BG tourneys IRL
Kirk R.
I recently received some information via email regarding a backgammon
tournament and some of it was like reading a foreign language ;-).
I was hoping if someone could explain some of these terms to me and to
any other confused bg enthusiasts who might swing though here...
What is a....?
micro-blitz
no "cube" blitz
4-person knockout
side pool
Thanx folx. :-)
Kirk / Grignard
Daniel Murphy
>I recently received some information via email regarding a backgammon
>tournament and some of it was like reading a foreign language ;-).
>I was hoping if someone could explain some of these terms to me and to
>any other confused bg enthusiasts who might swing though here...
>
>What is a....?
In addition to the main events, typically called Championship, Open or
Main, Intermediate, and Beginner, the larger tournaments have a number
of side events to keep everyone busy and happy. The names of these
side events are often colorful but the terms Kirk aska about are
fairly clear :)
>micro-blitz
I'd expect a "blitz" tournament to have very short matches (as a side
event, usually 1- or 2-point matches) with no consolation bracket (one
loss and you're out). "micro-blitz" -- probably 1-point matches.
>no "cube" blitz
"No cube" -- the doubling cube is not used.
>4-person knockout
"knockout" -- a small event typically for 4, 8, or (rarely) 16
players, a relatively small entry fee, short matches, no consolation
bracket, and typically winner-take-all. Winners may or may not advance
to another level to play against other knockout winners.
An example is davide's Summer and Winter Blitz tournaments on FIBS.
Players are grouped in eight 8-player knockouts. Three rounds of
5-point matches determine a winner for each knockout. The eight
winners get a piece of the prize pool and then compete in a final
8-player knockout for the rest of it.
A knockout's big brother is often called a "jackpot" -- same format
but for 8, 16 or even 32 players, longer matches, and often very large
entry fees -- the bigger tournaments might have $500, $1000, $2000, or
even $5000 jackpot side events -- and typically paying prize money to
1st and 2nd only (sometimes 3rd/4th also).
__________________________________________________
Daniel Murphy http://www.cityraccoon.com
Backgammon on-line: http://www.fibs.com
In San Francisco: http://www.backgammon.org
In Denmark: http://www.cityraccoon.com/hbk.html
Daniel Murphy
>
>side pool
Side Pool: a prize fund made up of additional and optional entry fees,
kept separate from the main prize fund, and awarded 100% to the player
of those who enter the side pool who lasts the longest in the main
bracket.
Having a side pool lets a tournament keeps the regular entry fee lower
while giving those who want to pay more a chance to win more.
One monthly tournament, for example, has an $80 entry fee and two side
pools, one for $20 and one for $100. Everyone pays $80 and those fees
go to the main prize pool. Optionally, a player can enter either side
pool but not both. Of those who pay the extra $20, the player who gets
furthest in the main bracket wins the $20 side pool, and of those who
pay the extra $100, the player who gets furthest wins the $100 side
pool.
You don't have to win the tournament to win a side pool, just last
longer than the others. If you stand any chance of doing well in a
tournament, entering a side pool is usually financially wise since
nothing's deducted from side pools for tournament expenses (not to
mention how it might feel to be lucky enough to win a tournament and
have someone you beat walk off the side pool money).
_________________________________________
Daniel Murphy http://www.cityraccoon.com
_________________________________________
FIBS: http://www.fibs.com
Denmark: http://www.cityraccoon.com/hbk.html
San Francisco: http://www.backgammon.org