Shifting from Online Backgammon to Live Games

If you're a fan of online backgammon, you may not have tried playing against a live opponent yet. When you do, you'll notice that live backgammon requires a slightly different skill set. For a start, the backgammon board is in front of you rather than on your screen. This can sometimes be daunting as the board is substantially larger than the one you'll see online. Make sure you familiarize yourself with a board before you play live and learn how to count the pips quickly.

We've all heard of the poker face, which is a requirement for live poker matches. While you're not out to bluff your opponent in backgammon, you still need to maintain a degree of control over your facial expressions and body language. This is especially important when you're playing backgammon with the doubling cube. You don't want your opponent to see your horror or dismay if he doubles! So practice some neutral expressions in the mirror before you leave online backgammon for a live game.

One of the most immediate things you'll notice about live backgammon is that it has a strong social element. This can be lacking on some online backgammon sites, so be prepared to rub shoulders with a lot of different players. This will improve your game and may encourage you to play regularly against the same opponents. If this occurs, make sure you pay close attention to their game plan so that you can learn how they prefer to use the backgammon board.