Backgammon (the greek way)
One of the oldest board games, related to plenty of free time and carefreeness. When we talk about backgammon in my mind instantly, almost as a reflex pops up “summer and frappe” -such a cliche right? A thrilling game that can make you loose your temper in the first set.
Let the game begin-The Paradox.
You both start happy and excited with your coffees and cigarettes-even though I've quit smoking I miss it in such occasions-next to you, teasing each other for what will follow.
But this lovely atmosphere doesn’t last long as soon enough, things get serious, smiles and teasing give their place to raw anger and the one wants to pop the other’s eyes off with the checkers. This is when cursing, swearing and offensive words join the game.
The blame game.
The dice and your luck are the first ones to blame. This “F dice doesn’t like me”, “my F luck doesn’t cooperate at all”, “this is not my F day” and so on… The winner and the whiner hate each other. The winner hates the whiner for whining and the whiner hates the winner for winning.
The tension.
The checkers start hitting the board with force, almost in a smashing way. The coffee has already made its wonders to your nervous system-as if the tension you already had was not enough. So you really struggle to focus on counting and thinking while spitting the dice, acting like a psycho.
The audience.
Most of the times audience is not missing. Friends or strangers that want to push your limits further more are sitting next to you. They comment, they laugh and enjoy the party along with the winner. But the whiner is not much entertained. He wants silence in order to concentrate and get la revanche. The audience may also need to play a calming role.
The overtime.
There is always some extension for more sets. The looser doesn’t want to admit his loss so he is asking for more sets in order to have a chance to turn the game. One summer, many years ago, I set the limit to 100 wins in order to end the game. We have been playing for 5 days! (Pathetic I know).
After all, I’m not sure if you’re playing to win or just for the “fun” of it. The one thing I know for sure is that backgammon is highly addictive!
gia auto 9ero mono asodio :P opote to mono p akouo einai eite gamo thn tixh mou eite gamo thn tixh sou :P
χαχαχ και ξεμπέρδεψες! :P