The Backgammon Center!

Backgammon and Poker

In both games, poker and backgammon, the question "Is it a game of luck or skill?" is asked. In order to answer this question it's important to understand the term 'Luck'. Luck is the chance that something positive will happen against known odds. In other words, the more predictable knowledge you have, the less luck you will need.

It is known today that both, poker and backgammon are based on skills, The term Estimated Value (EV) is very popular among poker and backgammon players. The meaning of it is: 'Does the move have any negative or positive forecast?' If we use the term in a practical way in a poker or backgammon game, we will ask the question: 'Is this risk worth the compensation we can get in exchange?'

As long as the player will keep playing games, he will be able to analyze parameters and recognize situations, and with this information, will answer better the question. There are two more professional terms, suggested in 1936 by Raymond Cattell, which will help us getting a better understanding of this subject, Crystallized and Fluid Intelligence: Crystallized Intelligence is the ability to make the right decision according to similar situations that you've seen many times in the past, while making the right decision. Fluid Intelligence is the ability to make the right decision by thinking it through at the table. Originally (by Cattell), these definitions relate to poker, but we can relate them to backgammon as well. If you try to interpret these terms, you will find out that while playing poker, there are 2 types of intelligence needed in order to play the game. Fluid Intelligence is more common achieve around the age 40; therefore, if you are over 40, you can use your Crystallized Intelligence. How can you use it? You need to be very familiar with the rules of the game and get a lot of practice. This way you will be able to recognize a large number of situations and make the right decisions. In backgammon, Just like in poker, the more you play, the more you will improve your tactics and strategies, so your game will be more successful.

Not like many other games of luck like slot machine, Bingo, Roulette and Lotto, where knowledge does not help you, it will in poker and backgammon. Even though they are played for real money, poker and backgammon are games where you can acquire knowledge and improve your skills. How can you improve your skills? Well, in each game the tactics will be different. In poker you play with a couple of partners and reading the psychology of your partners is a decisive part of the game. But remember, just like you are aware of your partners, they will be aware of you as well Backgammon is played with one partner and you should be aware of your partner's strategy. You will choose the right strategy according to his moves. Therefore, we can assume another conclusion: it is very important, in poker and backgammon as one, to try avoiding patterns while playing. Otherwise, your partner will easily learn your tactic and very soon will be able to answer the EV question mentioned above.

It is common that people tend to relate games that involve money with luck. Poker and backgammon are played for real money, but the amount of money you play for does not have any role in deciding the result of the game. Nevertheless, in these games, a game without gambling is not a game. The main role of real money in poker and backgammon is creating tension, and the purpose of it is not only achieving a profit, but increasing the thrill during the game.

Despite this fact, in both games you must be aware of the amount of your stake while playing. The risk must be taken according to the size of your bet. If your partner suggests raising his stake without swapping his hand in poker or making a Doubling Cube in backgammon, these facts must be understood, according to the size of your stake, as an integral parameter of the game, just like all other parameters.

One of the most popular ways to play poker and backgammon are in tournaments. This way of playing, excites the participants and gives them a stronger thrill. During the year, tournaments take place on the net and around the world, and once a year big poker and backgammon events take place.

We could find many more characteristics that the two games have in common, but after all, these games are not identical. So what are the main differences between the two games? The different lies in the major datum of the games: backgammon is not a cards game and the checkers of both players are exposed to the eyes of one another. These characteristics, together with the fact that backgammon is played only with one partner, make the rhythm of the game much quicker than that of poker; the progress of backgammon will be faster. On the contrary, poker is played with hidden cards and a couple of partners. Therefore, it is slower, and depends on psychology, as mentioned above.

We do not pretend saying that poker and backgammon are identical. After all, it will be boring to play the same game with different tools. But we can say for sure that they share some important characteristics that make them comparable. If you are a backgammon player, there is a big chance you will be also fond of poker and will succeed in it, and if you are a poker player you should try playing backgammon, for the same reasons.

So good luck!