First, I must express my enthusiasm for the fact that this new forum has been establihsed. Many of us on the forum have shown a sustained passion for 14.1, so to have our own private place to share that passion is great. In my case, that passion dates back to 1969, when I played my first game of 14.1 against my father.
There's little queston in my mind that serious pro and amateur players with great accomplishments, aspirations or both, will have a great experience here, but as I embark on this new journey, I'd like to share one of my hopes for this forum: Respect for Players of All Levels Including Those With Modest Playing Aspirations.
On several occasions, I've seen intermediate players post about game theory, wanting to know how to get a little more out of their games. Far too often, such requests meet with canned answers, such as "go take lessons", "read books", "study videos", along with plugs ad nauseum for the best instructors, instructional materials, books and videos. The truth is that many intermediate players can't or won't do any of these, but can still be given a few tidbits that can help. There is no rule that says an intermediate must aspire to the game's highest heights, and I'm of the opinion that players who want no more than to play just a little better are well worth helping out.
I'll surely participate in some serious threads, but I'd also like to be one of those that offers tidbits to the recreational player that wants to compete a little better on this forum. I will, of course, fail miserably if when I start threads of this nature, the threads are hijacked by serious and accomplished players who bemoan some of the time-tested approaches and tactics I will advocate.
Time for me to get off the soapbox and check out some of the other threads.
There's little queston in my mind that serious pro and amateur players with great accomplishments, aspirations or both, will have a great experience here, but as I embark on this new journey, I'd like to share one of my hopes for this forum: Respect for Players of All Levels Including Those With Modest Playing Aspirations.
On several occasions, I've seen intermediate players post about game theory, wanting to know how to get a little more out of their games. Far too often, such requests meet with canned answers, such as "go take lessons", "read books", "study videos", along with plugs ad nauseum for the best instructors, instructional materials, books and videos. The truth is that many intermediate players can't or won't do any of these, but can still be given a few tidbits that can help. There is no rule that says an intermediate must aspire to the game's highest heights, and I'm of the opinion that players who want no more than to play just a little better are well worth helping out.
I'll surely participate in some serious threads, but I'd also like to be one of those that offers tidbits to the recreational player that wants to compete a little better on this forum. I will, of course, fail miserably if when I start threads of this nature, the threads are hijacked by serious and accomplished players who bemoan some of the time-tested approaches and tactics I will advocate.
Time for me to get off the soapbox and check out some of the other threads.