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That's a great suggestion, thanks!

Hmm, I think we may be able to do it just using Google Docs, actually. So long as we have a decent internet connection, we can have multiple computers modifying the same spreadsheet, and a separate person inputting into the pairing software. That way we can keep everything flowing smoothly and if anyone does have a smart phone, they can just pull up the scoring spreadsheet or the pairings without having to crowd around print-outs or a projector.

I think you are right about not having people enter data in through their phone as now you have as many failure points as attendees, and that could cause chaos. We need to control the flow of information, but allow enough of it to flow to not bottle neck.

As another suggestion, get a simple address to remember for the sheet and redirect it to the google doc:

Ex: http://frontlinegaming.org/BAOPairs

That way people who don't have the e-mail can easily enter it into their phone.

If you need a hand setting it up online or testing it out, hit me up offline. It should be pretty straightforward, but I'm familiar with the system and an excellent spotter of flaws

Awesome! Thanks guys, I think that will definitely be happening. That way we can scale up (or any TO's that want to use it) with a lot less headache.

 Reecius wrote:
I think you are right about not having people enter data in through their phone as now you have as many failure points as attendees, and that could cause chaos. We need to control the flow of information, but allow enough of it to flow to not bottle neck.

Instead of everyone rushing to submit their sheets when the game is over, judges could pick them up as they rove, and you could have a kind of trickle process for forms heading back to the main admin hub. Say you have the tables like this

16----------->12----------->8----------->4


15----------->11----------->7----------->3

-----------General flow of results----------->Admin Hub


14----------->10----------->6------------2


13----------->9------------>5----------->1

You can get players to pass their sheets one table down, a chain like that would take all of 2 minutes after time is called (Table 15 passes to 11, then 11 passes their and table 15s sheets to 7, etc) not counting the time taken to write on the sheets, and stops a massive crowd of people hitting the hub at once, instead it would be 4 (the people from tables 4, 3, 2 and 1). This example only has 16 tables, so 32 players, but if you get a mirror set up of tables on the Admin Hub's other side (so it is central in the gaming complex) you get 64 people submitting results through 8 people, really cutting down on any crush. Adjust the room to flavour for the size of tournament and yeah.

Just an idea, could end up being a horrible one.

To reduce the wait and the amount of staff you need for the results you should look into Niel's BAO tournament suite:

http://the11thcompany.freeforums.org/bao-format-tournament-management-suite-t3611.html

I used it at the 11th Company GT last year and it worked great. All you need is a computer where people walk up and find their name and enter their pin# and then enter their results. It is really easy and it compiles the match-ups for the next round for you,

@motyak

No ideas are bad, thanks. After the logistical trip ups we had, I am willing to look at any solutions. Thanks for the suggestion.

@Blackmoor

I didn't even know this existed. That is sweet, we could get a cheapo computer, or just make one from components, and run something like this. You still have the issue with bottle-necking though if there is only one.

That is a cool program though, I have never even heard of it before. Funny that Neil did this with our format, which is really cool!

I think a lot of the bottleneck was a result of the games ending due to time. If you have more time for the rounds people just walk up at random times and submit their results. If you have a lot of games ending when time is called you have everyone turning in their results sheet at the same time.

Also with the BAO software you can also have Frankie or whomever enter the results. With that program it would still be a lot faster than the excell sheet/swiss pairing software you have.

Good point. We certainly need to streamline the process, and I think that is a good way to do so.

Most of my games got to 4 or 5, depended on how fast and buzzed the opposing payer was. I wouldnt mind playing some games at 1500, shake things up a bit. Force some hard choices on what big toys to bring.

We all were aware when 6th edition was first released that its not as friendly for competitive play due to many of the reasons posted here.