Chess Gambling?

[SheetWise]

If you don't play chess at tournament level, or don't consider yourself a contender -- I'd like to share a short story of how I learned to play, and how I taught my daughters. It will teach you a lot about handicapping.

When I left home (Chicago) with a friend, I met a couple of chess enthusiasts in Fresno, CA. They were so disappointed in our game that they decided to teach us. How that process ended up was with one person wearing headphones (the old gel kind), playing the music of their choice, while playing a game against the other three. We did this on a rotating basis -- where the three against one could openly discuss strategy. When you alone were the one under the phones, you were well aware that a single slip would end in mate. It was a fascinating and rapid way to learn the dynamics of the game. My two daughters were winning junior high and high school championships while in kindergarden and first grade by playing as teams (and with the help of chessmaster).

If you play with your friends in this type of asymetrical game -- you'll develop a nonscientific sense of their skill which is very similar to poker play. When you've played against them both as a team and alone -- you will know a lot about them.

When you reach that point -- friends can set their own odds with comfort.