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BGonline.org Forums
Popularizing Backgammon
Posted By: Joe Russell In Response To: Popularizing Backgammon (Stick)
Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2009, at 6:41 a.m.
'Cold hard fact is it can't be done for anyone (99.9%) not out of college yet.'
I am not sure I understand. What can't be done?
In the 1970's the California State University system held the California State Universities championships on a weekend once a year. There were many different events, including chess, backgammon, checkers, intramural soccer, Frisbee Golf, etc. The year I won my school's qualifying backgammon tournament, there were four representatives in backgammon from most of the state universities. It was a huge tournament and a lot of fun. The next year Gus Contos, a fine but not too active Open player, won my school's qualifier and I came in second. At least three players from that team were active at one time or another in the L.A. backgammon scene, with Gus and I still playing.
My idea is not to introduce the game to people that do not know how to play. That is a major time-consuming undertaking. It is to introduce tournament backgammon to people that know how to play. At our local tournament, an older Armenian gentleman, who is a fine player, began playing with us about a year ago. He told his young relatives about the tournament. First one came, then brought his friends. None of them had any idea how to play tournament backgammon. We now get a group of them every week. Very young players that love to play and are quickly picking up the game.
There are people that know how to play that have or can develop a passion for tournament backgammon just from exposure. Even if the events were sparsely attended, there is very little to lose by trying. I am going to proceed in some fashion, perhaps with the USC/UCLA challenge. I hope others will give it try in their areas.
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