In a game of backgammon then it is pretty clear how a game is sometimes flowing and in what direction. If you start off with a strong series of moves then the game really starts to flow in the direction of you attacking and your opponent either defending or trying to counter attack. It is imperative that you understand your position in order to maximise your chances of doing very well and to maximise your equity in the position.
This is a mistake that many novice players make, if they start well and they have an edge then they do not push that edge aggressively enough. This can allow an experienced player to get back into the game rather than them really going for the jugular. An example game may go something like this, a novice starts off with a lucky few rolls and gets ahead both in the pip count and the strategic nature of the position and this happens during the opening four rolls. An experienced player may double at this stage but our novice not only doesn’t double but he plays on and becomes negative in his tactics.
So the experienced player manages to balance the position during the next half a dozen rolls and suddenly the position is even. From here then the novice can get lucky again and regain the initiative although they probably will double more in this instance because it is nearer the end of the game. The novice though makes the huge mistake of only doubling in crushing positions where his opponent is likely to drop anyway.
