OK, this question occurred to me but it’s even a bit too silly for IMHO I think (mods - please move as you see fit)
The question is, imagine your life depended on beating a pro at some sport or game. Assume you yourself are merely average at the activity.
What sport or game would you choose?
Would you rather take on Kasparov, where he gives you an extra queen (or several queens) to start with? Or step in the ring with Mike Tyson, where he has to have his right hand tied behind his back? (forgetting about the more painful consequences of losing to Tyson rather than Kasparov) How about playing golf against Tiger, where he’s only allowed to use a putter, even for “driving”?
You’ll do much better with a game of chance than one of skill. Put me in for a few games of poker or backgammon against the world champs. Skill will prevail in the long run, but over a short time period even a complete novice can easily whump a seasoned pro.
There’s a saying in motor racing, “on any given day, anyone can win”.
For me, it’d be roadrace bikes, but the principle would be the same for other vehicles.
I’d probably choose a type of racing where the vehicles are fairly similar to each other. One where handling, traction, etc. are the limiting factors rather than sheer horsepower, that is, where the machines have acceleration and top speed to spare. Unless I had a race car or bike that I was already doing pretty well with, and had confidence in, then I might stay with it and race in the appropriate class.
I’m figuring that lack of confidence and not wanting to go beyond your abilities and screw up, are partly what keeps a good amateur racer from being as fast as a pro. If I’m gonna die if I lose, then why not go all out balls to wall wide freakin’ open?
I’d rather die in a blaze of glory than be executed for losing a bet anyway.
Oh, the handicap? Give the pro a lousy set of tires.
Aside from motorized sports and games of chance, I’d have to say boxing, as there is a possible instant win (knockout) that I might luck out on. Even then I think it would be very unlikely, but it seems more plausible than any other sport I can think of.
No way you’ll see me take on a pro at backgammon when my life is on the line. The people who are good at backgammon are good at backgammon. I think of real sports (Olympic[sup]tm[/sup]-caliber) I would choose the distance ski jump. With a handicap (added distance, longer skis, hang-glider, etc) I have a feeling I’d be able to soar to victory.
I guess the problem is, how to measure the handicap, and how to compare handicaps between different sports.
If I’m allowed a baseball bat (or better, an Uzi), I’d take my chances against Mike Tyson. I think I’d win as long as he doesn’t even manage to get me once.
Give me a good rifle with peep-hole sights, a good bench rest, and a few practice rounds, and I feel confident i could at least come close to some of the pros of target shooting.
Justin, I doubt it, because if there’s one thing you have to be for target shooting, its calm (slow heartbeat, steady hands etc.). How calm can you be whwen your life is on the line? Even if it wasn’t, wouldn’t going up against the pro be distracting?
Now, practical shooting (combat/self defense style shooting competition) is a different story. After all, we’re supposed to be training to do this when our lives really are at stake! Give me a red dot sight and the pro open sights (not that a pro would really use sights much…hmmm). Maybe let me throw out (or do over) the one scenario I do worst at.
Actually if you give me my AK [sub](I have a nice one in .223)[/sub], and the pro his AR, chances are I’ll win when his gun jams! BWAHAHAHA!