Sometimes in backgammon there is beauty in perfection -- and sometimes not. Bringing two spares down from the midpoint and the other minor split to the 22pt and 10pt are both "acceptable" opening plays, but the chosen split of 24/21 and down of 13/11 is the usual start for an opening roll. When White opens…
another miniature cosmos
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…
no laughing matter
In backgammon there is the opening roll, and then there is the opening reply. The fifteen opening rolls allow for twenty-eight "acceptable" initial plays, where acceptable means to within 2 cents on $1 of the best equity choice. Plenty of scope is available for your style or your opponent's confusion. Having the opening roll is…
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…
dancing to the edge of Pass
A recent game. Cash game Jacoby rule. White opens with 15s, makes the minor split and brings down a midpoint spare to stack the white outfield point. Black replies with the "natural" roll of 62s. The classic opening play of 62s is used as a reply here to White's minor split. It is no longer…
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,…
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…
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…
the baron talks backgammon 