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Wow !! Falafel vs. MCG Exhibition Match

Posted By: Phil Simborg
Date: Monday, 11 February 2013, at 11:00 p.m.

In Response To: Wow !! Falafel vs. MCG Exhibition Match (Bill Riles)

All of these published PR's in the range of 3.0 and under only prove how much better the top players in the world are than the rest of us, and only prove that whenever we win it is likely to be because of luck.

This raises some interesting issues. First, why should I, a 4.5 to 5.0 player, enter a tournament where there are 5 or 6 or more players who consistently play at 3.5 or less? There is no handicap. My return on investment is very low compared to theirs. Now, there are many worse than me in the same event, and their hopes for ROI are even worse.

I think it is great that we publicize and recognize and honor players who have achieved such lofty heights, but at the same time, how do the average and below-average players stand a reasonable chance in tournaments against them?

Is it no wonder that tournament participation is not growing as we would like it? This is just one of several things that keep people away from events....I won't get into my long list of other reasons...things that could easily be changed to help things...because it if off of this particular subject.

How can we level the playing field? Handicaps? Perhaps, but that might keep the Giants away. Maybe the answer is a separate division...a true Masters event, or a "pro" division for top players to play for the "big money" and a true "Open Division" for good players who are not professionals and are there to test their skills and compete and want to have a reasonable chance to win.

I know, I know, everyone has a reasonable chance because of the dice, but those of us who play backgammon understand and believe in the odds and probabilities, and we all know that the odds of a Giant cashing in any given event over a non-Giant is tremendously better, and the results prove it clearly. Wouldn't you give a 3.5 player more than 2 to 1 odds to cash over a 6.0 player?

We need to think about a "Pro" division. I would be we will see more Open players show up as a result. And we need to make the non-pro divisions more about the competition and less about the money. Lower the entry fee; lower the prize money; make it more about the competition and winning points. The tournament director can still make his nut by giving him a higher cut, or fee, for running the event. That way he can still cover his costs and make a few bucks and be rewarded, as he should be, for all of his efforts in setting up and running the event.

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