Backgammon

[weirwizard]

Does anyone play this?
Glancing through the paper the other day I read an article on how backgammon might be hitting the online scene as poker sites wish to diversify. A quick google shows up this is a game of skill and luck, I remember now, I  was taught by my dad as kid on a rainy day, the rules have lost me now.
The article went onto explain how it is very big in the Mediterranean (Greece I think) and how games can run into the hundreds. (Think I saw this on that challange gambler program).
If I was to learn how to play, apart from a tolerant opponent obviously, would it take very long for me to able to tackle a high roller?

Please discuss......

[Graham C]

I've only ever played once and I cant remember, but I have heard that some of the top poker pros play blackgammon too.

[Nem]

Dan Harrington was one of the best Backgammon players in the world, and then he found Poker.

[Wardonkey]

I have no doubt that fish can be found at backgammon at all levels just as in poker. However it is probably more skilful than poker. Many top backgammon players have switched to poker because they have found it easier to make big money, I don't know of anyone who has switched the other way.

The main difference is that backgammon is a game where the information available to the player is complete (like chess) therefore players with a higher skill level and more knowledge will prevail more often. A lesser skilled player will win sometimes but not as often as poker.

Backgammon is a great game but the money is in poker.

[Robert HM]

It was Paul McGrill, erstwhile backgammon champ, who knocked Helmuth out of the WSOP $10k, last year.

[byronkincaid]

isn't there a problem with bots in online backgammon?

[Robert HM]

not into it enough to comment about that but it would be a perfect enviroment for them

[Nem]

isn't there a problem with bots in online backgammon?

The current batch of bots (Snowie etc) are better than 90-95% of online Backgammon players.

[AndrewT]

Yes, my understanding is that bots effectively killed off online backgammon for money.

[AceofWands]

If you are a good player you can pick up easy money with it on the sidelines of poker touneys (which is the reason I'm learning it -- HeHe). There are plenty of poker players fancy themselves as BG masters. The luck is a lot less volotile than poker and if you are the significantly better player you are almost guaranteed a winning session. Just avoid playing anyone you think is better than you are 

It's never going to be a big money game online for the reasons mentioned though.

[Highstack]

Perhaps my views on BG are like all those non poker players who insist that poker is a game of luck and you can only win with the cards blah blah.

However, on the couple of occasions I have played it against some people who consider themselves reasonable, I have been victorious. Perhaps I was lucky and of course I can see that there are tactical moves and positions to attain, but I see luck of the dice as a huge overriding factor here. I can see the parallels between the thinking in chess and poker, but I do not understand the BG/poker comparison.

Surely once two players of reasonable intelligence with a basic understanding of the game and tactical knowhow sit down, the fundamentals remain the same and only the dice determine the winner?

No doubt I will be shot down for this post as certain players do show consistent results, but I just don't get how.

[Wardonkey]

Surely once two players of reasonable intelligence with a basic understanding of the game and tactical knowhow sit down, the fundamentals remain the same and only the dice determine the winner?
 

This is only true if you play a very short game. Just as if you have a single heads up poker match with short blinds, luck will rule in the short-term. The longer you play the larger the advantage to the skilled player.

Backgammon is an extremely mathematical game at the highest levels. Knowledge of odds and correct use of the doubling cube to complement use of complex tactics and stategies are crucial in making money at the game.

[12barblues]

Gus Hansen was (maybe still is?) one of the best backgammon players in the world. Then he switched to poker as there is a lot more money available.

[ifm]

They had backgammon tournies at the Broadway when it first opened, maybe Dik could enlighten us, was it the same people winning or going close all the time?

[weirwizard]

forgot about poker players playing backgammon. Dan harrington and Bill robertie should also be considered in any list of backgammon (or chess for that matter).   . Obviously there is a hell of alot more money in poker than chess or backgammon put together, but surely it is viable to play online. Is there no way to stop these "bots"?