Bill Robertie’s Blog

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.