I have become a recent fan of the backgammon roll six-two. Pen name 26s. The whats-it-about nature of this unicorn opening roll, a toss with sole intent to stir up trouble, and then some. But why? Why indeed? The reason must be simple. Why always fighting? Perhaps a tragic neglect and mistreatment during childhood? Never…
four threes
Has the old man has lost his marbles along with his ailing vision? Last night the old man quietly sidles up to third roll tosses of three-fours. Admit it. Too young. Too early. Hardly into the opening phase. Just the third roll from the blessed birth of a new game. And yet the 34s roll…
a word on game plan options
This is a short cash game with one actual checker play decision, and thereby one error. The choices are close in equity, so anyone could select one of the five sensible plays without losing respect. Black opens with 61s and makes the bar. White replies with 25s, splitting her backmen and moving a midpoint spare.…
Openings (0)
Three-two. Black splits to the 21pt and brings down a builder to the 11pt. One-six. White makes her bar point. Black rolls 52s. Blot control. The top pair of plays leave only two black blots, and both on the far side of the board. Other sensible candidates leave three black blots. The better of the…
An opening question
One-six. White opens by making her barpoint. Six-one. Black responds by making his barpoint. One-three. White makes her golden point. Three-one. Black also makes his golden point. Monkey see, monkey do. Two-four. White continues to build assets. White makes her four-point, the home trinity. So far in this game the sentiment mirrors the quiet yet…
the baron talks backgammon 