Not really sure although LOTG specifically says ‘... the toss of a coin’. It probably doesn’t look great either as, other than the captains, no one will know what’s going on and it might look like you’ve forgotten the coin and are making something up and we know how spectators, coaches and players can try and pick up on things like this to use it against you (even though you haven’t forgotten anything, it just appears so)
Surly you didn't come to the poker table with a sundial on your wrist. Using those two as reasons means throwing out any time piece invented in the last couple of centuries or so.And, I see your losing coin and raise you, watch battery dying, wet screen?
Surly you didn't come to the poker table with a sundial on your wrist. Using those two as reasons means throwing out any time piece invented in the last couple of centuries or so.
I am with tradition and all that but technology is finding its way into the game a lot faster than many of us would like.
I would be all for it if it was clearly allowed by LOTG and be willing to turn a blind eye to it now as a trivial matter if I see it when assessing.
It all went downhill for me when they banned Rock Paper Scissors. It’s a trivial matter is the coin toss and not something that affects a game one iota. More ceremonial than anything that really matters.
So I'm playing devil's advocate here (as was in the OP)
The app is the face of a coin. Tap it once and it looks tossed and starts spinning fast. Captain Calls it and you tap it again and stops spinning. So in effect you are tossing an electronic coin.
The benefit, you don't have to carry a coin. One less thing to worry about.
Taking notes/records on Smart watch apps is becoming more frequent now. May not be everyone's cup of tea but it doesn't take too long for players to figure out you are using technology to replace the old fashion way.
Personally, I don't think it's a big deal as long as you show the captains what you are doing and they understand what the app does. If they understand that it's a random chance, it shouldn't be a big issue.
What if one of the captains is a computer expert? Then, he'll know that an app can't produce a truly random result.
Think of it this way, rather than if it allowed by the LOTGIf I have a an electronic coin toss app on my smartwatch, is it acceptable to use an 'e-toss'?
I also like the benefit of not having to remember a coin (ref uniforms really SHOULD have a coin pocket as I find they never sit right whatever I do)
This is exactly what we teach new referees to do, as it keeps it simple, avoids a muddy coin or a clash of heads with the captain(s), and the referee controls the process. Simples!Think I'll be blunt here, absolutely no need for an electronic coin toss.
If worried about losing the coin, use a 2p and/or give to your assistant to look after (if operating with assistants)
Or like me, you might be rubbish at tossing a coin. I've been a referee for over 10 years and have progressed up the ranks, still pants at tossing a coin. No shame in admitting it. What do I do instead? Coin in my pocket. Grab it out with one hand, place it on the top of my other with it being covered. Ask the home captain, heads or tails, show the coin, then figure out ends/kick off. (a) avoids the embarrassment of a rubbish coin toss - which certainly doesn't create the best first impression and puts you on the back foot (remember Kevin Friend getting picked up in The FA Cup Final? (here)); (b) avoids the captain tossing and it landing on the floor / the debate whether a referee should do the coin toss as a power move blah blah blah
Does he know how you've programmed it? If not, it's as good as random anyway as far as the captains are concerned.What if one of the captains is a computer expert? Then, he'll know that an app can't produce a truly random result.
Sounds like a sensible precaution for a referee who's trying something new that might end up working better for him? Would you rather he just assumed it would work smoothly and ended up without a record of what had happened?it did remind me of a prematch talk i heard from a ref keeping the match on his watch app, ok we can debate who else writes what and when, but to say
" both of you write please in case I feck it up with the watch"..
Tells me that person should not be, or is not comfortable, or confident, using the watch.
Had he kept things simple however...