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Legalizing Poker in the US: re. BG, hello Dale Carnegie

Posted By: leobueno
Date: Monday, 20 June 2011, at 1:23 a.m.

In Response To: Legalizing Poker in the US (mamabear)

Mary's comments touch a bunch of issues for us in the USA facing restrictions on online and live "gambling". Knowing close to nothing about Texas Hold'em, I will focus my comments on BG.

I hope of course that Texas "legalizes" poker as a game of skill and that other states do too, or perhaps, that the federal legislation passes and occupies the field making poker legal any time it involves, for example, interstate commerce--in effect virtually "legalizing" poker in the entire USA (the lawyers in the crowd can explain privately, if you are interested, the " insterstate commerce" angle). I think that will make it easier for us to make the claim that BG is also a game of skill.

I am not sure that I agree with Mary on her suggestion that we take a "me too" approach, by tacking on BG events to poker events. I think BG should stand on its own: either we show we are a game of skill, or we don't.

Here is where Dale Carnegie comes in. It's about time we backgammon people applied some of Dale Carnegie's techniques to the problem we face. Two related Carnegie principles come to mind: "dramatize your ideas" and "throw down a challenge. I think it is time that we take this issue by the horns and throw down a dramatic challenge.

I envision something like commercially interested entities (e.g., BG websites) putting up a substantial prize (enough to interest major news media) that will be donated to a charity of the winner's choice in a match between the likes of Mary, Nack, Neil, Stick, Matt or other USA giants, against members of the US Senate.

Yes, you heard it right, the USA Senate (or more precisely, a subset willing to play). Yes, one against many; let them consult all they want. I envision a match format that will statistically limit the element of chance. I am fairly confident of the result.

Just think of what this would do for BG in the USA. Picture the headlines. We will then be able to approach our legislatures, state or federal, having a good measure of proof that BG is a game of skill, and perhaps once and for all, put the issue to bed.

What do y'all think?

Messages In This Thread

• Legalizing Poker in the US
  Michael Petch -- Sunday, 19 June 2011, at 4:51 p.m.
  • Legalizing Poker in the US
    Leonardo Jerkovic -- Sunday, 19 June 2011, at 6:18 p.m.
  • Legalizing Poker in the US
    steve -- Sunday, 19 June 2011, at 6:54 p.m.
    • Legalizing Poker in the US
      mamabear -- Sunday, 19 June 2011, at 10:34 p.m.
      • Legalizing Poker in the US
        steve -- Sunday, 19 June 2011, at 11:43 p.m.
      • Legalizing Poker in the US: re. BG, hello Dale Carnegie
        leobueno -- Monday, 20 June 2011, at 1:23 a.m.
        • Good Idea, Let's Go to DC!
          mamabear -- Monday, 20 June 2011, at 6:28 p.m.
          • Good Idea, Let's Go to DC!
            Leonardo Jerkovic -- Monday, 20 June 2011, at 7:06 p.m.
          • Good Idea, Let's Go to DC!
            Bob Glass -- Wednesday, 22 June 2011, at 8:08 p.m.
            • Good Idea, Let's Go to DC!
              Michael Petch -- Wednesday, 22 June 2011, at 9:34 p.m.
              • Good Idea, Let's Go to DC!
                Bob Glass -- Wednesday, 22 June 2011, at 9:55 p.m.
        • Legalizing Poker in the US: re. BG, hello Dale Carnegie
          Casper van der Tak -- Monday, 20 June 2011, at 7:27 p.m.
        • Legalizing Poker in the US: re. BG, hello Dale Carnegie
          ah_clem -- Monday, 20 June 2011, at 7:34 p.m.
  • Legalizing Poker in the US
    Steve Mellen -- Monday, 20 June 2011, at 10:17 p.m.