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rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best

Posted By: Chris Haviland
Date: Monday, 9 May 2011, at 3:18 a.m.

In Response To: rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best (TarHeelFan)

Fair enough, the phrase "throwing a match" does make it sound treacherous. I considered the situation noteworthy because of the natural tendency to equate "playing your best" with "trying to win within the rules". In backgammon there are circumstances where I am in position to win, I am entitled to win, and there is a general overarching expectation that I should be trying my best to win. Nevertheless, I consciously decide to throw away\decline\ignore\donk off\divest myself of match-winning equity and instead opt not to win. I've heard a wide variety of descriptions for this behavior, everything from "gentlemanly" to "completely idiotic".

Messages In This Thread

• rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
  Chuck Bower -- Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at 5:39 p.m.
  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
    Phil Simborg -- Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at 7:00 p.m.
    • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
      Jake Jacobs -- Thursday, 5 May 2011, at 12:59 a.m.
  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
    David Rockwell -- Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at 7:59 p.m.
    • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
      Stein Kulseth -- Thursday, 5 May 2011, at 5:45 a.m.
  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
    Timothy Chow -- Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at 8:08 p.m.
  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
    Bill Riles -- Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at 11:53 p.m.
  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
    garyo -- Thursday, 5 May 2011, at 12:10 p.m.
  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
    Rich Munitz -- Friday, 6 May 2011, at 4:47 p.m.
    • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
      Chris Haviland -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 2:00 p.m.
      • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
        TarHeelFan -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 2:34 p.m.
        • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
          Tom Keith -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 4:54 p.m.
          • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
            Rich Munitz -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 6:23 p.m.
            • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
              Tom Keith -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 9:42 p.m.
              • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
                Rich Munitz -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 11:59 p.m.
                • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
                  Tom Keith -- Sunday, 8 May 2011, at 5:17 p.m.
                  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
                    Rich Munitz -- Sunday, 8 May 2011, at 6:18 p.m.
                    • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
                      Tom Keith -- Sunday, 8 May 2011, at 6:59 p.m.
                      • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
                        Rich Munitz -- Sunday, 8 May 2011, at 8:55 p.m.
                  • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
                    Bob Koca -- Sunday, 8 May 2011, at 10:26 p.m.
          • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
            Phil Simborg -- Saturday, 7 May 2011, at 8:06 p.m.
        • rules/ethics question: consciously playing your best
          Chris Haviland -- Monday, 9 May 2011, at 3:18 a.m.