Doesn’t the life of a backgammon pro sound attractive?  All of those tournaments held in exotic locations – Monte Carlo, Los Angeles, Tokyo.  Being wined and dined by competition sponsors.  And don’t forget the prize money!  Yes, the life of backgammon pro sounds very tempting indeed.  Of course, like the proverbial iceberg, what is on view to the public eye often belies what lies below the surface. Ask any backgammon champion how they managed to reach to top of the tree and you will most likely receive the same answer – practice.  It sounds simple, doesn’t it, but there it is.  Play the game… just play the game!

The history of most backgammon pros follows a similar pattern.  Normally switched onto the game by an older brother, aunt or uncle, most pros will have been fascinated by the lightning speed with which the game can be played.  To the untrained eye backgammon is quite intriguing.  How are the moves played?  Why are pieces placed in the middle bar?  What on earth is the dice with all those numbers on it for…? 

With a little persistence one slowly learns the rules and starts to play.  However, the pros all take it one stage further.  They become fanatical about learning strategies, tips and the famous “no-no’s”.  Pros will read books.  They will subscribe to backgammon periodicals.  They will join local clubs in order to meet new challengers, and learn from more seasoned players.  With the advent of the internet an information explosion has occurred bringing knowledge of just about anything to our fingertips, and backgammon is no exception.

Having developed a firm background to the game, and having studied games played by the great masters such as Dwek and Magriel, as well as from modern masters such as Hallberg and Vischjager, then it’s back to the board for more practice. 

One of the best places to really improve one’s game is the tournament circuit where the backgammon pros run as thick as molasses.  For many professional backgammon players this is the place where they will really face the true competition that they crave.  They are at the top of their game and they’re hunting for the big prize money.  Of course, when the lights are turned down, and the tournaments halls are being swept clean for the following day, you will often find our champs playing a game of pocket backgammon, or back on the internet just for one more game before bedtime.  And that’s what makes a backgammon pro – always living for that next game…