Venture Lessons from Backgammon - Part 1

​Inspired by the Freakonomics podcast “Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?”, this two-part webinar series explores the applicability of tournament backgammon to venture. We are joined by Bernard Pollara, a top-10 ranked US player and writer, to explore how backgammon serves as a model for navigating uncertainty and strategy when the stakes are high.

​Part 1: Venture Lessons from Backgammon

​We'll talk about navigating volatility, managing risk vs. reward, and minimizing cognitive bias. We connect these board-level tactics to the realities of building and investing in startups.

​Part 2: Strategy Lessons from Backgammon

​We dive into real-world relevance. Bring your specific startup or investment dilemmas for a strategies workshop where we apply the "backgammon lens" to tough decisions. Register, https://luma.com/t1x8btsr

​Bernard Pollara is a writer and semi-professional backgammon player. In his debut 2025 American Backgammon Tour season, he secured a tournament win and achieved a top-10 national ranking.

​Background material: Listen to the Freakonomics episode