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I buy a book and begin to study strategy. I learn about “Blitz” and “Back Game”, and I’m right away fascinated. The idea to hit the opponent regardless of risk, just bet on the probability that he might miss and I rail him sounds promising and a few test games against my computer proves this actually works, and I’m suddenly a winner. But the Back Game idea, to fall back in the game so much that it seems totally hopeless to win the race and then come back from there, is truly amazing.
I signup at another free online backgammon server, but there something must be wrong as well, I have studied so much, I’m a master of strategy now, but I’m still losing all the time. How can all my opponents be so lucky to hit me when I try a “Blitz” while I never get a hit when I try a “Back Game”?
I get in touch with some other players and they tell me about their own experience, suspicions about manipulated dice and I’m right away convinced, that’s the only possible explanation. I’ve had this impression myself already, and if others think the same, that confirms my theory. If the dice are manipulated, then I have no chance to win, but the people on this server are nice, so I stay, after all the manipulations seem to have the same effect on everyone which makes it overall somewhat fair again.
I begin to play for competition, I signup for some leagues and ladders and I play hundreds of games every day, my luck is still the worst, but that’s only because of the manipulations, so I put the main purpose of playing into the chat with other players, I make lots of friends and I feel good, if only the server would provide fair dice, it would be perfect.
Some of the leagues I play in organize live tournaments, of course I join, not only to meet the people I’ve been chatting with, but I’ll get a chance to show my real skills, with real dice, on a real board, without manipulations, that will be my glorious victory, finally my chance to show the world what a master I am.
I am more than disappointed; I lose all live tournaments I play in first or second round, not the slightest bit of luck, I feel so embarrassed, my expected great show of skill turned into a complete disaster. But I make a lot of friends; they assure me no one thinks badly about me, anyone can run into bad luck, that doesn’t affect the friendship or reputation.
I got a plan; I will study backgammon until I’m so far superior over anyone else, until even bad luck cannot prevent me from winning anymore and then I will show the world who the real champion is.
Learning Backgammon articles series was written by Thomas Griffi (in online backgammon better known as Piranha)
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