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Curious question: What is the difference between backgammon players?

Posted By: Chris Bray
Date: Thursday, 4 August 2011, at 2:28 p.m.

In Response To: Curious question: What is the difference between backgammon players? (Stick)

Two more books to read if you want to understand the fundamental elements of success. Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers: The Story of Success" and Matthew Syed's "Bounce" which is specifically sports orientated.

Gladwell's theories are that success is combined of three elements: IQ (not necessarily that high), emotional intelligence (the ability to cope with the world and others) plus serendipity (right place, right time). One of his basic tenets is that nobody gets to the top without putting in 10,000 hours of practice/study/play so have you done your 10,000 hours? Does effective use of XG shorten that time?

As well as Stick's input which largely covers the technical elements, to be a successful open player you also need a few other things, always assuming you have mastered the technical bits. There are lots of good analysts who aren't great players:

Calm temperament - if you react badly to misfortune you will never become a strong player. Bob Hamman, probably the best bridge player in the world, puts it like this: "the only important hand is the next one". Paraphrase that for backgammon and it helps considerably.

Concentration - no good playing well for 3 hours if you blow it in the fourth.

Tempo - nearly everyone speeds up as they play so maintaining an even tempo is critical. The first game of the first World Cup Fianl between Sylvester and Glazer took 21 minutes - needless to say it got quicker after that! With modern play managing your clock time becomes the critical element.

Physical Fitness - this is tied in to concentration but the physically fitter you are the more likely you are to be successful. Backgammon is mentally and therefore physically draining. Pass on the alcohol and get some sleep!

Self-confidence. Most successful players exude an air of confidence because they believe they can win. But take care to remember the motto of Millfield School: "Self-Confidence without Arrogance."

Chris

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