My name is Ian Hedges and I have Asperger’s Syndrome also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. I know first-hand how it feels to have every door to society closed in your face because this world is geared for “Normal People” and people like me are left marginalised. Life for an “Aspie” in the 80’s and 90’s was absolutely horrendous. The suicide rate amongst autistic people is significantly higher than those who are neuro-typical and if you were unlucky enough to attend school in the 90’s and you had autism, you would really know why.
My life has been a struggle, for years and years I felt that I didn’t have a place in the world and that I had to go everywhere apologising for my condition and explaining myself to everyone I would meet. The only time I would ever feel perfectly at peace with myself was when I was playing Backgammon. All the struggles of the world would fade away for an hour and the only thing I had to worry about were pieces on a board. Such a simple life, but even I didn’t realise the therapeutic powers of backgammon until I, quite by accident, stumbled across the Bristol club.
After years of thrashing my dad, I made my UKBGF debut against Ian Tarr and it was only then that I realised how deep the game runs and how much I had to learn. I finished 2nd in that match but was determined to get to the bottom of things and develop into a good player.
The fact that Backgammon is a game with a small factor of luck means that it is frustrating. The cube aspect however is not luck and requires concentration, a cool head under pressure and the ability to put aside previous frustrations and disappointments in order to make a decision which could well be the difference between victory and defeat.
But dealing with frustration for someone with ASD is notoriously difficult, and in those early days at Bristol my ability to deal with my condition was very poor both on and off the board. Personally I often had arguments with my family and other people I would come into contact with and wouldn’t know how to avoid confrontation until I was right in the thick of it. When It came to backgammon, if I was trailing in a match I would cube recklessly and in anger, I would drop in fear of what might happen and I would be so affected by what was happening in the moment that I wouldn’t stop to consider the bigger picture about where I was in the match and what I needed to do in order to win.
As I have grown more experienced within the game, I have learned that you need to disconnect your emotions and think in a cold and calculating way. Consider the long game and forget what has gone before. What I didn’t realise until recently was that as my abilities with the cube grew and as my ability to control my emotions on the board became greater my abilities to control my emotions off the board also started to develop. In fact, my life has drastically improved as a result of playing backgammon at club Bristol and that made me think…
If backgammon can have such a positive impact on me, then surely it could similarly impact other people on the spectrum? In which case, should we not be trying to find a way to encourage all people on the spectrum into the game? After all, whilst Backgammon may be therapeutic to the person with autism, they themselves often possess the skills to become extremely talented players if only their talents were not ignored as is so often the case with this neurological condition.
But here lies the number 1 problem!!!
Autistic people almost always suffer from social anxiety as well as having a complete lack of curiosity, preferring instead to stay within their own comfort zones. The reason for this is because considerations for their condition and things that might adversely affect them are, generally speaking, ignored. But what if the UKBGF decided to change all of that, where would they start?
Whilst there is within the Backgammon community, an understanding of common decency, the ability to enforce rules of etiquette doesn’t appear to be in place and as such I have (Very occasionally) been sworn at during matches and intimidated by opponents without any tangible ruling to call upon for help. For someone with autism this can be a frightening thing to have happen to them and would certainly break their concentration and give an unfair advantage to their opponent. What if the UKBGF introduced some etiquette standards that could be enforced? For example:-
- At the start of the match, salutations should be offered with a hand shake.
- When the match is finished closing courtesies should be observed by saying “thank you for the match” or something similar and offering a shake of hands.
- When you double, place the cube gently in the centre, and say double. If you take, put it on your side and say “take”. If you drop, be sure to put the cube in its proper place and say “drop” or “pass” clearly.
- Any contact with or motion with a hand towards the doubling cube constitutes a binding act of cube offering and must be either accepted or dropped. It could be considered cheating if you reach for the cube in order to see if the opponent reaches for the score sheet or reached to take the cube.
- Always shake your dice at least three times and roll them out, and if you do shake them at all, you are committed to rolling the dice and not using the cube.
- Do not shake while your opponent is playing or thinking about a play as this could be considered to be a type of gamesmanship, instead be quiet and still while your opponent is thinking or playing.
- Do not roll until your opponent has clearly picked up his dice. Rolling too soon or just as they are picking up his dice, can only create conflict as to whether or not the roll counted, or whether or not the player had truly finished thinking about their play. And quick rolling unfairly rushes the opponent into playing.
- An opponent should never point out their opponent’s luck, or lucky rolls, either during or after a match. Whether they mean to or not, pointing out an opponent’s luck suggests that they are winning or have won due to that luck and not due to their skill. In any event, this has the potential to cause ill will and unpleasantness.
- Do not engage in conversations with spectators or people at the next table. Don’t talk or handle your mobile phone, listen to headphones, or anything else but give your full, polite attention to the match, If you wish to stop and copy a board position for later analysis, ask your opponent if they mind first. Do it quickly and don’t do it too often.
- No player should direct profanity at their opponent, cursing their luck is one thing but becoming confrontational or overly aggressive is unacceptable.
- If a player feels that his opponent is failing to uphold these rules they should point this out or ask for a neutral observer to oversee the game. If the infringements continue to a sufficient degree then the director should be informed in order to make a decision as to how the match should continue. The director should have the power to issue a disqualification in extreme cases.
Introducing something like this would really help people like me and certainly help to avoid stressful situations, but the problem isn’t just how people act, often it can be the very environment in which club nights are held.
People who are affected by autism often have light sensitivity issues and loud swirling noises can leave them feeling disorientated and dizzy. I recognise that this is a problem for me so I always find a place to play where the light is slightly lower and the noise is not so much of a factor but when I was in Manchester to play in the UK Clubs Championships, it was virtually impossible to sit anywhere where I could concentrate. The location was a large casino, not dissimilar in size to the casino in Bristol where I play and I understood that going to a major event would mean hundreds of people all talking at the same time, however there was huge spaces given to very bright flashing lights. I struggled in this situation, sometimes it was possible to sit in such a way where I wasn’t affected by these, and other times not, but is it really necessary to have them on during the event? Had someone asked for them to be turned off, would this have been a problem? If the UKBGF had assessed the location, is this something that they would have been able to fix in advance of the occasion? Casinos often represent a good place to play due to their large playing areas, but does that mean that we have to accept the area we’re given or can we ask for reasonable adjustments to be made in order to help us appeal to a wider audience? It seems like an easy fix for me and this really isn’t about assigning blame. It is a fact that the needs of people with my condition are systematically ignored, not because someone hates people with autism, but because it is not properly understood by most people. We therefore have a huge opportunity to change the world that we live in if we would only show the courage and desire to do so.
But the problems aren’t just how people act or even the environment that we play in, sometimes it can be as simple as feeling socially anxious and not being able to break into the cliques that exist within club life.
I often take a family member or my wife to events because it’s quite a stressful experience for me to walk into a big room where there are huddles of people all talking between themselves even if I do know many people in the room. Those who are affected by autism would very often be put off by this or feel anxious in these situations. Once the matches start, the problems stop but then between matches it becomes a problem all over again. What if the UKBGF appointed someone in each of it’s clubs to arrive early and actively talk to people as they come in. For new or shy members of a club, it would make a world of difference and having a warmer welcome would encourage people to return for events week after week.
A really good example of someone doing this with great effect would be Sean Jones at the Worcester club, he makes himself busy with checking in on players to make sure they’re ok and as someone with autism, I can tell you that this makes me feel far more comfortable with attending club matches there. Having 1 or 2 people with the specific job of making people feel comfortable within their surroundings would enable those who have autism to feel much happier in attending match nights more regularly.
But, remember the number 1 problem? Autistic people almost always suffer from social anxiety as well as having a complete lack of curiosity, preferring instead to stay within their own comfort zones.
What if the UKBGF made a commitment each year to try and change this?
Sunday 2nd April 2017 is National Autism Awareness Day, What if the UKBGF spoke with the National Autistic Society and then together they set up an annual charity event up and down the country?
We have over 40 registered clubs within the UKBGF, so why not get each club to organise an open day for the press, autistic people and their caregivers to come and learn the game in the morning and early afternoon, thus raising awareness of the condition and at the same time allowing autistic people the opportunity to become hooked on a game that may well help them to cope better in the future. In the evening, a charity tournament could take place with at least half of the proceeds going to the NAS. Not only could the UKBGF raise a large amount of money for a good cause, together we could also reduce the daily stress and anxiety caused to some of the 700,000 people living with Autism; I have seen the way my life has been changed and improved by playing backgammon. I have learned how to shrink my problems to pieces on a board, but also Backgammon has given me the life skills to deal with my problems after the dice have been packed away.
People with autistic spectrum disorder need to be directly engaged as they will often not engage in new things by themselves. They need to have a clear understanding of, not only the rules of the game, but the behavioural rules so that they can, with confidence, conform to a set standard. They also need these rules to protect themselves from hostile situations. When people get aggressive whilst playing them, they need to have a system in place that protects them. They need to be able to quote something to an official and feel that the rules are on their side when they are being intimidated, but also, they need to know what side of the board they shake into and how many times is an acceptable amount to shake the dice before throwing their dice.
More than this, people with autistic spectrum disorder need an environment that they will want to play in and continue to play in. Despite having social anxiety, people with autistic spectrum disorder are highly social characters that want to be engaged. By creating a system where they are engaged in conversation and encouraged to get involved in a social capacity within club events before and after matches have taken place, you will also be creating a system that allows people on the spectrum to feel like they genuinely matter.
It is for this reason I would love the UKBGF to consider adopting all of my suggestions as one, they can’t work individually.
If you encourage people with ASD into backgammon events, but don’t provide an environment where they can feel comfortable in playing then there is no point in encouraging them to join. If you have the environment where they can play, but the social networking at events is closed off to them or the actions of someone whilst playing a match made them feel insecure or worried, then they won’t continually return for more events. It’s only by providing the full package for consideration that you will be able to create and maintain the platform to encourage people with ASD into the world of backgammon and expect them to remain for the long term.
The truth is, people with autism are incredible and had diagnosis been available in the 1940’s, they would be credited with breaking the Enigma code. The UKBGF have the opportunity to really change lives in this case so the question is, shouldn’t we be getting as many of these people involved in the game as possible?
Ian is a member of the UKBGF Diversity and Disability Committee, who are working on a wide range of issues affecting backgammon players.
Bridge has a Best Behaviour at Bridge code. Backgammon should have the same, with breaches of it leading to a one-point penalty.
Thanks Ian for taking the time to write this very informative piece.
My daughter has Asperger’s , so I have some understanding of the condition. (I’m not sure I like the concept of a “true aspie”. Asperger’s is a spectrum condition, how far along the spectrum do you need to be to be “true”. But that’s not get bogged down on that. )
Without wishing to stereotype anyone, I can see how backgammon, could well appeal to people on the spectrum. So I fully support the aims of this blog.
As someone who loves the game, I want to make people, especially newcomers, feel welcome and comfortable, so they can develop a love for it to. So it’s good to be aware of some of the actions/behaviours that I could, unintentionally, be making, that is causing others to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. So I shall try to keep the points you’ve raised in mind when playing.
That said, I think there is a distinction between “etiquette” and “rules”.
Rules – are rules and should be obeyed, with penalties applied if they are not.
Etiquette – (from wikipedia) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.
I feel it is a bit too “big brotherly” to take a “code of behavior” and turn it into “rules”. And that if we were to do so, it could do more harm than good. I see so much scope for conflict. Was that a twitch, or were they reaching for the cube ? Was that the start of a shake ? (Personally, I often shake the cup as an aid to concentration, not least when I’m thinking about doubling, I”m not even aware I’m doing it half the time 🙂 )
So, as a community, that is generally open and welcoming, I think it is sufficient to have these ideas pointed out to us and for each of us to choose to adopt them. In time, they would become our “conventional norms” without the need to enshrine them in the rules.
all good points, and should apply to all players anyhow, just show good manners and respect as they do in Snooker where players admit their mistakes rather then Footballers who crowd around the ref if they don’t get the right decision, we should establish backgammon as one of the good sports to encourage more newbies along even if they are not at a high level as yet.
The contrast that you paint between Snooker and Soccer indeed could not be wider. One is a game played in a spirit of honour, whereas the other routinely brings little short of a criminal’s philosophy to the game. How I wish that I had always experienced the former in backgammon, and never the latter.
You use the word ‘should’ a couple of times, and therein lies the problem. What to do when the player does not do what they should, like, for example shake the dice, or release them reasonably simultaneously, or not roll them too early? It seems to me that the Rules should apply the same principle with all of these, and others. That is that, the player not at fault has the option of whether the roll or play stands. Of course, this is applied for example, in the case of many rules sets, with regard to premature rolls (though not the UKBGF ones).
In other words, if a player’s dice do not come out simultaneously, then it should not be they who query the validity of the roll, particularly when, after studying the position for several seconds, they realise that it is a bad roll. (This, sadly, I have experienced. And, when the dice later came out similarly non-simultaneously, this time they wanted to keep what was, quite obviously, a good roll.) Likewise, if they fail to shake the dice at all or, indeed, the players or a monitor agree that the shake/roll was not legal, only the innocent party should be able to annul that roll. This all means, of course, that the opponent must point out when they believe that a roll or play was not legal, even when they decide that it should still stand.
My experience is that the great majority of players are indeed fair minded, but the Rules should not allow those that do not always bring this approach to the game to be the ones who benefit from irregularities.
Very good post, thank you Ian. I have been so well supported by my BG friends and larger BG community since my strokes – they have no idea how much I owe them. Maybe we are lucky in London to have really good TD who are aware of their members and give a warm welcome to any new-comers and make sure that they are ‘mentored’ by someone. I like your idea of having a tournament next year on the Sunday. If I can do anything to make it happen I will do it.
I just want to say on that note that my TD, Mr Ian Tarr is awesome. He does listen to me and club bristol is set up in a brilliant way. With some imput Bristol and Britain can achieve much.
Thanks for a very detailed note on your condition and things that can exacerbate it
Absolutely essential that ukbgf is an information hub for making as many members aware of any disabilities that they should Be cognizent of . But also a need for individual players to let their opponents know when they have a problem
One I would focus on is the increasing tendency , more prevalent among some aspiring top players , to aggressively shake their shaker while their opponent is still playing their move . They should be encouraged to put their shaker down if they cannot control themselves .
Hmmm, where to start or finish on this one…
As a player who also has Asperger’s I have some sympathy with several of the points relating to noise and light in some venues and consider this when deciding which events to play in.
Many of the etiquette points are however, already covered within the current UKBGF rules but would agree the interpretation can vary. Perhaps some TDs could flesh out the rules with some examples where action has been taken to give all players and future TDs a better understanding of the rules and/or confidence to report?
Mandatory use of clocks and assigning tables/boards for matches would cover a lot of my issues…
With the greatest respect to those who have written the rules, they are worthless in many regards. I say this for a number of reasons and as a fellow aspie you’ll be able to see this.
Firstly, When i walk into club Bristol or club Worcester, these rules are not displayed or readily available. If you write the best rules in the world and then show nobody then these rules do not exist. I would be very surprised if 1/5th of the registered users here had even read them start to finish.
More than this, the rules of etiquette and all the other things within my suggestions are scattered into various places and are far too vague, a true aspie would never pick up on any of that and the detail would be lost.
We need a bullet point guide that is laminated and placed on the table at every club event right next to the score sheets for the evening. Its readily available and is there for reference use. There is a real value in having a 28 page list of every rule and regulation but the trouble is, if you wish to achieve an understanding of how to navigate an evening of backgammon, these rules just wont do. It must be simple and to the point.
Well as a ‘true’ Aspie (according to my doctors anyway) who sees reading the rules as an obligation before playing in a tournament, I think the rules are only devalued through inconsistencies between interpretation and implementation of the rules at ‘social’ events and competitive tournaments.
New players, whether on the spectrum or not, may benefit from knowing that there is consistency. If tournament directors (and players) take a proactive role in enforcing rules at all levels then the over the board issues should lessen and attention paid to the social gaps between or before matches.
If, as with chess, clocks are used at all levels issues of opponents shaking dice & fast rolling are eliminated for a start and if junior chess players can cope with clocks, grown backgammon payers should be able to adjust…
Perhaps players and TDs need to consider whether ‘social’ backgammon and playing without clocks at club events prepares any players for tournaments if rules are not consistently enforced?
First ever good comment about clocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think there are lots of players out there who are very happy playing social backgammon , taking their time chatting over a few glasses of wine , who maybe don’t want to play in tournament type conditions and constantly having picky rules chucked at them , or having to pander to clocks .
Surely whether or not players should be able to play in the manner you describe depends very much upon the context?
If it is an evening club tournament then it is all very well allowing players to take their time, but it could well impact upon the progress of the event and the chance of it being completed upon the night. Perhaps one of those who is affected is only an occasional attendee, who does not want to have to arrange to play a final next week. If it is a full day or weekend event then there are trophies to be handed out, and maybe trains or even planes to catch, or a long drive home. If it is a league match, however, then there is clearly much more of an argument for not using clocks, for example – particularly if neither player wants to!
Away from the tournament and league scene players are, of course, free to arrange ‘social backgammon’ – a private match or money session – without ‘picky’ rules and the need for clocks. But be aware that, in any remotely formal context – and that could certainly include a league match – playing very slowly, or using rules that are ambiguous or inconsistently followed or applied can result in an unwelcome experience for sufferers and non-sufferers of Asperger Syndrome alike.
Great post Ian, and frankly recommending guidelines that should be rooted into the game, not just to support people with ASD.
Also, if “trailing in a match I would cube recklessly and in anger, I would drop in fear of what might happen and I would be so affected by what was happening in the moment” is a possible symptom of ASD, then it might be that far more of us may appear on the spectrum than previously thought!
Thanks for taking the time, trouble, thought and effort in submitting the post.
I think having schools teach BG to kids would be a good step.
Perhaps if the UKBGF can demonstrate the game’s usefulness to ASD people then with cooperation of NAS we could lobby educators to include in their curriculum.
Ian, thankyou for a very comprehensive and challenging proposal. In terms of making events as welcoming and accessible as possible to everybody, sometimes it is just a matter of organisers and other players being aware of what might be a problem to some people and making sure they are prepared in advance. Good sportsmanship and consideration for opponents is an area where the UKBGF and club organisers can and should lead by example. I particularly like the idea of having nominated people whose role is to go above and beyond in welcoming people and making sure everyone is happy – it can be intimidating for a relative newcomer to speak up and say they feel uncomfortable with a particular opponent or some aspect of the venue, especially if no-one else seems to have a problem. Backgammon ought to be a game that anyone can enjoy and it’s our responsibility to make it so as far as we possibly can.