[1eyedjack]

I have just played in my first "Total Points" scoring tourney. What an utter waste of time.

I had envisaged a tourney where the total points were compared across the spectrum of other players in the same direction and ranked by difference, ie as for a cross-IMP tourney but with no logarithmic conversion to IMPs.

Not so. It really is total points. You add up your total points and the one with the most wins. In other words, you are ranked broadly according to how many Aces and Kings you are dealt with little regard to what you do with them.

[mr1303]

Yeah, the format is very similar to rubber in that regard. In rubber bridge, if you get dealt combined 37 counts on the first two boards, and stop in 3NT each time, regardless of whether 7NT is cold or not, you still lose the rubber.

Obviously it isn't for everyone, but the spirit seems to be to have fun and be friendly, rather than competitive bridge. It also gets amusing when you have auctions such as Pass Pass Pass 6NT because you need a slam on the last board.

Even funnier when it makes.....

[JRG]

mr1303, on May 18 2004, 04:56 AM, said:

Yeah, the format is very similar to rubber in that regard. In rubber bridge, if you get dealt combined 37 counts on the first two boards, and stop in 3NT each time, regardless of whether 7NT is cold or not, you still lose the rubber.

Obviously it isn't for everyone, but the spirit seems to be to have fun and be friendly, rather than competitive bridge. It also gets amusing when you have auctions such as Pass Pass Pass 6NT because you need a slam on the last board.

Even funnier when it makes.....

I suspect you meant "you still win the rubber". It's just "opportunity lost", especially at ten cents a point.

I agree with you, a lot of people seem to have a lot of fun in the Total Point tournaments (I played in it a couple of times with a good partner and found it (the tournament format and antics of the opponents) a bit of a weird experience though).

[Gweny]

Tee hee Jack I think you need open other eye.

Total Points tournaments is more for enjoyable social bridge with competition than any real excitement over format. It go to duplicate if method exist to separate results in club from main.

And yes this is place who originate what we call "Hail Mary" convention. tee hee This is when you need slam to win and put you poor partner in 6nt while holding 3 hcp. People new to total points often find this annoying but it is rather fun at times.

Total Points Club is community and since it start in March of 2003 over 1500 people earn points. Yes it is different from main but it is also little bit addictive also.


While it is not duplicate, you will find definate strategies exist for playing this format. it is not always to you advantage to bid game and it is sometimes necessary to invoke Hail Mary convention.

[Trpltrbl]

Total points is not for serious bridgeplayer, but for people having fun throwing cards around.
No skill involved, no cardinsight needed. Just fun
Don't expect a BermudaBowl for totalpoints any time soon hehehe.

Mike

[bb116]

Total Points is social bridge in a tournament format. You are correct: Those with the HCP's are going to win if any partnership agreement is in place at all. It is what it is, but many players have enjoyed the format. Gweny "Hail Mary Convention" is a great explanation of B8 and B4, lol...I didn't think you had it in you....more serious players will gravitate toward duplicate.

[mikestar]

Total points as described here isn't serious bridge. But rubber bridge played for a meaningful stake is a very true test of bridge skill. The luck will take longer to even out, but over the course of a year the more skilled will have a very similar win percentage over the less skilled.

Of course we all know there is a lot of luck in duplicate. You pick up a hand where it will go 1NT-3NT at every table, 10 tricks are laydown and 11 are impossible. How would you descibe your luck playing against:

• Two beginners
  
• Meckwell

[Trpltrbl]

Luck of the draw.

Mike

[Frosty]

Let's not forget that Total Points is a good place for less experienced players to get used to the software and meet a few people. It's a forum in which chat is not only allowed - its accepted - and, in general, folk are very welcoming. Online Bridge can be a little intimidating if you're new to the format. When I invite someone to try BBO, I always take them to TP games first to learn the software and be warmly welcomed. So far, each newbie I've introduced to BBO this way has gone on to feel comfortable playing the regular duplicate tournies. And as my favorite partner has been heard to say - it can help make the jump from kitchen bridge to competitive bridge.

Given the number of people that come to BBO each and every day just to play in the Total Points games - it obviously has a loyal following. For that reason it will continue to be an asset to BBO

Frosty