Learning

Forum Archive : Learning

 
Taking your game up a level

From:   Ron Karr
Address:   karr@best.com
Date:   8 August 1996
Subject:   Re: Advanced Backgammon - taking it up a level?
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   320AACAE.2C79@best.com

Hi Bob,

There are several ways to improve one's BG game.  I would break it down
into two basic categories:  study and play.  Both are essential.  Playing
gives you a sense of the flow of the game and the types of things that can
happen in certain situations, which are hard to capture in a book.
Studying is also crucial, because there are certain things you will never
pick up just by playing, e.g. tournament doubling strategy.

Most of the postings have mentioned some good books.  Magriel is probably
essential, to be sure you have most of the bases covered (with the
unfortunate exception of the doubling cube).  There's some good material on
the cube too (Kleinman's books, Woolsey's book on tournament strategy).
See the WWW Backgammon page for a good list of other books.  Also Inside
Backgammon, the magazine.

Playing on the net is good, since it's easy to find a game.  However, there
are certain aspects of live backgammon which can only be learned by
actually playing against humans... technical things like being forced to
count pips, and the psychological aspects of reading your opponent.

You should also watch good players.  You can do this on the net pretty
easily. Sometimes there's some good commentary on the moves.  It's
important to save games (others' or your own) and review them later.  Try
to figure out why certain moves were made.

Use Jellyfish.  A great tool.  I use it to help review my own games.  It
can be humbling but very educational.  Not that it's right in every
situation, but you can learn a lot by asking yourself "why did it like that
play?

If possible, take lessons from a good player or just  find people to ask
questions.  That's a good way to hone in on the areas you need to improve
in.


Ron
 
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