Movements
Mine is a small Club, I choose the movement from a short list and we use paper travellers to record the results. Recently looking at a neighbouring Club I saw that they had 5 1/2 tables and played an 8 x 3 board (24 board) movement. I asked one of the members who played there how/why and he said they just put the table numbers into the pads and the pad decides (I know they used BidgePads/Bridgemate Pads or something similar). I can't get my head around that movement - some pairs must play others twice?
Comments
No, it will be a Howell or Double-Hesitation Mitchell, with each pair playing eight of the 11 possible opponents, one of which will be the missing pair. Perhaps you are used to two-winner Mitchell movements?
Thanks Gordon, from what you've said I presukme then there must be more than one 'arrow switch' ?
Here's an example of a Double-Hesitation Mitchell movement with one arrow-switch at each stationary table, and a 3/4 Howell with various arrow-switches at different times.
The first supplied movement is a Double Hesitation. It is slightly preferable to the Howell (due to the intremittent arrow switches). Our local club always uses a list with preset Table Cards for all the small movements always playing 24 boards (except for 3 Tables). For 7,8 or 9 Tables with a missing pairs, we prefer 12 x 2 rather than 8 x 3 since that is less time for the sitouts!
I’ll try to send the movement cards and instructions privately so you can print them off.
Kind regards SteveMap
Kind regards Steve
Last time I was a player for a 6-table double hesitation, it all went wrong!
The TD was North at T1 and South passed the boards from table 1 to table 6 (two moving pairs), not to the relay. Nobody at table 6 or 5 checked the bridgemates for the board numbers and just entered the scores (no lead checking, no players checking the vulnerability for the scores). When board 1-3 reached the relay between 4 & 5, they were not the boards I was expecting next at table 4 (I was expecting 22-24). The TD was not very concerned and we played 22-24 next but on the remaining rounds, pairs met boards they had played before and had even if they played the boards, the scores had to be ignored. Despite my offer to help attach the right scores to the right pairs/boards, they gave up and did not score the event.
That said, I always use this movement with 5.1/2 tables, BUT never trust players to move the boards themselves correctly. So as TD I always move the boards myself on this movement and also small number Howell movements, where multiple relay board sets are present. And I ask players to verify they are at the correct table and orientation.
Oh the joys of being a TD.
Thanks Steve that's much appreciated :)
Indeed - and that's why with 6 tables I would always go for a regular 6 x 4 share and relay Mitchell which always error free. I have just started playing a 8 x 3 board hesitation Mitchel when I have 7 tables and there was confusion but I am hoping that whe they get used to it will be good.
Indeed. I agree it is a good movement.
Just a cautionary tale to remind directors to tell players where to move the boards either side of the relay (or do it themself) and tell all players to check the boards against the bridgemate or movement cards.