Rover Mitchell

Previous  Top  Next

The replacement Mitchell (now called the rover Mitchell) was originally devised by D.A. Sweet of Chicago and was applicable only to movements with a prime number of tables, plus the odd pair. (A prime number is a number only divisible by itself and one) i.e. the movement is useful for 5½, 7½, 11½, 13½, l7½, 19½, 23½, 29½ and 31½ tables.

The base movement is set up as though the ½ table does not exist. All boards are always in play with one set of boards on each table.

The odd pair is assigned a pair number one higher than the highest numbered table They sit out on the first round and enter the movement on the second round by replacing one of the N-S pairs in the movement (usually N-S table 2) but only for that round. After this round the original N-S pair return to their table and the "roving" pair move on by going up two tables (or down two tables, but preferably in the same direction that the E-W pairs are moving). This procedure, of moving up by two tables, is continued to the completion of the movement, or the curtailment of the movement, whichever is first.

The real advantage of using rover Mitchells is that all boards are played the same number of times, and as such, the Top is always the same on all boards.

The obvious need for the extension of this movement to other numbers of tables was devised by Sam Gold in 1961. The simple case of this extension is for an even number of tables, but not those divisible by 3, plus the half table i.e. 4½ (but see below), 8½, 10½, 14½, 16½, 20½, 22½, 26½, 28½ and 32½. With the SKIP Mitchell being used for the basic movement and the odd pair sitting out on the first round, they enter the movement on the second round by displacing the N-S pair at table 2, but only for that round. The rover pair then move up 2 tables at each change until the round when SKIP is called. When the skip is called the rover pair moves to table 3 and proceeds normally for the rest of the movement by moving up two tables at each change. The SKIP Mitchell can proceed to the last round where the normal revenge round is played and the rover pair will repeat against their first opponents (E-W pair 1).

The next type of rover is for movements where the base is divisible by 3 i.e. 6½, 9½, 12½, 15½, 18½, 21½, 24½, 27½ and 30½. Unfortunately there is no set pattern for these rover Mitchells and consequently it is necessary to supply the roving pair with a guide card to use the movement.

The following rover guide list assumes that in even table movements the N-S pairs are stationary, while the E-W pairs move up 1 table and skip after the half way round. The boards move down one table.

Occasionally the roving pair will have to repeat against one E-W pair. This is shown by an asterisk (*) next to the number of the table at which the pair will be met the second time. It should be noted that the movement cannot always be completed. To do so the rover would have to repeat displacement of a N-S pair.

The roving pair is assumed to have sat out for the first round and the guides start at the table at which the rover displaces the N-S pair on round 2.

9 Tables:

2 4 6 9 3 5 7 8*

12 Tables:

2 10 8 6 4 1 11 9 5 3

15 Tables:

2 13 11 9 7 5 1 14 12 10 8 4 (curtailed at 13 rounds)

15 Tables:

2 13 11 9 7 5 1 14 15* 10 6 4 8* (curtailed at 14 rounds)

18 Tables:

2 16 14 12 10 8 6 3 1 17 15 13 11 9 7* 4*

18 Tables:

2 16 14 12 10 8 6 3 1 17   15 13 11 9 5 (curtailed at 16 rounds).

The following list is for even tables using the share and relay method, again with the guide starting at round 2.

4 Tables:

1 4 2

6 Tables:

5 3 6 4

8 Tables:

1 6 2 7 3 8 4

10 Tables:

1 7 2 8 3 9 4 10 5

12 Tables:

3 9 4 10 5 11 6 12 7 1 8

14 Tables:

1 9 2 10 3 11 4 12 5 13 6 14 7

16 Tables:

1 10 2 11 3 12 4 13 5 14 6 15 7 16 8

18 Tables:

13 5 14 6 15 7 16 8 17 9 18 10 1 11 2 12