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Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)

Posted By: Phil Simborg
Date: Monday, 15 April 2013, at 9:16 p.m.

In Response To: Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon) (Rod)

From the first day the USBGF was born, I recommended we model the organization after Bridge in virtually every way, with the exception that "outside" of the normal sanctioned events, there can be money-based events for the highest divisions of play.

I have yet to hear any strong, logical objections about this vision, and the reason we aren't there yet is simply because there is a very different mindset out there from a lot of people, including those who think of the game strictly in terms of the tournament perspective as a money game, as it has been for the past 30 or so years.

The point is that one does not rule out the other, and we have yet to find a way to bring all parties together in order to create a true, bridge-like governing body and money-free competition that is based on points and status for rewards, rather than prize money.

The first step is to create a strong, accepted organization, and the next is to have a truly effective point and rating system that transcends just major tournaments but extends to daily and weekly play at clubs and other smaller live events (local and regional events).

I believe the vision is there and the concepts are pretty much agreed upon. What is needed is more support and more direct actions by the USBGF in this direction, and from what I see, that is exactly what the leadership wants and is trying to do.

Are things moving as fast or as well as we would like? No. Can that be directly attributed to lack of leadership or a faulty B of D? From what I've seen, what is needed most is more widespread support from tournament directors, club directors, top players, and leading people in the game to make it all happen.

Where we absolutely agree, however, is that the end goal is to have an organization modeled after the ACBL.

Messages In This Thread

• Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
  Ken Larsen -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 2:18 p.m.
  • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
    Phil Simborg -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 2:53 p.m.
    • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
      Ken Larsen -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 3:09 p.m.
    • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
      Rod -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 3:35 p.m.
      • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
        Phil Simborg -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 9:16 p.m.
        • Talk is cheap
          Rod -- Tuesday, 16 April 2013, at 2:12 a.m.
    • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
      Henrik Bukkjaer -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 10:43 p.m.
  • if you like scrabble....
    Chiva Tafazzoli -- Monday, 15 April 2013, at 8:00 p.m.
  • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
    Jake Jacobs -- Tuesday, 16 April 2013, at 2:44 a.m.
    • Scrabble's Cross-Tables web site (an idea to generate more interest in backgammon)
      Mleifer -- Wednesday, 17 April 2013, at 12:42 a.m.