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On 7th May 2020

Lottery Booking System – A New Feature

NEW – Lottery Ticketing System for Online Bookings

During these times of enforced restrictions, we have seen unprecedented demand for our timesheets and this has highlighted some flaws in our current booking system. With a limited amount of times available due to player demand, social distancing restrictions and seasonal daylight, the ability to secure a time or not has often been determined by the capability of our timesheet server and the speed of member’s own internet connections.

We are aware of the growing frustration with this overloaded booking system that is not designed for these current conditions and we are beginning the new MiClub Lottery Ticketing module from Friday 8th May.

The Lottery system randomises the entry process for members so each entrant has an equal chance to obtain a tee time on busy timesheets.

The benefits of this system are as follows:

  • Eliminates fastest click wins
  • All members have an equal chance regardless of internet type and speed
  • As there can only be one entry into the “draw” for each member this prevents the use of multiple devices trying to access the system which overloads the server.
  • Completely random in its allocation of entry to draw
  • With only 5 members in the timesheet at the same time, members have a better chance of getting the tee time selected rather than seeing “Row blocked by another user”
  • Only adds a few minutes to the booking experience, if not one of the first members  to enter the draw

Please see below steps to follow when using the ticketing system to make your booking:

1. Login and Click ‘Join Draw’

A Member can access the fixture list up to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled opening of a timesheet, the member selects ‘Join Draw’ to get a ticket in the Lottery and waits for the clock to countdown.

We suggest only logging in 5 minutes prior to the timesheet opening as once logged in you must stay logged in to maintain your entry into the draw.

Once you have clicked ‘Join Draw’ your screen will display a countdown for the opening of the timesheet, as depicted below.

2. Once the draw closes 5 seconds prior to the timesheet opening, you will then be randomly allocated a ticket in the draw.

The first five members in the ‘Lottery’ have immediate access to the timesheet to find a tee time.  The remainder of entrants are ordered by their allocated ticket number.

3. You will be redirected to the booking page when your position reaches ZERO. Once you are on the booking page you can make your booking.

You then have 60 seconds to use your ticket allocation and begin your booking. Please do not leave your device during this time as your ticket will be released to the next in line.

Our current booking rule of booking yourself and one other still applies.

PLEASE NOTE: You can book your playing partner even if they are further behind in the queue. We ask that you communicate with your playing partner as quickly as possible about the booking you have made for them to save them time in waiting for a booking.

Our Priority booking system for the Wednesday & Saturday timesheets will continue for those on the waitlist who are likely to miss a game that week. As we give priority to those on the waitlist for the timesheet about to be released, this obviously limits the amount of available spots to be released.

The ticketing system does not represent the amount of available spots on the timesheet but the amount of entrants into the draw. With this in mind, please understand that there are still only limited spots in the field. Therefore, the higher the ticket number the more likely you will be faced with a full timesheet and you will have your chance to enter the waitlist in the order of your ticket allocation.

Whilst we are still faced with higher than average demand for timesheets at least this ticketing system offers a fairer chance to all in securing a spot and gives transparency as to the amount of members vying for these limited spots.

Reminder: Priority bookings are from 1pm-1:45pm on Tuesdays & Fridays with normal bookings to follow at 2pm. You must phone the Club to make your Priority booking  – 9999 4266

 

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

Q. If I am first to hit Join Draw do I go straight into the timesheet

A. No sorry you will have to wait until the random lottery of members that also select Join Draw.

Q. When can I select Join Draw

A. For PC users up to 15 minutes prior to timesheet opening. ie between 10 seconds and 15 minutes prior

Q. I have a slow internet speed, will I miss out.

A. No you have as much chance as everyone that enters the draw

Q. Previously I would get constantly get ‘Row Locked by Another User’ and that was frustrating

A. There are now only up to five members in the timesheet when it is your turn to book, if you were lucky you will have the hole timesheet to select.  If not lucky you will be able to select the remaining available rows without being rejected.

Q. I’m on a mobile device I can;t see Join Draw

A. For mobile device users that have the optimised mobile web site just select the timesheet and as long as you are within the 15 minutes of the draw closing you have Joined Draw

Q. I’ve heard members using multiple devices and browsers to better their chance of getting a ticket in the draw.

A. Before lottery that was possible, not really fair on others though. Now you can only Join Draw once, try it more than once and you or they might not get a ticket in the draw.

Q. Can I a stay in and add more players after I have my added my group.

A. No you only get one ticket and group to book and there are others in the queue so please be mindful of your fellow members

Q. I got to number 1 in the queue then it pushed me way back, what happened.

A. Sorry about that but browsers and devices all work in weird ways, you may have jumped on too early and your session timed out or your browser/device weren’t compatible.  We find lottery works best using the Google Chrome browser or clear your browsing history and start afresh next time.  The browsers save cookies and try and use those cookies to load pages faster.  Sometimes those cookies are older versions of the system.

Q. How long do I have to select a time

A. You have 60 seconds to select a tee time before the next person comes in, so the quicker you select a time the better your chances of getting a preferred time

Q. How long do I have to complete a booking

A. You have three minutes to complete the booking of yourself and/or playing partners

Q. Can I use my playing partners and default list to book partners

A. Yes, no change there but during this time you are still restricted to only two names per time so you will need to remove two names from default playing group