Director Best Practices
Directors are first and foremost customer service representatives. The directors set the stage for a fair and enjoyable game.
Game Movement and Boards per Round: We have determined that while the fairest game setup depends on the expected size of the game, the cryptic nature of the BBO game setup parameters requires us to choose a default setup based on the expected size of the game. Additional factors to consider are:
1. If practical, two boards per round is fairest because it provides the largest number of opponents.
2. Revenge rounds will occur if there are not enough tables in the game or the sections in a multi-section game.
3. The probability that the players will finish the boards in a round in the allotted time. We have found that an unacceptable number of players with less than 500 MPs have difficulties of completing the round if the game has two 7-minute boards (14-minute round).
4. The Mitchell movement is the game movement with 9+ tables if two boards per round and 6+ tables if three boards per round.
Limited Games with a 500 MP limit or lower. Default Director changes in RED.
· 6 x 3 Mitchell if 6+ tables: 6 rounds with 3 boards = 18 boards
· 6 x 3 Howell if 4-5 tables: 6 rounds with 3 boards = 18 boards
· 5 x 4 Howell if 3 tables: 5 rounds with 4 boards = 20 boards
None of the above game formats will have a revenge round.
Open and Limited Games with over 500 MP limit.
· 9 x 2 Mitchell if 9+ tables: 6 rounds with 2 boards = 18 boards
- Section size of 15 tables and revenge rounds
0 revenge round if 15 tables; 1 section
1 revenge round if 16 tables, 2 sections of 8 tables
1 revenge round for B section if 17 tables
· 9 x 2 Howell if 5-8 tables: 9 rounds with 2 boards = 18 boards
· 6 x 3 Howell if 4-5 tables: 6 rounds with 3 boards = 18 boards
· 5 x 4 Howell if 3 tables: 5 rounds with 4 boards = 20 boards
6 x 3 is the easiest game setup to manage. All changes in movement type and boards per round need to be made just before a game starts. Since the number of tables can change before the game starts, we will do our best to make the needed changes but will not always succeed.
Adding more time: 7 minutes are allocated per board. We will add time under the following circumstances.
· In the last round, add a minute to the time allowed per hand so everyone can finish.
· If there is an Internet problem and you lose several people, add some time to the round. Remember to reset the time per hand back to its original value at the end of the round.
Robots versus No Robots: We do not allow robot partners in our games. We do use temporary robot subs when someone loses connectivity or does not bid or play. If the person replaced by a temporary sub does not return with a couple of boards, we will attempt to find a qualified human substitute.
Robot Sub versus Temporary Robot Sub? In the last round, use Temporary Robot subs so that the player who paid for the game will be reseated at the end of the hand. During the game's last round, you may have to do this more than once to get to the end of the game. MPs will be awarded to the original player.
Earlier in the game, use a regular robot sub so that a substitution does not have to be made after every hand.
Responding to Director Calls: If you go to a table in response to a director call, a yellow box appears on the players' screens at the table showing you have responded. Many times the reason they called you has been resolved. In these cases, I suggest you send a happy face chat {colon key then the close parenthesis key} to the table before you leave.
· If you go to the table and it appears someone is frozen, asleep, or potentially gone, send a chat “N/E/S/W, are you there?” If there is no response in about 10 seconds, put in a robot sub.
· Disconnect Director Call. I refresh the table windows to find them. With multiple games, sometimes it is hard to find or they have already logged back on. If I see someone that a person is RED, I put in a robot for them even if it is between rounds. If they return before the next round starts they will be automatically reseated. If they do not return in time, the robot will play the hand.
· No Convention Card or little to no information: Send the following chat when a pair does not have a Convention Card: “If no CC assume Standard American with Standard Signals. If you feel damaged, call me.”
· Slow Play
Appeal of Director Ruling: I know it happens to you because it happens to me. A player does not like the director’s ruling and persists in questioning the ruling. When this happens, have them call me (Al Smith) at 910-457-6674 during or immediately after the game. I am generally home. I will review and discuss the hand. If I agree with them (yes, it happens), I will adjust the result. If not, I will take as much time as needed to discuss the hand and why the ruling was correct. Directors do not have time for extended or repeated chats or conversations while the game progresses. Using a second party to review things has resolved questions in almost all situations.
Creeping Game Start Times: Do not adjust the start time to a start time earlier than the time shown when it appears on the list of games. You may delay the start of the game to accommodate a late player or a player who is not online.
Director Calls After the Game Ends: After the game ends, chat with the director at vacb105346. If the Director is gone, call Al at 910-457-6674. The director generally is there until about 10 minutes after the game. An adjustment can be made up to 20 minutes after the game.