Recent Backgammon Articles
Model Backgammon and the Jacoby Rule
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.
5.00
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.
4.83
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.
4.50
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.
4.80
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...
5.00
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.
4.00
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.
5.00
Backgammon Matches
2011 ABT Ohio State Backgammon Championships Final Match - John O'Hagan vs. Greg Merriman - Game 1
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.
5.00
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.
5.00
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.
5.00
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.
5.00
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.
5.00
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.
5.00
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.
5.00
Beginner Backgammon Tutorials
Backgammon Checker Play For Idiots
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.
4.79
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.
4.00
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.
4.50
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.
3.00
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.
4.50
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.
4.00
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.
5.00
Advanced Backgammon Tutorials
So You Think Backgammon is Easy?
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.
2.65
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!
4.40
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.
3.86
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.
4.40
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.
4.11
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.
4.91
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.
4.38
FIBS Board:
Re: Game 3, move 16: Herd 6-2
Mon, May 21, 2012 04:39 PMUSBGF:
USBGF OLM 2012-05-20
Mon, May 21, 2012 01:48 AMBig Money Bill:
After the Hit
Sun, May 20, 2012 09:00 PMDorbel Daily:
The Major Split, Right Or Wrong?
Fri, May 11, 2012 05:03 AMBackgammon for Beginners:
Magriel's Safe vs Bold criteria
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 01:01 PM
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