"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." — Lao Tzu
The playing atmosphere for our members is very important. In that regard, there are differing views on slow play. While some might push for the most efficient game possible, others feel that to rush anyone is inappropriate. We are a club with aging players. Age slows some of us down, and it is important that those who are slowing down still feel welcome at the Village Card Club.
On the other hand, Duplicate Bridge is a timed event. While most would agree that there is no urgency to finish in 3¼ hours, they would also agree that it is unreasonable for one or two players to repeatedly cause others to wait while they ponder their bid or play. The Wenger Timer is the referee. It is set for a reasonable duration for each round. Faster players will finish with several minutes to spare and they are obligated to visit quietly until the time expires. Slower players are obligated to be conscious of the clock and make every effort to finish on time.
The DIC must start walking the room at approximately three to four minutes from the end of the round, so he can be aware of any possible slow play. One slow table should not hold up the move for the next round. However, if two or more tables are slow the director can choose to either pause the clock or add a minute to the clock if this is all that is needed to allow the tables to finish playing the hand. However, if the DIC gives extra time he should politely but firmly request that they play a little faster and must stay on time for the remainder of the game. A calm and reassuring tone is very important; avoid being abrasive or demeaning. Be careful to do this to the right pair, not in situations where others caused them to be late. The DIC in the lower level games (0-20, 0-49, 0-99) needs to be more lenient and very sensitive to new players who are still getting comfortable with duplicate bridge – especially the bidding, while still achieving a reasonable balance between slow play and moving the game along.
The DIC should intercede if one table has not begun the play of a board when the 2-minute warning sounds. If, in his judgment, they can finish the board expeditiously,
he should instruct them to play quickly. If he does not think they can finish the board expeditiously, he should instruct them to score the board a NP and that they must stay on time for the remainder of the game. For a habitually slow pair the DIC should give a NP immediately at the 2-minute warning. The DIC should realize the difference between an occasional and a habitual slow player.
The first NP should always be the warning. If it is necessary to score an additional NP to the same pair, it should entail a ¼ board procedural penalty.
The DIC must take into consideration the health and age of the players involved and give due consideration to a player's physical and mental ability to do better. If a player has to visit the restroom often or cannot move well or has other physical restrictions, we must be sensitive to those issues. If these are the controlling factors for the slow play, it is best to quietly grant a NP without penalty.