Masayuki Mochizuki

We can see all the pieces.

Nothing is hidden.

But we don't know the upcoming dice rolls.

The future is uncertain, just like the universe.

Life is uncertain.

The world is uncertain, even at a quantum level.

In Backgammon, we learn to deal with it.

There's a psychological aspect to it.

Playing games, it trains you for being a more robust person.

It rewards people.

hard work, and especially backgammon.

If you're lazy and think you can win, you're going to lose.

If you are reckless with your decision-making and you're taking degenerate risk, you're going to be punished immediately.

So even for kids, you know, I want to teach my son to play backgammon for that reason.

I've heard you say that you want to teach your son to play backgammon, not only for the sake of the game, but because gambling itself is a really good way to learn about the world and yourself.

Can you just talk about that?

I've heard you say that most people look at gambling as pure vice and you have a different view.

Exactly.

So let's start by making a distinction.

My distinction is that if you're betting on something like a roulette table, then you have no control of the outcome.