I am myself a sophisticated opponent in BACKGAMMON (as I consider myself a sophisticated opponent of life in general), and I approached the twelfth game with an insouciance that anyone would have recognized as typical, typical not only of me but of backgammon genius understood in its most catholic sense.
Annissa and I were eleven games deep in a nine-point match. Unsurprisingly, I led 7-4. (The doubling die lay almost mossy in disuse: I lacked the necessity, and my opposite lacked the womanly courage, of offering that princely cube!) It was 2:00AM.
Her hands shook, perhaps with fear, perhaps as a result of her diligence to the rest-caffeine formula
As I watched this pitiable spectacle, I danced my intellect across the game's possibilities. Should I simply win? No. I decided to BACKGAMMON Annissa.
Having used the sinister hand as a mere scoop or claw (the so-called alien hand), she finally managed to hoist the die. We could begin the twelfth game. It was 2:25AM.
Annissa rolled a three. I rolled a four. Oh, how I regarded my move! The clock passed 3:00AM, then 4:00AM. My posture was perfect, as were my contemplations. At 4:45AM, I decided on 24/20, 13/10, and in sublime fulfillment of my aim, I proceeded to win a BACKGAMMON and to win the match.
I hope that this record helps you, the reader, improve your play,
Cordially,
Andrew Hampton
Annissa and I were eleven games deep in a nine-point match. Unsurprisingly, I led 7-4. (The doubling die lay almost mossy in disuse: I lacked the necessity, and my opposite lacked the womanly courage, of offering that princely cube!) It was 2:00AM.
Her hands shook, perhaps with fear, perhaps as a result of her diligence to the rest-caffeine formula
(hours of sleep)+(cups of coffee)=8,the augend equaling two, the addend therefore, most inexorably, six. Annissa grabbed for the die and missed. Enraged, she missed again. I was frustrated, as my own coordination is beyond reproach (for my part, the die already rested comfortably in my hand, because I had picked it up on my very first try). The only liquid that I accept during a match is heated water. The acceptable temperature range is 180 degrees to 185 degrees. I furnish my own thermometer, unwilling to be deceived in this matter by an adversary of base character, and I would not rank Annissa above this level. Now, I admit, I drink this water in prodigious quantity, and must frequently excuse myself from the game, but I strive to do so graciously.
As I watched this pitiable spectacle, I danced my intellect across the game's possibilities. Should I simply win? No. I decided to BACKGAMMON Annissa.
Having used the sinister hand as a mere scoop or claw (the so-called alien hand), she finally managed to hoist the die. We could begin the twelfth game. It was 2:25AM.
Annissa rolled a three. I rolled a four. Oh, how I regarded my move! The clock passed 3:00AM, then 4:00AM. My posture was perfect, as were my contemplations. At 4:45AM, I decided on 24/20, 13/10, and in sublime fulfillment of my aim, I proceeded to win a BACKGAMMON and to win the match.
I hope that this record helps you, the reader, improve your play,
Cordially,
Andrew Hampton
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