NWLVBC

MORECLUB NEWS FLASH

March 8th meet-up was a big success for the NWLVBC. Most players so far at 7. And, the auctioning for the bye's, in this case 1 bye available, was also a success. The auction for bye's offered an ability to re-enter the tournament, increase the prize pool, and create a perfect bracket without compromising the importance and advantage of a win...Cool and special shout out to that Nordic backgammon club who mentioned it. 

Congrats to Director Dan for taking this one down with agreeable dice. Also congrats to Mike Shewmaker who took 2nd place with style and grace. Special shout-out to the Chaffin's from Utah who help make the NWLVC a success and gave everyone a great game. One more shout out to Dennis M. for bringing his books and backgammon knowledge to the club making a more rewarding experience for everyone!  Next meet up is April 19th and let's increase the numbers, support the club, and support the great establishment.  More location info at:

http://www.towncenterlounge.com/town-center-lounge-ii/

Next meet is July 12th, 2020. Encouraged to bring your board, dice, and cubes. We are lucky enough to find a great location in a lounge with food and drinks...and no upfront requirements except a purchase of a food/drink from each player to support the establishment that is supporting us. Let's take advantage of this opportunity and have a  great new backgammon club in the Northwest, the NWLVBC. Happy Rolling!

***NWLVBC  CHANGES FOR THE YEAR 2020***

The Northwest Backgammon Club is already forming it's own identity and standard with a new buy-in structure for the upcoming New Year. In honor of being the year 2020, we now have the 20/20 buy-in structure...that is, $20 entry into the tournament, and an optional $20 side pool that is awarded to the player advancing furthest in the tournament...but that's not all!

We have also adopted an idea from a backgammon club back east...the optional Magic pool! This will be another optional $10 pool that is a random reward given after tournament registration has ended. The qualification is... must register for tournament and, of course,  register for the $10 magic pool. Everyone from the novice to world class has an equal chance to win this pool who enters, and it's been shown to help retain players and attract new ones. So why not? So...Have fun, come play backgammon with us, and check the website for the latest and greatest.

****Special Golden Cube promo for April 19th and May 24th meet-up*** One golden doubling cube will be presented to the winners of the April 19th and May 24th meet-up. They are approximately a $17 value. Not very big, not much gold in them, but they look cool and creategreat bragging rights to those who win one.

**NWLVBC Player of the year Coin** 

There is now a one of a kind coin that will be presented, along with a certificate, for the Northwest Las Vegas Backgammon Club player of the year. That will be the player who is #1 in the point standings by cashing in our monthly tournaments and who is in good standing. Just another reason to play at the NWLVBC! 

Club rules for Tournaments and Chouettes

General Rules:
1. There will always be a tournament with 4 or more entrees during official NWLVBC meet-up's,  and players are asked to prioritize the tourney when there is one. 
2. Club points will be awarded to cash finishers. All club director decisions are final. Club director may ask one as a substitute or 2nd official as needs dictate.
4. All players from beginner to world class are expected to follow the golden rule (treat others as they would like to be treated). Be courteous, practice good sportsmanship, and be ambassadors of the game. Here is an excerpt from Phil Simborg, expert Backgammon player on Etiquette: https://bkgm.com/articles/Simborg/SportsmanlikeConduct/

Tournament Rules for the NWBGC:
1.  Registration starts at 12 noon. Tournament starts 12:30 pm. Late entries allowed till 1 p.m.
2. There will be a main bracket and a loss bracket. The main bracket will consist of 7 point matches. The loss bracket will consist of 5 point matches.
3. The current entry fee is $20. If 4 entries, cash prize is $60 to 1st, $20 to 2nd. If 5 or more entries, cash prize is 50% 1st, 30% 2nd, 20% 3rd.

3A. Buy-back/Auctioning the Bye's. If there are bye's or open slots available in the tournament, players with a 1st round loss are eligible to auction or buy back in the main bracket. Minimum price is $20, and all money goes into the prize pool. Buy-back/Auction will be open to 1st round losers, except if we have a perfect bracket, i.e., 4,8, or 16 players exactly. Players active in the tournament are active in the side pool.
4. The tournament will abide by the USBGF rules unless otherwise noted. Further information can be referenced here:

http://usbgf.org/docs/rules.pdf

5. In the event of disputes or errors, the tournament director may make decisions that are in the interest of fairness, and may depart from the standard rules of the USBGF from time to time. All director decisions are final.
6. There is no time structure. However, players are expected to play at a reasonable rate of speed. If a match is played unreasonably slow, the director may institute a clock if a situation warrants one. NWLVBC recognizes legal rules of play, not responsible rules. If a mistake is spotted, whether benefiting the other player or not, they are required to correct the illegal play.
7. Players are allowed one break during a match not to exceed 5 minutes. Any player exceeding this time limit the opposing player shall notify the director and time penalties will be put into place. Typically, 1 point penalty per 5 minutes over...and after 15 minutes over, disqualification. *Emergency situations will be given a case by case review.
8. Players must use cups or baffle box to role dice, and must give the dice a 'vigorous' shake. Dice must land 'flat' or 'vertically' and not 'cocked' or crooked on the correct side of the board of the player. Any dice that is cocked or not rolled correctly must be re-rolled. Dice falling on checkers that are flat or vertical is considered a valid roll in NWLVBGC events.
9. The tournament shall consist of a cash entry. Currently $20 plus an optional $20 side pool plus an optional $10 Magic pool. The side pool is optional for players who want increased action. Side pool money will go to the person that goes the furthest in the tournament. Side pool entrants are allowed to "chop" or "deal making" the side pool money as situation dictates and participants agree. For example, final match are two side pool entrants and they decide to play for the tournament payouts, but split up the side pool 50/50. They are allowed to do this. Tournament payouts are not allowed to be chopped.

9B. The optional $10 Magic pool shall be a random drawing of Magic Pool participants in the tournament after the Late Registration period has ended. The winner of the drawing shall receive 100% of whatever the total amount of the Magic Pool will be. 

10. Crawford rule in effect for the tournaments (if either play is one point away from winning the match, that game and that game only the doubling cube is taken out of play).

11. Tournament club points will be awarded to cash finishes as follows: Payouts for 1st and 2nd place  only: 2 points for 1st, 1 point for 2nd. Payouts for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes: 3 points for 1st, 2 points for 2nd, 1 point for 3rd. Club points used for status, end of year prizes, and so forth.

General Chouette rules for the NWBGC:
1. Playing chouette only and not the tournament is not encouraged during official NWBGC meet-up's.  Chouette only meet-up's can be arranged but during designated meet times of the NWBGC, tournaments take priority...then the Chouettes.
2. No consultations allowed until the cubes are acted upon. Captain always has the final say and the decider.  Box must double at least half the cubes and take at least half the cubes. Jacoby rule is in effect (no gammons nor backgammons without the cube being doubled) for Chouette play. Beavers (redoubling the double) are allowed. Raccoons (redoubling the redouble) and Aardvarks (redoubling the redoubling of the redouble) are not allowed.
3. Chouettes at the NWLVBC are $1-$3 a point. Cubes may not start greater than one unless there is a player agreement. No Auto-doubles unless there is a player agreement. 
4. The box may drop all the cubes, or accept all the cubes. If the box decides to take some and drop some, the box must take half or more of the cubes. For example, box is playing against 4 cubes. They all double, box wants to risk playing on but doesn't want to take all the cubes. Box must take at least 2 cubes. Against 5 cubes, must take at least 3. This rule eliminates singling certain people out or unnecessarily prolonging the game with people not in the action.
5. Nobody is forced to take the box. Anyone can pass the box and it will drop to the next person in line to take the box.
6. If the box beats the captain, box remains in the box. If the Captain beats the box, the Captain becomes the box. If the box takes a players cube but not the captain, captain wins against the box and the player sits down as co-captain and completes the game. Once finished, captain may become the box. If there are 6 or more players in the Chouette, the box may elect to have a partner. No consultation rule still in effect until the cubes are acted upon.
7. In the beginning of the chouette, players roll two dice and the total will determine who is first in box, captain, and additional players. Players than rotate accordingly. If box loses, drops to bottom of list and captain takes box, and players move up one position. Anyone can pass the box if they choose. Players joining in the middle or during Chouettes may enter if room allows and expected to start at the bottom of the ladder up to the box.
8. A player may pay out or cash out at any time during a Chouette after he/she is out of an existing game in progress. However, it is considered courtesy to give a time or X amount of games if one is ahead in the Chouette and not suddenly leave, say, after a big win. If one is behind, this courtesy is not expected. If not sure, use best judgment.
9. Proxies may be used if a player has to step out for whatever reason. (A proxy is somebody a player puts in charge of their cube if they have to step away and can make cubing decisions on their behalf while absent). Chouettes are fun. So have fun.
10. For more specific rules of Chouette, refer to ABA rules of Chouette with the reminder that each club has variatons to said rules:
https://bkgm.com/variants/Chouette-ABA.html

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