jogs, on 2013-August-28, 12:07, said:
You should be reviewing your system notes before every session.
No, that's not it. Some people seem to think that the question is "Why can't my partner remember our system?" when in fact the question is "Why am I playing a system my partner has trouble remembering?"
It's more than just that; if the system is complicated, partner will be using his mental energy trying to work out what the system bid is, instead of being able to evaluate his hand and use judgment.
RSClyde, on 2013-August-24, 12:49, said:
It's not that common, it's just terribly costly when it happens.
So what is "common" or "often"? Obviously this varies from player to player, depending on what size price you want to pay for having what you consider a "perfect" system. But system forgets are bad for partnership harmony, and put pressure on the player who is usually the one who forgets. It seems to me that once in every 20 sessions is too much, but as I said, YMMV.
Of course, in the OP he asks specifically about long matches (3 sessions or more). I can't speak to that question, because I have never played in a match that was more than 64 boards. I have no idea what the effects would be if I had to play the same match for two or more days in a row. It would depend, of course, on what the scoreline was overnight. Obviously very different from things like 4-session Swiss Pairs or Swiss teams, where you can still win matches no matter what your standing.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones -- Albert Einstein