Backgammon Handicapping and Timing

Are there any ways for playing handicapped backgammon to so that you can play evenly?

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Actually, it is not that easy, you could give the opposition 2 free rolls at the start but this is not always the best way, as you can push the game into a certain direction.

Or why not offer the opening rolls of 4-2 or 3-1 or 6-1, or the equivalent of a good roll. Alternatively why not introduce another element a 12-sided die. If the dice comes up with a particular number, they could if they like re-roll, if the rolls are not kind.

The trouble is some of the weaker players might not even know what roll was good or bad and whether to re-roll! Or use a ‘Roll Again?. policy to an agreed number of times in a game. With a bad roll it’s possible to roll again somehow this does seem to even itself out over the course of a match.

Another option is for the stronger player to spot a certain number of pips to the weaker player. The other player doesn’t have to bear off all his pieces to win, but simply reduces his pip count to a given number.

When playing for money, the opposing player pays less per point than the better player.

Perhaps handicapping is just another way to stop you from getting better, and is just another reason not to keep practicing. By handicapping players the opposition never really gets the chance to play at an equivalent level, it is a case of being cruel to be kind, sometimes losing is the best medicine for getting better.

Timing

A comedian will tell you the secret of good comedy is timing, well that is true, and never more so than in backgammon, because bad timing isn’t funny. Especially when your delivery isn’t up to much either and by that we mean the way you deliver your pieces to the board.

How many times has this happened to you, you roll two double-5’s or double 6’s yes good roll –but then after the next couple of rolls you realise OH OH you’re in trouble?

In a non-contact position, high rolls are always good. But sometimes you need to get your pieces home without being hit. Even If you’re ahead in the pip count, the opposition can stun you by leaving pieces back to try to hit you.

This is where timing is most important, if one side has a big lead in pip count, you need to be aware of timing. If you were behind in the in the race by, say, 30 pips but you have an anchor in the oppositions board. You could opt for a hit! Why? Because, trying to catch them in the race is unlikely (especially if your opponent has lots of points made so that even a big set of doubles won’t help) , you could try to hold off, staying back for as long as you can to save your board from collapsing.

Possibly the opposition may decide not to hit. In this case see how important timing is, the right move at the right time, will give you the answer, but that only comes with the knowledge of when to use the pieces at the right time.

Get it wrong and its no laughing matter.

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