4 Main Differences between Backgammon and Blackjack Players

I learnt how to play backgammon when I was a student. My roommate, the guy from Armenia, taught me how to play. He mastered backgammon pretty well. He has never played with me on real money. But he was adding big chunk of money to his scholarship when he played against others. In a while I started to be able to successfully compete with him. I also won a lot of money from inexperienced rich players.

I and my roommate even had a conflict because of it. We decided that the only way to solve our problem is to play. The one who loses would never playing backgammon for money in our dorm. I lost. Then I needed to look for the new way o earning money when I was a student. That’s why I started to play blackjack. Brick and mortar casinos were legal, so, I had good chance to spend hours playing.

My backgammon skills were quite useful in blackjack. It turned out that there are many common things between the two different games. Both backgammon and blackjack require players to have high level of self-control and ability to use odds theory. The one who is able to master it would definitely be successful. However there are many differences between the two games.

1. When you play blackjack you compete with a dealer. All his actions are based on strict rules. He can’t apply any different strategy. For instance, a dealer must take another card when he has less than 17. At the same time he must stand when he has got at least 17. Different casinos apply different rules for dealers. However anyway there is a rule a casino utilizes. Having observed a dealer for quite a while, you will be able to understand the rules of the casino. Therefore you will be capable of adjusting your strategy. You need to do it just once. Casino’s dealer will never change his strategy. It is simply prohibited. When you play backgammon your opponent constantly changes his style of play adjusting to your style. Therefore you have to do apply different strategy and control your opponent. Flexibility in backgammon gives great edge to experienced players. Weaker players don’t stand a single chance. However when you play blackjack experience is still important but not the decisive factor.
2. Blackjack is the game based only on odds theory. Anyway you can calculate any odds. There are mathematic models available to calculate your odds in different situations. Professional blackjack players have mastered the basic winning strategy. They know and understand the basic strategy. Therefore casinos are forced to constantly change rules of blackjack to ensure that the house edge is still quite high. That’s why there are so many different blackjack games exist. However professional players are able to adjust the basic strategy to match the rules and keep winning. Mathematics is the key.
   
   When you play backgammon odds calculation is also important but pure math can’t ensure success. You also need to be attentive, have logical thinking and be able to set tricks.
3. When you win playing blackjack you win money from a casino. In fact a dealer doesn’t care if you win or lose. He/she just serves you. Taking into account potential tips he can get, it is even better for him if a gambler wins. When you win playing backgammon, you take money from someone who needs it too. This aspect of the game is quite important when you play with your friends. It also limits your potential winnings when you play with unknown people. If somebody is ready to wager big amount of money, he is aware of the risk. Probably he is skilled enough to risk. Get ready to the serious and difficult game. You can become on the losing side. Amateurs usually don’t tend to wager big amounts of money. Having lost several times, they usually don’t wish to keep playing.
4. When you deal with blackjack you can play as much as you wish. You can also bet as much as you wish/can afford. If you manage to beat a casino you will be proud of yourself. No guilt; you have not taken money from your friends.
   
   You can learn rules of blackjack easily. It will take you 5-7 minutes. You will also need to spend another day learning basic strategy. Having played 1-2 weeks using the basic strategy you will be able to adjust it to your needs. And it is quite possible that changing your strategy will be profitable. It will be also useful to read books about blackjack math.
   
   Unlike blackjack backgammon requires more efforts. You need to spend way more time to learn the rules and master different strategies. It might take you months. However real pros work hard to improve their skills during the whole life!

Backgammon and blackjack require players to have similar and different skills at the same time. When you play blackjack you must have math skills and self discipline. When it comes to backgammon you would need to have experience and logical thinking. However odds theory and discipline will be also useful.

Gambling fans should try to play both games. Experience you will receive playing backgammon will be useful in blackjack either and vice versa. Nowadays you can play blackjack and backgammon online. There are serious games with big wagers available. However you can also choose small wagers or even free games. Would you like to try?

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