It was a scorcher of a day - Clissold Park would probably have been packed even if the Stokefest had not been going on in it. 

With the help of Patricia, Julian and Danny, chairs and tables from The Rev. Roberts and delivered by Robbie of The Fox Reformed we had the TTT Tentquee up and everything set up by 12.00 o'clock. I wasn't sure if we would have Players or if people would just walk on by onto the next attraction. I sat down for a cold drink but never got the chance to finish it before the first Players arrived. 

It's long been my contention that the established backgammon world does not manage to be in touch with a huge number of players because it appears so elitist. I'm sure that there are thousands of people who sit at home and play backgammon. Rules might well vary, the main strategy is probably a racing game and the doubling cube is that thing that needs to be moved out of the way but probably shouldn't be thrown away because it has something to do with the set and they want to keep all the component parts because Auntie Gladdis gave the set as a birthday present and she'll check to see it is in good working order next time she comes around for dinner.

The idea was to open up backgammon to all 
by having a Backgammon Tentquee in the park for 
The Stokefest 2003. 

We had 4 things going on:
Casual play,
A backgammon workshop,
Tric Trac Tournos,
Knockout Tournaments.

CASUAL PLAY

There were enough boards around that people could come along, sit down and have a few games. Some played with the friends they came with and others met others over a game or two. Sometimes I was asked over to explain how the board should be set up and other times I found time to introduced myself - however that was rare due to how many people were around the Tentquee. But it looked to me as if those who came along for a game or two enjoyed what they were doing.

BACKGAMMON WORKSHOP

This was run by Miranda who was
there on hand to explain whatever 
needed to be explained. This varied 
from learning backgammon from  
scratch, to how to use the doubling
cube, to what the Crawford Rule is,  
to the various strategies of the game.



There is only so much that one can
learn in the short space of time that
we had available, but Miranda 
enabled players to learn enough
to set them on course and to play 
in the Tournaments that were running. 

In fact Chas had a lesson before he
played in the second Knockout 
and went on the get through to the 
Final ! 

Thank you Miranda. x

Free Backgammon Workshops happen at 5.00 p.m. on the  1st Wednesday of every month downstairs in Ryan's Bar, N16 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

TRIC TRAC TOURNOS

Fast, fun and frantic
Round Robin Backgammon Tournaments.

They're for Casual Backgammon Players
who do not play with the doubling cube.

You play every other player present 
in a 1 point match.

We ran 3 of these tournaments. 





You can view the results
by clicking on the below.


TTT107 went to a 
2 player Final Play-off. 
This was won by Bijan.


TTT108 was won by 
1st time TTT player Sharon
who, inspired by her win,
dashed home to feed her dog 
and returned to play in TTT109.


TTT109 was also won by Bijan 

who took away 

The Stokefest 2003 TTT Trophy 
and a signed copy of 
Starting out in Backgammon 
by Paul Lamford.

Live Tric Trac Tournos  happen at 7.30 p.m. on the  1st Wednesday of every month downstairs in Ryan's Bar, N16 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

 

Online Tric Trac Tournos  happen once per week CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

The Stokefest 2003 
Backgammon Knockout Tournaments

This was set up as a maximum 32 Player Tournament
3 pointer matches with Crawford rule throughout.
Entry was £1 and Players could re-enter if knocked out 
as many times as they like for another £1 coin. 
The Winner would walk away the 
Stokefest 2003 Knockout Trophy.

Even so I was nervous that we wouldn't get a full 32 Players. But at 12.00 o'clock, as soon as we had finished setting everything up, a chap came over and asked about it. I told him we would be starting the Knockout at 2.00 p.m. His hand went straight into his pocket and he presented me with his £1 coin. I'd expected to start registration just before we kicked off but he was so eager I took his coin and put his name in the trophy. No sooner had I done this, another Player did the very same. Maybe I'm just a pessimist ! By 2.00 p.m. we had 19 Players registered and all those present drew a name from the trophy, I filled in the chart from the top and called out the pairings. By chance we had an interesting mixture of regular Fox Players and other Players. The one draw that stood out was Robert versus Dave who had come along together and were evidently old backgammon friends. 

There were enough boards for all and matches started in earnest. Bijan was the first Player to re-enter and other Players joined as they arrived. Within 45 minutes the Tournament was full. I couldn't believe it ! 

We needed another Tournament. 

Before the event Paul Lamford had offered a copy of his Starting out in Backgammon as a prize for the last Tric Trac Tourno of the day, but he had actually come along with 2 copies. So we had a prize and by chance I had bought along a second Tournament chart.  

As Players were knocked out of the 1st Tournament so they came over, reported their loss and presented me with another coin to be entered into the 2nd Tournament. Paul had politely declined to enter the 1st Tournament but he too presented me with a coin to enter the 2nd. 

As more backgammon Players came to the Tentquee I asked if they knew how to use the Doubling Cube and the Crawford rule. If they didn't they were steered over to Miranda, given a quick lesson and then joined the Tournament.  

Meanwhile the 1st Tournament progressed at varying speeds. Players needed drinks on this (for England) near tropical day and some went off to find the beer tent promising to be back in 5 - 10 minutes. It took them 30 minutes due to the beer tent queue !  

The 2nd Tournament was full before the 1st Tournament finished. 

In the 1st Tournament Dave, David Naylor and Jo Curl won straight though to the Semi-Finals were they were joined by Robert who had lost to Dave and re-entered. Dave beat David N and Robert beat Jo to set up a Final between the two old friends. The Doubling Cube went to 4. I though Dave should have dropped the re-cube but a watching Mr Lamford later said it was a take and so it was for it was Dave that won. 


In the 2nd Tournament Paul Lamford won straight through to the Semi as did Vivianna and Alex (though they had played in the 1st) and Chas, who had had a lesson from Miranda also won straight through to the Semi. Paul and Chas then continued their streaks and won their Semis. It was no great surprise to me that it was Paul Lamford who won the match. But now we had an interesting prize giving - I had to present Paul with a copy of his own book !  


A Gentleman he is Paul - he had told me before the Final that either way Chas could have the book. But things must be done correctly and the Winner must receive the prize. After I'd presented to book to Paul he then presented it to Chas.   

Online Knockouts  happen once per month CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

SO WAS IT ALL WORTH IT ?

Yes. For those of yous that missed it - you missed an excellent day out in the Park. For those of you who were there - thank you for being there - I think and hope you all enjoyed yourselves. 

In all I think we had about 75 - 100 sit down to play backgammon. It was a great day for backgammon and should I hope ensure more Players around.  

Hope to see yous all, and others, again !

Your roll of the dice ! 

MikeMadMonk

Many thanx to all those who made the day possible.
Robbie of the Fox Reformed, Patricia, Julian and Danny for helping set up, Paul L for the donation of prizes and advice on how to run it, Rev. Roberts for the loan of chairs and tables, Miranda for running the workshop, Dan, Stef, Philippa, Will and Paul for helping to clear up, Ryan and Erik for the photos and to all the Players who made the day so successful.