A Backgammon Story

 

When I asked my friend Uri what does backgammon mean to him, he said it's all about sitting in the balcony on a hot sunny day, eating a watermelon, smoking, perhaps, and getting all excited, though in a tranquil sort of way. "But that's when you play with a friend. "It surely isn't the same when you play backgammon on the computer ?" I asked. "But of course it is", Uri told me. "You can always take your laptop out to the porch!"

For another friend of mine, however, backgammon means something quite different. My friend Dana says backgammon is a rather sexy game, in fact, and can even be used as a form of foreplay. "It's a game that involves both luck and clever tactics, much like in love. Taking risks is always an option. You can play it safe, but that's not really interesting. 


Watching the moves and the basic strategy of your partner can tell you a lot about his intentions, even the ones that go beyond the game itself. I like daring my partners in a good backgammon game, taunting them just a bit." Dana smiles sweetly when she is reminded of the backgammon games she played on her vacations in Taba, and of other good memories.

As for myself, I remember quite clearly the first time I was taught how to play backgammon , although it was twenty years ago. I was ten years old, and went to visit a new friend I've made, Sharon. 
Sharon was a spirited girl, and just a bit naughty. She always got into trouble with the grown-ups. Although I was rather well behaved myself, I secretly admired her audacity. Sharon showed me to her room, and taught me how to play backgammon . She wasn't much of a teacher, though. I got all mixed up about the game rules , while she played both her part and mine. We were both surprised when I won.