Bill Robertie’s Blog

In degenerate prime versus prime games …

Jun 15, 2026 | Backgammon Generally

White on roll. Cube action?

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, but it illustrates a common theme which occurs in some degenerate prime versus prime games. Let’s take a close look.

Here both Black and White got stuck in an ace-point game behind a prime. Although White had more men back, Black’s prime actually collapsed first as he couldn’t release his back men. Now Black has lost his 6-point, and White is thinking about doubling.

Multiple options to bring the game home …

May 15, 2026 | Backgammon Generally, Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game. White on roll. White to play 6-4.

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, White launched a blitz after a few moves were made on both sides, and now Black is in serious trouble with two men up in the air facing a four-point board and more blots floating around. White’s 6-4 gives him several excellent options; his job now is not to get too excited, but to just find the most efficient way to bring the game home.

When you have to pick & choose … either but not both

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

Cash game. White on roll. White to play 3-2.

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, White has two choices: he can enter and hit on the 5-point, or he can enter and make an anchor on the 22-point. To hit or not to hit – what’s right?

When you can’t do anything good …

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

Cash game. White on roll. White to play 6-2.

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 position shows a position in the early game. White’s game is temporarily a little awkward, and now he throws a 2-6 from the bar.

Sometimes a six from the bar will allow us to do something obvious and good, like hitting a blot or building a point. When we can’t do anything good, we’re usually faced with a choice among several unappetizing alternatives. That’s the case here. We have four legal sixes: 8/2, 13/7, 21/15, and 22/16. None look great, but we have to pick one. Let’s set up some guidelines and see if they can lead us to the least unappealing six.