Beware when facing younger competition

Local columnist

link Betty Williamson

File this under “I should know better.”Three of my young friends received a board game for Christmas and couldn’t wait to bring it to my house, so they could decimate me in a match.

They confessed that the game was somewhat difficult to understand but assured me that reading the rules was a complete waste of time, and I would catch on within 30 minutes.

(I flashed back to a subzero day in Idaho when my friend convinced me that ski lessons were pointless, and the best plan was to take the lift to the top of the mountain and learn on the way down.)

My enthusiastic adversaries set up the board and divvied out tokens. This particular game (I’m not telling you the name, because I don’t want to spoil the fun) has about 500 cards — no two of which are the same — and at least a thousand rules that my two youngest opponents had somehow memorized during the week they had owned it.

The best moment came when I (operating in blind confusion) took an early lead. I heard my rivals whispering furiously among themselves, “What if she wins?”

Suffice it to say, I did not. I don’t know why.

They say it is even more fun the second time. I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, beware of opponents, who are 40 years younger than you. It can’t end well.

When Betty Williamson isn’t baffled, she can be fiercely competitive. You may reach her at:

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