[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums

"If it (the clock) ain't broke, don't fix it"

Posted By: Phil Simborg
Date: Thursday, 9 May 2013, at 3:12 p.m.

In Response To: "If it (the clock) ain't broke, don't fix it" (Paul Baraz)

Paul, your heart and mind are in the right place. I agree with much of your thinking and comments. But we simply must deal with practical issues in the real world when it comes to making "changes" to the status quo in any game or business or area of life.

"No one likes change except a wet baby." Anything that anyone recommends that is a change from what people are used to is automatically met with resistance, even if the change is truly an improvement and even the detractors might well agree if only they would try it.

It will be long after you and I have left this planet before players will agree to touch/move. Give it up. I agree that is the way the game should be played, but trying to get that to happen is like fighting windmills. So instead, Jeb and Chuck and I have recommended a compromise in our suggested rules that at least removes some of the problems caused by shuffling the checkers. And most players see the value of it and I believe that eventually that will be adopted by most. It's a step in the right direction.

As for the clock rules, again, much of the world won't even consider clocks to begin with, but even those of us who strongly favor clocks insist that for backgammon there needs to be a delay. I agree with you that it should be short, but too many experts will never agree that it is right to remove the delay--so again--GIVE IT UP. It ain't gonna happen.

So lets try to get the world to have reasonable clock rules and reasonable restrictions on checker shuffling and lets encourage not just the tournament directors, but everyone, to consistently and fairly apply whatever the current rules are whether we like them or not. That's a fight we can, eventually win. And when I say "win" I certainly don't mean that we will convince everyone. There will always be unreasonable people with unreasonable opinions, personal axes to grind, and simple stupidity, and those people often scream the loudest. And of course, while I think it is not likely, it is possible that an intelligent person might not agree with us.

Messages In This Thread

 

Post Response
Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:

If necessary, enter your password below:

Password:
 

 

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.