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Common Errors?

Posted By: Phil Simborg
Date: Monday, 5 October 2009, at 3:16 p.m.

In Response To: Common Errors? (Bill Riles)

I could fill several volumes of books with common errors. They start, of course, with common errors made on the first two rolls. They are the most common because, by definition, they come up most often.

When we talk about common errors, it is appropriate to separate the common errors made by beginners, intermediates, and experts. Since I spend many hours a week working with beginners and intermediates, I am not only aware of the most common errors, but I have a list of rules of thumb to help prevent them. As Bill points out, not only are rules of thumb wrong some of the time, but often you have two or more rules of thumb that conflict. That is why, on Stick's suggestion, I added a rule of thumb to my list of 35 Rules of thumb that says: "Every play is different."

Again, I could fill several books on this subject, but to be brief, here is my short list:

Beginners most common errors: afraid to take chances early in the game; playing too safe; hitting too much or hitting too little; not considering the race; forgetting to cube; dropping too often.

Intermediate most common errors: cube errors due to not knowing take points and price of gammons; not playing for the gammon enough; not playing pure, or "pretty" backgammon--too much staking and throwing checkers away; poor playing of doubles because they see a good play and don't look for a better play; not changing their checker plays based on score.

Experts most common errors: I am at a loss to make a list here. I know many expert players, and by definition they all play very well. I am sure all experts have some areas where they are weaker than other areas, and many may not even be aware of what those areas are. I believe because the player is an expert he is not likely to have to bad a tendency in any one area that goes for very long without being corrected, so I think it would be difficult to come up with a good list.

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