Winning and Losing

Backgammon is a competitive game. London clubs have a formal League, where we vie for a cup and statistical ratings, that tell players their relative strength. The numbers reveal that some clubs (nominally focused on cricket and automobiles) have far stronger squads, and we would need miraculous luck to rise from the middle of the table. Every few months, Hurlingham gathers for supper and fun, with informal tournaments, where we welcome members and their guests of all standards. Match play is more complex than the game played by bar or beach, with the doubling cube playing a key role. Here, experience pays off, identifying a bold double for a quick point, or justifying a brave take to fight a rearguard battle.

Our Spring Dinner was in front of a warm Dining Room fire, welcoming several experienced guests, and some new members, to try their skill. Congratulations to Marc Hochar (guest) and Tom Loup (member), both winning on their first appearance.

Our Summer Party on Friday 14 June will feature more tournaments, and the return of Corin Jenkins with a team from the Queen’s Club for a friendly match. Queen’s don’t play in our League, so are of unknown strength, as are their opponents, who will be selected on the night. We hope for fine weather, and Backgammon good dice.

NICHOLAS BOLES, CHAIR, BACKGAMMON

SNOOKER

Snooker SatNav

We conducted an exercise recently of inviting a snooker coach to the Club. We had five ‘students’ (which was probably the maximum feasible) and Brian Cox proceeded to impart his knowledge. He gave regular demonstrations, getting us to attempt to replicate his skill.

He also had amusing exercises placing balls on the table and following a sequence of shots. His advice was invaluable in developing timing, cue speed, point of impact and so on. It is extraordinary how something ostensibly so straightforward can be so subtle and be developed and practised to such an extent. He referred to our ‘SatNav’, which involved needing to plan the next shot and maintaining control of the white ball.

Brian gave us a copy of his qualification certificate and we have his contact details, so that if another group of players or individuals would like to follow suit, please email a member of the committee (Paul Cattermull: paul@duckfolly.co.uk or John Deere: wrimar_ltd@yahoo.co.uk) .

I am not sure that it will give anyone a competitive advantage in the knock-out tournament, but coaching definitely helps in an endeavour to gain maximum enjoyment through skill and break building.

One other initiative we have instigated is that the ‘Ladder’, which is in the Snooker Room, is to be given over to the Heathcote group, as it is not currently being used. Any interested Heathcote members please just write your contact details on one of the cards in the ladder.

We have had one outside match against Roehampton, and could repeat or spread the net more widely. We are currently concentrating on building up a body of players in the first instance, and hope to encourage a younger member to join us on the Snooker Committee.

We have 24 entrants for the Shannon Trophy this year and the draw has been distributed and posted on the Snooker Room noticeboard; games have already commenced.

PAUL CATTERMULL, CHAIR, SNOOKER