What is a tournament?

This might appear a strange question. It is damned obvious what it is. A group of people attempting to best each other to claim over all victory or at least a best in faction position. But is it?

As the vaccine rollout progresses and the prospect of the world being able to open up safely. It is time to once again look to these events and go to do battle with our friends.

But to explain my title, it has often been said that the Tour de France is not a bike race. It is not, the most famous bike race in the world is not a bike race.

What is it then? It is an advert for cycling (and the thousands of companies that provide sponsorship of course) It is an advert for France and any other countries that they ride through. It brings people to the towns to sample the small shops and give them a years supply of customers in a day. It is also a race.

So onto tournaments, (at last) I like both of you reading this have been to many events. It is always a joy to experience, you are in a room with people you do not know and yet you all have at least one thing in common. The hobby brings people who would not normally meet together and we are all equal to the dice that we roll (or cards we flip)

Often these tournaments are held at a trade show, this is more common for historical games, or at a big convention. Here in addition to the tournament there is also the trade stands were small businesses come to offer us their product.

There is also the spectator, who walks around wondering what to buy with their hard earned cash. looking at the games they see going on in order to help their decision. The may wonder over to a table and see the game being played out, marvelling at the loverly painted models we slave day and night to produce and look just loverly on the perfect table.

So, what is a tournament? It also is an advert. It puts forward the hobbies that you and I love and shows any passes by or those following on social media how good it can be. we make new friends and see old ones too. we use this to grow our hobby because with more people there is more opportunity.

There is nothing more satisfying than a hard fought game on a beautiful board with fantastic models. either as a player or as a spectator. let us share that with others.