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Backgammon and Gambling IS NOT the public perception

Posted By: Phil Simborg
Date: Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 4:24 p.m.

In conversations with well students and teachers at over 100 colleges and high schools, I can only recall two occasions where the question of gambling was raised. (And both times it was quickly dispelled.)

The general public, at least here in the US, thinks of backgammon as a fun board game, like checkers or chess.

WE THINK OF IT AS A GAMBLING GAME because most of us here play in tournaments and chouettes for money.

I am sure some people out there know that there are web sites for money, and tournaments for money, but educators, parents, students and the general public do not think of backgammon in the same way they do poker, or blackjack, or craps, or roulette, which are thought of as purely gambling games.

So let's stop being negative about this aspect of the game, or over-emphasizing this aspect of the game as an excuse to not promote this game to children and families.

Yes, the gambling aspects do have an affect on attracting sponsors and players to live tournaments, but we can and do have a very active and vibrant group of players who play simply to win points, trophies, or simply for the joy of winning as so many are doing every day on the free sites on the internet and in their homes.

I believe the future of this game will include major tournaments for "amateurs" that play only for the trophy and masterpoints, and separate events or divisions for the pros who play for money.

Messages In This Thread

• Backgammon and Gambling IS NOT the public perception
  Phil Simborg -- Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 4:24 p.m.
  • Touché! *NM*
    higonefive -- Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 4:45 p.m.
  • Backgammon and Gambling IS NOT the public perception
    Rich Munitz -- Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 4:46 p.m.
  • Backgammon and Gambling IS NOT the public perception
    Leonardo Jerkovic -- Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 5:14 p.m.
  • ironically...
    Chuck Bower -- Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 6:54 p.m.
  • An Interesting Question and Answer
    Michael Petch -- Wednesday, 2 February 2011, at 11:46 p.m.
    • An Interesting Question and Answer - From Phil's site
      Michael Petch -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 12:14 a.m.
      • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
        David Rockwell -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 1:02 a.m.
        • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
          Michael Petch -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 1:34 a.m.
          • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
            Rich Munitz -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 2:03 a.m.
        • Why isn't Backgammon growing? Answer: More local clubs are needed.
          Ken Larsen -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 2:01 a.m.
        • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
          misja -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 1:07 p.m.
          • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
            Leonardo Jerkovic -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 2:11 p.m.
            • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
              Casper van der Tak -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 2:36 p.m.
              • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
                Bill Riles -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 3:04 p.m.
                • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
                  Henrik Bukkjaer -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 3:35 p.m.
                  • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
                    Henrik Bukkjaer -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 3:40 p.m.
                    • +1 +1 and +1
                      Casper van der Tak -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 3:43 p.m.
                • +1 *NM*
                  Justin N. -- Friday, 4 February 2011, at 12:47 a.m.
              • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
                Rich Munitz -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 3:58 p.m.
                • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
                  Casper van der Tak -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 4:08 p.m.
          • Why isn't Backgammon growing?
            jdg -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Backgammon and Gambling IS NOT the public perception
    Phil Simborg -- Thursday, 3 February 2011, at 8:16 p.m.