Bill Robertie

Structure and Risk-Taking – Part 2 – The Solution

Dec 15, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Early Game

From the November 2024 blog post, here’s a pair of very similar positions that shows how an (apparently) small change in an early-game position can dramatically change your approach.

Cash game. White to play 5-1

Cash game. White to Play 5-1

These two positions show a routine situation in the early middle game. Both sides have an anchor, and the race is very close. White’s position is slightly preferable since he has better chances of establishing a block against Black’s anchor.

White’s roll of 5-1 is a pretty routine shot and he has two obvious choices: 9/3, starting the 3-point, and 13/8 9/8, playing safe while keeping all checkers is front of Black. Of these two plays, 9/3 is slightly better; 13/8 9/8 creates a big stack which will prove awkward in some of the upcoming variations. In the middle game, we try to avoid creating big stacks unless alternatives are really weak. There’s nothing structurally wrong with 9/3, so it’s a better play here.

Structure and Risk-Taking – Part 1 – The Problem

Nov 15, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Early Game

Here’s a pair of very similar positions that shows how an (apparently) small change in an early-game position can dramatically change your approach.

Cash game. White to play 5-1

Cash game. White to Play 5-1

Speed versus Structure

Oct 15, 2024 | Backgammon Generally

Cash game, center cube.

(a) Who is a favorite?

(b) White to play

5-2

4-1

2-1

6-5

Note: All ‘cash game’ problems assume the Jacoby Rule is in effect. That is, you can’t win a gammon unless the cube has been turned.

Who is a favorite? And why is this, in fact, a problem?

Containing a Checker on the Bar

Jun 1, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Endgames

Cash game, White owns the cube.

White to play 3-2

Problem 176 is an example of a type of position that arises fairly frequently, especially at the tail end of a mutual holding game. Black probably held White’s 5-point for a while, then left either to hit a shot or to create a spare on the midpoint. White scores a lucky hit, and now Black is stuck on the bar against a 5-point board.

Mobility

May 15, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, White owns the cube.

White to play 5-1

In backgammon, much of our thinking revolves around assets. What asset can we acquire with a given roll? What asset do we have to give up? One way to look at backgammon is as a series of decisions regarding the accumulation of assets, and the conversion of one asset into another.

Some assets are quasi-permanent, like inner-board points, or primes. Others are more ephemeral, like a racing lead, which can vanish with a single hit. We tend to prefer permanent assets to temporary assets when we have a choice, although usually we’re happy to get any kind of asset we can.

Action Doubles

May 1, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Blitzes

Cash game, center cube.

Should White double? Should Black take if doubled?

This position is another example of our old friend, the “Action Double”. We’ve seen one of these before, in the blog post of September 1, 2023. Here’s a brief description of the conditions that create a good action double.