Yet another opening sequence with perfect play and hidden decisions. White opens with the roll 14s. White brings down a builder from the midpoint 13/9 and makes the efficient minor split 24/23. Having the opening roll is always positive equity and White plays it correctly here. Black replies with double 66s, a joker roll with…
miniature cosmos
Another brief game that captures a memorable and frequent opening scenario. Black opens with the roll 52s, splitting the runners. A common play. White replies with 24s, making a strong point in the home board. Black rolls a delicious double 22s. A few choices, but only one correct play. With double 22s Black could make…
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…
a fine victory for White
A short cash game with a simple yet interesting game flow. Black opens with 62s and makes the only good play, the big split to the White barpoint and the safest builder in the Black outfield with a midpoint spare -- a natural opening roll for Black that promises violent action. White replies with 14s…
benchmark close take
White opens with the roll 13s and makes her golden home point. Black replies with the roll 32s. Both minor splits are acceptable, either Black 24/21 or 24/22 to split for a better anchor and, to bring down an outfield builder, either Black 13/11 or 13/10. White responds with the joker roll of double 44s,…
miniature 0101010C
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…
the baron talks backgammon 