I am considering entering my first tournament. I've only played against family members and BGblitz here in Arkansas it's a backgammon wasteland with no players. I watch BG on YouTube and can't get XG because it's not compatible with my devices. My question is this. What are "side pools" that you register for?
1 Like
Side pools are optional and exactly what they sound like. It’s a pool of money on the side that can be won only by players who chose to enter the side pool. I could win any event but if I didn’t enter the side pool I can’t win THAT money. If you place higher (not necessarily a win) than the other side pool entrants, then you win the money in the side pool regardless of where you finish in the main event.
1 Like
Take the plunge! The St Louis tournament is coming up in a few weeks!
1 Like
Thanks guys. I've played for 25 years off and on. It's just hard to get players in Arkansas
Hi Grabow. DEFINITELY start going to whatever tournaments you can. I also have a basically non-existent local club, so the only way I'm going to get better is through tourneys. This past weekend in Minneapolis, I was talked into a side pool for the first time ever, and we cashed, which made the $$ better. Not that it's all (or even mainly) about money, but my $50 turned into something like $300, and that was kind of nifty. And holy cow, tournaments are fun. You meet nice people like Ian Terry, and David Klausa, and just this past week, Brett Hemes. 
1 Like