointed against a large field consisting of hundreds of other clubs using the same hand records. Some of the hands are analyzed by TCG experts and personal stats for each player are also maintained by TCG.
TCG Merge can be invoked by a shortcut on the desktop or automatically by BGA (Bridge Game Assistant).
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The Bridgemate App requires an iOS 6 or higher iPhone (or iPod or iPad) or a smartphone running Android 4.0 or higher. Assuming these requirements are met, the App can be dowloaded from the Apple App Store or from Google Play.
Your club must use the Bridgemate Pro or Bridgemate II scoring system and the directors must upload game results to the App after the games.
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Use of the automated functions are totally at the director's discretion but this tool is intended to
minimize the work required for the following steps:
1. Acquisition, renaming, and use of The Common Game (TCG) pre-dealt hands that allow players to
compare their results against other clubs playing the same hands, accumulate game stats, see some
hands analyzed, and use other features of thecommongame.com web site.
2. Loading the hand record file (for example, a TCG .PBN file) and running the dealing machine.
3. Invoking ACBLscore and getting some validation of the game setup.
4. Invoking ScorePost to upload results to Bridgewebs.com.
5. Invoking TCG Merge to upload results to TCG.
6. Invoking the Bridgemate Server to Import the results to the Bridgemate App for later viewing on
a smart phone.
7. If the optional BBO Robot Feature is installed, use of BridgeBase Online (BBO) robots to fill-in half
tables so that sitouts can be avoided.
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Of course, there are many other small tasks that are associated directly and indirectly with these main duties.
The club manager or his/her assistant must do the following from time to time:
1. Clean the green rollers on the dealing machine every month or two
2. Clean decks of cards
3. Clean the boards holding the cards
4. Review the current strata every quarter or so and revise them as necessary to ensure the fields are balanced
5. Update the masterpoint holdings using "D00" as the district to be sure of getting all of them
6. Update the player information every quarter or upon request.
On a regular monthly basis, the club manager must do the following:
1. Plan what games should be held and schedule the directors for the month. This would normally be done a week or so before the end of the preceding month.
2. In the busier games (Tuesdays and Thursdays in the winter) two directors will need to be scheduled. They should be told to work out between themselves the division of the directing labor.
3. At the beginning of the month, print the calendar, route it for director review, and post two copies at the club.
4. Update the news on the front page of the LCDBC web site to tell players what special games are schedule for the upcoming month.
On a yearly basis, the club manager must do the following:
1. Pay the game sanction fees for the upcoming year.
2. Review the special games for the upcoming year, decide which to participate in, and get a sanction for them.
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The club manager must do the following:
1. Go to the Database menu to Update/Find Player. Find the listing for the player in question, and make sure their ACBL number
is now part of the listing.
2. Now hit F4. This will bring up the player's attendance record, showing any masterpoints they have
earned at the club.
3. Now hit F7. The program says this is to print the record, but we can also use it to create a text file
copy of the attendance record.
4. Select "masterpoint report" and then choose text file as the format to save the information. Save the file somewhere it can be accessed easily for emailing it later.
Once this has been done, the club manager must now address an email to masterpoints@acbl.org, attaching the file just created, and explaining in the email that the club did not have the player's ACBL number at the time of the previous monthly report. The Club/Membership department will handle crediting the player with their masterpoints.
Below is a sample email for use as a template. Don't forget the attachment.
Subject: Masterpoints for (player name), (1234567)
Please update the masterpoint records for new ACBL member (player name), (1234567), to reflect the masterpoints earned at the club under the temporary number of (#nnn).
(His/Her) masterpoint report is attached.
Thanks in advance.
(club manager name), Club manager for Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club (142398)
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Some older documents are in the folder "LCDBC Archived Documents" as is the latest copy of the bylaws.
The club Secretary mantains and owns the master copies of the club management-related documents and copies them to "LCDBC Archived Documents" as needed.
2. chapalabridgeclub@hotmail.com:
This dropbox is oriented toward day to day operations of the club games and is normally only used by directors and the club manager.
It contains folders and files needed to participate in The Common Game and to use Bridgebase Online robots as fill-ins and it contains files needed to provide the LCDCB PC with the latest software, manuals, etc.
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From the home screen of ACBLscore, click Data Base in the toolbar and select ACBL Reports from the menu.
In the Select Report Month screen, select the month for which you will be submitting reports and financials and click OK. You can choose any month in the last six months.
In the next screen, select the club for which you will be filing your report and click OK. Click OK in the NOTE screen. If you don’t owe anything, you will be directed to the upload page.
The next screen will give you three options. Select 3 for both financial and masterpoint reports for submission. Click OK.
In the following screen, choose whether you want to include financials for prior unreported games. Games that will not be included are listed in the next screen. Click Yes to continue with the financial report. Select option 1 for reports as a File with coversheet to file reports. Click OK. Click Browse to choose where to save the files for the report on your computer and then click OK. It is very important that you remember where you are saving your files as you will need to access them later.
The next screen states that all payments must be made by credit card, debit card or Pay Pal. Click OK. Your total fees will appear in the next screen. Click No to finish the process later. In the next screen, choose whether to include the list of non-members in your report. Select whether you want to include unreported masterpoints from previous months. The next message states that your files have been saved. Click OK.
You may now exit ACBLscore.
Open your Email tool and attach the LZH file that you just saved to your computer. The file should have the following naming convention RCCCCCCYYMM.LZH where:
1. CCCCCC is the 6 digit club number
2. YY is the year
3. MM is the month you are reporting for
Mail the .LZH file to clubreport.comment@acbl.org
The system at ACBL headquarters will compare the LZH file you send to the original monthly report and make the necessary masterpoint adjustments. If there are any additional fees dues, someone from Club and Member Services will contact you for credit card information.
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This can also be done by the players themselves. Also, the game must have had at least 5 tables with at least
20 boards in play, the game must be open or non-restricted, and both players must be ACBL members in good standing.
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1. Unexpected Departure--Not Removed by the Director:
If a pair leaves before 70% of the boards have been played they would be marked as not eligible for section or game awards.
To do this, hit F9 and select option 4 - Qualifications & Eligibilities.
On the next screen that comes up, select option 4 - Manual Ineligibilities. This will bring up a
table listing of all the players in the game. You will need to change the Y listing next to the
players in question to an N. That will make them ineligible for masterpoint awards.
If they leave after more than 70% of the boards have been played, they will get "no plays" for the games they missed.
In either of these cases, the opponents who were unable to play against them would get "No Plays".
2. Game Running Too Long:
If a pair arrived at the club knowing they might be unable to finish the last round, they would be allowed to play if the game would otherwise involve a half table. They would also be seated such that their last round would be against another pair, if any, who didn't mind leaving early. This is a benefit to all in that it reduces the number of sitouts from one per round to just one in total.
However, if their playing would cause the creation of a half table and sitout rounds for the other players, they would only be allowed to play and get the last sitout at the discretion of the director.
In the more general case where a game itself is unexpectedly running too long, all players have the option of not starting any new hands after 5:00 PM. In this case "no plays" would be given to everyone selecting this option.
3. Pair Ejected by the Director:
A pair ejected due to a serious zero tolerance violation, etc. would be marked as not eligible for section or game awards and the opponents who were unable to play against them would get "No Plays".
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We're gathered here for two objectives ... to compete at duplicate bridge and to have fun ... with an emphasis on the later. One thing that differentiates this card game from others is that our performance on each and every hand is compared against the other players. This means that we have to have a pretty complex set of rules to keep the playing field level. Few people know them all, and so if irregularities arise in the play, please call me so I can adjudicate and explain the rules.
Sometimes players' competitive natures conflict with our primary objective ... having fun. Please raise your hand call "director please" immediately should you observe any player at any table exhibiting ungracious behavior. We have no tolerance for violations of the club’s GRACIOUS policy (point to sign), and its enforcement means no one is allowed to be abusive or otherwise unpleasant to anyone.
Cell phones off, have fun and be nice to one another."
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Therefore, the zero tolerance policy of the ACBL is repeated below and players should keep in mind that they should be especially aware of it when it comes to playing against new players. We want to keep them—not drive them away.
Therefore, if a zero tolerance issue arises against a new pair, directors are encouraged to penalize the experienced pair at fault at least 2 full boards.
ACBL Zero Tolerance Policy Excerpt:
A player should maintain at all times a courteous attitude toward partner and the opponents. A player should carefully avoid any remark or action that might cause annoyance or embarrassment to another player, or that might interfere with another player’s enjoyment of the game.
Below are some examples of commendable behavior, which, while not equired, will significantly contribute to the improved atmosphere: • Being a good host or guest at the table. • Greeting others in a friendly manner. • Praising the bidding and/or play of the opponents. • Having two clearly complete convention cards readily available to the opponents. (This one is a regulation, not just a nicety.)
The following lists some examples of behavior which will not be tolerated: • Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, profanity, threats or violence. • Negative comments concerning opponents’ or partner’s play or bidding. • Constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table. • Loud and disruptive arguing with a director’s ruling.
If a player at the table behaves in an unacceptable manner, the director should be called immediately. Annoying behavior, embarrassing remarks or any other
conduct which might interfere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A. Law 91A gives the director the authority to assess disciplinary penalties.
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TBD: The director is expected to check the answering machine before the game to determine
if any requests for a stationary table have been made. (This should also be added to the director's checklist.)
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For special games involving extra costs:
1. Extra-cost games held outside of the normally-sanctioned game sessions will be limited to no more than two sessions per calendar year.
2. Extra-cost games will be more-or-less revenue neutral with the additional costs being reflected in the entry fees by rounding up or down to the nearest multiple of 5 pesos.
3. The total of any extra costs added to game fees will be limited to 100 pesos per quarter.
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First, there will be no penalties for obvious scoring errors that "merely" inconvenience the director and which can be resolved without contact with the players concerned. Also, there will be no penalties for C players.
Otherwise penalties will be applied and both NS and EW will be penalized by the same amount.
If NS or EW has more than one incorrectly scored board during the same session, the penalty is 10% of a top for the error on the first board, 20% for the second, 30% for the third, and so on.
Directors have the discretion to adjust these penalties as they see fit.
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LCDBC Bylaws: The only mention of breaks during the game is the following under the topic of smoking:
ARTICLE VII SMOKING: Smoking shall not be permitted at the playing tables or in the club room. All smoking shall be in the open areas outside of the playing area. The Director may, at his or her discretion, allocate breaks in order to accommodate smoking, slow play or for other game-related reasons.
However, players have suggested at least one break in the middle of the game would be good and that's probably
a good idea unless the pace of the game has already been so slow (which is usually the case) that players needing
a break have already taken one.
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