Orange County (Heavenly) Regional Features Unique Games

 By Gayle Andrews, Tournament Co-Manager

Regional tournament players don’t often get a chance to play in a board-a-match game. These are usually only offered at National tournaments. You can try your hand (or should I say hands) at Board-A-Match on Wednesday evening, September 6, at 7:30.

So that you know what you are getting into, I have provided the ACBL definition of Board-A-Match Swiss teams for you:

The difference between this type of Swiss Teams event and others is the method of scoring.

The scoring for this type of event is radically different from the other two forms of Swiss Teams. After play is finished and the team compares scores, one matchpoint is awarded for each board won and half a matchpoint for each board tied. (So you either have a 1, a 0, or ½) The margin of difference on any board is of no consequence—winning a board by 10 is the same as winning a board by 4000 — it’s one matchpoint. Put your team together and plan on trying out this unique game.

We are also offering two two-session Swiss team games besides the usual Sunday game. Two-session Swiss teams award gold points, providing you with more opportunities to earn gold. The first two-session Swiss game will be on Thursday, September 7 at the 3:00 and 7:30 time slots. We will offer an additional two-session Swiss team game on Friday, September 8 at the 3 and 7:30 time slots.  Both of these Swiss team games will be stratified by the average number of points on the team. So, for example, if you have one member of your team that has 3000 points and the other three only have 1000 points each, you will be competing as a B team. If you have one member that has 1200 points and the other three have only 250 points each, you will be competing as a C team.

We will also be offering new knock-outs starting every day, 0-299er games at all sessions, Senior Pairs at 10 and 3 and Open Pairs at 2 and 7:30.

The Westin Costa Mesa is easy to reach off the 405 Freeway, at the Bristol Street exit. Parking will be $5.00 with in and out privileges at the parking structure next to the hotel. To learn more about the tournament or to make hotel reservations, visit our website at  www.theheavenlyregional.com.  Or call 800 937-8461 or 714-540-2500 to make hotel reservations. The bridge rate is $110, but you must make your reservations by August 18 to receive this rate. Please make your reservations early as the block may sell out.

For partnerships, contact Audrey Wicks at 949 559-5990 or e-mail her at audwix@aol.com