[kenrexford]

Trinidad, on Mar 28 2008, 06:18 AM, said:

I would turn my phone off (which will lock it) and hand it in to the TD. This is standard procedure in high level competitions in The Netherlands where I play currently.

For other bridge sessions, I either have my phone in my pocket and turned off (normally), or soundless (vibrate mode) if I am expecting a call. In the last case, my phone will only alert me for incoming calls and messages from certain preprogrammed numbers.

Rik

I think herein is the solution for this absurd regulation.

I propose that everyone who plays bridge take their cell phones to the game and drop them off with the TD. I bet they would love that. LOL

More seriously, though. I understand the reason for this, as it could affect a major event. So, limit it to a major event. This is way too annoying for average people who play.

[jtfanclub]

I'll turn it off and keep it in my coat, which will be on a coat rack, unused table, or in a corner out of the way. Technically, I suppose that's breaking the rules, since it's still in the playing area.

If anybody actually cares, um, they have way too much time on their hands.

[jdonn]

han, on Mar 28 2008, 10:31 AM, said:

cardsharp, on Mar 28 2008, 05:19 AM, said:

I'll be following the ban.

To be honest I think you are all overreacting and sounding like spoilt children. I mean, it's not like they are trying to take your guns away.

Paul

I don't necessarily agree but great post Paul.

Personally I would much rather they took our guns away. Guns don't come in handy at the bridge site. Cell phones come in more-than-handy. I have no intention of following this rule myself, but I'll certainly turn it off before I enter and not turn it back on until after I leave. Personally I see absolutely nothing wrong with breaking a stupid rule if it hurts no one (so if I left it on and it rang, that would hurt others.)

I'll say what I've been saying for a long time. If the directors would have had the guts to enforce the existing rule that you get a penalty if your cell phone rings, we wouldn't be here. Instead they were too chicken and tried to appease the rule breakers, and it's only the masses that suffer.

I also consider this just one more example of only the views of the older portion of the membership having any weight.

[paulg]

jdonn, on Mar 28 2008, 05:43 PM, said:

I also consider this just one more example of only the views of the older portion of the membership having any weight.

This would be the 95% of the membership who have played 95% of their bridge without needing a cell phone.

Although, to be fair, it is also the same 95% who have trouble turning off their cell phone when playing and cannot hear it ringing.

Paul

[jdonn]

cardsharp, on Mar 28 2008, 12:54 PM, said:

jdonn, on Mar 28 2008, 05:43 PM, said:

I also consider this just one more example of only the views of the older portion of the membership having any weight.

This would be the 95% of the membership who have played 95% of their bridge without needing a cell phone.

If you are only talking about since cell phones became commonplace then that is simply dead wrong, and becoming more wrong with each passing day.

[mycroft]

Every time (at a tournament, at least) that I have been able to source a cell phone ringing, a penalty has been applied. The problem is that when a phone rings when you're across the room, you can't always tell which purse it came from, and strangely enough, the other players aren't too willing to point it out.

So at least half the cell phones that go off go unpunished. Not all that much I can do about it.

Cheating via whatever secret means and disruption of concentration due to ringing are two disjoint issues, and are being solved by two different regulations. Whether or not this one is appropriate is arguable, but I have pointed out several times how easy it would be to cheat with one person in the Vugraph theatre (or on BBO, for that matter), with a cell phone on vibrate and never answered.

I do think that a system will be put into place. I expect it will be refined over the first few days as the initial attempts to solve the problem fail dismally under load. I think it will eventually work.

Of course, I also think "the leash" is the most obnoxious, soul-destroying technology to come around since Prohibition organized crime. And I'm an early adopter of electronica. They can be used responsibly, but never are.

[blackshoe]

jdonn, on Mar 28 2008, 12:43 PM, said:

Guns don't come in handy at the bridge site.

I think Mrs. Bennett might have disagreed with you.

[jdonn]

mycroft, on Mar 28 2008, 02:29 PM, said:

Every time (at a tournament, at least) that I have been able to source a cell phone ringing, a penalty has been applied.  The problem is that when a phone rings when you're across the room, you can't always tell which purse it came from, and strangely enough, the other players aren't too willing to point it out.

You sure have different experiences than I do. I consistently see directors just give a warning to the person. In fact I can't think of a single time, not one, that I have seen the penalty applied, but I can literally think of dozens of times that I heard a cell phone ring.

Quote

I have pointed out several times how easy it would be to cheat with one person in the Vugraph theatre (or on BBO, for that matter), with a cell phone on vibrate and never answered.

I agree, vugraph matches should be subject to different rules. Obviously things are much more sensitive when outside observers can see the hands in real time. Incidentally, it's very easy in a quiet environment to hear a cell phone vibrate in someone's pocket, although I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying.

[Elianna]

david_c, on Mar 28 2008, 07:53 AM, said:

I'm a boringly law-abiding sort of person so would likely follow the rule even if it is an inconvenience. If I have a hotel or a car to leave it in I would do that. But even I can be pushed too far.

These are exactly my sentiments. I have never purposely broken any rules in my life, but this rule makes me feel so mad. I also hate being accused of wanting to use it while playing, which a few people seem to be saying is what those of us who are upset want.

BTW, anyone remember that awful bridge is cool commercial, and what was very prevalent in each segment?

[xcurt]

I'm a little late to this thread, but I really hope people aren't advocating just ignoring the rules because they don't suit them. The entire playability of bridge as a sport depends on trusting that everyone is competing honestly.

Also, as much as I take issue with both the financial and corporate management of the ACBL (and let's not kid ourselves, by any reasonable measure of corporate governance the ACBL gets an F), I think that this ban must have roots in some top players knowing that phones are being used for illicit purposes.

[matmat]

xcurt, on Mar 29 2008, 12:05 AM, said:

I think that this ban must have roots in some top players knowing that phones are being used for illicit purposes.

*broken record*

punish the people doing this, not everybody...

[mike777]

I think it says the World if you think not having your cellphone on your body for 3hours at a bridge tourney is punishment....

If I read the ban right you are allowed to bring your cell phone on a bridge trip.

Again I repeat if 3000 bridge players cannot go 3 hours without a cellphone/device...this ban will not last one day.

And yes I think many people find it funny that so many cannot exist for 3 hours without a cellphone on their body or they claim "punishment"

[matmat]

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 12:57 AM, said:

I think it says the World if you think not having your cellphone on your body for 3hours at a bridge tourney is punishment....

mike... this is getting old.
I couldn't care less if i have the phone with me or not during the 3hours of bridge.
I *WANT* the phone with me at intermissions between sessions when trying to coordinate lunch/dinner with people, after sessions when i want to go somewhere else... and i don't want to waste 40 minutes of my lunch or dinner break simply retrieving and putting back my f@#$@#$ phone.

[jdonn]

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 12:57 AM, said:

I think it says the World if you think not having your cellphone on your body for 3hours at a bridge tourney is punishment....

You are way too obsessed with this. It's simply a fact, very very many people feel anywhere from mildly inconvenienced to completely uncomfortable without their cell phone, and 10 times more when they are on a trip away from home, trying to meet up with friends they don't see often, etc. You simply have to face that, and I don't really find your sarcastic implications about how sad it is for the world that people feel so attached to their cell phones very productive...

I didn't even see till after I posted this that matmat posted the exact same thing. It really is getting old.

[mike777]

matmat, on Mar 29 2008, 01:00 AM, said:

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 12:57 AM, said:

I think it says the World if you think not having your cellphone on your body for 3hours at a bridge tourney is punishment....

mike... this is getting old.
I couldn't care less if i have the phone with me or not during the 3hours of bridge.
I *WANT* the phone with me at intermissions between sessions when trying to coordinate lunch/dinner with people, after sessions when i want to go somewhere else... and i don't want to waste 40 minutes of my lunch or dinner break simply retrieving and putting back my f@#$@#$ phone.

If not then leave you phone at home...ohhh ok that is punishment..

[mike777]

jdonn, on Mar 29 2008, 01:02 AM, said:

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 12:57 AM, said:

I think it says the World if you think not having your cellphone on your body for 3hours at a bridge tourney is punishment....

You are way too obsessed with this. It's simply a fact, very very many people feel anywhere from mildly inconvenienced to completely uncomfortable without their cell phone, and 10 times more when they are on a trip away from home, trying to meet up with friends they don't see often, etc. You simply have to face that, and I don't really find your sarcastic implications about how sad it is for the world that people feel so attached to their cell phones very productive...

lol do you read the rest of my posts..if players agree with you this ban will last one day......

You guys pay to go to tourneys....if you want cell phones on your bodies and no 40 minute waits, no problem, I said that a million times.

[matmat]

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 01:07 AM, said:

lol do you read the rest of my posts..if players agree with you this ban will last one day......

the ban will last one day, the rule will be on the books, and as adam pointed out, it will be selectively applied to people who the director or ACBL officials at the site don't like and they will turn a blind eye to their favorites. is this what this organization wants?

ridiculous.

[jdonn]

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 01:07 AM, said:

I said that a million times.

That's the problem. Once is plenty thank you.

[mike777]

"director or ACBL officials at the site don't like and they will turn a blind eye to their favorites. is this what this organization wants?"



I hope you are very wrong....but you do seem to feel this will be the standard.

[matmat]

mike777, on Mar 29 2008, 01:12 AM, said:

"director or ACBL officials at the site don't like and they will turn a blind eye to their favorites. is this what this organization wants?"



I hope you are very wrong....but you do seem to feel this will be the standard.

i don't see why if the acbl officials think that if the general membership cheats, the general memberships can't suspect the officials are corrupt/biased -- are they not selected from the general pool, after all?