Cash game. Jacoby rule. Black on roll. Black has a good double, with much the better of the gammon chances. Rollouts reveal that Black wins twice as many gammons here. Close race, but trailing White by a roll. Black has the better board and a premium anchor. The attack chances strongly favour Black, with some…
Using her reference first cube
You are playing Black. Why should Black recognize White's reference first cube situations? White to play. To recall, a reference first cube in a cash game has the equity of Double and Take equal to the equity of wait to double. High-quality bot evaluations (long rollouts come later) suggest this position is almost a reference…
running games and human beings
Human beings are blessed with an ability to "make do". Scrimp and bargain. Do a slipshod job in one arena, and then crawl off to lay low in another arena. But some humans are scramblers, they wager on outcomes, they create possibilities out of transition. They are the players who make it their forte to…
cube 3.1
Cube actions. Cash game. Jacoby rule in effect. White doubles. Does Black have enough of a position to take the cube? What does White have going for her in this position to offer a first cube? First, White has escaped both runners onto a comfortable 15pt, an achievement known as a Houdini position. The white…
forgetful you
I forget that I should not slot and split at the same time. Missed on one side of the board, I am soon hit loose on the other side. My opponent uses a distraction, a jolt into a state of off-kilter by a prompt and sharp strike on both my blots. Then I spend the…
thoughts on backgammon
One way to learn the game. The scale of backgammon rewards essential detail and terrier effort and kiai -- a robust fighting spirit. Playing well means to play the game with fervor, focus on the big picture, yet demand each small detail add to the team. And to do so dripping with enthusiasm. Then the…
a way to review a game (1)
How to review a game? Always start with the first cube action. White considers a first cube. On roll, White currently has a mere half roll lead in a race. And the deep anchor facing Black's gap blockade is modest indeed. Nevertheless … Black danced on the bar facing a better white board and nearly…
the nature of the game (1)
But that is just the nature of this game. Black minds his own business with a quiet 52s opening. Black just wants to trade his anchor, buy a used car with not a lot miles or options on it. Win this game without a fuss. Suddenly she hits loose. Without warning, White hits the black…
La malattia del gioco
La malattia del gioco ( the disease of the game ) A bar needs a blot A checker needs a roll A gambler needs the action To pacify his soul A builder needs a point A sniper longs to shoot A runner needs a gauntlet To guide him on his route Anchors need true patience…
so the theory is …
So the latest rumor says White sold her robotic soul to the dark prince in exchange for thirty pieces of silver, a white horse to get her out of town, and a mountain of backgammon smarts. White drove a hard bargain. Still, it's an open question whether an AI can even have a soul. Black,…
the baron talks backgammon 