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2-6 from the bar!

Posted By: Coolrey
Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2015, at 8:18 a.m.

In Response To: 2-6 from the bar! (scotty)

In regards to the phrase 2-6 from the bar??? (!):

I didn't invent it, and I don't claim ownership of it. However, about 30 years ago I was reading Vision Laughs at Counting or another of Danny Kleinman's books when I became aware that there was a myth surrounding that number being the most often rolled number when on the bar.

Having seen it referred to repeatedly in Kleinman's text, I began calling it out in our local chouette at the time. Norm Wiggins, who had also read those books, played in that chouette too. So, anyway it sort of grew out of that.

I was notified of other players who claimed the number as their own like Gene Chait and Emily Fischer and some other old timers that I did not know. Quite often people will chastise me for "claiming" the number, because they consider it their own. I find that funny because all I have ever done is recognize the myth and perpetuated it by chanting "two-six from the barrrrrrrrr??? (!)" whenever and wherever it comes up.

People call my name when they need it now, sometimes from across the room! They all take note that I walk up just as 26 is rolled by someone on the bar. There is added tension when I am watching and a blot is left on the 8 point, etc. etc.

The phrase adds fun and color to the game, match or chouette. I have taken to chanting it before rolling in certain positions where it will be a devastating roll... Or even when someone just pointed on me on the 2 point and the only points in their board are the two and six points.

I am sure that other players could name people in their city (ies) that have been part and parcel to this myth down through the years. But I think they all probably got it from Kleinman at some point and "adopted" it? Who knows?

I just have fun with it, as others have before me, and relish the history of the game. By the way, if there is a blot on the 8 point, and I am on the bar and my opponent has the worst 5 point board (the 6 point open)... I will still chant two-six from the bar. The persnickety will be quick to point out that it is really Six-Two from the bar... But I disagree vehemently. It still counts as Two-Six from the bar, as far as I am concerned!

Messages In This Thread

• 2-6 from the bar!
  scotty -- Saturday, 14 March 2015, at 1:19 a.m.
  • 2-6 from the bar!
    Coolrey -- Tuesday, 17 March 2015, at 8:18 a.m.
    • 2-6 from the bar!
      scotty -- Monday, 23 March 2015, at 10:08 a.m.