88 Park Avenue, Suite 302 | Arlington, MA 02476 | 781-641-2091

The premier source for backgammon books, lessons & blog problems.

“Reading every word, slowly studying each diagram and following your analysis was invaluable to strengthening not only my checker play but my understanding of fundamental backgammon.”

Bill Robertie’s Blog

Bill Robertie welcomes the opportunity to share his knowledge of backgammon with experienced players and beginners alike.

On his blog, Robertie publishes set and equipment reviews, creates quiz contests and provides free lessons. He would be remiss not to include his Robertie’s Rules! He also educates readers of the Gammon Press blog on the history of the game, offers backgammon instruction and more.

Search

Use the form to search books, blogs, and resources.

Browse blog categories using the drop-down.

Doubling Weak Players in Tournaments

White – Pips 4 (-2), Match -7 -3

Black – Pips 6 (+2), Match -3 -7
Black on roll. Cube action?

Black leads 4-0 in a 7-point match and owns a 2-cube.

(a) Assume you are Black, you are a very strong player, and you are playing another very strong player. Should Black double in this position? If Black doubles, should White take or drop?

(b) Same question, but now you are Black playing a weak player.

read more…

Middle Game Maneuvering

White – Pips 143 (-53)

Black – Pips 196 (+53)
Black to Play 3-2

This position is taken from a game which began with a lot of hitting, but not much point-making. Both sides have now secured good anchors; Black also has the 22-point, so he has the making of a strong holding game. Each side has managed to add one outside point along the way. Black has his bar-point, while White has his 9-point. For good measure, White has built a 53-pip lead in the race.

What are the game plans going forward? White’s is pretty simple. He probably won’t be able to build an effective prime, so he needs to capitalize on his racing lead by scrambling his back checkers home, and the sooner the better. He’ll want to start with the checker on his 24-point, and then follow with the checkers on his 20-point. He’s not averse to building the low points in his board; the spares on his 6, 8, and 9-points don’t really have anywhere else to go, and a strong board might help him if he can hit a lucky shot.

read more…

How to Play a Proto-Backgame

White – Pips 175 (-42)

Black – Pips 217 (+42)
Black to Play 6-2



This position is an example of what I like to call the proto-backgame. Both sides have been busy whacking each other for a while, with the result that Black now has seven men back, and White has three. Neither side has managed to make either a new home-board point or a new blocking point, so each side is free to maneuver, and the cost of getting another man hit is very small. Now Black has a 6-2 to play from the bar. Clearly he’ll come in with Bar/23, after which he can choose among five legal sixes, none of which are absurd. It’s a tough problem, to be sure.

read more…