Battle of the GammonVillage Writers: Sax vs. Rice

by Steve Sax
20 June 2009

Steve Sax

When I suggested to "Stick" Rice that he come out to L.A. to compete in the Los Angeles Open and Super 32, run by Patrick Gibson of Gammon Associates, I knew there was a good chance I would have to play him at some point in the tournament. This would especially be true if I fared well, as Stick has had quite a successful career in his three short years on the ABT.

Stick managed to maneuver his way past "MCG" (Matt Cohn-Geier) in the first round and after a 2nd round victory, he found himself facing another Gammon Village feature columnist, yours truly. I had very good dice in my first two matches, giving up only 4 points in total in two thirteen point matches, but I had only beaten Stick once in my previous four attempts. MCG was kind enough to record the match, and while the match started fairly late on Friday evening and we were both tired, we tried our best not to embarrass ourselves.

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Subject: Re: Battle of the GammonVillage Writers: Sax vs. Rice

From: ynoth

Date: 23 Jun 2009 21:56 EST

This must be one of the best (of a very good bunch) article that I have read here - both from a backgammon perspective (a sea of great reference positions) but also the excitement of the match.

I look forward to your next meeting!

Subject: Re: Battle of the GammonVillage Writers: Sax vs. Rice

From: gibsonian Member has a photo available

Date: 25 Jun 2009 01:46 EST

Steve, Since I was directing the tournament (LAOpen), I did not get to see this match. Therefore the article is wonderful as I now do get to see most of it. I anticipated seeing the rest of the last game via the Viewer, but do not seem to get it to put the positions on the BOARD, just see the log and the rolls/moves that were made. Even trying to download the match, also does not work..

Thanks for another great article and for the long time support of Gammon Associates' events.

__________patrick (the MFIC)

Subject: Re: Battle of the GammonVillage Writers: Sax vs. Rice

From: STEAMSAX Member has a photo available

Date: 25 Jun 2009 02:52 EST

Hi Patrick,

I played the match via "Match Viewer" and I was able to view the whole match, so I'm not exactly sure what is going on at your end.

Thanks for responding and keep on reading.

Steve Sax

Subject: Re: Battle of the GammonVillage Writers: Sax vs. Rice

From: ROQREGA

Date: 02 Aug 2009 11:20 EST

Steve,

Great article and an even more incredible last game of the match.

But a question: Maybe stick shouldn't have picked up the third blot in the last hitting sequence before he was to bear in? This allowed you to dance enough turns to maintain timing for that final winning hit?

Or does he do it, cuz gammons win the match for him? and at DMP he wouldn't hit that last blot?

Thanks

Jason

Subject: Re: Battle of the GammonVillage Writers: Sax vs. Rice

From: STEAMSAX Member has a photo available

Date: 02 Aug 2009 20:01 EST

Even if he had a closed board, he would be right to pick up a third checker. When he hit the third checker, he still had his two point open so for the purposes of winning the game and winning the gammon he was right to pick up the third blot.

There are positions where it would be wrong to pick up the third checker but they are few and far between.

Where there has been some debate over the years, is on the subject of picking up a 4th or unlikely 5th checker, but that is a somewhat rare event.

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