Two bear-in positions of interest appear below. The first position occurred in a recent game. Black to play but first Black considers making a Double. Extensive rollouts confirm that the position below is NoDouble/Take by 2mp (or two cents in ten dollars of equity). The position is therefore a reference Double, where waiting or cubing…
tidbit — saving the gammon
Consider the play of Black's roll 62s late in a backgame. Thoughts over the board. The first question is: Should Black break a backgame anchor now? If not, only deuces are embarrassing for White. But if Black breaks the 23pt anchor, deuces for White are still as dangerous but threes are bad too -- double…
miniature koans !
A barker at the backgammon carnival barks again: miniature koans ! Get your miniature koans over here. Step right up. Plenty for everyone ... Black opens the game with an initial roll of 21s. He slots his golden point and adds a builder. White replies with double 44s. White makes her anchor on top of…
the opening spotlight
Every position in backgammon has a spotlight directed somewhere, a moving location on the board where the current action focusses. Black opens with 64s, making the big split 24/18 and bringing down the best builder 13/9 White replies with 16s, pointing on the black checker and thus making White's barpoint. Every position in backgammon has…
bearoff redoubles
During the bearoff, the ownership of the doubling cube is of some importance. In the ten positions below Black is on the roll and owns the doubling cube. No gammons are possible. Only Black owning the cube can cash the game with 75% winning chances; White must finish the entire bearoff if Black chooses to…
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…
reference takes and 22pt anchors
When Black holds the 22pt anchor (White's 3pt) Black generally has a mediocre position to go along with the mediocre anchor. When White doubles and few gammons are to be had, as is typical of one-way holding games, then perhaps Black should pass these reference take situations, even when rollouts indicate Black can accept the…
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…
is it a rare cube?
It is a rare event when Black doubles without first making a new home point. Rare, but not impossible. Consider the cube position below. Black is on the roll in a cash game with Jacoby rule. Should Black cube? What is the cube action? Cube action? An amazing situation but is it a double? White…
the baron talks backgammon 