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I have become a fan of statistics; I do not only review all my analysis, I also create huge statistics over thousands of games and matches, sorted by month or by opponent; I want to protocol my progress, get an estimate how long it takes to reach the next stage, but it turns out, the progress I make is minimal.
I keep playing for several further years, about half a million games, all analysed and reviewed move by move, but my average rating is still Intermediate.
At least there is one huge progress I made, I am now convinced, there is nothing manipulated in online backgammon. Ive played in a lot of live events and I have experienced, dice are weird and luck is a devil, but there is no difference at all between online dice and real dice.
I get into huge discussions with other players, who are still convinced about manipulations, I try to show them my analysis and statistics, but they wont listen. At first I try to convince them with logic, I cant understand why they dont accept my superior experience, until I suddenly remember, Ive been there myself, Ive been a beginner just a few years ago, and I didnt listen either when someone tried to tell me how weak I actually was. I keep trying to discuss with them, Im trying to find the perfect words that could break into a beginners mind and show them the truth, but it seems hopeless. Once in a while I reach someone, but the majority remains just as ignorant as I used to be myself.
Over time and another half million games I finally reach an average rating of Advanced, but it doesnt really get me exited anymore. I have learned to be modest, Im proud of my work with statistics, I have created a huge website with it and Ive gained quite a reputation in online backgammon, but the original plan of becoming a true champion is gone. Compared to the progress I made and the time it took so far, I can estimate, the date when I would reach a true world class stage will not be within my lifetime. Before studying and practicing backgammon
requires talent and there I simply dont have enough.
Stage 5: Expert
Stage 6: World Class
Well, I cant tell anything about these, I havent reached it yet. Maybe someone else can fill in here.
I hope you enjoyed this article, as it represents some kind of biography of the last 15 years of my life.
Maybe you find yourself in one of these stages, maybe it helps you a bit in your own progress, however, I wish you the best of luck
Learning Backgammon articles series was written by Thomas Griffi (in online backgammon better known as Piranha)
Back to Learning Backgammon,
Stage 3: Intermediate
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