Frequently Asked Questions & The Answers
What is your objective?
We sort of stumbled into this. Some years ago, we were asked to teach Beginner Bridge by
the Delaware State Bridge Association to help promote the game. We had the time,
the inclination, and passion for the game, so we agreed to give it a try. One thing led
to another and here we are. For the most part we continue to enjoy what we're doing
and as long as we get satisfaction out of it, we'll probably continue.
Why don't I win more? I must not be very good.
Newcomers tend to beat themselves. They are nervous. They worry about not being
as good as 'all those pros we're playing against." The fact is you are much better
than you think. The sooner the newcomer can just settle down to playing bridge, the
earlier he begins to win. Also, much of this is state of mind, "If you'd like to win but
think you can't, it almost a cinch you won't."
What about director calls?
Most newcomers to duplicate are embarrassed the first time a director is called to the
table. Newer players often say, "Oh don't call the director. I only want to play
friendly bridge!" They don't realize that what seems like a heinous crime to them is
old news to the director. So whenever there is an irregularity, call the director.
Conversely, if the director is called because of an irregularity you caused, don't feel
awkward. It happens all the time. The director is there to solve problems and make
the game as fair for everyone as possible.
Why do you stratify?
Stratification works like a handicap in golf. It levels the playing field so less
experienced players can compete with the more experienced players. Stratification
also increases the masterpoint awards available to our customers. The total points
awarded in a 3 strata game is almost always greater than in a single stratum game.
Why does the strata sometimes change vs the strata used at registration?
If there are not enough players to represent a defined stratum, the strata are adjusted
either up or down to create balance. If this adjustment does not occur, the stratum
would disappear defeating the purpose noted above. Ideally, we try to divide the field
into groups of approximatly 25% / 25% / 50% in strata A / B / C respectively.
Bottom line: the strata cannot be guaranteed until the field is registered.
How does the scoring work?
This is a little complicated. You are awarded points for each board according to how
well you did in relation to all pairs sitting in your direction who also played that
board. You receive 1 point (called a matchpoint) for each pair you have beaten and
one-half a matchpoiint for each pair you have tied. So if a board was played five
times, and you scored 420, while two others scored 450, one went down and one
forgot to bid game scoring only 170, you will get 2 matchpoints for beating two pairs.
The pair who went down will get 0 matchpoints, a cold bottom on the board. The
folks who made 450 will each get 3 ½ matchpoints, for the top board. The highest
score available on that board was 4, since it was played only five times and the
opportunity existed to beat only four other pairs. An average result would be 2
matchpoints. If you played 20 boards and got average on all of them, your score for
the entire game would be 40 matchpoints or 50%.
How much of the field actually gets Masterpoints?
Forty percent of the field wins some masterpoints in each pair game. There are some
rounding issues, which cause it to be slightly more or less than 40% - but always as
close as possible. Stratifying the games usually increases the percentage (and never
decreases it). In some cases stratifying the game will dramatically increase the
number of awards, depending on the order in which the players of different calibres
finish.
Why to do the Masterpoint awards vary?
There is no quick answer to this one. Let it suffice to say that masterpoints are based
on the number of tables, the level of the game, and the type of game. The greater the # of
tables, the greater the points. The level refers to the experience level within the field
of participants. For example, an Open game will generate greater awards than a
Novice game. Finally, the awards will vary depending on whether it is a Club Game,
Charity Game, Club Championship, Regional Competition, etc.
Why Duplicate and not Party or Rubber bridge?
Duplicate, unlike other forms of bridge, does not depend on how many aces you get
during the course of an evening. Your absolute score doesn't matter. Rather, your
score is compared only against other players who played those identical hands. Thus,
it's not how much you score but how your score compares to the rest of the field.
Luck is minimized.
Why is Tom always pushing us to move at a faster pace?
Players are expected to finish two hands in 15 minutes and be ready to start the next
round. Of course, this will be somewhat slower at the Novice level. Nevertheless, it
is important to become acclimated to the pace. Failure to do so impacts the entire
field. In other words, it is virtually impossible to run a duplicate game without pace
parameters.
What is the ACBL?
It stands for the American Contract Bridge League. The ACBL is the sanctioning
body for tournament bridge in the US, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda.
Should I join the ACBL?
You should join if you are serious about improving your skills at the bridge table
and/or if you want to accumulate your masterpoints. The greatest benefit is an
excellent monthly bridge magazine called the Bridge Bulletin replete with
Intermediate / Novice articles and exercises. You will also get a quarterly
publication of your local bridge organization, the Delaware State Bridge Association,
called the Dummy that keeps you up to date with local events. For it's members only,
the ACBL captures your points and sends you a report each month. The cost is $24
for your first year. If you join, join at the club your regularly attend - they do get
recruitment credits from the ACBL.
What is a convention card?
A card that lists the conventions most commonly used by your partnership. The
inside of the card is a private score. When you play in a duplicate event, you should
have a convention card prepared as your opponents are entitled to know what your
bidding agreements are.
Aren't you raking it in with all these lessons and games?
On the contrary, we make relatively little. We take in a substantial amount of
revenue but the net to us is actually well below minimum wage. We each spend
about 30 hours per week at the fire halls or elsewhere. In addition, for every hour of
teaching time, we spend at least two hours researching material, not to mention
typing, proofing, copying, administration, etc. And yes, Alexis does home bake all the
goodies. Believe me; we would not be doing this, if we didn't enjoy it.
Why do you do it?
We are very fortunate because our livelihoods do not depend on bridge.
Therefore, bridge is a hobby to us and not a job. We have a passion for
the game but, more importantly, we like the teaching aspect and the people
interaction. We've met a lot of really nice people during the last 15 months and that's
been great fun.
What do you like the least?
While we've had a lot of fun, there's been some downside. First of all, we have very
little time to play. Secondly, the quality of our game has suffered. Why?
We teach Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Intermediate levels and each is
marginally different. So we are constantly thinking about those three systems which
all differ from our playing system.
What is the most difficult part of what you do?
Strangely enough, it's not the technical stuff. It's dealing with the various personal
preferences of our constituents. For example, some people feel cheated because we
don't play enough. Others want to play less because they've worked all day. Some
people want more lesson time, others want less. Some people like practice boards,
other say it takes too long. Some people think I run the game too slowly, other feel
rushed. Can't you make the afternoon games earlier? Can't you make the afternoon
games later? And so on.
What is the difference between a Flighted and a Stratified Game?
In Flighted games you'll have the opportunity to play against a group
of competitors who hold about the same number of masterpoints as you do.
Depending on the expected turnout, a flight could be as limited as for
players with 0-5 masterpoints only; or as large as Non-Life Masters, or
more. Players with more masterpoints than the specified range have to
play in a different group where there is a higher limit or no limit at all.
By playing in a lower flight you should increase your likelihood of winning,
but the masterpoint award for winning will be smaller.
Anyone can choose to play in a higher flight than the minimum they are
eligible for, as you may choose to do in order to face tougher competition
and improve your skills.
In Stratified games, you'll face players with a wide variety of skills as
you progress through the game; but at the end you're scores will be calculated
in several sub-groups of the entire field. When calculating the winners of
the whole game everyone will be included in the calculation. Then, the scores
will be recalculated excluding those who are not eligible for the various strats.
Stratified games offer you the opportunity to face players of all calibers
while still being scored amoung your peers. It has an additional benefit that
on your best (or luckiest) day you can win the biggest masterpoint prize
available.
Where can I get Black/Silver/Red/Gold/Platinum points?
| Color | Where you'll find them
| | Clear | Internet Gaming Sites
| | Black | Club Games &
Unit Championships
| | Silver | Sectionals &
Sectional Tournaments at Clubs
| | Red | Regionals,
North American Open Pairs Qualifiers &
Super Club Championships
| | Gold | Regionals,
Instant Matchpoint Games,
Club Appreciation Team Games
| | Platinum | NABC+ Events at Nationals
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What are you going to do in the future?
Check the news page for updates on what's to come.
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