[Zelandakh]

 barmar, on 2012-October-17, 20:48, said:

You need a GF.

And I think you need to go spend a year playing bridge without any money, then come back and tell us about all the "token amount" fees.

[barmar]

 Zelandakh, on 2012-October-18, 01:42, said:

And I think you need to go spend a year playing bridge without any money, then come back and tell us about all the "token amount" fees.

I have an idea: just as juniors get discounted entries, we should probably comp them the cellphone check fee.

[fromageGB]

I think pensioners should get discounted entries, too.

[barmar]

 fromageGB, on 2012-October-18, 09:39, said:

I think pensioners should get discounted entries, too.

That's something like 80% of the membership, isn't it? Is it really a discount if almost everyone is getting it? It sounds more like a surcharge for middle-age players (like me).

[fromageGB]

 barmar, on 2012-October-18, 10:21, said:

That's something like 80% of the membership, isn't it? Is it really a discount if almost everyone is getting it? It sounds more like a surcharge for middle-age players (like me).

Yep. A rose by any other name ...

[y66]

Not exactly on topic but still perhaps of interest to readers of this thread:

Williamsburg’s Chess Champions, Playing Against All Odds

Quote

Since it formed in 1997, the chess team at I.S. 318, a middle school in Williamsburg, has won more national chess championships than any other school in the country. Just this year in fact, they became the first junior high school team ever to win the United States Chess Federation’s national high school championship. Its success story is all the more remarkable considering that 65% of the student body at I.S. 318 lives at or below the poverty line, and cuts in the school budget continually threaten to dismantle the chess program entirely.

Defying odds and stereotypes, the students on the team also face the pressure to do better economically than their parents, and the uniquely maddening system of applying to high school in New York City. Together these factors form the tense, gripping, and ultimately inspiring story of Brooklyn Castle, an award-winning documentary from first-time director Katie Dellamaggiore that opens tomorrow, October 19.

The I.S. 318 chess team--the highest ranked junior high chess team in the nation--en route to a tournament


I.S. 318's Chess Team, celebrating their win at the New York State Scholastic Chess Championships

[jeffford76]

 barmar, on 2012-October-18, 07:11, said:

I have an idea: just as juniors get discounted entries, we should probably comp them the cellphone check fee.

Why not just comp everyone the cell phone fee? I suspect almost all opposition to the rule would go away if the phone check was free.

[neilkaz]

 gwnn, on 2012-October-10, 02:51, said:

Me: 'bridge is fun'
Girl: 'bridge is just for old people'
Me: 'but I play bridge!'
Girl: 'you must be old' 'mmmmmm, I am so into older men'

FYP....

[Phil]

 jeffford76, on 2012-October-18, 11:29, said:

Why not just comp everyone the cell phone fee? I suspect almost all opposition to the rule would go away if the phone check was free.

If you made the donation 'voluntary', I'd bet the players would have a different reaction.

[neilkaz]

 Vampyr, on 2012-October-17, 16:52, said:

If you ring up a local club and tell them you need a partner, they will find someone suitable. You can't find out until you get your feet wet! Try a novice game or supervised duplicate, and you won't find it's a huge shock to the system.

Yes...this..go to a local club. You can also watch a session and get more familiar with the alerts and procedures and to simply feel more comfortable overall. I also suggest that playing on BBO or at least watching good players playing a similar system to what you'll play at the club will help your game. As always, I suggest to study declarer play and if you can play a hand well, someone at the club may notice and take you under their wing.

.. neilkaz ..