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Is Backgammon Handicapping the right way to play?
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Are there any ways for playing handicapped backgammon to so that you can play evenly?
Actually, it’s 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.
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