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Curious question: What is the difference between backgammon players?

Posted By: David Rockwell
Date: Thursday, 4 August 2011, at 5:24 p.m.

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

There is a slogan which I love which emphasizes Stick's 1st point.

"Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong."

This concept creates an issue for those who would like to improve at backgammon, but have limited time to devote to the game. Mastering Stick's list of 100 things cannot be done overnight. When I play a match with an embarrassing number of blunders, I usually want to correct all of my misconceptioins. However, I do better when I pick one and learn that lesson very well rather than trying to plug all of the leaks at once. I concentrate on one thing until I can't get it wrong.

I would also recommend systematic study. This is entailed in Stick's deliberate practice concept. Systematic study means taking a day or a week or a month and trying to go deeply into one aspect of the game. (Don't stop practicing the rest of the game - The point is to emphasize one thing.) An example of this would be cube actions following an early 55 roll. Another example would be contact bearoffs facing an ace anchor. Systematic study works best for me if I aim a little beyond my current competance rather than shooting for the moon. Don't move on to something new until you can articulate what you have learned.

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