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BGonline.org Forums
Any ideas for bettering my study technique
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Any ideas for bettering my study technique (smcrtorchs)
Date: Tuesday, 21 August 2012, at 4:22 p.m.
I could write a book on this subject, as I now give lessons 3-6 hours every day, 7 days a week, and I am working on my own game to improve. I have read many books on how to improve your game, your mind, and your life, and how others have become great at other games such as chess, golf, etc.
There is little doubt in my mind that the answer is "deliberate practice" and that to become a true master in just about any area, you have to log 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. I think that number may be high for backgammon since we now have XG to speed the way, and some people like MCG and Stick got there a lot faster through deliberate practice.
Your question is really, "What is the best deliberate practice?"
No question that breaking down the game into bits and learning each bit thoroughly one at a time is a great approach, however, these bits are interactive and there must be a connection. Some of the best books and my own experience in learning and teaching suggest strongly that the details are best learned and understood when put into a bigger context.
So while one should learn every opening move and every take point and gammon value, and all the hitting odds and all the best bearing off plays, if you tackle each one without looking how they affect and are affected by other aspects of the game and isolate them, what you gain is knowledge only, but not skill. So my advice is while you tackle these issues, don't forget to play some backgammon and see how to apply them over the board. Don't forget to concentrate on "WHY" you are doing this instead of that, as it will apply to other situations at other points in the game.
I have 47 different lesson plans on 47 different, specific topics, but they all have to be put into the context of playing and winning the game for any of them to matter.
One more bit of advice...make sure you keep learning fun...make sure the process isn't "work" but is enjoyable and that you get satisfaction out of each step...when it becomes drudgery, move on to something else or look at it a different way.
Someone else mentioned that you should be reading, and I agree totally....not just books, there are great articles, quizzes, fantastic information from the various web sites (Gammon Village, Backgammon Galore and USBGF in particular). There are snipets of information and new plays and discussions on the USBGF facebook page. Terrific information here on BGOnline. And of course, if you can find a mentor or take lessons, it will cut years off the learning curve.
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