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International Backgammon Stars: Michy from Japan

by Steve Sax
21 December 2009

Steve Sax

In the coming months, we will take a look at some backgammon stars from around the world. There are a select few countries that produce a vast proportion of the world's best backgammon players. Those countries include Denmark, the USA, Germany, Sweden and Japan.

Today we will look at one of the players from Japan who has had a lot of success since he took up the game seriously in 1997. In 2001, I was invited to play in the Japan Open by my friend Mochy. During that trip, I faced Michihito Kageyama, better known to his friends as "Michy".

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Subject: Re: International Backgammon Stars: Michy from Japan

From: Timothy075931

Date: 24 Dec 2009 13:21 EST

Excellent article! I have a couple of questions, though.

1. What was your play in position 12? It looks like you forgot to say.

2. It looks like your rollouts are very short. Do you really trust the results, especially since Snowie does not play AtS? For example, in position 11, the play you rejected immediately (9/6 8/2*) is listed as second in the rollout. But the confidence interval is given as plus or minus 0.053, which is ten times the size of the equity difference between the top two plays.

Subject: Re: International Backgammon Stars: Michy from Japan

From: STEAMSAX Member has a photo available

Date: 24 Dec 2009 18:23 EST

Hi Timothy,

My play in position 12 was (9-3) not hitting.

I should have rolled those positions out longer, but my experience was that it would take 1000 games or more which would have taken many hours and I was on deadline.

Still that's no excuse and your point about Snowie not using checker play according to score is valid.

I will be getting eXtreme soon and when I am comfortable with it there is a good chance I'll switch.

Thank you for your interest,

Steve Sax

Subject: Re: International Backgammon Stars: Michy from Japan

From: Volker011248

Date: 05 Jan 2010 21:42 EST

Ty, very interesting positions ! What about the play 6/2* 24/22 in position Michy9. I figured, that splitting 24/22 is right, but i didnt really see the upside of covering the 9 point. I would be grateful for explanation why hitting is (obviously) wrong.

I have met Michy (only) twice live - in Stockholm and London - and I can confirm, he is a great gentleman of backgammon, always willing to share his knowledge with others.

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