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An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

by Steve Sax
22 July 2009

Steve Sax

When I first started writing for GammonVillage in 2002 I wrote an introductory article on ten ways to improve your backgammon game. Since then a few things have changed and while I would still advocate following the ten steps to improve your game, I will add a few to the list that either weren't available at the time, or I hadn't considered.

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Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: Nicholas121427

Date: 23 Jul 2009 00:19 EST

Any other info on this extreme bg program. I can't seem to find it anywhere....

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: STEAMSAX Member has a photo available

Date: 23 Jul 2009 07:56 EST

Hi Nicholas,

There should be some conversation about the program at Stick's website bgonline.org.

Phil Simborg seems to be pushing the product as well so contact him too.

Thanks for asking and keep on reading.

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 24 Jul 2009 00:26 EST

1. You can find extreme gammon at www.extremegammon.com. Yes, I am "pushing" it because I helped in the developement and added many ideas and suggestions to make it more fun, and also because I think it is a great product. It's easier and faster than GNU and Snowie, more fun, and extremely accurate. If you check my name when you buy it and contact me, you will get a free tutorial from me as well. 2. Steve suggests playing humans a lot because you will get some "imperfect" cubes and plays. Excellent advice. For those of you who live some where where you can't play humans regularly, or you have trouble with internet play, remember you can play the bots at a lower level so that it is much more like playing a human. 3. I liked and agreed with all of your book suggestions, but for entertainment it's hard to beat Can a Fish Taste Twice as good by Jake and Walter (Jacobs and Trice), and there is a lot of fun and great backgammon material in Corbett's book, Backgammon Problems.

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: RichMunitz Member has a photo available

Date: 28 Jul 2009 23:01 EST

bgonline.org is certainly a great site for openings, but the forums are probably even more valuable. Where else can you go to find some of the worlds best players sharing their insights on some very interesting positions on a daily basis. And its free. But warning: it can be addictive!

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: TheRake

Date: 29 Jul 2009 03:19 EST

Excellent advice.

You say that Snowie does not vary checker play according to match score whereas gnubg does. (I guess a simple example is splitting or two down on an opening 54.)

I'd just like to check I understand this. Snowie does not vary checker play with score in either evaluations and rollouts; gnubg does vary in evaluations and rollouts ?

If indeed gnubg does this variation, does it happen a lot, including in middle game positions ?

Ray Kershaw

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: STEAMSAX Member has a photo available

Date: 29 Jul 2009 03:41 EST

Thank you Richard. Passively listening in on a debate over a position is a good way to learn from the best, and I'd add contributing to the debate is another good way to get your questions answered.

The Advanced level player may feel a bit insecure about joining in a debate among World Class level players, but if the question is intellegently phrased it will most likely be politely answered.

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: STEAMSAX Member has a photo available

Date: 29 Jul 2009 03:43 EST

Hi Ray, I don't have a lot of experience with GNU so I would be the wrong one to ask about comparisons.

Stick certainly has a lot of experience with both so I'd trust his informed answer rather than my subjective guess.

Subject: Re: An Update On How To Improve Your Backgammon Game

From: c_ray

Date: 14 Aug 2009 12:22 EST

Excellent article, Steve. I especially liked the point you made about teaching crystallizing one's own knowledge. (And teaching is good for the health and longevity of the game, too.)

Regarding clocks, I emphasize that digital clocks (as opposed to analog clocks) are not only the way of the future but already the way of the present. (Analog rules can be used with digital clocks.) In the US (and I believe in Denmark), the current popular settings are 12 free seconds per move and 2 reserve minutes per matchpoint per player. For example, a 7 point match will start with each player having 14 reserve minutes which are decremented if/when the 12 free seconds for the given turn are used up.

Chuck Bower

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