Re: Cherishing Novices

On Jul 31, 1:55 am, Dave Flower <DavJFlo...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
At a time when the numbers of players is falling, it is vital that
clubs retain new players.

Just as novice drivers are not given their first driving lesson in a
city centre at rush hour, so perhaps we should make it easier for
nivice bridge players.

Here is a, perhaps radical, suggestion that might help.

Introduce a 'Novice' status with the following features:
- It is entirely voluntary; new players are never obliged to take it
- The novice would be obliged to play whatever the local 'simple
system' is
- Opponents would volunteer to play the same system
- Opponents would voluntarily 'keep it simple'. No psyches, 'tactical
bids' or false cards.
- The status would only be available for a few sessions.

Does anyone have any ideas for an 'improver' status ?

Finally, would posters remember that they are a biased sample. Players
who were turned off bridge the first time they visited a bridge club
do not contribute to rgb.

Comments and suggestions invited.

Dave Flower

This is an interesting idea. In a club setting, I would have no
objection to this as long as it was limited to (say) Mon evening and
Thurs afternoon games, i.e., was not universally available.

But I do foresee problems.

First, attendence will, I think, drop over time as players choose not
to play the game with novice restricted rules.

Second, the pool of partners available for people who opt for novice
status will also, I think, drop over time as players choose not to
play with novices who elect this status.

I would recommend to you what I consider to be two superior
alternatives:

First, a 'novice table' in large enough games where two pairs of
novices are stationary, play the same boards as everyone else, but
keep a private score only (that is, their scores are not included in
the matchpointing) with a reduced fee.

Second, a weekly "pro-am' where more experienced players partner with
less experienced players so that the playing field is more level.

Henrysun909
.

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