What is duplicate backgammon?
Duplicate backgammon was inspired by duplicate bridge. Multiple games are played simultaneously on different tables. Dice throws are made at one table and communicated to the others, so all players playing in the same position at different tables receive the same rolls. You are competing not so much against your opponent across the board as you are against players in the same position at other tables. The idea is, if the other players receive the same dice rolls as you do, any difference in result must be due to skill rather than luck. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work out that well in practice. Even with expert players, it is amazing how quickly two games converge. Once the positions are different, a good roll at one table can be a disastrous roll at another. Today, duplicate backgammon remains mostly a novelty and is rarely played in tournaments. For more information, see How to Play Duplicate Backgammon.
