Some thoughts from directing
So last Saturday was Matchpoints Teams and so concludes my summer of bridge back in Singapore. 3 major tournaments – Mixed Pairs, Pesta Sukan and Matchpoint Teams – and 3 League Open House days worth of directing, a total of 9 sessions in all. Many things went right, many things did not. I still need to check the law book for some rulings which I shouldn’t be doing. So, a lot to improve on. But there are a few incidents that inspire me to write this entry.
To start off with Matchpoint Teams, there was a “request” that teams should disclose what system their other pair is playing in the other table. I agreed that this was a fair request in accordance to the principle of Full Disclosure, and so explicitly announced to all players that such disclosure was mandatory if opponents ask before starting the round. Given the movement of the tournament, which was more like a pairs movement of 14 rounds of 2 boards for both sessions, I think this is even more valid.
With regards to the question of system disclosure, this is where I personally feel that much can be done in Singapore. Convention cards are the exception rather than the norm. I used to be of the same view as most – convention cards for a pickup partnership is simply too much of a hassle. But if it is possible in the UK, then why not in Singapore?
After talking to Yukun and CC today, they both kind of agree. Yukun says he is looking into getting convention cards enforced for finals of major national tournaments, hopefully this will be a good start!
Two days ago, I received an email asking for an opinion. Although the case was rather complicated, some of the issues that arose might have been avoided if stop cards were used properly. Last night, an opponent even asked me why did I use the stop card when I opened 2S after 2 passes! So far, the experience with the Stop card has been that it solves some problems with BITs.
I might add some more as and when it comes to my mind. It has indeed been a summer filled with lots of bridge and I think that is one of the main reasons why I can’t bear to board my flight in a few hours time!