Meet Gamer1800 :)

I asked Gamer to introduce himself, and he kindly answered the questions I suggested. So next time you see the Ind. BBO Beginner tournament on, join, or just stop and say hi :)

Why did you decide to make tournaments for beginners?
My decision to hold exclusive Beginner level tournaments has it's roots in my very basic temperament.

My main work has been in the Training field (Human resource development, Adult Education, Corporate Training, Communications/ledership/group dynamics Training etc.

My Basic Qualification is Graduateship in Engineering, after which I did several post graduate level studies.

I would rather stay anonymous and not tell my Real Name, because I have been a reasonably well known person in the Academic field and I would rather be just a humble "gamer" to all my friends, not the "imposing...Mr so and so".

I am Male, in my mid 60's, and now my health is not very good.

While playing, because of my humble and friendly nature, many Beginners confided in me and I realised they were in need of encouragement to play in tournaments. It was just an "inner urge" ,stemming out of my very basic nature, I would say, that I decided to hold a few exclusive tourneys and see how it works out.

BIL holds it's own sessions, however, I found that many of the BIL tourneys were "teaching" type, where the hands were "discussed" later on. Undoubtably, an excellent learning session, but not a simple "fun place " to play just tourneys and enjoy. The BIL "pure" Tourneys are few, and you must be knowing that those have BBO masterpoint status, hence VERY SERIOUS tournaments again.

Your plans for the tournament (usual time-slots etc)?
I live in India, and my Internet connection is not very reliable. Indian time is GMT+5 hr 30 mins. My convenient times are usually afternoons, and evenings. However, at times I also find myself free during my mornings (11 am approx) and Late night (after 11 pm). I am always scared when I host a trny that my net may go down. Luckily nikky has been very kind to be my co-TD in most of my tourneys till now. Because of my net/power unreliability, I can not make a "fixed" time slot for my tournaments. However, as you have noticed, I try to be there around 5.00 pm my time as far as I can.

A few words about yourself and bridge?

I began playing bridge in 1963, played intensively for almost 15 years before work and other commitments took me away from bridge. I was also a good chess player during those days :).

Only a few years back, after retiring from active work, I started playing bridge again, now only on internet because my health does not permit me to go and play in clubs.

I play for fun, I am not interested in "masterpoints/championships/STARS/blha blah...." and I think that is how any card game (except gambling with real money) should be played.

Unfortunately, I am in minority. As Alan Truscott has said "Bridge is essentially a social game, but unfortunately it attracts a substantial number of antisocial people".

Beginner BBO is my humble effort to make bridge a social and enjoyable event, and encourage our Beginner friends.

I am a BELIEVER. If people can really enjoy and benefit themselves from my humble efforts, I shall consider myself blessed that the LORD thought me a suitable person to serve some people.

I thank you for your kind interest.

May God be with you ALWAYS

Gamer