In terms of the Hillemann format, I could see a
couple of modifications (since I can't find a
description of the original format, some of the things I
suggest here may duplicate old systems).
(1)
Having point totals carry through the preliminary
rounds. [If desired, one could also add a (small) reward
for going out early by adding, say, 0.5 points per TU
remaining when a player goes out.]
(2) I know at
one point that there was a Round 2A and a Round 2B.
This could be reinstated, probably by reshuffling at
the end of Round 2A in the same way as at the end of
Round 1. [I'm not sure it's possible to draw up a
second set of pairings from Round 1 without guaranteeing
some repeats.]
--STI