Unless, like me, you absolutely, positively can't get enough of Yahtzee, it is possible that at times, when a league match comes around, you just might not be feeling it on that particular evening. This is perfectly natural. Everyone suffers from a bit of player's fatigue from time to time, especially at the BHO, we play whenever is possible and the calendar for 2025 is just as packed as 2024's, if not more, so it's to be expected. We are only human (well, most of us) and life can be hectic at times, so it makes the things we love hard to enjoy at time as we are just too preoccupied with with the grind of modern living. Not so much myself, I have the benefit of being able to be a bit single minded when it comes to my interests, and I have my wonderful wife to thank for that. She's a gem... most of the time. But those people are the temporarily game weary people I'm referring to, however, these are not the people I am referring to when I say "disinterested". Oh no no no, they are a different breed entirely. They are a certain kind of Yahtzee addict. They're like a smoker that insists they're going to quit next week, but next week comes and they're still puffing away. It's as if they want to stop but just can't bring themselves to do it. Let me explain.
It's usually pretty easy to spot a disinterested player, they tend to lollop to the table with all the grace of an out patient from a mental health facility, with a face that looks like it should come with a weather warning. The game will commence, the rest of the competitors are itching to play, drooling for their turn, watching the other players, taking mental notes, and when their turn comes, they roll the dice like they're too hot to hold, eager, positively aching for the monster scores. If they fall short, they're devastated, crushed, borderline suicidal, but if they manage to get said monster score they are are happier than a Catholic priest in church... alone with the altar boys. The disinterested player on the other hand, does not behave this way. Sometimes they don't behave in any way at all. But most of the time there are signs. Firstly, while waiting for their turn they tend to rest their peculiar, scatter-brained head on the table, hopelessly scrolling through TikTok, watching whatever shite is on that mind meltingly tedious app, waiting (or dreading) for their turn to come. When it does, they usually roll the dice like a masseuse that have given so many happy endings that they now have carpal tunnel syndrome. A limp lifeless motion that leaves even the dice unsatisfied. They also move like every single breath is a chore, as if suffocation might just be the easier option. They always seem to be on the brink of unconsciousness, moving like a sloth with narcolepsy, never entirely sure what planet they are inhabiting. All of this is detrimental to the disinterested player. Yahtzee, as with any game, requires engagement, focus and an active interest in the moment at hand and the moves you make. It can also be super beneficial to pay attention to how other players games are going, gauge their reactions, it can be invaluable as you can then make an educated guess as to how aggressive you need to be when it comes to your own game. The disinterested player totally misses out on all of this, so it's just them, the dice and entitled Americans lip syncing to shite pop songs on TikTok. But, while all of this may be detrimental to their game, it could be a benefit to yours.
Should you notice one or more disinterested players in your match, don't do anything silly like trying to get them to focus. That would be a very short sighted move indeed. These people made the choice to compete, and if they choose to perform like a lap dancer at a ballet, then let them. It can only be of benefit to you if your opponents aren't giving it 110%. Yes it may be slightly annoying to people who play for the sport (yes, sport!) having to sit opposite some ignorant git that would rather watch videos of cats falling off chairs than involve themselves in the match they signed up for, not to mention the constant reminders you have to administrate to get them to take their turn. It can get quite grating, let me tell you. The disinterested player is also the most likely to drag their heels when it comes time for business and getting a match going. I have mentioned many times how irritating I find that. It's enough to make me go full psychopath, as opposed to my regular old, twitchy weirdo who suppresses his rage like normal people.
Anyway, my point is, disinterested players are flipping irritating and it would be nice if everyone could treat Yahtzee with the respect it bloody deserves. However, they do seem to be here to stay, they are a fact of life, much like STD's, and, much like STD's, as we can't really do anything about them, so why not exploit the little tykes and use them to our advantage? It may even, in the long run, be beneficial to them also. No matter how distracted one is, it is human nature to want to win. So, how many times can one lose without getting that much needed kick up the arse so they ultimately sit up and pay attention and give it all they have? And really, anyone who truly cares about competing wants all their opponents to give it their all. Yes, you may benefit from a few ingoramuses, but ultimately you want to play amongst the best, not some slug with a social media addiction.
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