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Noteworthy
How to Play the Opening in Backgammon/Part 3 – Order From Chaos
How to Play the Opening in Backgammon/Part 3 – Order from Chaos covers some key opening concepts that weren’t discussed in Books 1 and 2 and sheds some light on some situations that haven’t really been described in the literature at all.
The third chapter, for example, talks about the Outfield. When do you run to the outfield, and when don’t you? But even more important, what do you do when you run to the outfield and don’t get hit? Do you quickly run that blot to safety, or do you recognize that the blot is now as much an asset as a liability, and leave him where he is?
The last chapter discusses doubling in the very early part of the game, in positions which aren’t blitzes. Such doubles not only exist, but are much more common than you might think. The book lays out some examples and rules of thumb for identifying these doubles. And the chapter concludes with some advice for avoiding that most dreaded of opening traps – the horrific Blockhead Blockchain!
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Info: 142 pages, 223 diagrams, softbound
Price: $50 + S/H
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How to Play the Opening in Backgammon Part 1 now available
I’m pleased to announce that my new book, How to Play the Opening in Backgammon, Part 1, has been published and is available for purchase here at the Gammon Press. To order, click here.
The book is built around the kinds of typical choices that players face in the opening part of the game. For example: you throw a number that can be used to make the 5-point or the 20-point. Which point do you make? You throw a number that can make the 20-point or hit in the outfield. What’s right? A few opening plays are forced, but the non-forced plays boil down to choices like this. How do you make these decisions?
Unfortunately for people just learning the game, choices like this can’t be reduced to simple slogans like “When in doubt, make the 20-point.” When a real choice exists for an opening play, the answer will hinge on a number of factors which in varying degree will be contributing to the ultimate decision. Here are some of the ideas that bear on opening decisions:
> What’s the race? A significant racing lead favors plays that don’t leave blots and plays that contribute to escaping the back checkers. Trailing in the race favors plays that maximize contact.
> Does one play make a point? A point is an asset that may last a long time. During every turn that you hold a point is a turn where that point is restricting some of your opponent’s rolls. For a point-making play not to be best, the alternative needs to create some powerful assets or reduce some major liability.
> Has your opponent made a blocking point? If so, splitting rises in value.
> Do you have a stripped outside point? If so, adding a spare will increase its value.
> Do you have a stacked point? Unstacking it will improve your position.
These and other ideas will factor into the decision-making for any non-forced play.
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I’ve had a number of requests to show the Table of Contents for Part 1, so here it is.
Chapter 1: The Opening Move
Chapter 2: The Reply to the Opening Move
Chapter 3: The 5-Point
3.1 The 5-Point or the 20-Point?
3.2 The 5-Point or the 21-Point?
3.3 The 5-Point or the 4-Point?
3.4 The 5-Point or the 3-Point?
3.5 The 5-Point or an Outside Point?
3.6 The 5-Point or the 7-Point?
3.7 Make the 5-Point, Breaking the 7 or 8-Point?
3.8 The 5-Point or Some Other Improvement?
3.9 Make the 5-Point or Hit Somewhere? – 1
3.10 Make the 5-Point or Hit Somewhere? – 2
3.11 Make the 5-Point or Hit Two Checkers?
Chapter 4: The 20-Point
4.1 The 20-Point or the 4-Point?
4.2 The 20-Point or the 9-Point?
4.3 Make the 20-Point or Hit? – 1
4.4 Make the 20-Point or Hit? – 2
Chapter 5: The 4-Point
5.1 Make the 4-Point or Hit?
5.2 Make the 4-Point or Double-Hit?
5.3 Make the 4-Point or a Good Anchor?
5.4 Make the 4-point, Breaking the 8-Point?
The opening in backgammon is a big subject, and trying to fit it all into a single book would have been too unwieldy. The book will appear in three parts, spaced about three months apart. Look for Part 2 sometime in June.
Guest Appearances
USBGF Women of Backgammon Federation: Q&A with Bill Robertie
Bill Robertie meets with the USBGF Women of Backgammon group for an informal Q&A session. Founded, and directed by women, the USBGF Women of Backgammon provides support and resources to girls, women, and gender minorities seeking to get involved in the game.
Backgammon Galaxy: Backgammon Podcast #3
In this episode of the Backgammon Podcast, Marc has a deep conversation with the Backgammon legend, author and double world champion Bill Robertie. The conversation includes:
- Bill's career as a player and author.
- The evolution of backgammon theory.
- The difference between backgammon and chess.
- Writing the best-selling poker books "Harrington on Hold'em" series.
- Bill's "new way of thinking" about backgammon philosophy.
The opening rolls are not often at the top of the heap of things to hone as we improve our play. Automatic right? Not so much, Bill Robertie, two-time World Champion, pulls out four, yes, just four, plays to discuss and everyone there found the discussion riveting. One master player said it was a great learning lesson for beginners and for advanced players. So, whatever your level of play, don't miss this. And for those who remember backgammon in the 70's, Bill's anecdote about Paul Magriel is a heart-warmer.
Featured
Backgammon Books
A good book by a backgammon expert can provide game-changing information at a reasonable price which players can absorb at their own pace. The Gammon Press store stocks essential reads by Bill Robertie and Kit Woolsey, along with the works of Bob Wachtel, Peter Bell and others.
If you want to improve your backgammon game, this is the place to start.