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The clock debate is over/a request to Neil
Posted By: phil simborg In Response To: The clock debate is over/a request to Neil (Taper_Mike)
Date: Thursday, 1 May 2014, at 6:43 p.m.
1. I do not advocate breaking any rules. A tournament that doesn't have clocks preferred or required is saying you can take as long as you want to make moves. The TD will slap a clock if your match takes too long, and I am simply making that happen. Am I abusing the "spirit" of the game? Yes, I may be abusing what some people should be the spirit of the game, but most top players and most experienced players believe that is a bad spirit. That it is not good for the players, spectators, tournaments, or anyone to play without clocks.
2. Can I vote with my feet and not go. Sure. But that is not a good or healthy solution for the game either. We have people not going because of legal or non-legal moves; people who go or don't go because of videos; clocks; the rake; whatever. Of course people are free to do this and always will be, but I believe that one reason it is a tough pill to swallow that we have rules that most believe are not good for the game is that those rules are made and enforced by a few individuals, and not by the players themselves.
If the players make the rules, or a player-represented organization, which is the case in Denmark and many other countries, and which is the case in virtually every other sport or game in the world, then it would be easy to accept the rules, even if you don't agree and don't like them. We live in a world where we have to go with the majority, but we don't like to be ruled by dictators.
Please don't think I am saying that I don't respect, appreciate, and recognize all that the ABT Directors, and particularly Bill Davis, has done for the game over the years. And most of them have embraced and appreciated that there is a USBGF and organization of the players to help them decide on rules and policy and to support their events and encourage the players to accept the rules and majority rule. But those who do not and are not willing to change and listen to the players and be open to the fact that the world is changing and the game is changing and that some of the old ways were not great and could be improved, those are the problem, in this area.
So what do you do? For years, we talk to them. Try to reason with them. We make posts here and elsewhere and beg them to be flexible about legal moves, the wording of many of the rules that are ambiguous, setting fair standards to determine eligibility, clock rules, etc. etc., and many have listened and responded. What do you do when a few won't? I think boycotting their event is bad for the game and bad for everyone. But if you can find a way to get the rules changed, or finally convince them with your arguments and actions, that would be better.
Some we may never convince, and they might even become vindictive and angry if you try. I have been the victim of this and therefore forced to vote with my feet. I think that is a shame. But I think if Neil Kazaross and many others ban together, maybe we can affect positive change. Sometimes you have to work outside the system, sometimes you have to protest, and sometimes you just don't win. I prefer to keep trying in the most positive ways possible and if that fails, look for help. I often find it on this forum. And from the worldwide community. That is why I didn't try to write new rules alone...I brought on Chuck Bower and Jeb Horton...it gives our final recommendations greater credibility that just from me (and they added greatly to the product). That is why I look to Denmark and Japan and England and Turkey and other backgammon powers to support the concept of legal moves, clocks, and other specific rule improvements.
Will there always be some who hate clocks and my refuse to come to a tournament if clocks are required? Yes. But that is the minority, and they will resent it less once they see that the overwhelming majority of players believe it is better for the game.
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