The Benefits of Backgammon

From: PhilSimborg   

Excellent article, as usual Mary, but there are a few things I have learned from backgammon that you didn't mention that I believe are important:

1. a better understanding of odds and statistics--I am no longer surprised by every day coincidences, like bumping into someone I know on the train in Italy. After seeing my opponent roll 3 double 4's in a row to gammon me, I know that the unusual is inevitable.

2. tolerance and restraint--anyone who has played with Paul Franks as much as I have knows exactly what I mean.

3. humility--I think the quote about quantum mechanics applies to backgammon very well: "anyone who says they completely understand it is a liar."

4. money management--money backgammon is nothing more than money-management...deciding how to optimize your gains and minimize your losses; and tournament play does the same, except you use points instead of cash to keep score.

5. humor--the combination of the dice, the format, and the people involved in backgammon have provided much to laugh about and many great, funny stories to tell.

6. escape--as much as anything, backgammon is a way for me to completely escape from everything else in my life. Not that I don't love my life, but it's wonderful to do something that forces you to become totally immersed and engaged and keeps you from thinking about anything else...and that's pretty much what I have to do to play my best, and I suspect that's true for most people.

Again, I am not faulting you for not including these ideas...I am thanking you for stimulating me to give this some thought. It's really nice to recognize there are so many benefits to something that takes up so much of my time.

I'll close with one of my favorite quotes that I believe applies to this subject: "Every disciplined action has multiple rewards."

Phil