5-Question Backgammon Quiz

by Phil Simborg
26 March 2009

Phil Simborg

Here's a fun and informative short quiz for you. Nobody got all 5 right when I presented this at our Monday Night Chicago backgammon club. Let me know if you got them all.

The answers and a brief explanation appear right after each one, so don't peek!

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Subject: Re: 5-Question Backgammon Quiz

From: Mr_Pedantic

Date: 27 Mar 2009 09:15 EST

I disagree with your answer to question 5. Black can win a gammon. It will just count as a single game if the cube has not been turned and the Jacoby rule is in force.

Also black may double later in the game and white takes. Then gammons will count double. :-)

Subject: Re: 5-Question Backgammon Quiz

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 27 Mar 2009 09:37 EST

Your name is a great clue to your thinking and approach. (the dictionary defines "pedantic" as "overly concerned with minute details or formalisms.")

It is a matter of interpretation and semantics as to whether you can win a gammon with the cube unturned. By my definition, a gammon is a win that is double the cube, and since it is a single win, it is, by my definition, not a gammon.

Black may double later and white may take, but that is not a likely scenario. My quiz, and all backgammon answers to problems, address the "odds" or "likelihood" of something happening, and in this case, the odds clearly are that if you play on you will only win 1 point, and even if you remember or choose to double later, it is highly likely to be a drop and you still don't win a gammon.

Subject: Re: 5-Question Backgammon Quiz

From: Bulle

Date: 31 Mar 2009 07:58 EST

Position 4 could be a pass on rollout since it is just a small take on eval.

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