Why an ancient board game might be more relevant than ever
This preview, based only on the episode’s show notes, suggests a look at backgammon as more than a pastime: a tool for connection, probability, strategy, and emotional control. Stephen Dubner also explores the game’s current revival and its surprising link to Super Bowl-winning N.F.L. teams.
This is a preview based on the published show notes, not a recap of the audio itself. In this episode, Stephen Dubner appears to examine why backgammon is enjoying a modern renaissance and why its appeal may go far beyond nostalgia. The notes frame the game as a social bridge that brings strangers together while also teaching practical skills like probability, strategy, and emotional control. That combination makes the premise especially interesting: backgammon is presented not just as entertainment, but as a compact model for decision-making under uncertainty. The show notes also hint at a broader cultural angle, suggesting that an ancient game may have something to say about how we think, compete, and relate to one another now. Another intriguing thread is the claim that backgammon has even helped N.F.L. teams win the Super Bowl. If that catches your attention, this episode may be worth hearing for the crossover between game theory, high-performance competition, and everyday human behavior. The listed sources suggest a mix of perspectives, including a club founder, elite players, a strategy expert, an author, and the C.E.O. of Backgammon Galaxy. So if you’re curious about the game’s revival, its strategic depth, or the social world around it, this looks like a strong entry point. It’s also part two of the series “We Are All Gamers Now,” which may appeal to listeners interested in how games shape modern life.
About this episode
<p>It brings strangers together. It teaches probability, strategy, and emotional control. It has even helped N.F.L. teams win the Super Bowl. Stephen Dubner explores why this ancient game is having a renaissance. (Part two of a series, “<a href="https://freakonomics.com/we-are-all-gamers-now/" rel="noopener noreferrer">We Are All Gamers Now.</a>”)<br> </p> <ul> <li><strong>SOURCES:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nycbackgammon.club/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Remington Davenport</a>, founder of NYC Backgammon Club.</li> <li><a href="https://frankfrigo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Frank Frigo</a>, game strategy expert & two-time world backgammon champion.</li> <li><a href="https://www.bkgm.com/articles/Simborg/zMochy/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Masayuki "Mochy" Mochizuki</a>, professional backgammon player.</li> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-brockmann-olsen-71456349/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marc Olsen</a>, C.E.O. of Backgammon Galaxy.</li> <li><a href="https://www.backgammonchronicles.com/about-the-author" rel="noopener noreferrer">Robert Wachtel</a>, author and professional backgammon player.</li> </ul></li> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>RESOURCES:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/4xGkh1R" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>The Backgammon Chronicles: A Pro's Adventures on Tour Volume 1</i></a><i>, </i>by Robert Wachtel (2019).</li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Game-until-End-Analysis-Generation/dp/0989549658" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>In the Game Until the End</i></a><i>, by Robert Wachtel (</i>1993)</li> <li>"<a href="https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1930-09-06/flipbook/015/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tric Trac, Clic Clac</a>," (<i>The New Yorker, </i>1930).</li> </ul></li> </ul><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>