Jay's View
REPORT ON PLAY FROM WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2026
Everyone I spoke to about their Memorial Day weekend said that they had a great weekend. Some were people that played in the Chicago Open with anywhere from great to so-so success. But all said it was a great tournament and had fun. Those that did not play in the tournament likely took the traditional path enjoyed the holiday getting together with friends and loved ones for barbecues and attending events recognizing the service afforded us by past members of the armed services. Holiday weekend are always a great time to get together but there can also be a let down when we have to head back to work or whatever our usual day-to-day looks like.
For me and another 17 players at the club it meant return to play at Trudie’s Winnetka Backgammon Club. I was happy to see that one of the people that cam to play was Alex Owen who I haven’t seen at our club for quite some time. I enjoy seeing Alex at our club because he is a very strong player and adds to the quality of play for the evening. In fact, Alex got to square off against the club’s two Davids— David Hanold and David Rockwell— strong players in their own right. He defeated David Hanold in the first match of the Main Bracket and then continued to his second match in the Main where he lost to David Rockwell.
The end result was that David Hanold made it to final match in the Consolation Bracket where he lost to yours truly (Thank you, crazy good dice!) and David Rockwell played his way to the final match in the Main Bracket against Albert Simonovich. But due to time constraints, the two players elected to split prize money and master points. The two David’s (is the plural “Davidi”?) earned master points that kept them in the top two spots in the standings with Mr. Rockwell remaining at the top. Albert’s points let him move up from sixth to fourth place and I crept up from ninth to seventh place. We now move on to play on the first Wednesday of June and I for one look forward to seeing everyone for another great turnout.
But before I sign off, a bit of housekeeping. Yes, I’m back up on my soapbox. As you may know, we frequently have to shorten matches from 7-points to 5-points at the start of the evening when we have more than 16 players on hand. It has been our experience that because of slow play and our accommodating players that walk in right at our scheduled start time of 6:45 (thus delaying the draw), we have to shorten all matches to five points in order to assure we finish play by our venue’s set end of play time of 11pm. That usually translates to not being able to play final matches to their designated point total or having to rule a split for the players in final matches. Here’s how we can all help to keep us on schedule and put us in a position to play matches to their fullest length and leave our venue on time.
PACE OF PLAY — I am asking everyone to make best efforts to play their matches at an expeditious yet reasonable pace. Th4e goal is to play at a pace that allows a 7 point match to be completed within 50 minutes and 5 point matches with 35 minutes. We acknowledge that some players are more deliberate in their pace of play but you are also responsible for being aware the need to finish within these recommended time frames.
ARRIVING TO PLAY ON TIME — We acknowledge that there are going to be times when you are delayed in getting to the club by our start time of 6:45 because of work or family obligations. But it is important that your general mindset is to arrive at the club on time or early in order to allow us time do the bracket draw and start play on time. Doing so will help us get the tournament started on time and thus keeping things on schedule. Unfortunately, anybody arriving to play once the draw has been completed runs the risk of not being able to play that night. It’s not our preference but it’s something we would have to do out of respect to the players that arrive on time.
That’s it for this week, my friends. Please let me know if you have any question or comments about the above. But until then, have a great weekend!
Jay