1 post from december 2008

Psychology applied in Backgammon is one way of improving your game strategy. Backgammon, unlike its game card counterpart when it comes to popularity requires mathematics and numbers. And unlike the poker game, the backgammon provides players with unlimited information and data. The psychology of Backgammon enters on this situation where you do your mathematics, plan and pretend to be up to something; and some even call it bluffing. There is no better way to disarm a proponent than through his weak side and on his weakest state. Often, a weak spot can be identified when a person get defensive. And a good psychology technique can put a certain individual in a temporary confused state once they feel threatened by the opponent. For a certain player, psychology works in two ways: to bluff the opponent and to control your emotions.

Like poker, you have to do readings however unlike in the card game you do not read the hand but the mood of your proponent. By learning from your opponents’ movement, you can counter-attack or advance your moves towards your goal: winning. For example, during the highlight of a game maintaining a poker face will keep your opponent from reading what you are thinking hence preventing him to analyze what will be your next move. Likewise, if you apply psychology by trying to read your opponents mind through prediction of the state of his emotional and mental state at this point can give you a head start to win the game.

Bluffing can be difficult when it comes to Backgammon since you are in the open. If you are not expert on doing this there is a tendency that the opponent can easily side step your bluff and brush it aside effortlessly. Like bluffing in the poker games, bluff in backgammon is attacking an opponent in his most insecure state thus convincing him subtle to give up and drop out of the game. The advantage of bluffing in a backgammon game is that you do not go beyond the opponent itself. Since you will be playing with a single player during the entire game, understanding how the opponents work and identifying cue expressions can make the information helpful thus, you get more faster in conjuring better decision on making your moves.

The backgammon psychology application can be comparable as well with chess game where there are two players who play for the prize or bet. Like backgammon, the information are all over the face and coming up with strategy can be easier for a good player. The bluffing can be done in the form of doubling. Doubling is where a doubling cube is used by a player who is on favorable side of the game. The doubling as it names indicate doubles the stake of a game. Remember that in the basic rules of backgammon, the stake is mutually set by both players at the start of the game. If use of doubling cube is allowed in the game, the stake being played will doubled. So, how would doubling work as a bluff? The doubling will make the opponent re-think his advantages. Since most players who call for the use of doubling cube are usually someone who sees his game to be on the better position than the other, quitting becomes the best option for the opponent.

Although application of psychology is not limited on doubling cube alone, you have to understand still the different doubling rules of backgammon. There are three important doubling rules in backgammon, Woolsey rule, Jacoby rule, and Crawford rule. Considering that bluff is something that you do to threaten the opponent, the Woolsey rule best describes the psychology in backgammon by bluffing. It is the act of using double at the time whether a position is a take or pass, therefore very uncertain. If you are unsure of your position, you should double. The doubling is the only sure fire way for your opponent to commit mistake. Jacoby rule is used when the game is for cash. Jacoby rule is wherein in a game that did not use double the gammons and backgammons will be automatically counted as one game. Crawford games is where the next game when a player scores one in the game the doubling cube will not be used until after the said match.

Other strategies that use psychology for the backgammon match are the following:

•    Always counterattack your opponent even during the initial stages of the game. Ensure that you go with even his bolder moves so that you can build your defense as you moved into the middle game.
•    Another good psychological move is letting him assume that he is leading the game. This move allows you to find an opening where you can hit again without making him prepared when you will strike back.
•    Think like you are in your opponent’s shoes. By doing so, you can take advantage of the doubling cube or even make appropriate decision that can be your strategy in the later part of the match.
•    Since backgammon involves cash when played, it is important that you analyze your strength and your opponent’s. Some players lose more than they planned just because they have underestimated the capability of their opponent.
•    If you can bluff, remember that others can do bluff too. So do not play victim to your own tricks. Watch how the game unfolds and do not just remain inside the box. Aggressive moves and unpredictable choices can sometimes increase your add of getting the best deal.
•    Since in a double cube a player who takes the double would now have the 25% chance of winning, take note of the tactics that player should be less conservative when they are obviously behind and less aggressive when taking the lead.

Always remember that there are different stages of the backgammon match that you can choose from to determine which part you will start building on your defenses. Since most try to get ahead during the early part, pay attention to your opponent’s facial expression and body language as you moved ahead. Maintaining yours is also just as important with reading his next moves.