Pairs Events
Following is a description of the procedure for a entering tournament Pairs event. There also is a description of the differences for a Swiss Team event. Planning for the DayTournaments are typically two sessions; one in the afternoon starting about 1:00, and one in the evening starting about 7:30. Both sessions have section winners, but the day's play will be summed up at the end as though it were one long 52 board session.
Buy Your Way In. You and your partner will buy your entry at the beginning, usually just before the afternoon session, so plan to be at the tournament site 1/2 hour before starting time. There is always parking to contend with and the lines to buy your entry may be long.If you need a partner, allow an extra 1/2 hour or so.
Dinner is usually about 4:30, so plan to eat somewhere that opens that early.
Getting StartedSelect the right event - - there may be several available. Buy your entry, which will tell you what table you start at and the direction you will play in the afternoon session. You'll sit the opposite way in the evening. N/S stays at the same table for the whole session.
(We like to play E/W in the afternoon so we don't have to move in the evening session. Don't carry a lot of unnecessary stuff, as you will have to change tables every 15 minutes all session long when you sit E/W. The bridge bag that Georgia often carries is a handy item as it keeps everything in one place.)
Find Your Place Early. Go to the right table, following the section markers. They are tall colored signs with a big colored letter, e.g., A, B, YY, etc. Find your table and fill out your entry. It will ask for your names, addresses, your ACBL number and your total number of master points. Leave it visible on the table - - it will be picked up during the first round of play by a caddy.
Be Aware of Your Colors. There'll be a table marker at the table indicating where the E/W and N/S pairs sit. It will have the table number and direction for each player and will be the same color as your entry form, the section sign, the boards, the score tickets, etc. If your entry form is blue, for example, look for a blue section marker and blue table markers to guide you to the right table.
Lots 'O Folks. There may be hundreds of people milling around, so it will be a little confusing.
Review your convention card with your partner or fill out two identical ones if you are playing with a new partner. They must be visible and available for opponents to review whenever they want. Get blank convention cards and extra private score sheets from the supplies desk somewhere in the room -- they're free. Private score sheets are on the back of the convention card form. There are also pencils available; if there aren't any on the table, get some from the supplies table or ask the caddy.
Now you're ready to play.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved