How to run a tournament?

[ravenflight]

Hey all,

I've taken to running FoG:R tournaments in the land of Oz, and would like an opinion.

The way I'm running them I end up being a playing umpire/organizer with no ability to place, so in essence my score doesn't count.

I can see two ways of doing this:

Firstly, I play and score 100% as normal, and at the end of the competition my place is removed from the rankings and everyone 'below' me (if any) are bumped up a spot; or,
Secondly, I am completely removed from the ladder, and play the person with the bye (if any).

Thoughts?

I feel that option 2 may be best, BUT that also means I'm unlikely to play to seed players. I see this as having advantages and disadvantages. If you're playing the lower seed (and therefore possibly less experienced/less rules savvy) players, you can take the time to teach the players as your score doesn't really count.

[alasdair2204]

Hi

just my opinion, on the smaller tournaments which is everything except Britcon & Challenge whoever is the umpire tends to play with no disadvantages and scores and places as normal, only thing some of us do different is if we are the list checker as well we publish our list before the tournament as we have seen everybody else list

anyway hope that helps a little

Alasdair

[nigelemsen]

Hi, the way Alasdair described. Works very well... I suppose they only thing possibly to arrange is a 2ic umpire in case you as a player need a rule ruling...

Counting your score is fine... I believe Alasdair forgot to mention he also chooses his army before the lists come in, hence no advantage of pre sight of lists is accidentally gained...,

What ever you decide... I would say avoid the bye...

[alasdair2204]

Yes thanks for reminding me Nigel, always have my list in first and checked by someone else

cheers

Alasdair

[kevinj]

Yes, it's really up to you if you want to count your own score in the overall placings, but whatever you choose you should play wherever you'd be in the competition. All UK competitions have player umpires who normally don't exclude themselves from the placings. The larger competitions (like Britcon, Roll Call and Challenge) tend to have some non-playing organisers who handle scoring and draws etc, but for smaller events it's not too hard to handle this as well.

I don't know what it's like in Australia, but in the UK the Fog R competitions are fairly relaxed. In fact, as an organiser I find that the majority of the work is in preparing for the event. Deciding the theme, making sure people are aware (and reminding them as the time draws nearer), getting the Army Lists and checking them. It's always helpful to know a few people you can call on to even up odd numbers to avoid byes where possible, or consider getting two people to play as a pair.

Generally at the event itself people are happy to help out with running things, chasing score sheets for you, assisting with decisions etc.

[quackstheking]

Yes, it's really up to you if you want to count your own score in the overall placings, but whatever you choose you should play wherever you'd be in the competition. All UK competitions have player umpires who normally don't exclude themselves from the placings. The larger competitions (like Britcon, Roll Call and Challenge) tend to have some non-playing organisers who handle scoring and draws etc, but for smaller events it's not too hard to handle this as well.

I don't know what it's like in Australia, but in the UK the Fog R competitions are fairly relaxed. In fact, as an organiser I find that the majority of the work is in preparing for the event. Deciding the theme, making sure people are aware (and reminding them as the time draws nearer), getting the Army Lists and checking them. It's always helpful to know a few people you can call on to even up odd numbers to avoid byes where possible, or consider getting two people to play as a pair.

Generally at the event itself people are happy to help out with running things, chasing score sheets for you, assisting with decisions etc.

But what Kevin fails to mention is that he knows the rules better than anyone (even RBS!), is scrupulously fair and a pleasure to play, is a great organiser, and all round good guy who keeps the FOGR scene in the UK going!

However to agree with Kevin, in the UK, the player/umpire is a bona fidelity player (and yes I have been fortunate to win a comp as the player/umpire but equally have dropped out if there were odd numbers!).

Don

[hazelbark]

I would add that as the player/umpire sometimes you seize the opportunity for less competition aggressive army and try out unique army designs.

[rbodleyscott]

With FOGR being stable and relatively well understood, there isn't enough to do for a non-player umpire. You would just end up having a very boring weekend.

Hence, as the guys have said, it is now normal for the umpire to play in UK tournaments.

The other players do need to realise, however, that the player umpire has a duty to his opponents to keep the game moving, so as not to impact their potential score. Therefore the umpire should only be used to resolve disputes that persist once the players have already looked up the issue in the rules. The umpire is not a walking rules index for those who cannot be bothered to find the relevant section in the book. (But players will certainly use you for that if you don't play, and wander round the room in a distinctive tea-shirt).

I also recommend an autocratic style of umpiring. Players are entitled to a ruling, not a discussion, and are certainly not entitled to demand "show me where it says that in the rules". (This should have been done by the other player before the umpire is even called). The umpire's decision is final. If your ruling turns out to be "wrong", they can whinge about it on the boards later. Obviously if you are uncertain, you might need to look up the rule yourself, but certainly you are not obliged to "prove it to them" when you know what the wording says.

My pet hate is large tournaments with multiple periods in the same room, when some idiots shout "Umpire!" loudly without specifying which period umpire they want. So you are constantly having to look around the room to see if you are the umpire they want. My policy, therefore, is to play on one particular table, and tell the players that they must come and fetch me if they want a ruling. I refuse to answer shouts of "Umpire!".