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Why clocks aren't used at all tournament levels

Posted By: Timothy Chow
Date: Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 2:15 a.m.

In Response To: Speed option in regular tournaments (RobertFontaine)

Robert wrote:

Other than the initial annoyance of buying a clock, I'm don't understand why they aren't used at all tournament levels.

I tried to summarize some of the arguments against clocks here. I also know that Bill Davis wrote an article in Chicago Point about a year ago ranting against clocks, but I think you have to pay to read it.

Ultimately, the real answer is cultural. Historically, backgammon has largely been a gambling game, played in 'places of leisure'—either for casual entertainment or in gaming halls. Unlike chess, it has not been viewed as a touchstone for exceptional intelligence or skill, living in the rarefied atmosphere of tournament halls and formal contests. Many of those who are attracted to backgammon for its association with leisure culture do not want to see that culture changed, and they (correctly, in my opinion) see clocks as a threat to that culture. There are enough such people, and clocks are a recent enough introduction, that clocks are still not used in all tournaments.

Messages In This Thread

• Speed option in regular tournaments
  rew -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 3:30 p.m.
  • Speed option in regular tournaments
    Colin Owen -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
    • Speed option in regular tournaments
      Ken Larsen -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 11:46 p.m.
      • Speed option in regular tournaments
        RobertFontaine -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 1:05 a.m.
        • Why clocks aren't used at all tournament levels
          Timothy Chow -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 2:15 a.m.
          • Why clocks aren't used at all tournament levels
            Stick -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 2:33 a.m.
            • Why clocks aren't used at all tournament levels
              Timothy Chow -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 2:39 a.m.
              • clocks
                Chiva Tafazzoli -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 6:47 p.m.
                • clocks
                  RobertFontaine -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 11:54 p.m.
                  • clocks
                    Chiva Tafazzoli -- Thursday, 1 March 2012, at 12:07 a.m.
                    • Game Time II clocks
                      neilkaz -- Thursday, 1 March 2012, at 4:17 p.m.
                • clocks
                  Timothy Chow -- Thursday, 1 March 2012, at 1:47 a.m.
                • +1000000000 *NM*
                  neilkaz -- Thursday, 1 March 2012, at 4:14 p.m.
  • Speed option in regular tournaments
    Stick -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 5:20 p.m.
    • Speed option in regular tournaments
      neilkaz -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 5:53 p.m.
      • Speed option in regular tournaments
        KenB -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 7:23 p.m.
        • Speed option in regular tournaments
          neilkaz -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 9:50 p.m.
        • Speed option in regular tournaments
          Sam Pottle -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 6:08 a.m.
  • If Tournament Is Running Behind Schedule
    Paul Weaver -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 6:40 p.m.
    • If Tournament Is Running Behind Schedule
      Stick -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 7:50 p.m.
      • If Tournament Is Running Behind Schedule
        Mr Majestyk -- Tuesday, 28 February 2012, at 10:01 p.m.
  • Speed option in regular tournaments
    Steve Mellen -- Wednesday, 29 February 2012, at 12:38 a.m.