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Cash game, center cube.
White to play 4-4.
This position was originally Problem 166, where Black had just danced and the question was whether or not White should double. (The answer was borderline double/no double, and easy take.) Some of the responders asked how White should play a subsequent 4-4, and that did seem like an interesting idea for a problem, so here it is.
Cash game, center cube.
Should White double? If he doubles, should Black take or drop?
This position shows a pretty interesting middle game position. Both sides have an anchor, and some points scattered around. White, however, is on roll and shooting at a bunch of blots. He has a total of 27 hits: all sixes, all fives, 4-3, 4-1. 3-2, and 3-3. That’s a lot of hits, so he’s naturally thinking about doubling, and Black is probably worrying whether or not he’ll have a take if White ships the cube.
Cash game, center cube.
White to play 4-1.
Is backgammon a simple game? No, not at all. There’s a lot you have to know, a lot of technique you have to master, a few formulas to memorize. But some elements of backgammon are easy. At bottom, backgammon’s about hitting blots, making points, and winning the race. read more…
Cash game, White owns the cube.
White to play 3-1.
White has a simple choice in this position: hit with 13/9*, or wait and make a point with 15/12 13/12. Last time we looked at some choices between hitting a blot or making a point in the context of early game play. This position occurs much later in the game, but, as it turns out, the very same principles are still useful. Let’s again list the criteria we explained last time, and see how they apply to this position.
