Special Announcement about Bridgemate Displays

Our club has struggled with the decision of how much information the Bridgemates should display after each hand.  We began by showing scores and percentages.  We decided to remove percentages because they were inaccurate until the end of the game and provoked too much discussion when combined with the scores.  We decided to keep the scores so long as players didn’t discuss the scores.  We asked players not to have score discussions to keep the game moving and to avoid telling other tables what the scores were.  We have once again reviewed the decision about Bridgemate information at our most recent board meeting.  It was the vote of the board to remove the scores and show only the percentages for the open games.  Please note that this does not affect our Thursday NLM game.  This only affects the open games.  The change will begin March 2.

This was not a decision we took lightly, since players want to see scores.  We know that.  But we as directors and players are hearing too much discussion of results during every game.  Our tables are often close enough that scores are easily heard.  In short, there is just too much unauthorized information being heard during every game.  Hearing a percentage is not as likely to spread unauthorized information assuming players do not discuss their results at the same time.  It is true that percentages are inaccurate, but we would like to give players some information after playing a hand.  The alternative is to take away scores and percentages, which we don’t want to do so long as we can keep down the discussions about results.  And please remember this:  it is not kind to announce at the table “100% for us” or “it was a top for us.”  Please do not ever say this.  Just look at the percentage and hand the Bridgemate around the table. Announcing 100% is perceived as gloating, which is not what we want during our games.  

Even if you disagree with the board’s decision, please give it an honest try and keep an open mind.