Finally made it to Novi after two years of something coming up. First off Carol really is a joy. She contacted me the day I registered..."Have we met? Do I know you?" and we had a lovely correspondence. I realized I was ready for Novi when I discovered Friesen couldn't remember how many shots hit a six away blot. Only kidding. Ben did an amazing and thankless job keeping the board updated and the tourny moving. And I didn't have to meet him in the field.
Best thing was meeting the single name backgammon superstars and watching them play...Kit, Neil, Victor, Demitriy. They were all friendly and approachable. But don't ask Kit any difficult questions before noon. On the other hand try to schedule any matches with him early in the day.
I haven't played a tournament in decades and was surprised I was as nervous as my first New England Open at age 18. I made notes for myself

Go slow

running count (would sometimes last 4 or 5 rolls)

be aggressive cube

Any of you who want copies of those notes I can send them to you.

I had lots of fun, won a few matches and got to snap up an 8cube from Phil Simborg. Carter may have kicked the chouette out of me and knocked me from the tournament, but computers be damned I'll still snicker when he makes his 2pt with an opening 64. The only improvement in the weekend would have been if I had been invited to Phil's chouette. I'm not joining the backgammon tour but will certainly play a few more of these.

This was fun and well written! I wish more players would write and share. Backgammon players are so interesting.


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