The 'Mythical Bridge' Tournament

This blog is about the ‘Mythical‘ bridge tournaments that, usually, take place a few times a week on Bridge Base Online (BBO). BBO may not substitute the charm of playing old-style bridge, however it is currently one of the best alternatives for playing real bridge over the internet. Apart from enjoying playing bridge myself, I also enjoy setting proper tournaments for decent players, that show good sportsmanship. Regular Mythical bridge tournaments do not adhere to a strict schedule and may happen anytime, only occasionally you may receive an email notification, at most 24 hours prior to start.

A GOULASH-style Tournament (check this post for more info on how to deal with wild deals) or an INDY Tournament (individual scoring, each round you’re joined by a new partner), or a ‘SURVIVAL Tournament‘ (see below), or a SWISS movement (pairs with similar scores play each other on the next round) style, or a ROBO (“Me and Robot” type of tournament) or even a HOWELL MOVEMENT Tournament (every pair plays against each pair in a complete movement, producing a single winner) may run using pre-dealt hands (as in the case of GOULASH-style tournaments) or using random deals. Occasionally, a SWISS TEAM Tournament may happen (teams of 4 players, immediately ranking after each round, Victory Points awarded – read here about converting IMP margin of victory to VPs). Sometimes, exciting mixed forms of tournaments may run (e.g. ROBO Goulash, or Howell Goulash, or ROBO Howell) that combine the best features of two, or three types of tournaments. These are the most inspiring, in my opinion. 

Most of the BBO players are welcome, as long as they have a decent Tournament Completion Rate, or TCR (usually, a minimum of 75% is required for INDY and SWISS TEAM tournaments), and they haven’t been blacklisted (due to use of bad language or due to leaving the table after a bad score – running). Additionally, they must have a very good internet connection, as disconnected players are eliminated by the BBO software in the so-called ‘SURVIVAL’ type of tournaments. It may occur some tournaments to run exclusively for ‘members only’.

The so-called ‘SURVIVAL‘ tournaments with an ‘ x % cut rate’ (usually set at 10%) are open to all BBOers and have this distinctive feature: the pairs with offline (RED) players and the pairs with the lowest scores are automatically eliminated from the tournament by the BBO software from the moment that the second round is over and at the end of each round, up until the last round. The BBO software makes the necessary computations in order to eliminate 10% of the pairs at the end of each round. Therefore, if your pair received a low score comparing to the rest of the pairs and you find yourself in the x % bracket of the lowest scores, you will be eliminated. Moreover, if your partner is not online (RED), the system will eliminate your pair, no matter how high your score is, so it is highly advisable to ask early for a substitute player if your partner is offline. Only a small fraction of the initial registered pairs manage to reach the final round of the ‘SURVIVAL’ type tournaments, they are the so-called ‘Survivors‘. Don’t despair if you get booted early, just improve your chances of survival by improving your play (and your internet connection if you have any such issues) and next time you will survive!!!

Undos are, usually, not permitted. Due to the time limits set, stalling is penalized. The HOWELL Movement Tournaments are also clocked and played in pairs. Usually, only selected players are allowed to join these small tournaments where all pairs have the chance to play against each other. SWISS TEAM Tournaments are clocked, as well, and players need to set teams of two pairs, otherwise pairs are randomly assigned to teams by BBO. 

Laissez-faire : All conventions and systems are allowed, including psyche bids and HUMs. You may ask your opponents (using the chat before the bidding starts or using the alert system – clicking  on an opponent’s bid) to explain their bids. In case the alert is not satisfactory, you may call the TD, a penalty may be administered. Most of the Mythical tournaments are not strict as regards the policy towards bidding conventions, apart from SWISS TEAM Tournaments, where 2/1 is, usually, the designated system and uncommon bids must be alerted. 

Rude players and cheaters are removed, blacklisted and may be reported to BBO abuse. English is the official language. TD will ignore private calls, or «?» or blank calls.  At some point, the tournament chat may open for players and kibitzing may be permitted. All the results are posted on this blog (check the new posts by clicking on the striped square in the upper – right corner) as soon as the tournament is over. You may check your past performance by searching your BBO username on the search tab. Mythical IAC tournament results will also be posted on this blog. 

ENJOY and MAKE FRIENDS ! 

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