Celebrating 13 years in backgammon games

Recent Backgammon Articles

Model Backgammon and the Jacoby Rule

15 May 2012 - by Douglas Zare

Since backgammon bots play quite well, it is easy to assume that the theory of backgammon is almost complete. In fact, there are many fundamental questions which are still not settled. While the bots help, they are often not the most convenient tool.

 

Rating:  5.00
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Only 16 by Jake Jacobs
Jake Jacobs

Only 16

10 May 2012 - by Jake Jacobs

It seems my assumption, that the backgammon problems were similar enough that from the answers, and a bit of thought, all would be revealed, was wrong.

Rating:  4.83
Are You Too Good to Double? by Mary Hickey
Mary Hickey

Are You Too Good to Double?

02 May 2012 - by Mary Hickey

Knowing when to double is one of the hardest aspects of backgammon to learn. Some positions demand a cube with only a slight pull in your favor, but others call for waiting with a much larger advantage.

Rating:  4.50
Crash and Burn by Steve Sax
Steve Sax

Crash and Burn

30 Apr 2012 - by Steve Sax

When asked what the worst possible backgammon tournament result is my answer is "Crash and Burn". That is when you get to the money round in every event and lose all of those matches.

Rating:  4.80
Randomness by Stick
Stick

Randomness

27 Apr 2012 - by Stick

Don't lie, you saw the title and thought this was going to be about dice distribution. Do I look like that kind of guy to you? Most backgammon articles are geared toward a type of game whether it be backgames or holding games or blitzing games...

Rating:  5.00
Sweet 16 In The Prime Of Life Quiz by Jake Jacobs
Jake Jacobs

Sweet 16 In The Prime Of Life Quiz

10 Apr 2012 - by Jake Jacobs

Spring is here, and prom season is in full swing. "All the cats" may want to dance with Sweet Little Sixteen, but I am sure that for this quiz you are glad she came in off the bar instead of dancing.

Rating:  4.00
Zare Race Database by Douglas Zare
Douglas Zare

Zare Race Database

01 Apr 2012 - by Douglas Zare

There are many backgammon race databases. I'm going to add another to the collection, the Zare Race Database. I wrote some of the tools to create the database years ago, but I only recently wrote an interface which allows easier access to the information.

Rating:  5.00
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Backgammon Matches

2011 ABT Ohio State Backgammon Championships Final Match - John O'Hagan vs. Greg Merriman - Game 1

05 Apr 2011 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes the first of two 11-point Final matches from the 2011 ABT Ohio State Backgammon Championships played between John O'Hagan and Greg Merriman.

 

Rating:  5.00
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2010 California State Backgammon Championships Final Match - Malcolm Davis vs. Wayne Jeffcoat - Game 1 by Snowie 4 Pro
Malcolm Davis

2010 California State Backgammon Championships Final Match - Malcolm Davis vs. Wayne Jeffcoat - Game 1

30 Dec 2010 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes the 11-point Final match from the 2010 California State Backgammon Championships played between Malcolm Davis and Wayne Jeffcoat.

Rating:  5.00
2010 Las Vegas Backgammon Open Final Match - Fred Kalantari vs. Julian Fetterlein - Game 1 by Snowie 4 Pro
Las Vegas

2010 Las Vegas Backgammon Open Final Match - Fred Kalantari vs. Julian Fetterlein - Game 1

17 Nov 2010 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes the 17-point Final match from the 2010 Las Vegas Backgammon Open played between Fred Kalantari and Julian Fetterlein.

Rating:  5.00
2010 ABT Illinois State Championship Match - Carter Mattig vs. Phil Simborg - Game 1 by Snowie 4 Pro
Carter Mattig

2010 ABT Illinois State Championship Match - Carter Mattig vs. Phil Simborg - Game 1

22 Oct 2010 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes the 13-point Final match from the 2010 ABT Illinois State Championship played between Carter Mattig and Phil Simborg.

Rating:  5.00
2010 ABT Florida Championship Match - John O'Hagan vs. Gregg Cattanach - Game 1 by Snowie 4 Pro
John O'Hagan

2010 ABT Florida Championship Match - John O'Hagan vs. Gregg Cattanach - Game 1

25 Aug 2010 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes the 15-point Final match from the 2010 ABT Florida Championship played between John O'Hagan and Gregg Cattanach.

Rating:  5.00
2010 World Championship Consolation Match - Masayuki Mochizuki vs. Tobias Hellwag - Game 1 by Snowie 4 Pro
Tobias Hellwag

2010 World Championship Consolation Match - Masayuki Mochizuki vs. Tobias Hellwag - Game 1

18 Aug 2010 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes this 11-point consolation match from the 2010 World Championships played between Masayuki Mochizuki and Tobias Hellwag.

Rating:  5.00
2010 World Championship Consolation Match - Masayuki Mochizuki vs. Matt Cohn-Geier - Game 1 by Snowie 4 Pro
Matt Cohn-Geier

2010 World Championship Consolation Match - Masayuki Mochizuki vs. Matt Cohn-Geier - Game 1

16 Aug 2010 - by Snowie 4 Pro

Snowie 4 Pro analyzes this 9-point consolation match from the 2010 World Championships played between Masayuki Mochizuki and Matt Cohn-Geier.

Rating:  5.00
Backgammon Match Viewer
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Beginner Backgammon Tutorials

Backgammon Checker Play For Idiots

03 Jan 2008 - by Phil Simborg

Backgammon is an easy game to learn, but a hard game to play well. Over the years, I have learned several excellent guidelines to checker play that generally guide me to the best moves. I teach all of these to my students, and I know they will be helpful to you as well.

 

Rating:  4.79
Backgammon Match Viewer
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The Best Way to Learn and Improve Your Backgammon Game by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

The Best Way to Learn and Improve Your Backgammon Game

13 Dec 2007 - by Phil Simborg

I have found that the best way for my students to learn backgammon is to break the game down into single, specific areas of play, discuss then independently, and then practice just that area until they get it.

Rating:  4.00
Make it Pretty: Beautiful Backgammon by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

Make it Pretty: Beautiful Backgammon

01 Oct 2007 - by Phil Simborg

Backgammon is all about odds. It also is possible to play excellent backgammon without calculating numbers and odds in your head constantly, simply by playing moves that "look" more appealing than others.

Rating:  4.50
How To Roll Better by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

How To Roll Better

28 Sep 2006 - by Phil Simborg

I can help you. If you think you roll badly, or at least worse than your opponents, the truth is: YOU PROBABLY ARE! The reason, however, might surprise you.

Rating:  3.00
Backgammon Brain Busters #70 by Michael Strato
Strategy Talk

Backgammon Brain Busters #70

28 Mar 2006 - by Michael Strato

Come on in and share your views on these tricky backgammon problems with other members of GammonVillage.

Rating:  4.50
Backgammon Brain Busters #69 by Michael Strato
Strategy Talk

Backgammon Brain Busters #69

21 Mar 2006 - by Michael Strato

Come on in and share your views on these tricky backgammon problems with other members of GammonVillage.

Rating:  4.00
Backgammon Brain Busters #68 by Michael Strato
Strategy Talk

Backgammon Brain Busters #68

14 Mar 2006 - by Michael Strato

Three new backgammon brain teasers to test your skills. Come on in and share your opinion on these with other GV members.

Rating:  5.00
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Advanced Backgammon Tutorials

So You Think Backgammon is Easy?

29 Jul 2008 - by Phil Simborg

Here's a good example of how complex backgammon can be. There are two positions in this article where Black holds a 2-cube and is on roll. See if you can guess the proper cube action for both positions. Be prepared to be surprised.

 

Rating:  2.65
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The Backgammon Doubling Cube Made Simple by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

The Backgammon Doubling Cube Made Simple

03 Mar 2008 - by Phil Simborg

What I consider one of the most irritating things in backgammon: You are rolling the dice and playing along and having a really nice time, and then all of a sudden your opponent does something extremely irritating and rude. He doubles you!

Rating:  4.40
Playing for the Gammon:  Separating the Women from the Girls! by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

Playing for the Gammon: Separating the Women from the Girls!

21 Jan 2008 - by Phil Simborg

One of the many differences between a good backgammon player and a great player is knowing when to play on for the gammon and knowing when to turn the cube. Playing for the gammon also affects checker play.

Rating:  3.86
Alternative Rules to Make Backgammon Interesting by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

Alternative Rules to Make Backgammon Interesting

21 Dec 2007 - by Phil Simborg

I happen to believe that backgammon is a great game, just the way it is. From time to time, however, it is fun to change the game up a bit. Here are some "alternative ways to play that you not only will enjoy, but you will find them to be interesting learning exercises as well.

Rating:  4.40
You Can't Always Believe the Backgammon Bots by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

You Can't Always Believe the Backgammon Bots

14 Dec 2007 - by Phil Simborg

Some people say that backgammon is now fully in the computer age. I think these people are right - but they are only right about 97 percent of the time. I believe there are still many plays that the bots simply do not fully understand.

Rating:  4.11
Backgammon Match Equity Quiz by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

Backgammon Match Equity Quiz

09 Oct 2007 - by Phil Simborg

Phil reveals a backgammon position he uses to teach match equity to his students. Take the quiz and see where you rate.

Rating:  4.91
Backgammon Reference Positions by Phil Simborg
Phil Simborg

Backgammon Reference Positions

20 Sep 2007 - by Phil Simborg

Great backgammon players have a huge library, in their head, of "reference positions." In this article, I will attempt to give you some insights into the importance and use of key reference positions.

Rating:  4.38
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Celebrating 13 years in backgammon games

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