[golfacer]

Based on the most recent information I could find, tournament players are allowed to have up to a 40% unfinished percentage over a 6-day period (minimum of 6 tournaments played) before there are any consequences.

In recent tournaments I have directed (8-10 boards in length), about 1/4 of the players who started did not finish the tournament. The result is much more work for the director and less enjoyment for all of the players. What can be done to try to fix the problem, or to encourage more players to finish what they start?

1. I would want to direct tournaments that allow only players with an unfinished percentage of less than 10%. Since I would have much less work (not nearly as many sub requests as I have now), I can allow many more tables than I currently do. If BBO players see that there are tournaments with an unfinished limit of 10% or 15%, players may be encouraged to quit less often. Also, more people (including myself) would be willing to direct more often.

2. I would want to see a player's unfinished percentage and number of tournaments played as part of a player's profile. Players with a 35% unfinished percentage know they may have more difficulty finding a partner at the partnership desk.

3. I would set the autoban threshold much lower, but over a longer period of time than six days, so that one bad day from an ISP does not distort the statistics. I think 20% or 25% over a 3-week period (minimum of 4 disconnections) is fair enough to the people who have a legitimate bad connection.

4. Subs who do not finish the tournament should not be included in these averages.

[jw_nl]

Boring are the players who leave after a bad result, play their boards of a round very quickly and don't want to wait for the next round of the clocked tournament or quit for any other reason other than a bad connection. When I doubt if a bad connection is the reason for disconnection I always check his previous results and make the player a friend and check his relogin. Mostly confirming my thoughts.

Some of my tournaments have the figures you mention. After such an experience I wonder why I still create a next one. Connections are getting better, behaviour is getting worse. Therefore I agree with you that the 40% is too high.

Quote

1. I would want to direct tournaments that allow only players with an unfinished percentage of less than 10%.

I like that idea and would add a few suggestions to your list.

5. I would appreciate an automated mailmessage every time a player doesn't finish: "You didn't finish last tournament. That tournament has an unfinished percentage limit of #. Your percentage is # now."

6. If unable to register I would like a more specific message to the player. Instead off the cryptic "private tournament" message "Your unfinished tournaments percentage exceeds the limit of this tournament".

7. An automated message to the TD's if a player did substitute his red pd. Then the TD will have information about ALL deserters in his logfile.

Jan Willem

[uday]

I ran the July numbers, just for fun

30% of the players played more than 5 times and sustained a bail ratio under 10%.
25% of the players played more than 10 times and sustained a bail ratio under 10%.


The avg bail percentage across the field is just over 10% for players who play at least 5 times;


I've been meaning to do something about this for a while. I like some of the ideas above.

[jillybean]

Great suggestions and I would love to see these implemented.

I have given up running open tournaments because of this problem with deserters and now only run small, private tournaments. More work for me, not an ideal situation for BBO members but the game runs smoothly and must be more enjoyable for the players, it certainly is for me.

[Posleda]

Yes, I agree. If there is a main reason to stop hosting tourneys, its name is "quitting and subbing". Most of the TD's work is this issue. Applying of bridge rules is a very small part. To find a sub has highest priority - play may continue after bad explanation, but not without a player. Sometimes problems with lower priority (but important for players) can't be solved bec lack of time. Its very frustrating to see a quitter peacefully play another tourney some minutes later.

One more point. I heard, that best punishment is IMMEDIATE punishment. Don't allow a registered player to do anything else on BBO than return to tourney to previous place or to sub list. No other tourney, no MBC, no vugraph, no team match, no playing, no kibitzing. Till finish of this tourney.

This method is not at variance with actually used one. Certainly must not be used for subs. Will be better for player after real emergency call or disconnection, bec return to regular partner will be easier.

[jtfanclub]

Posleda, on Sep 10 2007, 10:30 AM, said:

One more point. I heard, that best punishment is IMMEDIATE punishment. Don't allow a registered player to do anything else on BBO than return to tourney to previous place or to sub list. No other tourney, no MBC, no vugraph, no team match, no playing, no kibitzing. Till finish of this tourney.

I'll second that one.

For, say, the 4 hours after somebody quits a tournament (except on the last board), they should be banned from joining or kibbitzing any tables, except via a 'forced sub' by a director (which is how we put a player back in).