Report TTT164

We had an interesting mix of players for the TTT - some usual and experienced TTT suspects - John B, Paul Lamford (aka gandp), Mick Vackery, Suzy and Tony and Justin W. Joining us from the Fox Reformed Monday evening Tournaments we also had experienced doubling cube backgammon player Max, David (aka GtWtShark) joined us in his first Live TTT having played in 2 online TTTs and last but not least we had Nicola and Raphael in their first live backgammon play and tournament.

John B got an early seemingly impossible to challenge early lead by winning his first 5 matches, 2 by gammons 1 by backgammon. Ah, but this is TTT backgammon I pointed out to those defeatists - it's never over until the Fat Lady Sings (though I must admit I felt like a politician spewing out the party line).

I expected at least late starter Paul Lamford to rise to the challenge - he did, but there was a small matter that in his first 5 games he went down with loses (1 by a totally blitzed backgammon to Mick V). 

So eyes rested upon Mick V to provide a challenge to John B. Meanwhile Raphael and Nicola were learning loads about backgammon as their opponents pointed out better moves and helped them along but still took the points off them. Max was having a bad day as rolls just didn't go his way. David (aka GtWtShark a big man with a head of white hair - now his name makes sense) was doing ok but needed to fully understand the value of winning by gammons in TTTs - something that I'm sure he learnt this evening and will employ to his advantage in the future. Justin was to not be discounted either as his results came in. Nicola, Raphael and Paul were all in contention for a bag of marbles - bag of marbles to a player that looses all their matches.

After our Thai dinner (as good as ever) play recommenced and it was Mick V, Suzy, Justin and Paul who made their moves towards John B. It's no secret that little Suzy want a TTT trophy - other St Albans players Uldis, Richard Biddle and her partner Tony all have one and Suzy wants one too. She won 3 gammons to put herself in the frame. Meanwhile Paul kicked into gear as well - 1 gammon and 2 backgammons gave his 5 miniature bottles but as other results came in it became apparent that he had left himself just too much to do but he took consolation in the fact that he won more bottles than anybody else this evening.

Then came what to my mind turned out to be the crucial game of the evening. John B versus Raphael. John had Raphael in a gammonable position. Raphael is still learning the game and a good bit of his checker play needs to improve considerably. John, ever the Gent even though the opponent, helped to correct some of Raphael's checker play before Raphael had picked up his dice. The game swung Raphael's way and soon he was approx. 70% favourite to win. I'm sure John must have kicked himself privately but he never complained outwardly. As long as Raphael was learning John was happy. A rather bemused Raphael smiled as he discovered he had won the game. 

Now the score chart was consulted after every match played. Every result threw up new possibilities. If this happens that could be, but is that happens this could be. Yup, it's never over until the Fat Lady Sings. (I hate it when politicians are correct.)

Justin failed to boost his score leaving him in mid-range along with Tony, Max and David, Nicola was looking pretty good for a bag of marbles until she blew it by beating David and Mick V could force a final play-off with John if he won his last match with Suzy by a gammon and Suzy was yet to play Tony. 

Mick V and Suzy sat down both with full knowledge of what they needed to do. John in particular watched. It was Mick that won and won by a gammon. Potential Final Play-off situation if Suzy did not gammon Tony which was still to be played.  

Time was pressing on so John B and Mick V sat down to play the Final Play-off should it be needed if Suzy didn't gammon Tony. I didn't see the match (I was busy paying the dinner bill) but I was told that the rolls went Mick's way leaving Mick that vital half point clear of John B. Shortly after Suzy beat Tony by a straight win leaving Mick V with his third TTT win. Congrats.


Next Event:


Next Live TTT:
Wednesday 4th August Ryan's Bar 


It's Never over until the Fat Lady Sings
It is much debated as to where this expression originates from but the version I personally favour is that it comes from the Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) Opera DER RING DES NIBELUNGEN in which when Bruennhilde, sung by a plump singer, sings the Opera is over. 




  Tric Trac Tourno 164 
164 NAMES 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 Ls Ws Gs Bs COM AVE TOTAL
01 Suzy x W G G G L W LG L W 3 3 3 0 9 1.17 10.5
02 Tony L x W W W LB W W L L 4 5 0 0 9 0.78 7.0
03 Max LG L x L G L W L W W 5 3 1 0 9 0.83 7.5
04 GtWtShark LG L W x L W G L LG W 5 3 1 0 9 0.83 7.5
05 Nicola LG L LG W x L LG LG L LB 8 1 0 0 9 0.56 5.0
06 John B W B W L W x L G G W 2 4 2 1 9 1.33 12.0
07 Raphael L L L LG G W x L L LG 7 1 1 0 9 0.72 6.5
08 Mick V G L W W G LG W x W B 2 4 2 1 9 1.33 12.0
09 Justin W W W L G W LG W L x LB 4 4 1 0 9 0.89 8.0
10 gandp L W L L B L G LB B x 5 1 1 2 9 1.28 11.5
John B and Mick V go to a Final Play-off.

  Tric Trac Tourno 164 Final Play-off
164 NAMES 01 02 Ls Ws COM AVE TOTAL
01 Mick V x W 0 1 1 1.00 1.0
02 John B L x 1 0 1 0.50 0.5

 

 


WINNER OF TRIC TRAC TOURNO 164 

Mick V

CONGRATULATIONS 
you win the July 2004 
Tric Trac Tourno Trophy