Report of Backgammon Live in London 2007 by Mike Main

Sponsored by I believe in sharing tips with other Tournament Directors - we're all trying to do much the same thing so pooling our resources and knowledge can only be a good thing - so here's my tip of the month: If, just 10 days before your largest annual event, the manager of the main venue you are due to use sends you an email saying <we have now cancelled the booking> my tip is to either go buy yourself a white straight jacket then find yourself a padded cell and do what one does in there or, if you really are in need of the former, to see this new situation in logistics as a challenge. This was the 7th year of Bg Live in London - with so many "runs" having happened before this really should be an event running on automatic by now. Book the venue, book some beds, book a boat, books some cabs and vans, call the Crew, arrange the Sponsor, send out a confirmed date happening and registration will commence soon email, sort out the format, write the website, ra de ra, publish that registration is open, take bookings, order trophies, make finishing touches, update website with latest info and build up Who's Coming page, let's have a full house booked 2 weeks before the event this year and away we go. Simple. Easy. Wasn't! It didn't happen like that in 2007. "Oh fudge, I've got about one hundred people coming and nowhere to put them now." What to do, what to do? So I took a walk along the river Thames. Water, which more by accident than design, has become a big theme of the weekend: there's a boat trip to see a fireworks display, the pub over looks the river and there's a canal outlet to the Thames to explore.  I was offered the use of a pub (The King's Stores) up near the City of London. The Landlord and his staff had previously run the venue we used in 2005 and he was keen to take on our weekend but his new pub was I thought a little on the small size - 35 tables was possible but would be tight. I asked the Landlord if I could mark him down as a reserve venue to which he replied "no problem."  Loads of other venues were checked out. You'd have though in the city the size of London finding a suitable venue would be as easy as pye, but it wasn't. The main problem was that it needed to be near a pier for the boat to go and see the Fireworks Display. For a City pub to open on a weekend they expect a fortune just to open the doors; I was contending with cooperate finical spending allowances. Finally we found Doggett's Bar on Blackfriar's Bridge. It over looked the Thames, there was enough space and they offered us a good deal but could only do the Sunday. I booked it. At least one days venue was secure. I kept in touch and kept going back to The King's Stores and everytime I was impressed with the service and welcoming attitude of the staff - maybe this would offset the slight lack of space.  No other suitable venues were found so we'd go with Friday evening in the YHA, Saturday in The King's Stores off Bishopsgate in The City and Sunday in Doggett's Coat & Badge on Blackfriar's Bridge. 7 days before the event I had not informed anybody other than the Crew of the venue problems. I'd held back this information on the basis that we only had a few days to sort this problem out and to have informed everybody would have meant a flood of questions to me while I was trying to sort out the problem. However now that the problem was sorted I was determined that we would know that every person due to come along to BGLIL'07 would know of the changes in venues. The website for the event was updated with all the new information at 4.00 am when most people would be asleep then emails were sent to everybody. Those that didn't reply got text messages or phone calls and 27 hours before the event my list of those that knew was reading at 100%. So we started our weekend off in the YHA bar. The inaugural BGLIL was held entirely in the YHA so this was something of a return to our roots sort of evening. The bar prices were good and we took over the YHA bar with backgammon boards strategically placed on every table available. Actually I decided that were were doing the younger YHA residents a favour by not encouraging them into a bar! We had a sufficient dinner in the YHA and at 9.30 pm we started The Weekend Knockout. We were exactly 32 players; surely this boded well for an easy running weekend. Rounds 1 and 2 were played leaving us a round ahead of schedule but that's always a handy thing at a BGLIL due to the busy schedule. We also had 2 Tric Trac Tournos and 2 Jackpots on the Friday evening. I lay down to sleep at an early 4.00 am.  Alarm clocks sounded at 06.45 for some of the Crew. A quick breakfast and we went out to jump into our pre-booked cab. The cab driver had arrived early and, seeing us still eating breakfast, left 1 minute before his booking time. No replacement cab was available so cursing and loaded with bags galore we made our way to the tube. A black cab came past and was hailed down. Schedule still on track.  We had just 2 hours to rig The King's Stores for a full day of backgammon. But with the rapid work of about 6 people we got it all set up by 9.00 o'clock. All that is except the master laptop. It was running slow, really slow. Upon investigation I discovered a new program had been installed on it and was the cause of the problem. However it took a staggering 2 hours to remove it. So another laptop was borrowed and put in place. However the replacement laptop didn't have the printer program on it so I couldn't give the bar list of 70 drinks that were due to be standing on the bar at 11.30. While this was all going on Adam Tansley gave his "Pipped at he Post" seminar in the peace and tranquillity of upstairs. About 30 players attended and came downstairs at just after 10.30 all geed up and ready to play their best. Sean Williams ran the Auction at 11.00 o'clock and, bang on time, at 11.30 the draw happened. 5 registered players were missing and we had 5 reserve players in-situ. Reserves were promoted to players and the late players would be slotted in where they could be if they turned up. I make no apology for running tournaments on time. In fact I consider it my duty. To not do so would be rude to those that do turn up on time. If I were to hold up the start of a 64 player tournament for just one player who is 5 minutes late this would not be starting 5 minutes late. 63 players would have been kept waiting 5 minutes each so that's 63 x 5 minutes = over 5 hours late. What was late were the 70 drinks. However our host Farhad came over to me and told me he was going to go round all the players and ask what they would like to drink. "Go for it" I replied. He did. Just 20 minutes later he came back over to me with my coke and calmly said "Everybody now has their drink Mike." I love good caterers. Meanwhile 3 of our late players arrived. Rather than have them standing about doing nothing they were offered seats in the Plate 1 Tournament. Considering that I didn't want to exclude them from the action and I really didn't have the time to run a separate event for them I considered a fair proposal. They all took up on it and Plate 1 got off to a slightly earlier start than I had expected - excellent especially considering that we had a boat to catch at 3.45 pm. With just 5 point matches being played in the Main it wasn't too long before results started coming in. Round 2 started in good time and Plate 1 filled up nice a quickly. Farhad was going the rounds offering drinks and finger food meals. Dice were heard to be rolling in every corner of the pub, downstairs and upstairs too and, best of all, nobody came to me and said there wasn't a table to play upon; The King's Stores was large enough. If 5 point matches don't take long then it follows that 3 point matches, as being played in Plate 1, take even less time. So shortly I had reports coming in from both brackets. As soon as Plate 1 was filled I moved onto Plate 2 (also 3 point matches.) With the impending coach to get to the boat looming ever closer I was very much aware that we needed to keep this part of the day very much on schedule so I was pleased to see the Singles moving along so well. Well, that as in general; there was in truth a couple of matches progressing at snail's pace. And low and behold it was the usual suspects. Well, not all of them. A certain well respected player from the West Countrie who has been called (to his face) "The slowest player in Christendom" was not amongst them. However a young Lady from London was. Another tip for other Tournament Directors: Don't organise a boat trip half way though your largest tournament. It's a really silly idea. But the players like it. So you do it. Where's that while coat of mine? In other years I've had a fleet of mini-cabs take the 80 or so people 500 yards down a straight road to the pier. After the boat trip they would walk back. This year I had 80 or so people to get over 1 mile from a pub on the edge of a cordoned off area of London to a different pier and I really couldn't expect them to find their way back though the tiny streets of the old City of London. So I hired a 35 seater coach. Budget for boat trip - way outta the window. Boat Trip still on course. Yes. Finding a vacant pier just before a big event such as the Lord Mayor's Fireworks Display (that happens on the river) is like finding a needle in a haystack. However the boat company managed to secure a 15 minute berth at, the pier of my choice, St Katherine's Pier. Boat Trip still on course. Yes. By 2.00 pm Plate 3 was full now it was a question of getting all Singles brackets played up until the Semi-Finals before most players left on the coach. At 2.30 I went out to Bishopsgate and called the coach driver. He was at Old Street roundabout and had 15 minutes to do the last mile or so. I bought the first wave of passengers out onto Bishopsgate so he could load easily. But he took longer than I expected. His started 5-10 minutes passed and there was no while coach on Bishopsgate. I called him again. He was "Oh arre, just going along Bethnal Green Road I think it was and down Commercial St I think it is - they're busy these street of London ain't they". Those of you who know this part of London will now be holding their heads on their hands; at least I was. To those of you who don't know or don't wish to know this part of town but do know backgammon terminology let's just say that this was a blunder. It took Ted ten further minutes to find his way round. Ted, nice country sort of chap, watched from his seat as 35 passengers (I'm sure Ted thought they were sheep) were on board then he turned round to his bails of hay and asked "Does anybody know the way to where we are going?" This was it I thought. This is when the weekend falls apart. Last night in the YHA was a good one, everybody has been great about the different venues, the Saturday Seminar happened and was good, the auction happened fine, the draw was cool, play in the Singles is looking pretty good, the service in the Pub has been fantastic but now, right now, happening at no other time than right now, I've got 35 passengers who are going to go on a not so magical mystery tour of London that is going to go nowhere near the river let along St K's Pier and a further 35 passengers who ain't even going to get that. Part of the ethos of a BGLIL is that players do things as well. If you see something that needs doing for the greater good; do it. We're all in this together and everybody has a part to play. Irving was hovering over the front seat of the coach. Irv might live in Manchester but, as he's often keen to point out, just in case it's not overly obvious, he's a cockney boy. From the East End. Of London. This, in his people's speak is, "his manor." They are quite rightly proud folk are Cockneys. I turned to Irv and said "Ive, St Katherine's Pier by St Katherine's Dock on St's Katherine's Way E1, start of The Highway E1 at the junction of East London side of Tower Bridge." I'm sure Irv relied "right guv."  Off they went. My hand went in my pocket where my fingers crossed. I stayed in touch with the "progress" of the coach via Richard. They made it to the Pier but, given how long that had taken them and considering that Ted had now amply proved that he had no idea of this part of town, I really didn't have faith that Ted would return in time to pick up his second load of whatever he though he was carrying and get them to the pier. So I made what some call an executive decision. I called it a "let's keep this show on the road" decision. A black cab came down Bishopsgate. I hailed it and put 5 of our passengers in it and a £20 note. Then another. And another. By 3.15 I had only myself to talk to on Bishopsgate. I wandered slowly back to The King's Stores. Slowly enough to see Ted pull up on Bishopsgate at 3.30. Good job I'd used cabs.    Irving was also our On Board Tournament Director. 25 small backgammon boards were laid out on the tables, the computerised draw was done with the help of Sean and players sat down to play 1 point matches. Those that lost re-entered the next tournament available. The bar was open and all was well as players cruised up river past the sights of London. By 4.45 the backgammon boat was berthed at Temple Pier - the best seat in the house from which to view the Fireworks Display. And splendid they were too this year I'm told. The 12 winners of the On Board Tournaments were due 3 Champ 'o' Champs points each and a glass of bubbly from the Captain of the boat. However since then I've seen photos taken on the boat and at least 30 glasses of bubbly being poured. I'm not sure what "went wrong" with this and I might just fail to investigate it! Meanwhile back at The King's Stores more tournaments were going on for those who didn't go on the boat trip. Given the lower number of players matches tended to be longer than 1 point shootouts. As 6.00 pm neared the larger boards were moved upstairs where the Singles Knockout could complete without others milling around. I knew that everybody, boat trippers especially, would be hungry so all the downstairs tables were cleared of boards and laid for meals. As players returned the bar staff offered them a drink and asked which meal they would like. Farhad and his team placed in front of sitting clients 70 excellent meals in less than an hour and I was hearing nothing but praise about the establishment. At 7.00 pm it was presents time. In previous years this has been run by Michelle but she couldn't be with us this year so Zoe took on the role. Seeing as BGLILs are as much backgammon parties as backgammon tournaments players are asked to bring along a present for another player. This year there was an added incentive of 3 Champ 'o' Champs points per giver. 49 people bought present. It would have been a nice round 50 but one present got broken before the draw and the bringer of the present withdrew. The draw happened via computer and was put up on the big screen. It won't exaggerate and say it was like a stampede of elephants but I suddenly found a huge crowd around my T.D. desk where the presents were.  Next up for the delight and entertainment of the masses was The Doubles Tournament. 27 teams this year which is 7 up on last year which in itself was a record. Before the start of it I went round the pub checking if tables were in any state of readiness for doubles matches - I really shouldn't have bothered - Farhad had already made sure of that.  Meanwhile The Singles Knockout completed. Tony O'Halloran continued his winning ways and picked up Plate 3 and 5 Champ 'o' Champ points, Crispin Duke won Plate 2 + 10 C'o'C points, Stuart Mann (aka the slowest player in Christendom) won Plate 1 + 10 C'o'C points and it was a very pleased Mr Nicky "Noodles" Check who walked away with the Singles Main Trophy and 18 Champ 'o' Champs points.  I like to take a moment during any gig I organise to let my eyes wander around the venue and look at all the people doing what they want to be doing. It's why I go to all the trouble of doing what I do. It need only be a fleeting moment but it's my way of enjoying myself. As I did so I was reminded of something that I really wanted to do. Every year we have the Annie Prize. 7 years ago BGLILs were inspired by 3 people going to an internet players party in Stockholm which was the invention of Bedstefar. Annie is Bedstefar's wife. Annie doesn't always come to London (Bedstefar always does) but always sends a glass plate that she makes specially. They're not only beautiful but are more so because they are made with love. As such they really do represent the sentiment of these events being meetings of those who love one thing and have come along to get along well together with people of similar persuasion. The Annie Prize is traditionally given to the Player or Crew Member that has done the most towards the successful running of the weekend. This year there was no question in my mind as to who the recipient should be. When I had no venue a man had stood forward and offered his premises. He had stood on the side while I checked out rival establishments. He stayed in touch with me. I told him I was still looking though I peaked back at his pub for a second look. That time I met Jita the Assistant Manager who remembered me from 2005 and asked eagerly if we were using the King's Stores this year. But still I tramped the streets of London going into far more pubs that a man of my age should still looking at other venues and thus having to have a drink in everyone of them. Farhad called me to remind me we needed to get a late licence in place if I was to use his venue. When yet again I popped into The King's Stores the barmaid was wonderfully helpful. But still I tramped the streets and ra,ra,ra. Then things were sorted with the normal venue so Farhad was informed that his services were no actually required. He took it on the chin with good grace. 2 days after that things had gone really pear shaped with the normal venue and I went straight over to Farhad with my tail between my legs. If he saw it he never mentioned it and we sat down and went though the details of the day. 1 hour later we were done. The service, drinks and food have been excellent. Ladies and Gentlemen, never been given to a non-player before, the Winner of the Annie Prize 2007 is Farhad Farjad on behalf of all at The King's Stores, 14 Widegate Street, off Bishopsgate, London E1. Thank you. Back in the Doubles some players were now knocked out and thus Jackpots had started. But, this year, no Tric Trac Tournos on Saturday evening. Where was Michelle? We became a jovial crowd of backgammoners, some nipping outside for a fag, some ripping inside with the booze, cries of joy and jolly banter around. There was some other cries and other banter but we won't go into those here. Upstairs in the more sedate backgammon parlour there were bottles of champagne bottom up in buckets and downstairs came flowing a young lady with the aid of the banister. One half of the Doubles was taking an age but the other remaining half were busy doing other things so there were no worries there. Also going round the house were the Saturday Quizzes. Hay, it's all action at these gigs. Sean was the Quiz Master and he also has intentions of writing a book of the weekend so he was doing the rounds.   But ever onwards with the Tournaments we went and at a modest 12.30 the Doubles Final (admittedly shortened to a 1 pointer) was played and Two'up overthrew Number 10. Jackpots were played out and trophies awarded. At 1.00 o'clock we had the quickest clear out from a big backgammon day I've ever seen and shortly after we moved by what ever means possible back to homes or the YHA.  "Hello weekend home" I said as I re-entered the YHA. The bar was already looking full, the ice-box of beer was out and backgammon boards were open. Here we go again. Jackpot time now. I've no idea what time I went to bed, I'd no idea who had won but I fell asleep as my head hit the pillow. I'm getting too old for this! Another 06.45 am alarm call, another quick breakfast and another cab company to get the early Crew to Doggett's Coat and Badge Bar on Blackfriar's Bridge. Another quick set up, no computer problems this morning and we managed to plug into a large plasma screen in our upstairs backgammon room.  Free tea and coffee was served in the public bar to early arrivals before they made their way up to the main backgammon room where Chris Bray was to his seminar "The 10 Commandments of Backgammon." Chris is probably the best published British writer on backgammon. He's been doing a column in the Independent on Saturdays for the last 13 years and this year his 4th book "Backgammon to Win" was published by New Holland Publishers. Chris spends hours upon hours checking his material so that when he put pen to paper you can take it as gospel. His publishers had very generously donated 40 copies of "Backgammon to Win" which would be handed out to the first 40 people though the door to his seminar. I was expecting about 30 but (another tip to other T.Ds) if you announce a worthwhile freebie please expect more. Suffice to say every book is now in the hands of those that attended and most are signed. The seminar was, as always, excellent and the slide show of it can be seen here. Then we were into Sunday registrations. This was always going to be a manic little period; we had a 32 player League / Knockout Tournament, an 8 player Team Tournament, Jackpots and Tric Trac Tournos. In previous years we had had about 40 players on the Sunday but this year we had about 64. Some players that had registered for the League swapped to the Team and others took their place, others arrived for Sunday play only and didn't know the form, pools money was taken and the raffle was being offered. However by 11.15 I thought I was all straight with everybody slotted into a tournament. Richard did the League Auction and we got the League started downstairs and the now 2 Team Tournaments started upstairs. Next to kick in would be the Jackpots and Tric Trac Tounos. But I'd made 1 error; I'd missed out one player. I kicked myself. By the time I'd realised my error it was too late place the player where by rights he should have been playing and the best I could do was to offer him a Jackpot seat. This I'm sorry to say was not what he was looking for and he left. I could take the attitude that I'd lost just one player in over 100 though mis-management but for me it was one too many.    The League / Knockout was a new format being played this year. Players were grouped in 4s to play round robins. Match scores were recorded in case of equal points gained. The top two players from each round robin went into a Main Knockout and the lower two players went into the Consolation Knockout. It's a neat little format worked I thought very well indeed. It certainly worked for Chris Bray who won both his round robin and the Main. Meanwhile upstairs the two Team Tournaments were played. There's very little for the T.D. to do in this format and a rather tired Richard handled proceeding upstairs. Sean Williams had bought along his fan club and they played a a team against Sue's Sweeties while DailyGammoners took on Gorton, Bennett + 1. Jackpots kicked in but there was a distinct lack of Tric Trac Tourno play this year. Where was Michelle? Come 4.00 o'clock most play was finished. Now we had a scramble to find all the prizes; the medals were missing. They were found later when an "empty box" was investigated. They'll be handed out at the next available opportunity. The Weekend Knockout was still in need of being played out. The Weekend Knockout T.D. had not showed up on the Sunday (last seen heading for Liverpool St Station at 1.00 am Sunday) so it fell to me sort this little problem out. However this is the one and only tournament I play in at BGLILs and I had a vested interest in the match because I was a finalist. So the Committee was called in to make the decision. I knew that the outcome of the match would have a big bearing on the Champ 'o' Champs table. Also what with all the extra tournaments played due to the higher than expected number of players I needed to double and triple check the Champ 'o' Champs table before a winner could be announced. The Committee decided that the announcement of the Champ 'o' Champs should be delayed and the Weekend Knockout played out. It was Sean Williams who won the Weekend Knockout and, in due course, this was just enough to give him the title of Champ 'o' Champs 2007.  At 4.00 pm it was time for The Gang Tournament. The most fun play of the weekend. 19 players split at random into 2 teams, first names out of the hat are captains and a 3 point match is played. Winning team is split at random again until only one player has never been on a losing team. As an end of weekend finale it's great. Social backgammon with a fun twist and everybody having to reason why their play should be played. The first round takes about 1 and a half hours!  Doggett's Coat and Badge proved to be a very popular venue. It overlooks the river and is pretty central in London making it easy for players to get to and leave. The two floors worked well and the terrace was good for smokers. The food was a little disappointing and the promised table service wasn't there. But by this stage of the weekend people were cruising and just enjoying themselves to worry too much about what was slightly lacking. Again the massive clearout at the end of the evening went quickly and smoothly. Cabs were hailed and the remainder of us went back to the YHA. For some sleep? Don't be silly - we played another 2 Jackpots and a Tric Trac Tourno too. Summary: It was a small miracle that this event happened this year. At one stage I seriously considered cancelling it but The Crew rallied round and came up with suggestions and got the show back on the road. My eternal gratitude to them. My  gratitude also to our Sponsors BackgammonMasters. Their sponsorship is the difference between this event being possible and impossible to put on. Thanx also to our four venues; The YHA, The King's Stores, The Backgammon Boat and Doggett's Coat and Badge all of whom did a wonderful job. Thanx also the the behind the scenes people who did their bit to make it all go so well.  However the largest thanx must go to the players and others who came along. This event is laid on for you and long may it continue. But we're not quite done yet. Sean is now busy collating all the writings he is collecting from players and "Live in London - The Book!" should be published in a month or so. Backgammon in Camden is getting about 40-50 players turning up every month and it's time to broaden the horizons of evening backgammon in London. Give me a month to set it all up and you'll not be short of somewhere to play on a more regular basis.   Backgammon - The Ten Commandments by Chris Bray