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Why don't we all agree on this vision?

Posted By: Phil Simborg
Date: Sunday, 17 March 2013, at 5:04 p.m.

In Response To: Why don't we all agree on this vision? (playBunny)

Good point. I went to a recent national bridge tournament that had 4000 people. None played for money--just points and recognition and the excitement of competing and spending time with friends and watching and talking with experts. And they came to sightsee and enjoy fine dining be ause the tournament was so well run, and events carefully timed and scheduled, that they could plan other activities. Many brought family and there were teaching seminars for beginners and all kinds of fun side events.

Why do they get 4000? Of course it's because there are more bridge players but why are there more bridge players? I am an expert at both bridge and backgammon and I can tell you they are both great games. I happen to strongly prefer backgammon, and I believe many would, or would certainly play both. I don't think anyone can say for sure why bridge is so popular in comparison to backgammon, but part of my premise is that they are better organized, they market better, they appeal to more people, their tournaments for the non-professionals are more about skill than gambling or winning money. I have to believe that these are at least a part of the reason for our lack of comparative success (same can be said for chess, scrabble, Go and other MindGames).

Maybe a typical tournament won't draw 1000? Could be more! If we get organized and on track. I think that with federations, which are democratic organizations of the players who care and generally share this vision the game now has some leadership that is working toward these goals.

What I don't understand is resistance to this vision! For those of us who like to gamble; for those of us who like to run tournaments with prize money; this is not an either/or proposition! That can still exist, either as a part of the overall program or as a separate entity. But attempts to bring more people and sponsors I to the game can only help the money tournament players and directors in the long run as well. Anything that is good for the overall growth and health of the game is good for us all.

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