The Gopher Regional draws nearer and nearer! Events for this year's regional begin at 2:30PM on Monday, May 20th - just about one month from now!
Our "old timers" and long time tournament participants are well familiar with the details of a regional. But for our newer players, organizers thought it might be helpful to share details about the many events that one can enjoy at a regional tournament.
Here you go! Looking forward to seeing everyone - seasoned veterans and newcomers alike - at Gopher Regional 2019!!
A GUIDE TO REGIONAL TOURNAMENT EVENTS
WHAT ARE THE PAIR GAME OPTIONS?
Tournament Pair games operate just like those you play at your local club. An I/N (Intermediate/Newcomer) game is limited to players with fewer than 300 masterpoints each, lasts one session, and pays red points, but not gold. The Gold Rush pairs is limited to players with fewer than 750 masterpoints each, lasts two sessions, and pays red or gold points. A side pair game is open to all players, lasts one session, and pays red points. BUT, if you play in two sessions of a “side game series,” it is possible to earn gold points. Feel free to ask for details!
WHAT IS A TEAM GAME?
Two pairs make up a team. One sits N/S and the other E/W. You never play each other, but at the end of the match or the game you compare scores. To compare scores, on each board you say something like, “We are plus 50.” “We are minus 110.” The difference is minus 60. Then you look at the IMP chart (International Match Point scale) on your convention card. A score of 50-60 is worth 1 IMP, so you lose 1 IMP on that board. Let’s say on the next board, one pair is -170 and the other pair is + 620. That is a difference of +450. On the IMP scale, a score of 430-490 is worth 10 IMPS, so you have a +10 on that board. You continue to compare scores, total the plus and minus IMP scores. If you come out on the plus side, you win the match. Every match won is worth some masterpoints. In IMP scoring the emphasis is making your contracts, setting their contracts, bidding your games, and not going for big numbers. For more information, google ‘IMP Strategy by Steven Gaynor’.
The scoring is different from Board-A-Match team scoring used in Pair/Team games. The philosophy here is the same as match points or taking as many tricks as you can. Each board is a win, loss, or tie. If one pair is +110 and the other pair is -110, it is a tie. If one pair is +110 and the other pair is -120, it is a loss. If one pair is +110 and the other pair is -50, it is a win. The size of the win or loss does not matter, whereas in IMP scoring, the size matters a lot!
WHAT IS A SWISS TEAM EVENT?
A Swiss movement means that all teams play the same number of matches. After each match, teams with similar records are matched up against each other. Usually there are four matches in one session of bridge (four 6 board matches is common). You use IMP scoring and win masterpoints for each match you win. If you have enough big wins, you will place in the overalls, which is worth more master points than the points won for each match.
WHAT IS A BRACKETED SWISS TEAM EVENT?
In this event, teams are first divided according to masterpoint levels and then teams only play other teams in their bracket. The masterpoint awards are higher in the upper bracket, but players in the lower bracket do not have to “worry” about winning an early match and then having to play a team of experts.
WHAT IS A KNOCKOUT (KO)?
A KO match is one full session played against one team (commonly 24 boards). In a KO, only the winning team in each match advances. If you enter a 4 session KO, that means that if you win the 1st session, you play against another team the next session. If you win again, you play the 3rd session. Finally, if you win again, you play in the 4th session. The longer you stay in the event, the more master points you win. If you enter that event, the whole team must be willing and able to play for as long as you keep winning.
WHAT IS A BRACKETED KO?
IN a bracketed KO, the teams are put into groups based on the Masterpoint holdings of the players on each team. The brackets can be 7-16 teams based on how many teams enter the event. That way, teams with few masterpoints only play other teams close to their experience level.
The Gopher Regional will again include a NEW, experimental type of Bracketed KO. In this game, all teams play the first two sessions. They play all (or most) of the other teams in their bracket using Swiss Team format and scoring described above. At the end of the second session, the four teams with the highest scores advance to to Semi-final (3rd session) match. Then the 2 winning teams play in the Finals to win the event and the two losing teams play a Consolation Match for 3rd Place. If you enter that event, the whole team must be willing and able to play all 4 sessions.
WHAT IS A 2, 3, OR 4 SESSION EVENT VS. A SINGLE SESSION EVENT?
At the club or most sectionals, you will play in single session events. The winner is determined after the one session is played. At regional tournaments, multi-session events are common. You can win masterpoints for placing in either session. If you do well in all sessions, you can place overall for more masterpoints.
If can win gold points in two ways: 1) place in the overalls; 2) place first in your section in one session. Then, even if you are dead last in the next session, you get some gold.
ARE PAIR SIDE GAMES SINGLE OR MULTIPLE SESSION EVENTS?
The answer is ‘yes’ to both. You may play in only one session of a side pair game. Any points you win are red. However, if you play in a second session of the same side game series, you will be eligible for a gold point overall award. You can play with a new partner or the same one, and you may play in as many sessions of the same series as you desire. Most side game series are 4 to 6 total sessions. If you have a section top, it will be paid in gold points ONLY if you play in another session of the same series.
DO SINGLE SESSION TEAM GAMES OFFER GOLD POINTS?
Single session team game are separate events and your score does not add up for overall awards if you play in two or more. No gold is possible in single session team games.
Comments