The Gammon Press

When something else is better than running …

Feb 15, 2026 | Backgammon Generally, Backgammon Problems: Early Game

Cash game. White on roll. White to play 6-3.

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.

Often in the opening you’ll escape one of your two back checkers, and then find yourself in a type of position we call “One Man Back”. These positions can be tricky. If you roll a big number, should you make a bid for escaping and run the last checker out, or leave him back and make some sort of building play on your side of the board?

Slotting criteria when you have an anchor …

Jan 15, 2026 | Backgammon Generally, Backgammon Problems: Early Game

Cash game. White on roll. White to play 4-1.

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.

We sell a lot of books at the Gammon Press and the most popular books right now are a three-volume set called “How to Play the Opening in Backgammon”. The most common question I get asked about the set is “Why a 3-volume set just on the Opening? What about the other parts of the game?”

Maybe too good to double?

Dec 15, 2025 | Backgammon Generally

Cash game, White owns the cube. White on roll.

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.

This is a fairly simple problem that illustrates a common theme which occurs in some degenerate prime versus prime games.

A tricky “bearoff against contact” position …

Nov 15, 2025 | Backgammon Generally

Cash game. Black owns the cube. White to play 3-1.

Backgammon position

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.

In this position, Black got stuck playing an ace-point game which didn’t go well for him. Now he’s lost his 6-point, and next turn he’ll either have to break his board or run off his anchor.