Organising Swiss Pairs
Our club regularly has fewer tables than pre-pandemic - a situation I imagine is not uncommon. We're looking at ways of increasing numbers -- soem different (from usual) type of session and/or holding joint events with other clubs. One candidate for such a session is to run a Swiss Pairs event so that players are will mostly play against others of similar ability and less skilled players will (hopefully) feel less anxious or intimidated by the prospect or a larger field.
Our main question is the size of the event. In particular, what's a reasonable minimum number of tables? I've tried to find guidance online but haven't been able to find anything other than strategies if one ends up with an odd number of pairs.
Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.
Chris Woodhouse
Bakewell Bridge Club
Comments
Hi shed53
From Robin's quote I would add that there isn't any indication of the smallest number of pairs. Personally I would try for a minimum of 8 tables and 5 rounds. That means 25 or 30 boards in the session (depending on time contraints). With 7 rounds (22 pairs) you can do 4 board rounds for 28 in total.
I suspect that if you make it a different day/night from normal and avoid "clashing" with nearby clubs and probably add two prizes (first and last) you might get extras from the locality (advertise with other clubs?). You should consider a non-playing director for the first time (and probably every time) and probably invite a director from another club to experience the "learning" opportunity, it would also help deal with normal director problems and anything else that might happen. It could develop into a regular event for two/three or four clubs. I did one pre covid (12 tables; 7 rounds; 4 boards a round) and everyone enjoyed it. I would say that it is a lot of work in preparing the boards (4 or 5 sets) and setting up EBUScore swiss pairs.
I wish you good luck and I hope you enjoy the experience.
CMOT