The Bridge World

Mystery #3

Heaton's System

   It is not easy to find an item in bridge literature that was brought forth even though the publisher did not understand it. Perhaps the most outstanding of this rare breed is the packet of material that falls under the general characterization of Heaton's System, a proposal for one or more kinds of movements for pair games. Below, we present the late Albert H. Morehead's introduction to the subject, and an article by the system's inventor. To resolve the mystery, one must (a) explain Heaton's proposals in everyday language or using standard terminology, (b) describe their relationship, if any, with currently-used methods, and (c) evaluate their practical applications.

Introduction to Heaton's System by Albert H. Morehead
   For about five years, the editors of The Bridge World, and the tournament directors of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), and perhaps others who occupy some publicly recognized position in contract bridge, have been receiving frequent letters and printed material from a Dr. D. R. Perry Heaton of Lake Worth, FL. Dr. Heaton excoriates many essential features of the duplicate tournament movements that are in general use, and offers a method of his own to cure the defects to which he calls attention.
   But his letters go farther than that. They accuse the editors of this magazine and the tournament directors and committees of the ACBL of willfully suppressing the Heaton method so that certain individuals may profit from the sale of the movements that are generally used. Dr. Heaton's letters usually direct such accusations against a list of peopIe excluding the person to which the particular letter was addressed: Thus, in a letter to Moyse he would accuse Morehead, Mc- Kenney, Baldwin, Sobel, Mott-Smith, Ach, Kennedy and others, but not Moyse; in a letter to Morehead the list would be substantially the same, except that this time Moyse would be included among those accused, and Morehead would not.
   Dr. Heaton, in other words, believes that the Howell system cards, the McKenney-Baldwin guides, and the Ach-Kennedy cards, are profit-making properties; and that those who profit from them are so anxious to avoid competition from a superior product that they condemn duplicate players to inferior games rather than permit an improvement to be publicized. As evidence, Dr. Heaton adduces the refusal of The Bridge World and of the ACBL's Bulletin to publish the details of his method.
   Many of our readers have accused us of being apologists for the present duplicate methods, but the charge is not true. We have refused to print articles criticizing those methods, but only because the contributors of the articles offered criticism without remedy. No such statement can be made of Dr. Heaton. He does offer a remedy. Furthermore, I believe that his method has merit.
   But, in my opinion, Dr. Heaton's writing, while it is English, has a rare and unfortunate quality that makes it practically unintelligible to most read ers. His tables and his explanations leave me bewildered; they also bewilder Sobel, Baldwin, Ach, Mott-Smith, Moyse, and others with whom I have often discussed them.
   Despite Dr. Heaton's accusations, no one makes any money out of the sale of duplicate movements. The ACBL uses McKenney-Baldwin movements in most tournaments; neither McKenney nor Baldwin receives a royalty, and the sale of cards to others does not net the ACBL ten dollars a year.
   The ACBL has no paid officers, not even MeKenney. Employees of the ACBL are paid so little that they would have to resign if they did not make some money in outside jobs. Bridge, unlike golf, tennis, track and other amateur sports, is not a spectator game; the ACBL must exist on a gross annual income of some $30,000. [circa 1944--Ed.], paid wholly by its members in dues and entrance fees. Figure out what sort of salaries it can pay to nine employees, plus rent and overhead, out of that. It cannot hire anyone to study the Heaton method.
   Dr. Heaton came into my office in 1940. He had a set of blocks with which he explained his duplicate movement. He made it very clear to me then; but after he had left I could not recapture that understanding, and recourse to his printed explanation left me once more bewildered. I suggested to Dr. Heaton that he employ someone to rewrite his explanation for publication; he chose to take offense at that suggestion. He returned to Florida and resumed his letter writing.
   When I became publisher of The Bridge World, I resolved that I would give Dr. Heaton the publicity he wanted. In the meantime, he has produced in addition to his original duplicate method, a "guideless How- ell," which, he says, is not so effective as the Heaton method but which is somewhat simpler, and which is far superior to regular Howell or Mitchell.
   The following article was written by Dr. Heaton; I publish it exactly as he submitted it. I have not edited it; I have not even submitted it to the usual "copyreading." [We tried to correct obvious errors in typography and spelling.--Ed.] I was forced, by space limitations, to omit some of Dr. Heaton's closing remarks on the faults of Howell movements.
   I still cannot understand Dr. Heaton's method; but I still be- lieve, on the strength of that one brief glimmer of light in 1940, that it has merit. Perhaps readers of The Bridge World will understand it; perhaps some reader will wish to obtain the full booklet on the Heaton method from Dr. Heaton, and clarify it for me and for readers who, like me, cannot make it out at present.

The Inept Mechanics of Duplicate by D. R. Perry Heaton
   Without mechanics, to breed experts and pioneers, we would still have only Whist, a game for a few highbrows. Contract, for the 17 million, its authors, teachers, etc., therefore owe existence to mechanics.
   But after 40 years, sportsmanship and efficiency for the one million devotees of duplicate, is wholly subservient to the ease and profit of the ignorant "operator" (the term "director" usually implies attainment).
   Mitchell, requiring only boards as equipment, is: half sit; the rest go circularly one way; boards circularly the other way. How discrimination, mild to raw, is dished out 90% of the time, is not in scope of this article since the fault lies with the human element, not mechanics. Where the profit lies in fees of latecomers, it is most difficult to remedy.
   The Howell non-division method does so, but as now used, is a classic of doing things the wrong, the stupid way; hence hara kiri, popularly. Inanimate boards stutter ringwise (mix-ups often) twice the Mitchell number dart each round on frenzied course, to peck at boards as they pass.
   As four special faults in Howell,
   *1) Slavery to guides; mental effort to con (maximum case, 5340 times)
   *2) Cost of full printed cardboard sets, up to $32.50
   *3) Walk-collide beyond next tables; maximum aggregate, 17 miles.
   *4) Time loss, extra at changes; maximum aggregate 40 hours.
   As tables add, horrors multiply. Common to both Mitchell and Howell:
   #5) Cafeteria stuff: customers, not vendor, do the work-except in some Howells, operator mistrusts woolgatherers and does it himself.
   #*6) Time loss in starting (to nail the profit): average aggregate 10 hours.
   #7) Gyp on length, when pure accident of how many attend may cut to as few as 17 boards: your 50 cents buys 12 eggs one day; 6, unpredictably, the next.
   *8) Horse racing beats records while duplicates fold; teachers can't make a living. The vital factor is: frequent handicaps to give all a chance.
   With the 1900 model ox-carts, brains went on ice, except for pseudo-scientific drivel on comparisons. Yet the "guideless Howell" below can cure faults with *; the Heaton method cures these and those marked with #.

Print on 16 cards: "EW go to next higher-number table, EW NS' go to next lower-number table, NS Use TOP board if more than one at table. Take boards to T-? (One of Nos. 1-16). If others there, put them at BOTTOM. Handicap form: point arrow to pair with the higher number."

Special cards (supersede others): At T-I: NS becomes EW; go to highers. Last T; EW pivot to NS; go to lowers. Pair-number cards, serially: "sit anywhere."

Place a card, NOT by table number, but by figure given under "to", at tables:

[beginning of figure--Ed.]

T	to		to		to		to		to		to		to		to		to		to		to		to		T
	4	&	6	&	7	&	8	&	9	&	10	&	11	&	12	&	13	&	14	&	15	&	16	&
1	4	2	4	-	4	-	5	-	8	-	7	2	7	2	2	-	3	-	11	*	12	-	12	*	1
2	3	-	5	-	7	*	8	-	7	-	10	-	4	*	12	3	4	*	7	2	7	-	1	*	2
3	1	*	6	3	2	-	1	-	9	2	8	*	10	-	10	3	12	-	6	*	8	-	11	-	3
4	2	-	3	*	6	3	2	3	1	2	6	*	8	-	8	-	13	-	3	*	5	4	9	-	4
5	-	-	1	*	1	-	6	*	6	-	9	-	3	-	11	-	8	2	12	-	14	3	15	-	5
6	-	-	2	-	3	2	4	*	2	2	1	-	1	-	3	-	1	-	1	-	1	*	7	*	6
7	-	-	-	-	5	-	3	2	3	*	5	-	9	-	5	-	11	*	8	-	11	-	16	2	7
8	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	-	5	*	2	-	11	-	1	-	10	5	5	5	15	-	4	-	8
9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	3	2	2	7	6	-	5	-	4	-	3	-	14	-	9
10	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	3	6	-	7	*	6	3	2	3	6	3	2	6	10
11	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	-	4	4	2	-	13	-	13	*	8	*	11
12	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	-	7	-	14	-	2	-	5	-	12
13	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	-	10	-	4	2	6	-	13
14	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	-	9	-	10	2	14
15	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	-	13	-	15
16	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	*	16

(Within the above table, horizontal rules appear after the lines labeled 4 and 8 in the final T column.)

5 Tables

A	B C	D E
F	B C	G I
H	E C	D B
G	I C	E A
D	AxA	I F
B	F H	E G
C	F H	I D
E	G H	A F
I	D H	G B

Since the system fails at 5 tables, the boards are placed at tables (using Heaton lettering method) by the schedule given--there being an exchange of As on Rd 5, tables 2-3. *, instead of Fig. 1, means: one board here.
[end of figure--Ed.]

As the upper part of Fig. 2 [None of the figures are labelled. They are reproduced here in order and in correct location relative to the text, except that the material headed "5 tables" appeared set Southwest to the previous information's Northeast.--Ed.] shows, players move circularly in same direction until reversed by special cards at first and last (pivot) table. The boards have absorbed the "dizzy element" T-10 example: with "take to" card 4#7 at T-1, North takes board used to T-7, putting it under the two already there; then joins partner at table he moved to. While twice the needed number move and twice as often, each move is the shortest possible and accomplished in a standard 10 seconds, as in Mitchell. Costs nil.
If the gross loss in popularity is in lack of practical, individual handicapping, a single basis is: the weaker you are, the fewer the hands played the same way as tops. So seed #1, as weakest, up, at same tables to pivot table; thence backwards to T-1; if 6 Ts:

[beginning of figure--Ed.]

1	2	3	4	5	6
12	11	10	9	8	7

[end of figure--Ed.]

Then arrows to point always to the higher-number pair. If "class nights" (without quarantining the weak or muscling-in on their prizes), have strong, stranger (insufficient data) average and weak quarters: graded prize per quarter and a bonus for tops-wherever appearing.

PART TWO [I know, I know. There is no labeled PART ONE.--Ed.]

   A simpler way for Man to go ringwise, while inanimate, stackable boards adapt is: move Mitchellwise. But a given EW alternately refuses to move-making NS become EW mover; the arriving, so far EW, pair fills NS vacancy. Alternately moving, "Key" shifts 2 pairs at each new table- the each-meet-each resulting. Boards are stacked and dealt each round to adapt.
   Details are beyond space here available and properly commercial. Only these applications of "Heaton" to the faults will be given in theory:
   5) Cafeteria: director handles 50 to 100% of boards; those liable to hold him up are passed by players, using automatic "dials".
   7) Gyp length: an added board, per table, moves Mitchellwise until total play is 26 or more except at 9 Ts; here too if some players exchange seats.
   6) On-time start: implies a standard preplacement of boards, with option to continue with any system after the prompt started, at named hour. Latecomers start as more tables fill; but they are prevented from completing boards that would hold up the prompt (gaining nothing) by a call of: "start no new board now"-made when the prompt start their last board. Boards so missed may be staggered to scoring session for play off, without penalty: another normal move restores round 1 couplings: place boards (best marked as missed) to adapt.

[beginning of figure--Ed.]

T		B	BX	G	R	B	G	T
1	A	1/	4	4/	31	P		16
2	B	3/	2	2/	29	O		15
3	C	5/	6	6/	30	O	R	15*
4	D	7/	8	8/	32	Q		16*
5	E	9/	12	&/	27	N		14
6	F	11/	10	Z/	25	M		13
7	G	13/	14	Y/	28	M	S	13*
8	H	15/	16	X/	26	N	T	14*
9	I	19/	18*	W/	23	L		12
10	J	21/	22*	V/	24	L	U	12*
11	K	17/	20*	/

(The words "1-side vul" appear under the consecutive columns B and G on the final table row.)

5 Tables

A	B C	D E
F	B C	G I
H	E C	D B
G	I C	E A
D	AxA	I F
B	F H	E G
C	F H	I D
E	G H	A F
I	D H	G B

x: swap
of 2nd set.
[end of figure--Ed.]

   To permit 1-4 boards per table, letter set thus: that at far left on three boards in line; in BLACK if under B, in RED if under R. Given GREEN letters under G, on board at left; in last column, also the black letter under B. Those under X receive a legal type red SEAL. Now the 1-4 boards at a table travel under a single-digit letter or symbol.
   Always place black pairs by the number-alphabet series given. If Mitchell, none switch from filled tables; if under 12 tables, add reds to mates; if under 9, also unmarked spares having the missing vul. (P-Q a pair if 16 tables). In "G.H." (guideless Howell), if over 8Ts, remove the even-number (*) boards; add reds if 5-4; unmarked spares if 4Ts. (Data for Heaton with sets). The "enterlater" groups (under "&" in list) continue alphabet by black pairs, if under 9 tables; by black-green series if 9 up.
   Should a pair, arriving after the call and before the "deadline" (change for Round 2) compel one less board per round, remove and cancel the one last added--or the even-number one. If even-tables at Mitchell, kill set at last table; reshuffle; place a chair between halves (usual swaps). Missed boards may be averaged as mild penalty; or zero-ed, as severe.
   If routine seems impossible at 5 tables, place boards by schedule given, on each round: on one round those at table 2 and 3 exchange boards.
   The strong-weak at Mitchell never gives the weakest a chance; only a match-point bonus can serve-sure to involve rigid bookkeeping if to squelch squawks. Here basis is inexact and mysterious: if not knowing whether to kick or not, least bookkeeping is involved.
   The Howell type is eternally damned, since exactly at common and paying numbers, the gyp on length is extreme; only Heaton can cure this defect.

PART THREE

   "Readers are not interested in mechanics"-from the editor. But perhaps gentlemen are not aware of unsporting division and those proud about efficiency elsewhere, of the horsing here. The director-and the motorman-works handles; but without slightest knowledge of what makes the wheels spin (if excepting a handful related to printed Howell matter sales). A whole book was devoted to subject~chiefly about the "idiot's delight" way; only a few pages needed to review, show faults and remedy them.
   As customers-and judges; experts, who are keen to spike inside tracks; who huddle ad lib and get to bed at 2-seldom having other jobs. Also a humble million who must be abed by midnight; ready for job tomorrow. They may wish most card-play, least clowning, in the time available. If experts are allergic to efficiency and relish pauses and promenades, blow a whistle each round for 2-minute rests/walks; suit both classes. Other vendors blurb "service"; "customer is always right": here the parallel would be for vendor to handle maximum boards and be responsible for all mixups. But all now must suit the one serving a year's stretch, in rotation: the playing director; to give customers the benefit of guaranteed length, on-time start, handicaps-absolutely new additions to the routine-are not to be considered if vendor's work is increased.
   The subject of wooden custom, cranks, pseudoscientific "better comparisons" and "2-board play," to sell brands to the gullible, is relegated to author's discussions, with sets.
   The natives restored to Libya will resume with ox-carts, as for thousands of years, despite engineers trying to tell them how. Bridgers must use ox-carts-the atrocious mechanics-eternally, since there are no engineers other than brand sellers. That is to say: unless the reader, with no informed, intelligent and unbiased authority in existence, chooses to test bn the road and master details (perhaps improve) and prove the case. (For information on equipment, inquire of 217 No. 14 St., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)