Finally Some Form

Saturday night and everybody plays well including yours truly. We qualify in 13th position for the final 36. Yet another late night 01:00 with play starting at 11:00 on the final day.

Up and about, down for game time. We play reasonably well all day and with one match to go we were running about 8th. The best we could hope for was 2nd as the leaders had a very hand lead over the team. We play the Poles again whom we had beaten last time but who gave us a bridge lesson this time. We lose 0-20 to finish 14th of the total 158 teams entered which, although a little disappointing was very satisfying.

All this has done is to confirm my dislike for pairs and love of teams. If I were to consider playing in the US Nationals again the Fall Nationals may not be my first choice. Reflecting on US Nationals:

Pros
The best imaginable standard with almost EVERY top players making the journey, mainly as a result of the lucrative sponsorship deals available.
Continual events. If you fail to qualify for the next day in your current event there are any number of side games including multi session games to play in.
Run in a great city, good hotel with excellent playing conditions
Table fees are much more reasonable than in Europe at around $A0.60-$A0.80 a board depending on the quality of the event - comparable with Australia.
Well planned food and beverage options outside the playing areas during game time

Cons
Absurd game times 13:00 and 19:30 every night - prevents meaningful socialising with friends
Games rarely start on time as a result of accepting entries right until game time
Poor web presence - no results until the following day and even then difficult to work out what is happening
No control of noise in the playing areas at any time
Little effort made to let newcomers know what the event types are or entry requirements and little allowance made for overseas players
Absurd system restrictions - not allowed to play 2D=weak two in a major - as I said absurd
Results are posted on stands in the middle of each section - no centralised place for scores or ability to see overall or event scores
Draws are done on the fly i.e. when two teams are on the same score they are drawn to play each other.
Teams expected to change tables each and every round - i.e. no home table.
The event is so large that there were friends I knew were at the tournament whom I never caught up with (Danielle regards from Thomas B)

All in all they could learn an awful lot from the way Australian Tournaments are run - as could most overseas organisers.

Next morning we leave at 09:30 for Anaheim. I drop Ally, Auryn and Nye at Disneyland after we check into the Menage Hotel - what a name for a hotel. Anyway the hotel was very odd. It was a stucco five storey building with external walkways looking like it was built 40 years ago. But when one entered the rooms they were fitted out five stars - exceptional fittings, bedding, artwork, large plasma screens etc. With the Disney Hotel at $US625 and this one $A86 it seems we did well.

I spent the afternoon shopping and mooching and dealing with emails and some business stuff after which we went out for a seafood dinner. Ally, Auryn and Nye loved Disneyland despite the torrential rain which fell while they were there. I get the impression Ally is a theme park junkie.

Next morning we head for Los Angeles and the last leg of our trip. I drop the others at Universal Studios and head to the Sofitel to check in. I mooch at the 'exclusive' Beverley Centre and nearby Outlet Shops like Nordstrom Rack and Loehman's made famous in the Nanny. I buy nada - nothing which is strange for me but there are still two more days.

That night we go to a lovely but noisy restaurant called JAR. It is a 10 minute walk down the street which would not normally be a problem but it is farking freezing so the walk was we shall say exhilarating - nice meal though.

Anyway back home in 48 hours so I shall make this my last blog for this trip.

Love to all and be well
XD