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BGonline.org Forums
Participation in ABT events..Apr-June 08 vs this year.
Posted By: Coolrey In Response To: Participation in ABT events..Apr-June 08 vs this year. (neilkaz)
Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2009, at 6:47 p.m.
The $100 kickback might have been "gimmicky" but it was designed to stimulate participation from non-local players. The locals still got the best deal because they didn't have a god damn $450 airfare, $700 hotel bill, and $150 rental car... Like I did.
PLEASE have the same gimmick and hold the tournament in Los Angeles next time, Chiva, if East coasters have a problem with it.
Neil, you didn't even show, so I sort of have to "discount" your opinion here, sorry about that. I do recall you being one of the ones who poo-pooed the "high effective rake" of the event, though.
Some backgammon players are good at other things besides math and they might conclude that the all time ABT champion who currently LEADS this year's ABT race and dearly WANTS to be the first and ONLY one to have won it twice in a ROW... MIGHT have had an ULTERIOR motive in discouraging attendance due to the so called "gimmicks". (ie: less participation would mean a smaller swing in ABT points), at an event that you could not attend due to your daughter's graduation. I apologize if I have given you or anyone else the wrong impression here, ok? I am merely pointing out that it's just possible that someone might THINK that, it doesn't mean that anyone necessarily DOES think that.
ONE person who did NOT seem to have any ulterior motives at ALL was my new hero, Chiva Taffazoli. When I postulated that he might do better on his IN THE RED bottom line by allowing buy-backs, he steadfastly refused. He stated flatly that he wanted the US Open to be a PURE event... Not one where someone could "buy" the Championship. For a guy who was losing his ASS on this tournament, trying to provide a quality event for people who live in a different COUNTRY than his own... I must stand while applauding that!
I will go on record here to say that I personally take offense to the notion that he somehow shortchanged the local players by offering a discounted entry fee to out of towners. I personally believe it was a great idea, and only a bunch of cheapskates would take offense at it. Everyone here at this forum, I would hazard to guess, has something to GAIN if the popularity of backgammon increases... But if you choose to stay away from an event because the room is more expensive, (especially when you can commute), or someone else had to pay LESS than you do by a fraction.... That is not going to stimulate attendance nor is it good for the health of backgammon in the USA or the ABT in general.
I will further contend that he, Chiva, ought to keep it,(the gimmick), and that even if he DOES keep it... the attendance will DOUBLE next year even if all the tight wads stay home!
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