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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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Priming Games: Escape or Build Structure?
Cash game. Center cube. White on move.
(A) White to play 6-1.
(B) White to play 6-1.
One of the most difficult choices in the early and middle stages of a backgammon game is the choice between creating structure (a blocking prime) and attending to issues on the other side of the board. Those issues vary: you might be able to hit a checker, or make a defensive anchor, or escape one of your back men. In some cases, making structure is correct. In other cases, playing on the other side of the board is correct. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples, to see the ideas that have to guide us in these decisions.
Let’s start with Position (A). It’s not a tough problem. White can hit a blot with 24/17* or build some structure with 13/7 8/7. The structural play has two problems: the structure isn’t that impressive, and it gives Black a direct shot at White’s blot on the 14-point. For structure to trump hitting, you want structure which is solid and imposing.
24/17* might look loose, but it accomplishes two great things: hitting an important blot, and escaping a rear checker. True, Black may hit back. He has a total of 16 return hits (all twos except 2-6, and all fives except 5-6). But that leaves 20 rolls that don’t hit, and those are great rolls for White – he’s ahead in the race and his rear checkers are out. Potentially getting all your back checkers out is a great result, and 24/17* puts White within striking distance of that goal.
Problem (B) occurs much later in the game. White has two choices: he can block in Black’s two rear checkers with 13/7 8/7, or he can escape his own last checker with 24/17. Running out is more volatile – if White gets away with it, he’s close to a double, but if Black hits, White is an immediate underdog. Making the 7-point, on the other hand, leaves White a solid but unspectacular favorite in most variations.
What’s right? White should go ahead and make his 7-point. There are two reasons:
(1) With an advantage and a centered cube, you’re not looking to make big swing plays. You’re more interested in plays that preserve your advantage and creep closer to an eventual good double. When in doubt between the merits of two plays, lean to the more conservative choice.
(2) Trapping two men will increase your gammon chances dramatically. There’s actually not much difference in raw winning chances between the two plays, but locking in Black’s two back checkers will win many more gammons.
The basic idea in these positions is a simple one: the quality of the structure you build is crucial. Turning a very weak structure into a slightly better structure, as in Position (A), isn’t worth that much. Turning a broken structure into a 5-point prime, as in Position (B), is huge, even when the alternative is escaping the last checker from behind a 5-prime! The lesson to be learned is that creating a 5-prime or even a 4-prime may outweigh making progress on the other side of the board, but just building a blocking point or a 3-prime is probably not enough.
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.
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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.