I think this is pretty much the answer. You get nothing in return for a gift. You are clearly getting something for this, so it isn't a gift, it's wages.
My Executive Summary:
Some poorly designed rules were stretched.
Those whose rules were stretched are considering seriously overreacting by creating onerous new rules to make sure nobody does anything new ever again.
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The obvious answer to this seems to be to fix the poorly designed rules, then move on ...
If partner is known to be aggressive, and didn't find an opening with his probable 10HCP, then I'd doubt he's the one with extra spade length, giving it to the opponents.
It is a position, but I'd pass too.
Maybe for you rating systems are some theoretical entertainment. I am looking for practical utility for the reasons I indicated which you didn't answer.
This isn't all about you either. But kudos for the pointless antagonism, you've clearly got internet 101 under your belt.
Obviously, I don't agree.
I think individual power ratings are more useful to the game long term. It helps players without long established partnerships find people of comparable skill. It allows an immediate goal of improving one's rating that can happen more quickly than accumulating however many masterpoints ...
Personally, I find the power ratings site more useful as it has individual ratings. The purpose of a rating system is to rate people. If you can only rate pairs, you lose a lot of the utility of having a rating system in the first place.
I still remember my first such event in NYC some decades ago when I only had a few masterpoints. It was awesome, and I still have the trophy (it was a pairs event then)! Glad to hear you're still doing it. It certainly inspired me as a new player.
The ACBL is mostly a volunteer organization. If you don't like what they're doing, volunteer and help change it.
I totally get being frustrated. Many of us are. But the only way to make your opinion count is to participate.
I know a number of the folks in ...
Oh please. I've thrown away a lot of books in my life. It's pretty rich when guys lecture women on how they should just 'suck it up' and learn from it. Like women haven't been dealing with this kind of rapey language all their lives. "conquered by ...