Backgammon's Biggest Baloney Beliefs
Like most other games, backgammon is full of myths and misconceptions. These myths are so widespread it will be difficult for one to find a player who does not harbor a single backgammon myth.
Maybe it is because of the large numbers of backgammon players or the luck aspect of the game or the differing playing styles of each and every player that these myths continue to proliferate.
Whatever the reason may be, it is certain that one should avoid these baloney beliefs as they will prove to be detrimental to one's level of play.
Luck dominates the game.
Obviously there's luck in backgammon as one can see with the two dice used in the game but the problem with this myth is that it deems all of backgammon as a game of luck, which is totally untrue.
Luck may play a part in backgammon but skill is still the ultimate deciding factor in every match. In backgammon, think of luck as a bonus. It's good to have but it is not necessary for survival. But do not let this tip keep you from praying for some good luck to come your way - like having an opponent who believes in it!
There are many ways to victory.
A widespread one, this myth is. And you can't blame the players who cling to this myth as it is really a seductive one to believe in. However one must shrug off this misconception as there is almost always only one best path to winning in backgammon.
Statistics show that there will always be only one superior strategy in virtually all matches. Besides, having the free wheeling attitude of believing in numerous ways towards victory makes one indolent in finding and formulating a surefire strategy for winning.
You know better now than to believe in the belief that there are several plays one can follow to achieve victory.
Playing and practicing a lot leads to becoming an expert player.
This myth has some grains of truth in it but it is misleading nonetheless. Yes, practicing and playing a lot are really important ingredients in the making of an expert player but in no way will they be enough to produce expert players by themselves.
Studying backgammon strategies through books and articles are as important as actual playing as advanced tactics and strategies are difficult, if not impossible to pick up and learn when relying only through playing relentlessly.
Some of these myths are really hard to abandon because as mentioned above, it is easy to succumb to them as most of them seem intuitive in nature. Nevertheless, these false beliefs should be discarded as they serve as impediments for one's potential in backgammon.