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BGonline.org Forums
Gregg Cattanach proves that BG is a gentlemans' game
Posted By: phil simborg In Response To: Gregg Cattanach proves that BG is a gentlemans' game (David Rockwell)
Date: Sunday, 14 November 2010, at 3:56 p.m.
I strongly prefer to play legal moves, but if my opponent does not agree, or it is not discussed, I must assume and enforce rules as stated, and I expect the same from my opponents. There is no excuse, in the Open Division, for a player not knowing and following the rules, and no one should be criticized for enforcing them appropriately. Further, if I make a mistake, I will always steadfastly refuse leniency from my opponents because it would not be fair for me to be given slack when I would not give them slack. Does that make me a poor sport? I don't think so. I think that makes me someone who respects and lives by the rules and expects the same from others. I believe that is the way the game should be played.
In golf, if a player accidentally grounds his club in the trap; if he accidentally kicks his ball; he is sure to enforce a penalty on himself...no one else has to do it for him...especially his opponents. That is why golf is a "gentleman's game," because people are gentlemen enough to self-impose penalties.
That is what I would prefer to see in Backgammon as well...not that we go around telling our opponents to forget about infractions and bend the rules just to be nice..but that when we make a mistake, we insist on being penalized for it.
I am NOT saying Gregg and Neil aren't gentlemen...they're two of the best...but what I am saying is that we must adhere to the rules or we will have gray areas everywhere, and moral dilemmas constantly, and the way to be a true "gentleman" is to be fair to your opponents by being honest, and by being strict about following the rules and penalizing yourself when you make a mistake.
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