Any Howell where the pairs do not meet all the other pairs is called an incomplete Howell and is also called a shortened or reduced Howell or a 3/4-Howell. A simple way to produce an incomplete Howell is to append a table to a complete Howell.
The advantage of the 3/4-Howell is that there can be a predetermined number of boards in play irrespective of the number of tables up to a number equal to the number of sets of boards less one. If the number of tables equals the number of sets of boards then the movement could be called a half Howell, but it really is a Mitchell movement.
It is possible with an odd number of rounds for the event to start as a Howell and, before the move into the second round, change the movement by adding tables without disrupting the players greatly. The number of boards is constant, only the pair numbers need to be changed and one board-set is taken from the relay table and placed on the new table. Where this is possible the 'start Howell' is shown first.
In summary you must use personal or table guide cards to conduct this movement. Place the board sets not in play on relay tables between the real tables.
After each round, each pair (except the highest numbered pair) moves to the spot vacated by the pair with the number immediately below their own. Note not all pairs play each other as there are less rounds than pairs minus 1.
The boards also move in a very orderly fashion, moving to the next lower numbered table, except where there is a relay table, when the boards are placed there.
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