tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post5874203320441485803..comments2024-03-26T04:19:38.862-07:00Comments on kitchen table math, the sequel: VR on using backgammon to teach probabilityCatherine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03347093496361370174noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-58460405260305540372010-11-19T16:52:38.137-08:002010-11-19T16:52:38.137-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-3515548099306529472010-08-27T09:55:39.347-07:002010-08-27T09:55:39.347-07:00"More fun" is in the eye of the beholder..."More fun" is in the eye of the beholder, of course. I suppose "simpler" is too, to some extent. <br /><br />In another life, I was quite into blackjack as well. My judgment is that backgammon, while quite easy to learn, has far more range. I'd guess most people would find it a far easier introduction to probability, yet it "scales up" nicely, presenting increasingly more challenging concepts as one improves. Blackjack becomes repetitious and mechanical at some some point so that there's not much reason to play other than the money.<br /><br />And on a practical note, you'll have more luck starting a school backgammon club than a blackjack club. ;)Freevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15047022449005504355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-22157704401159800312010-08-27T06:24:21.182-07:002010-08-27T06:24:21.182-07:00Wouldn't blackjack be simpler and more fun?Wouldn't blackjack be simpler and more fun?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-71939587106030119802010-08-27T05:58:30.600-07:002010-08-27T05:58:30.600-07:00I've been teaching backgammon for a number of ...I've been teaching backgammon for a number of years, not as a vehicle for teaching probability, but simply to help people who want to improve their game. It's an extremely rich tool for teaching probability (and other areas of math), however, and I'm always gratified when my students come to realize that it's not "a game of luck," but rather a game of luck management. The nuances of making risk versus reward judgments lend themselves greatly to so many other areas of life as well. I highly recommend it for kids (of all ages).Freevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15047022449005504355noreply@blogger.com