Hi there !

I thought it could be good to introduce myself, as i have some experiences with games, maybe it can interest some people and moreover i would be glad to have feed back from experienced backgammon players. (IF NOT, i will write later "BACKGAMMON part", from there i will mainly talk about backgammon).

I am french and 30 (sorry for my rude english). Math profile (not a genius but still kind of gifted. I have a licence) and no job right now (my project is to become teacher). I started playing poker online teenage (very insane from my point of view) but fortunately i haven't spent so much time.

Due to many reasons including health problems and marginalization, and an opportunity, i had to stop my studies and i managed to do card counting in blackjack in France seriously during 3 years. Not at all did i become rich but for me it was no nothing.

I had to stop 3 years because i thought i hadn't enough energy and conditions get worse. I changed by playing chess seriously (of course not in order to earn money). Unfortunately my health get worse.
Concerning chess, i used to be competitive and have willpower since childhood in many fields i like, but i get along with accepting the fact that i shouldn't put pressure too much on myself for results due to my health. In three years i think i managed to get a 1800 FIDE level player on chess.

Its both an escape to avoid thinking too much, also a frustration because i clearly see i have not all my potential, also an addiction sometimes close to autistic behavior (probably i exaggerate).

2 months ago i discover Backgammon by seeing players in a parc. Then i played and look for information. Damn ! Why just did you start before ?
I knew it but always, it's good to go out your comfort zone and try and live new experiences. I try myself now to do new activities.


BACKGAMMON PART:

Since two months i discovered the game, i have played on BG galaxy. I downloaded GNU, and have played also with two friends IRL. I have bought and read seriously marc Olsen's book "From basics to badass". I want to play IRL tournament. My goal is to become 1700 elo on BG galaxy (on short term). I really take a lot of pleasure by playing.
I am maybe overconfident but i also tend to think i am not too bad (of course it's always relative and subjective).

As i like reading theory and have a competitive personality, i am going to read lots of information and books and information on internet. I am subscribed in FB group "BG strategy", i read the topics here.
I know there is no real opportunity to earn money, so for me just getting a strong player (something like 2000 elo) on the long term (some years) and still taking pleasure are my objectives. But i am careful by not taking too much time, because i know my insomnia can get seriously worse.

If you have recommendations, or anything to say or comment don't hesitate ! I am also ok to get PDF books if some of you have and are ok to share.

Nice to meet ya, BackgammonChess.

Feel free to join my games on Galaxy. My nickname is the same there as here.

Hi Alexander, with pleasure.
I read carefully your thread about PR, its very interesting as i also wonder myself the same question.