Backgammon Online

07-May-2025
20:06 PDT

I agree with KumaraKid in voting for Option 2.

Although most Americans like & admire a good comeback, on a world stage I think it would be more fair that a potential finalist should be at some "disadvantage" for a previous loss against another opponent who has not lost any games in the tournament.

07-May-2025
20:39 PDT

If one has the advantage at the start of the final game, then why even play a final?!? Just give him the cup  .
Equal start for both. They reached the final by different paths and only a direct fight (best of 3) is a fair ending.

08-May-2025
02:03 PDT

I think we can all take solace in the fact that if we pick one option and it doesn't work, we can move to change it.

I choose option B for several reasons:

1) It's a double knockout tournament. It takes two losses to get removed, and that should apply all the way to the end.

2) There should be a reward for finishing in the top bracket. For that tourney, the winner of the top bracket had to beat all the best playing players, all players who haven't lost. That player wins "home ice advantage". Now that's not a diss on any of you. After all these years, each one of you is a terror to play against. But for that tourney, the top bracket player got through by beating the 'best' players.

3) It's like a video game. You make it to the end of the level and have to beat the Boss. The Boss has way more hit points than you. If you're the bottom bracket winner, you have to beat the Boss. Not a fun way to go? Don't lose. Be the Boss.

4) I played in a double knockout tourney as a kid (baseball) We were in the bottom bracket and made it to the final. We had to beat the opponent twice to win the tournament. That's how they are done.

5) It's a double knockout tournament.

The defense rests.

08-May-2025
02:42 PDT

It seems more fair

08-May-2025
03:45 PDT

I agree with the double elimination arguments. If it goes to this point, make it a one game tie breaker. Both players will have lost once, so no more second chances. Just one quick game to decide the winner.

08-May-2025
06:40 PDT

Option B sudden-death, single game only  

08-May-2025
13:02 PDT

Somehow I think it will be a bit anticlimactic if one of the players in the final knows he can lose it and still be the champion. It would definitely affect the way the winner of the top bracket will play in the final and that would definitely put a weird twist on it.

I cant think of a sporting event where in the final one of the players is allowed to lose and still be a champion. I think it definitely looses something.

What we can do (if the cup is scored in a similar way as the league) is to have a bonus for a winner that never lost a match - extra few points or something like that.

08-May-2025
13:44 PDT

I could subscribe to that. Bottom bracket wins final match, so now each person has lost one match. One game "overtime game"

11-May-2025
06:56 PDT

Friends,

BBL-30 Registration is now open. Please use our usual website link to register for the new tournament (https://tinyurl.com/ze-bbl)

Looking forward to seeing you all back!

The group seeding and all games will begin on May 23 (note the earlier start to accommodate the schedule for the upcoming BBL Cup in June). More information about the Cup will be posted later on this forum, please make sure you follow the updates.

Please reserve your place in the BBL-30 tournament early!

Best,
Leoton

11-May-2025
14:20 PDT

I'm not playing this time with much expectation of blitz play, I'm also not leaving my forced turns on because I'm one of the fastest players and not going to blow-out my other games. So if this is unacceptable remove my name from the roster.