Hi all
Welcome to the 2010 ACTEBA Open Doubles Tournament. This year we have a record 82 pairs competing over three weekends for the title, starting this weekend with 10 groups of 8 pairs.
The format for round one is as follows:
Play will commence at 11am, with tables open at 10.30am, except at Kaleen Bar & Bistro, where play begins at 11.30, with tables open from 11am.
Any pair not present when the first frame of the day is called will be disqualified, except where they have contacted the adjudicator, the Tournament Director or the Assistant Tournament Director to explain their late arrival at least 15 minutes prior to the start of play. Please note that contacting another player at the venue will not be accepted unless they can speak to the people named above.
Play will consist of three round robins, for a total of 21 frames for each pair.
The Top Three will qualify for round two.
In the event of a tie for third place, a minimum of a race to 2 must be played, however the competing pairs may decide to play more frames.
Should the playoff be contested by more than two pairs, a round robin of minimum race to 2 will be contested, with the placings decided in the respective order: matches won, frames won, least frames lost. Should a tie still occur, affected pairs will recommence the playoff.
…and a few guidelines:
While there are no timekeepers, the shot limit of 60 seconds still applies. Please be wary of this and if your opponents tend to exceed this, ask your adjudicator to time the frame.
Please be ready for your frames. If you need five minutes because you’ve been at the table for an hour straight, or if you need a smoke, ask your adjudicator for a break. (They are generally nice people, honest!) Don’t just disappear without notice.
In regards to lunch, please respect the venue you are playing in by not bringing in outside food. Of course this doesn’t include a sandwich or snack you brought from home, but again check with the adjudicator for an appropriate time to have a feed. (For the record, the bistros at Labor Club and The Maram are open between 12 and 2 and do an excellent feed, not sure about opening times for Kaleen but reports are the food is awesome there as well). With this in mind, buying your lunch from the venue is a great way to thank them for donating their venue for you to play in.
One final point before you click on the attachments (for those who actually didn’t already), let’s be honest for a second about the way doubles is played. Common practice is to confer about most shots to establish the best option for your team in the frame in question. There is nothing wrong with this as Doubles is a team game but please be sensible and trust your partner on occasion. At the same time, when you are at the table trust your own instincts rather than second guess yourself by asking your partner. Not that I’m the greatest doubles player in the world, but my theory is:
When you are at the table play the game you have decided as a pair and only ask your partner if you are really unsure. Be confident in your own option as you would have played that shot 9 times out of 10 in singles.
As the non player, only intervene when you see your partner either making a grave mistake or missing an obvious advantage shot. Don’t feel you have to give advice every shot – you chose your partner because you believe in their game as much as your own.
If you are in a tight spot that does require discussion, be realistic. There are only so many options and you have a monstrous 60 seconds to choose one of them.
I guess I am saying “don’t be the annoyingly slow pair…”. But then again, do what works for you.
Please find attached the groups and venues for round of the Open Doubles, and good luck to all players this weekend.
http://www.acteba.com.au/downloads/2010_Open_Doubles_Round1_Groups.xls
Regards
Chris Jones
ACTEBA Tournament Director
