Backgammon is a fun and exciting game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. It’s also one of the oldest board games in history, with records showing it has been played since ancient times. Unfortunately, there are many myths surrounding backgammon that have been passed down through generations which can hold you back from enjoying the game to its fullest potential.
From misconceptions about a strategy to false beliefs about luck, this article will show you why believing these myths can hold you back so that you can play more confidently and effectively.
Just playing makes you an excellent player
Experience is critical for improving your game, but becoming a top-tier player in Backgammon requires more than just playing a lot. Studying the game outside of the board is essential to reach a great level of play. Backgammon books and articles contain valuable information that cannot be learned by just playing.
To become a great player, you need to have a deep understanding of match equity tables, take points, probabilities, strategies, and more.
Believing in this myth will cause you to neglect other theoretical aspects of the game and prevent you from reaching your full Backgammon player potential.
Not learning from Backgammon programs
A lot of players believe that computer programs such as Snowie, Jellyfish, and GnuBG are not infallible. These programs may consistently make mistakes in certain types of positions, and there are even positions where they will make mistakes during lengthy rollouts. However, overall, these programs are highly accurate and tend to make better plays than most players in the world, except for a select few. So, believing that you can’t learn something from these programs will be a mistake for most players.
Backgammon is an only-luck equation
One of the most common myths about backgammon is that it’s just a game of luck. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While luck certainly plays a role in backgammon, skill is also required for success. Players need to understand basic backgammon strategies, such as opening moves and cube handling, as well as more advanced concepts, such as endgame play and doubling cube decisions.
The proof of that is the fact that the world champions are always succeeding in tournaments. The best players create their own luck by making good decisions with probability in mind. Always plan ahead and understand the little steps you can take in order to improve your position on the board.
There are few equally good plays
This might be the biggest myth that holding you from being the best player you can be.
In most situations, there are multiple correct moves to choose from, but usually, there is one move that is preferable. If you approach the game with the thought that there are several equally good options, and it doesn’t really matter which one you choose, then you have not fully understood the game – which is related to the first myth in our list. In reality, there is usually a move that is several percentage points better than the others. While a bad decision on a single play may not seem significant, if repeated multiple times throughout the game, it can accumulate in a big loss. It is important to recognize that what may appear to be two very similar strategies can actually have vastly different outcomes in terms of your chances of winning or losing.
Dice aren’t random in online Backgammon
Many people believe that the dice rolls online are staged. They claim that the computer rolls the wrong number at key moments or rolls too many doubles. However, this belief was proven wrong. When playing online, the dice are completely random, and no program can intentionally roll a number that would harm you the most. Several studies have been conducted to confirm the randomness of online dice, and they all support this fact.
Believing in this myth will set you in a victim mindset which is not healthy for a Backgammon player or any other kind of player.
Conclusion
In conclusion, believing in these myths can be damaging to your game and confidence. Learning the truth behind them is an important step for improving your Backgammon skills. As with any game, understanding the principles of probability and strategy will help you make better decisions when playing Backgammon and increase your chances of success. Even if luck plays a role, the skill level of a player can still make a difference in their wins and losses. So, don’t limit your success by believing these myths – you can become a great Backgammon player if you know how to use luck and skill together!
Having an open mind and seeking out new strategies is essential for success in this game. Study the game, practice your skills, and have fun! That’s how you move forward in this game. Good luck!
