Backgammon is a dynamic game. Staring at isolated positions gets pretty dull. Skills then develop out of baby steps, the motion, the flow. And that's where the miniature game enters the picture. Miniature games, often perfectly played, cause swings in equity that rival the volatile disasters from yesterdays gone by. A miniature game becomes a…
dealing with bad luck
In backgammon, bad luck will follow you and love you like a bride. You need to remain dispassionate. The wheel will turn. The wheel will always turn. Here is the most recent game, encapsulated. Despite Black's desperate yet careful scurrying, White's final roll of double 55s has crushed Black's soul and gammoned him. The final…
perfection and Sly’s rule
Cash game. Black opens with 31s and makes his golden point in his home board. The best possible opening toss: 6/5 8/5 White replies with 45s. White is prevented from the usual big split but has the old-fashion play of two checkers down from the midpoint: 13/8 13/9 Black rolls 53s. A good roll permitting…
juggling risk in an opening
The short exchange seen below captures some elements of risk versus reward in the opening. In a cash game White opens with the roll of 36s. White makes the big split 24/18 to start a barpoint anchor, happy to engage in an exchange of hits should Black prevent White from anchoring. White also brings down…
crazy talk
Just for a bit of fun, here is a position where Black cubes while dancing on the bar with two black checkers, knowing full well that White will beaver. But in a real game, with human players, foolish plays in backgammon often have strange outcomes. Black has two checkers on the bar, dancing. Black doubles,…
cubing on the threat
Cash game. Jacoby rule. Black opens with the toss of 54s. Black splits to White's golden point and shifts the black midpoint spare to the Black 8pt stack. White replies with the roll of 46s. The other classic opening plays for the roll of 46s are the big split 24/18 13/9 or the straight run…
snake eyes
Cash game with Jacoby rule. White opens with 14s, bringing down the best builder from the midpoint and splitting the white backmen. One standard play for a 14s opening toss. White 14s: 24/23 13/9 White opens with the minor split Black replies with the roll 63s and selects the run to the 15pt instead of…
study tip (2)
This game begins with standard point making then shuffling checkers about awaiting the order to charge, thereby running ahead until Black and White face each other in a holding game. Hoping for the other to crack. An outfield standoff. The cube is untouched, of course. The game has been balanced throughout. The strategy, delay tactics…
simple games breed quiet tactics
Here is a recent game. The early opening creates a parallel game plan where both Black and White are waiting in a mutual holding pattern. Even quiet games require careful checker plays, especially to squeeze out some small advantages. Black makes a mistake early on. Sometimes, in a close game, it is worth injecting a…
first blood in 3ptr – day 51
A fascinating first game in a three-point match. An early choice in a three-point match Black begins with opening roll 21s. With the smallest pip lead, objectives matter and Black wants to squeeze the most out of his small advantage. Black slots his golden point then brings down a midpoint spare as a safe yet…
the baron talks backgammon 