[BudH]

When I play in an ACBL sectional, regional, or NABC where hand records
are available, is there any way I can obtain the file (pbn format, for
example, or other common file format that can be imported into common hand analyzer software) containing the hand records for that session?

This would make it much easier than manually entering the hands
into Deep Finesse and/or Dealmaster Pro or Double Dummy Solver.

Bud H

[blackshoe]

I suppose it depends where the hands come from — if they're locally generated, I would think you should ask the tournament committee chairman. If they're generated in Memphis, you'd probably have to ask them.

[Siegmund]

It's certainly possible to get ACBL hands in Duplimate format to feed to the machines... so I'd imagine it's possible to get them in a variety of other formats too.

[McBruce]

You can probably do this if you ask the TD (preferably in advance), bring a thumb drive, and go in with the expectation that you may not always be able to get the files you want right away. TDs often have a fair bit to do during a session and especially following a session: sometimes there is not a lot of time. It may seem as though it is a quick copy, but consider what happens if a TD is rushed and copies the wrong file. Accidents happen!

Now, if this becomes popular, Memphis (or Horn Lake MS, now) may have to devise a system where hand record files can appear on ACBL.org shortly after each games scheduled ending time. We certainly can't have dozens of people requesting the deals each session! But this wouldn't be too difficult. I think the deals are generated in advance and assigned to tournaments as requested by Directors-In-Charge, with each set given a five digit code. Each such set could be placed into a database along with a date and time for public release. However, even this is prone to errors: at a recent tournament, we accidentally distributed copies of the Friday Evening hand records in Sections A and B, while a set for Saturday Evening was mistakenly distributed in Section C! If the ACBL sets up a system, there will need to be a way for errors like this to be corrected from the tournament site. I would guess that it's coming, but for now I would try the thumb drive and charm route.

[BudH]

If for all regionals and national tournaments in ACBL land, we could download the hand record files from the ACBL website when the tournament results are posted a few days after the tournament ends, that would be a good start.

And if they did that for sectionals and other events, even better.

Bud H

[jillybean]

Yes, it's possible and is happening here at McBruces games
I have also managed to get electronic hand records from local tournaments, although I have had some trouble getting it in pbn format.

Now I carry a thumb drive around with me but obviously the best way would be to provide the records online, improving security, eliminating paper records and reducing costs.

Now all we need is a dealing machine and predealt boards/hand records for our team games.