[Throg68]

I have noticed many experienced players stalling to run out the clock and avoid an adjustment, on the grounds that the result is unclear. To avoid this type of manipulation of the system, the player on lead should have 5 seconds after time runs out (before seeing the full deal) to declare a line of play. That would promote more adjustments based on the merits of the bidding and play. A window could open to enter the intended line of play. This would not significantly delay the game.

[pescetom]

Throg68, on 2021-March-17, 16:10, said:

I have noticed many experienced players stalling to run out the clock and avoid an adjustment, on the grounds that the result is unclear. To avoid this type of manipulation of the system, the player on lead should have 5 seconds after time runs out (before seeing the full deal) to declare a line of play. That would promote more adjustments based on the merits of the bidding and play. A window could open to enter the intended line of play. This would not significantly delay the game.

To some extent this problem is inherent in the BBO choice to time out play in "clocked" mode, which violates the spirit of bridge laws.
But it could be mitigated in several ways, including the one you suggest.
5s to grasp the situation and declare a line of play seems however insufficient to me: 15s might be realistic.

[barmar]

I don't understand. If they have a line, why would they stall? And if they're stalling because they hope the assigned result will be better than their line, why would they fill in the line?

[Joe_Old]

barmar, on 2021-March-17, 23:02, said:

I don't understand. If they have a line, why would they stall? And if they're stalling because they hope the assigned result will be better than their line, why would they fill in the line?

This misses the point. If stalling results in an Average, that could be a significantly better result than a player would have received from completing the hand or declaring a line of play.

For example, the field bids 6Hearts making, but through a bidding misunderstanding one pair lands in 6SX, which would be down 3, 4 or 5 depending on the play, all terrible results. By stalling they receive an Average, because the system can't pinpoint a definite result.

Obviously, this is a highly unethical ploy (read: ch****ng). In a properly run tournament, directed by competent humans, this issue can be addressed with an assigned result, and the offender disciplined. In an automated tournament the only recourse is to hit the "report abuse" button. What does BBO do then?

[bberris]

Joe_Old, on 2021-March-18, 07:14, said:

This misses the point. If stalling results in an Average, that could be a significantly better result than a player would have received from completing the hand or declaring a line of play.

For example, the field bids 6Hearts making, but through a bidding misunderstanding one pair lands in 6SX, which would be down 3, 4 or 5 depending on the play, all terrible results. By stalling they receive an Average, because the system can't pinpoint a definite result.

Obviously, this is a highly unethical ploy (read: ch****ng). In a properly run tournament, directed by competent humans, this issue can be addressed with an assigned result, and the offender disciplined. In an automated tournament the only recourse is to hit the "report abuse" button. What does BBO do then?

There are lots of cheaters playing the individual timed game. The strategy is simple. Take a wild action or simply have a bidding misunderstanding, if it works play on, if it's a disaster, time-out for average. Some of these "players" even think it is part of the game.

[barmar]

Joe_Old, on 2021-March-18, 07:14, said:

This misses the point. If stalling results in an Average, that could be a significantly better result than a player would have received from completing the hand or declaring a line of play.

For example, the field bids 6Hearts making, but through a bidding misunderstanding one pair lands in 6SX, which would be down 3, 4 or 5 depending on the play, all terrible results. By stalling they receive an Average, because the system can't pinpoint a definite result.

Obviously, this is a highly unethical ploy (read: ch****ng). In a properly run tournament, directed by competent humans, this issue can be addressed with an assigned result, and the offender disciplined. In an automated tournament the only recourse is to hit the "report abuse" button. What does BBO do then?

I thought they were talking about tourneys with TDs. The TD will normally adjust these boards and they'll get the bottom they deserve.

If you're talking about the automated tourneys, who is going to read the line of play that they have to enter when time runs out? And what happens if they don't enter the line within 5 seconds?