Tables divisible by 4

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This extra board movement does not in fact lengthen the game but it does eliminate the share or skip and does give perfect comparisons of pairs.

A one-set relay is placed between each pair of tables. For example with 4 tables it is set up as 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 R, with one set on each table and each relay. As can be readily seen this does not increase the number of boards; for example instead of 4 x 6 boards, there are 8 x 3 boards. Each E-W pair plays against each N-S pair twice without a skip and without a special round. The movement is standard with the N-S pairs stationary, the E-W pairs moving up 1 table, and the boards down one station (i.e. table or relay) at each change.

If a half table is added to this movement and a switch is incorporated, the best procedure is to use a rover pair.

Rover pair guide card:

Round   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8

Table      Sit out   4   3   2   1   3   2   3

Replace      NS4   NS3   EW3   EW1   EW2   NS2   EW4

N-S 1 does not sit out. Rover play is repeated against NS3.