Once again, we have a chance to win gold points. At the end of this month, ACBL is having another online regional-like event, the Virtual Vacation Tournament.
Daily Schedule – Simplification to One Page
As many noticed, the Endless Summer regional was super-stratified, with the usual Gold Rush and Mid-Flight, but also all new Super Gold Rush and Super Mid Flight pairs. This time around, the schedule all fits on one page, and there is only one type of Mid-Flight (0-3000)
Two-Session Events (all times ET)
These are the bread and butter events that award gold points to overall two-session winners, and to session top winners. Unlike many regionals that allow you to jump in for one session, you must register and pay for both sessions here. Otherwise, stick to the side games.
10:15am and 1:45pm – Gold Rush (0-750)
10:30am and 2:00pm – Mid-Flight (0-3000)
10:45am and 2:15pm – Open
For those who want to play in the evenings, or four sessions per day:
5:15pm and 8:45pm: Super Gold Rush (0-1250)
5:30pm and 9:00pm: Mid-Flight (0-3000)
5:45pm and 9:15pm: Open
Single Sessions and Side Games
There are also single session events for intermediate and newcomer players. Each one is stand-alone and only awards red points.
10:15am, 1:45pm, 5:15pm, 8:45pm: 99er (0-100)
10:30am, 2pm, 5:30pm, 9pm: 499er (0-500)
For those who enjoy trying the side-game gambit, it looks like the side games are going fully horizontal. Unlike the June tournament, each time slot is its own series. We still need clarification on whether the top 2 session within each series will be combined for overall gold awards. I imagine this is welcome news for players who can only play one time slot per day – for example, our friend game1980 who plays from Singapore!
10:45am – Campfire Side Game Series
2:15pm – S’moresSide Game Series
5:45pm – Firefly Side Game Series
9:15pm – Moonlight Side Game Series
Bottom Line – Single Mid-Flight Strat, Fully-Horizontal Side Games
The biggest change to the June regional will be a collapsing of stratifications. There is still a super gold rush in the evening, but all mid-flight events are 0-3000. Previously, there was a 0-2500 mid-flight and a 0-3500 mid-flight. The side games were grouped into packs of two sessions per day, across two days. This time they seem to be one time slot daily, horizontal across the four days.
Sadly, the 20% point reduction will apply to this event, as is common for all online gold / red / silver events for 2020. Also, there are still no team events or IMP scored events announced.