SURVEY - LOTL & NEW BBO MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE

As you may already know, BBO is changing its membership structure with the result that only Premium members will be able to set up head-to-head teams-of-4 matches.  (NB the person setting up a match doesn’t have to play in that match and they can set up several matches starting concurrently).  Premium membership will cost $5.99/month for the first year, then $9.99 thereafter.  We are aware that many BBO players have received an email advising them that initially they will get free Premium membership.  How long this will last has not been announced but it is quite possible/likely that it will also only be for the first year.

We are therefore considering what changes, if any, we should make to LOTL.  We believe there are 4 options.

1. Make no changes and rely on teams having, or being able to find, a BBO Premium member to set their matches.

2. Pay a TD to set all the matches on each session.  With 16 teams (2x8 divisions) this will increase table money by about 65p per player per match and there would be 7 head-to-head matches in the season.  This would require all captains to complete a form before each match advising the TD of their line-up.

3. As #2 but on RealBridge.  The TD would set the matches from the fixture list, so no need to advise him/her of the line-up and just turn up with 2 pairs.  This would increase the table money by a further 30p per match.

4. As #2 but play the matches over 5 or 6 sessions.  At the end of the season total the Imps against each team and VP for the final team score.  This will have more the feel of a multi-session, multiple teams’ event but has the advantage that the league can complete in 5 or 6 sessions and is therefore able to cope with larger divisions.  Seeing opponents regularly would also hopefully build more of a community feel.

To help us decide the way forward we would be grateful if you would complete the questionnaire below.

Many thanks

Oliver Cowan (LCBA Tournament Secretary)