|
Put on a Backgammon FaceFirst time I peeked at Fredorrarci's post I hope you like backgammon too, I thought he was serious; strip backgammon games were actually a common adults' entertainment back in the 70s; NBC did in fact broadcast a Late Night Backgammon series, and moreover, backgammon face was really a common expression. Yet in a way, backgammon face did not stop making sense even after I got it. After all, backgammon players are required to keep an expressionless visage too.
You can try rolling it on your tongue, it is not so bad: "he kept a backgammon face all the time, I'm not sure if he even liked it", or "If only I was wearing my backgammon face he would not have doubled and I would not have to drop!"
You see, even though backgammon players have no discrete cards hidden from the opponent's view, they must conceal their emotions if not simply bluff (but mellowly, it is not poker where no one can see how desperate you are). If a player, for example, starts tearing his hairs out following a weak roll, he gives his rival a good reason to offer a double, knowing such a distressed reaction would probably result with a refusal.
That is why Woolsey's Law ("if you don't know whether it is a take or a drop – take") is so essential, because even if you are not very close to win, you can attain a technical victory by encouraging the opponent to drop. And to do that, tracking his "backgammon tells" (face twitching, sweat pouring, dice slamming, etc) can be great indicators.
|
