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…
perfection and Sly’s rule
Cash game. Black opens with 31s and makes his golden point in his home board. The best possible opening toss: 6/5 8/5 White replies with 45s. White is prevented from the usual big split but has the old-fashion play of two checkers down from the midpoint: 13/8 13/9 Black rolls 53s. A good roll permitting…
crazy talk
Just for a bit of fun, here is a position where Black cubes while dancing on the bar with two black checkers, knowing full well that White will beaver. But in a real game, with human players, foolish plays in backgammon often have strange outcomes. Black has two checkers on the bar, dancing. Black doubles,…
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…
hidden variables
Details matter in backgammon. Sometimes a learning technique is best applied to small differences. The bots make posing and answering these What If? questions very easy, perhaps too easy. Backgammon positions quickly modify and morph, leaving a trail of equities to interpret. Yet insight can come from introducing small controlled changes, clearly attributed. Consider this…
thoughts on rtp550
Here is an essential backgammon position. It becomes a benchmark position when you make it so, by thoughtful study. Before rolling the dice, White doubles Black in a cash game. Should Black take the cube or pass? What is in it for Black? A cube position establishes a memorable scene, often complete with dialogue. A…
takepoint #105
Backgammon has plenty of intrigue. Some cube decisions can tempt paint to strip itself. Other choices seem routine, mundane, dull even. However, whether to drop a cube or continue the game at twice the price? That is never a dull question. Deserving a thoughtful answer. When a backgammon position is on the cusp of Take…
Reference positions for taking and passing the cube
Cash game. Jacoby rule in force. White doubles. Once White doubles, the Jacoby rule is irrelevant. Black must decide whether to take the cube, even though Black is clearly losing this game. Or should Black pass, resign to defeat, chalk up the lost stake, and begin the next game in the session with renewed vigor.…
seven facet jewel
Short games can sparkle in miniature. Such jewels are easier to recall, and focus on a single idea or two. Here is an example: White opens with 35s and makes her home 3pt. The natural play. Black replies with double 22s and also makes the natural play, his 4pt and his 11pt. Lucky to roll…
Take( 420 )
Four-Twenty: In the smoke and fog of this annus horribilis emerges the cube position below, born in bygone years, now dubbed Reference Take Point #420. The situation was extracted lovingly from the position archives. White redoubles, and applies massive pressure on Black with the recube, an 8 pointer. Black has a powerful home board, but…
the baron talks backgammon 