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	Phil Simborg

How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun
by Phil Simborg
21 November 2008	Back to Articles

I'm sorry if I sound like a killjoy, but as much as I love competing at backgammon tournaments, I have really gotten bored with them after several years of competing.

They are all pretty much the same and they could all be a lot more fun and interesting with a few changes. Here's what I would like to see:

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Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

bobw

Date:

25 Nov 2008 19:45 EST

I couldn't agree more with every point. Great article and long overdue, Phil. I hope the relevant people take these recommendations to heart.

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

ronhav

Date:

26 Nov 2008 03:48 EST

Excellent article - food for some serious thought by tournament organisers, I think.

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

Jasha

Date:

26 Nov 2008 05:28 EST

Bravo, Phil!

I agree practically with all your suggestions.

Some extra remarks:

1. In connection with match length - I have proposed in my book "Fair Backgammon Tournament Rules", that it'll be good that we have some standard for all BG-Tournaments around the world: Main Event - 5*5 points match; Consolation - 3*5 points match; Last Chance - 5 points match. In addition we can do such competitions without "Crawford Rule" too.

2. In connection with new forms and formats of the competitions - I have realized first Fair Backgammon Team Tournament in Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine from 1 till 5 October this year. Each match consisting of 4 games were played separately on special sensor boards "BEZMA" on two tables - OPEN and CLOSED (like in bridge) - with duplicated rolls, which were transfer on each table thanks special software program "BEZMA Tournament". New balanced scoring system, proposed in my book "Fair Backgammon Tournament Rules", was used in this software programm too. I hope to publish more info in my article by Gammonvillage.

3. In connection with broadcast in Internet - you are right: it is possible right now with implementation of special sensor board "BEZMA" for each live event around the world thanks special hard- and software used.

More info you find here - http://www.youtube.com/user/JakobGaral

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

kimba

Date:

26 Nov 2008 09:38 EST

I'm with you on every point, brother.

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

Nodar

Date:

28 Nov 2008 05:25 EST

Could you tell what the Sassoongammon is? Never heard about this variant of backgammon.

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date:

28 Nov 2008 08:40 EST

Sassoongammon is a fun variation where the player rolls 3 die and the opponent chooses which 2 of the 3 will be used. I recommend some variations where you stop doing this when there is no contact and just play with 2 die from that point on.

I really like Backgammon to Lose a lot. For the first three turns for both sides, you play as BAD as you can. Then you change sides (turn the board around) and play as well as you can from there. You will find yourself in extremely unusual and interesting positions and will have to be very creative to win.

Several tournaments have tried my "Simborg Rule" in side events. The rule states that you cannot make a point on the opening roll, or if you roll 6-5 on the opening roll, you cannot run one checker. This takes away the huge advantage gained by some opening rolls and causes the game to be more complicated from the start.

Nackgammon is also a fantastic game (start with 4 checkers back instead of two, with checkers on the 23 and 24 points) as this causes the game to be very complicated.

These variations are not only fun, they require the players to be creative and play from positions and situations that are unfamiliar.

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

JLee

Date:

29 Nov 2008 18:05 EST

I saw the title and immediately wondered if I would agree with any of the points. After reading the article, I find myself agreeing with EVERY SINGLE suggestion. Well done, Phil.

JLee

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

schmucki

Date:

04 Dec 2008 11:21 EST

this is what backgammon needs! its a pity that nobody before suggest like that! i will post this article to some tournament directors, lets see, maybe one or all of them are open for a change!

Subject:

Re: How to Make Backgammon Tournaments More Fun

From:

PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date:

04 Dec 2008 11:25 EST

Thanks for your comments, schmucki, but many of these ideas have been presented for years. I have a lot of respect for what tournament directors have done for the game, but as for promoting to the masses, thinking ahead, and thinking big, they have generally been extremely short-sighted.

Remember the saying: "Nobody likes change but a wet baby."

There are many things we can do to make backgammon tournaments much more appealing to large numbers of people, and we can still have plenty of money action for the people who play at higher levels and like to gamble. And as for the affect on the tournament directors, it does mean more work when more people and bookkeeping are involved, and more promotion and organization, but the rewards to the game, as well as to them financially, can be significant.

Phil

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