The PRBA is one of the few associations in the country to own a dealing machine. For years now, this machine has been used to deal board sets for all monthly events (with the exception of DCH Board a Match). There was a group of volunteers who used to get together on Tuesday mornings and make sets for the next few tournaments.
The problem with this is that theoretically, the person doing the dealing can take a look at the hands. That would lead to the worst form of cheating.
A ‘solution’ to this problem was accepted at the PRBA AGM. Three changes were made to the procedure –
1. The person making the sets is not allowed to play.
2. This person will be paid Rs. 500/- per tournament.
3. To compensate for this expenditure, entry fees will be increased to Rs. 150/- per pair (from Rs. 100/- earlier)
Note that this does nothing to address the original concern – that cheating via leaked hand records could take place.
Now, in order to get pre-dealt boards, the organising club has to look for a person to make the board sets who (a) has the technical know how, (b) is willing to sit out and (c) is willing to spend his time to make the sets and deliver them to the venue.
Also note that the increase in entry fees is permanent. Since this change, many monthly events do not provide pre-dealt hands, but still charge the increased entry fees.
Can we not come up with a solution that actually solves problems instead of creating new ones?
Please let me know my master points
Dr milind joshi
dear readers,
I travel between australia & india.
in australia i have never noticed this issue of boards being dealt in front of players.
the director takes charge of the boards which are pre dealt & brought to the venue.
we also have hand records. this happens at club level, regional level & even national championships.
the director has a hand record for corrections in case of misplaced cards or any issues arising during play.
we get hand records for each match after the game.
this helps us learn a lot as we can compare what bids could have been made & what plays could be corrected.
very good learning tool with hand records. please offer us either a hard copy or on soft copy.
It was the “considered” opinion of “experts” that the dealing machine should not be transported very often – based on this, the PRBA Executive Committee decided to make the no movement rule except for big tournaments. So, the no movement makes no sense comment is twisting the decision completely out of context. Be that as it may, the matter will be taken up in January 24th EC meeting. Interested responsible members like Kaustubh, Pramod, Yogesh should put forward a proposal (like Pramod volunteering to take responsibility for transport) catering to all aspects before 24th Jan to Suhas/Appa/me. In absence of any firm responsible proposal, the rule will continue till the next EC takes office.
Taking Machine to Venue is definitely good idea.
In case PRBA decides to allow Dealing Machine to be transported to venue, Please get one Box manufactured with thick foam rubber cushioning from all 6 sides with any cuts for protruding knobs etc. This will dampen any vibration due to any jerks during transporting. Box and Handle of the to be ensured is Strong enough to take the entire weight with good safety margin.
I think that will work. Boards will be dealt with both the machine and the laptop in full view of participants, so there is very little chance of cheating. Deals should be generated with at least two other people supervising.
The dealing machine itself is robust, so there is no problem in transporting it to the venue and back. Indeed, the machine was carried to Nagpur, Sangli etc. without any ill effects.
The PRBA committee has made rule saying that “the dealing machine shall not be moved from the PRBA office” or something to that effect. That rule, in my opinion, makes no sense and should be removed.
As most of the clubs are having either laptop or desktop the transfer of dealing machine before 30 min of the tournament is possible. we can deal in front of all players and this problem can be solved. I can take the responsibility for taking the dealing machine to the venue before start of the tournament which will reduce the work for transferring the dealt board to the venue. Please check the feasibility.
Pramod Joshi