PRIMETIME

BACKGAMMON
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

THE GENIUS OF
BILL
ROBERTIE
Interview with the
two-time World
Champion and
Hall of Famer

MICHY
VS. MCG
Analysis of their final match

Monte carlo in the Markowitz Masters

exclusive Bagai's Surprise

Photos, coverage, and expert Learn to master second-
analysis from the 40th World roll reply theory with the
Championship in Monte Carlo new FlashBack tool
U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org
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4 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 5

PrimeTime Backgammon September - October Issue

Obukhov and Walt Smith, winners of USBGF
online tournaments, both of whom made the
transition from chess to backgammon, as well
as social player Genna Cowan. Supplementing

September -
his Hall of Fame duties, Robert Stoller gives us
an insightful profile of Ed Sawyer, winner of the
first USBGF Advanced Divisional.

October Issue USBGF President Bill Riles, in his message to

PrimeTime Backgammon the membership, urges members to participate

in the upcoming election of directors and to
By Karen Davis, Managing Editor nominate candidates for the Hall of Fame. We're

S
at our pivotal 5-year anniversary milestone. If
ummertime, and the living is easy Büyüksoy, provides one of his signature promoter/director whose books have taught you have suggestions for 2020 goals, let us know!
— especially if you are a backgam- photo essays, in which he profiles the new innumerable players both the basics and
mon enthusiast taking a working champion. finer points of the game. Check out the live and online tournament rank-
vacation in sunny Monte Carlo! In this ings and master points, Prime Clubs, upcoming
issue of PrimeTime Backgammon, we focus All this is not to say that nothing was hap- Each backgammon game begins with the events, and Get in the Game! 
on the most elegant, luxurious event in pening domestically, with tournaments opening; and in this issue expert Jeremy
the worldwide tournament calendar, the in Chicago in May and Michigan in July Bagai presents us, in an article entitled “Get Into the Game — Become a Member”
40th anniversary edition of the “World generating quite a buzz. On the way to “Bagai’s Replies Surprise,” with a set of
Championship of Backgammon,” held at winning the Markowitz Masters in Chicago, rules to make the choice of second-roll
the beachfront Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel Giant #2, Michihito Kageyama (Michy) was replies to opening moves foolproof. On
in the richest (per capita) country in the paired with Giant #5 Matt Cohn-Geier. An another technical note, New Zealand’s
world, Monaco. epic match like this one is grist for the mill Grant Hoffman shares a shortcut, the “Rule
of USBGF Match Editor Marty Storer; and of 8,” to facilitate over-the-board bearoff
Our coverage features my report. The Marty does not disappoint, astutely ana- calculations of the 1296 possible two-roll
Monte Carlo winner, Cihangir Çetinel, is lyzing ten key positions from the match. dice combinations.
the first Turkish player to claim that honor;
and the losing finalist was another Eastern
And in July, it was Marty himself who took
the spotlight, winning both the Michigan As the backgammon literature expands,
Featuring exclusive
European: the young Russian expert, Sergey
Erokhin. This unique pairing, I observe,
Summer Championship and the USBGF
National Championship East!
players need extensive consumer reports
to help keep up. In this issue, Robert Stoller
photos and reporting
from the 40th World
may signal the growing significance of reviews Danish expert Marc Olsen’s new
Eastern Europe in modern backgammon Our tribute to the inaugural cohort of book, Backgammon: From Basics to Badass.
competition. Two other articles complete American Backgammon Hall of Fame
our coverage of this premier event. First, our
editor and #8 Giant Bob Wachtel analyzes
honorees continues with USBGF Historian
Robert Stoller’s interview of two-time
Online backgammon on the USBGF Cir-
cuit is a wonderful way to meet and test
KAREN DAVIS Championship.
Karen Davis is Chairman of the USBGF
a few key positions from the final match; World Champion Bill Robertie. Bill is a your skills against top players from around Board of Directors and Managing
then Çetinel’s Turkish countryman, Sabri gifted and prolific author, publisher, and the world. In this issue, I profile Dmitriy Editor of PrimeTime Backgammon.
6 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 7

In This Issue September -

October 2015
FEATURED
20 HOF: ABRIDGED INTERVIEW
WITH BILL ROBERTIE
Robert Stoller conducts a fascinating interview with

28 Bill Robertie which highlights his many contribu-

tions to backgammon and his amazing insight to
take his game to the highest level.
CHICAGO'S MARKOWITZ MASTERS BY ROBERT STOLLER
Michy Kageyama won the Markowitz Masters at the Chica-
go Open in May, tied for second in the Championship modi-
fied Swiss format, and third in the Backgammon Olympiad.
20 28 MICHY VS. MATT COHN-GEIER:
MARKOWITZ MASTERS
Brilliant analysis and commentary of the stellar
BILL ROBERTIE
matchup between Michy and Matt Cohn-Geier in
Two-time World Backgammon Champion and
the Markowitz Masters at the 35th Chicago Open.
Hall of Fame notable Bill Robertie shares insights
BY MARTY STORER
into mastering backgammon in the pre-bot era.

ÇETINEL VS. EROKHIN 40 BAGAI'S REPLIES SURPRISE

Eastern European players stepped into the Jeremy Bagai presents his rules, tips, and

98 56 winner's circle at the 40th Backgammon

World Championship in Monte Carlo.
remarkable FlashBack tool to help you grasp
second-roll reply theory.
BY JEREMY BAGAI
REVIEW BY ROBERT STOLLER
52 THE RULE OF 8: HOW TO DO 1296

FROM LEFT: UNKNOWN; KAREN DAVIS; TARA MENDICINO

Bob Stoller provides a service to Intermedi-
ate and Advanced players with this insight- DIVISION QUICKLY & ACCURATELY

FROM TOP: ROBERT AMADOR; KURT BAUSCHARDT

ful review of Marc Olsen's new book. Grant Hoffman provides a shortcut to calculating
two-roll bearoff winning chances.
BY GRANT HOFFMAN
40TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Monte Carlo never disappoints with its fantastic views,
56 FINAL PRESSURE:
glamour, and world-class backgammon players. ÇETINEL VS. EROKHIN
Bob Wachtel analyzes key positions from the final
Questions or comments about PrimeTime match of the 40th World Championship in Monaco.
Backgammon? We want to hear from you! BY BOB WACHTEL
Contact us via e-mail at info@usbgf.org. 68
8 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 9

In This Issue In This Issue

September -
October 2015 ON THE COVER
Bill Robertie, the author, and in many ways the father,
FEATURED of Modern Backgammon, is honored in this issue of
68 EAST MEETS WEST PrimeTime Backgammon magazine. Photo by Tara
Mendicino taken at the 2015 U.S. Open in Las Vegas.
IN MONTE CARLO
Cihangir Çetinel's victory in the 40th World
SANDER & GUS IN MONTE CARLO
Championship is further proof of the trending
World reknown backgammon and poker experts
emergence of champions from Eastern Europe.
Sander Lyllof (l) and Gus Hansen (r) thoroughly
BY KAREN DAVIS
enjoyed themselves at the 40th Backgammon
World Championship in Monte Carlo.
78 CIHANGIR ÇETINEL:
2015 WORLD CHAMPION
Sabri Büyüksoy details World Champion Cihangir
Çetinel's background and his love of the game.
BY SABRI BÜYÜKSOY
102 QUALIFYING PRIME CLUBS 18 FOUNDING SPONSORS

PLAYER PROFILES USBGF Prime Clubs reflect growing local

club interest and participation.
We thank Thomas Buckner, our latest Diamond
Founding Sponsor, for his tremendous support.
82 ED SAWYER
Go and backgammon brighten life in Anchorage TOURNAMENT RESULTS USBGF NATIONAL & ONLINE STATS
for Ed Sawyer and his mentor, Bob Stoller.
105 LIVE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
BY ROBERT STOLLER 110 MASTER POINT LEADERS
90 WALT SMITH See all the results from ABT tournaments held
Ray Fogerlund has taken the lead in the 2015
in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Carolina, and Seattle,
84 GENNA COWAN Another chess convert, Walt loves the good humor USBGF National Master Points race, while Karen
as well as the 40th World Championship.
Genna loves socializing over an online and challenge of backgammon. Davis leads in 2015 USBGF Online Master Points.
backgammon game — an outlet from the stress of BY KAREN DAVIS BY RICH MUNITZ
115 ONLINE CIRCUIT WINNERS
work and life.
112 NATIONAL LEADERBOARD
BY KAREN DAVIS TOURNAMENT & LOCAL CLUB NEWS View recent winners of USBGF Online Circuit
tournaments through early October 2015. Open, Advanced, and Novice leaders in USBGF Elo
92 2015 MICHIGAN SUMMER
88 DMITRIY OBUKOV ratings in live events and 2015 ABT Points.

Chess grandmaster Dmitriy became a

BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS USBGF NEWS BY BARRY SILLIMAN
Marty Storer goes 17-1 in the Michigan Summer
backgammon convert and is now a backgammon 14 PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
BMAB grandmaster and member of the coveted PR
Championships and USBGF National Championship 114 ONLINE LEADERBOARD
TARA MENDICINO

The USBGF President and Executive Director

East, with an average 3.2 PR in 6 streamed matches. See the latest leaders from USBGF online tourna-
4.0 Club. announces the opening of Hall of Fame
BY KAREN DAVIS ments, plus wins, losses, and tournaments won.
BY KAREN DAVIS nominations and Board of Directors elections.
BY TARA MENDICINO
BY BILL RILES
 NY Metropolitan
Backgammon presents

The 9th New York

Metropolitan Open
PRIME
TOURNAMENT

January 6-10, 2016

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12 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 13

publisher

PRIMETIME Bill Riles

editor USBGF Board
of Directors
Bob Wachtel
BACKGAMMON Founding Editor
Matt Cohn-Geier

Staff &
President; Chief Technology
Managing Editor
Karen Davis
Executive Director; Officer; cO-Chair, Ratings
Treasurer and Stats Committee;
Production Editor

Volunteers
William Riles Governance and
Tara Mendicino Nominating Committee;
Chair, Education Rules and Ethics
Assistant Editor
Mark Antranikian
Committee Committee
Art Benjamin Richard Munitz
Assistant Editor
and Design Analyst Chair, Rules and Ethics Director, Local Club
MARK ANTRANIKIAN Lisa Rockwell committee; Governance Initiative; Rules and
Mark Antranikian, Assistant USBGF Photographers and Nominating Committee Ethics Committee
Dorn Bishop Justin Nunez
Editor, was a member of the Bill Riles, Karen Davis,
USBGF Team Championships Tara Mendicino, and Steve Sax Board Chair; Co-Chair,
winning team, Scared Hitless.
Governance and
Rankings Editor Membership and Marketing Nominating Committee;
Barry Silliman Committee Executive Committee; cO-
Karen Davis chair, Ratings and Stats
Feature Editor,
Annotated Matches Executive Committee; Committee
Marty Storer Chair, Tournament Joseph Russell
Directors liaison; Rules Membership and Marketing
Editorial Advisory Board and Ethics Committee; Committee; Director,
Karen Davis (Chair), Chuck Bower, Chair, Hall of Fame Streaming Initiative and TARA MENDICINO
Matt Cohn-Geier, Carol Joy Cole, Committee Member Services
Michelle Steinberg Tara Mendicino, Production Editor,
Gus Contos, Mike Corbett, Patrick Gibson Vice President and member of
Bill Riles, Justin Nunez,
Bob Wachtel, Kit Woolsey Co-Chair, Membership and Special Adviser to Board the USBGF Board of Directors,
BOB WACHTEL Marketing Committee of Directors and co-director of the Texas
information
Bob Wachtel, Editor of PrimeTime Julius High Backgammon Championships.
PrimeTime Backgammon is the Carol Joy Cole
Backgammon, is a renowned official magazine of the U.S.
author ranked #8 on the 2013 Rules and Ethics Accounting Manager
Backgammon Federation.
Giants of Backgammon. Committee Sheryl R. Lennon
contact us Neil Kazaross
E-Mail: info@usbgf.org
Secretary
Website: usbgf.org
TARA MENDICINO; STEVE SAX

Steve Mellen
Volume 6, Issue 5
vice president; Vice-
© 2015 U.S. Backgammon
Chair, Membership and
Federation
Marketing Committee;
KAREN DAVIS

from the editor chair, Governance and

Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individuals and do not Nominating Committee
necessarily reflect official positions of the U.S. Backgammon Federation. Tara Mendicino
14 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 15

President's Column

President's column
PATRICK GIBSON
In early October, USBGF Board
Member and American Backgammon
Five-Year Mark Hall of Fame Committee Chairman
Patrick Gibson will announce the
By Bill Riles, President and Executive Director procedure for candidate nominations
to the USBGF American Backgammon
Hall of Fame, Class of 2016.

F
ew business and non-profit entities years of membership for an additional $400. bers of the backgammon community with directors, authors, publishers, promoters, and will have at least one new face on the The USBGF has truly become an interna-
survive for more than a few years. It Hall of Fame laurels in 2016. Beginning teachers, or innovators. Board next year. I want to thank Justin for tional organization, including members
requires a great deal of dedication, A list of Founding Sponsors can be seen on or about October 14, 2015, all USBGF his service and contributions to the Board from around the globe and of all ages.
hard work, and the support of countless on page 19 of this magazine. We thank members will be able to use a form on the The American Backgammon Hall of Fame and to the game. Among our recent tournament winners
individuals — active and passive, financial them all. USBGF website to nominate candidates to is conceived as an elite institution, not as a have been players from Argentina, Turkey,
and otherwise — to build and develop a the USBGF American Backgammon Hall popularity contest or a vehicle to advance I want to encourage all capable members and Germany, and teenage brothers from
flourishing organization. Hall of Fame Nominations of Fame, Class of 2016. anyone’s self-interest. While everyone to consider standing for the Board them- the Czech Republic.
Last year, the USBGF established the Ameri- has their own ideas of who deserves to selves. Fresh faces, new ideas, fresh energy,
September 10, 2015 marked the fifth anni- can Backgammon Hall of Fame. Thirteen The Hall of Fame Committee will seriously be considered, we ask all to nominate and varying perspectives are invaluable to As the USBGF continues to grow and as we
versary of the USBGF’s Membership Launch inaugural inductees were elected from consider all nominations. The Hall of Fame candidates fairly. membership organizations. Successful or add new events to our online tournament
and Founding Sponsor Program. During a ballot developed by the USBGF Hall electors will then choose inductees from not, you can make yourself heard. Details on program (the IBC IV tournament and the
these five years, the USBGF has welcomed of Fame Committee, chaired by Patrick this ballot. The results of the election will Board of Directors Election the nomination procedure, voting process, new Federation Cup tournament will soon
125 Founding Sponsors, Prime Benefactors, Gibson. Committee members, members be announced at the Texas Backgammon At year end, we will have our third Board and voting schedule will be forthcoming in begin), match scheduling and tournament
and other major donors, raising in excess of the Board of Directors, and a limited Championships in San Antonio in February. of Directors election. Upon its completion, an email directed to all members. management become increasingly difficult
of $130,000. These generous individuals number of select USBGF members served all thirteen Board seats will have been filled and time-consuming propositions. We ask
have enabled the USBGF to become the as electors. The thirteen inaugural inductees Only USBGF members may submit nomi- by membership election. This was one of Online Match Scheduling your cooperation to keep these popular
vital organization it is today. We thank — players and directors — were indeed well nations for consideration. Nominees need my earliest objectives as President, and I, The monthly circuit tournaments and other events viable.
them for their generosity and look forward chosen, for they have made extraordinary not necessarily be USBGF members or therefore, view it as a particularly significant online tournaments are among our most
to their continued support. contributions to the game. You may view American. Nominations may be made accomplishment. Four seats — currently popular member resources. The tourna- Recognizing members’ busy schedules and
ROBERT AMADOR

the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony posthumously. Nominees should have held by Steve Mellen, Tara Mendicino, Justin ments provide challenging and entertain- the effect of widely-varying time zones on
Original Bronze Founding Sponsors whose at usbgf.org/awards/hof/media/. made important contributions to the game Nunez, and me — will be up for election ing opportunities to play other USBGF scheduling, we have typically allotted two-
memberships will soon expire can upgrade of backgammon in the United States over this year. Justin has decided not to run for members of varying skill levels from all week windows for matches to be played.
to a Silver Founding Sponsor with five more We will honor more distinguished mem- a significant period of time as players, re-election, so we will have an open seat over the States and from around the world. This should be more than adequate; but we
16 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine

President's Column
continue to have difficulty getting matches by the respective tournament director(s) as
completed within published deadlines. they arise — not long afterwards when all
Unfortunately, we have to more strictly of the facts, evidence, and witnesses may
enforce deadlines to manage the tourna- not be available.
ments. I have directed the online tourna-
ment director to resolve all matches — for- Backgammon is a social game. The USBGF
feiting, as necessary — on the day after the therefore encourages all members and Growing Membership & Growing the Game
published deadline for each round. I trust players to behave civilly and responsibly
that everyone understands this decision
and will adjust accordingly.
towards one another. Though we are all
occasionally frustrated in the course of
T he goal of the three-year USBGF Prime Tournament Initiative
is to increase USBGF membership among tournament
attendees, increase tournament attendance and participation in
tournament play, it is unprofessional and
Again, I would like all members to under- impermissible to take those feelings out
events, and enhance the USBGF role, visibility, and influence.
stand that the USBGF is very fortunate to on other members of the community. It is
Approximately 2,000 players have participated in ABT tournaments
have a significant international membership. not our place to feud with, hold grudges
since 2009 — only 25% are USBGF members. We want to encourage
Please recognize that, as members, every- against, or demean others. It is far better
the remaining 75%, and many others, to become USBGF members;
one has the same rights and privileges. We to recognize the transience of most such
enjoy our resources; and help us fulfill our mission to promote
should all work together to accommodate outbursts — and move on. Let everyone
and grow the game. The Prime Tournament Initiative attempts to
varying schedules and time zones. enjoy the game. PRIME accomplish this and allows the USBGF to target a membership of
TOURNAMENT 1,000 by the end of 2015. We need your support to reach our goal.
Deportment at Tournaments We do distinguish tournament deportment
Learn more at usbgf.org/media/prime/pt-initiative.pdf
The Board, the general membership, and from ethical play. Ethical violations can
Contribute at usbgf.org/media/prime/benefactor/
the backgammon community have been involve various forms of cheating, fraud,
distracted in recent months by squabbling throwing matches, manipulation of play
over the issue of player deportment at live
tournaments. Please see my article “Beauty
and bracket progression for illegal benefit,
and the like. The USBGF Rules and Ethics
Become a Prime Tournament Benefactor
and the Beast” in the May-June 2015 issue Committee, chaired by Dorn Bishop, is
of this magazine. working on a code of ethics that will be
applicable to a variety of common situations.
I would ask everyone to recognize that
the USBGF does not organize, sanction, I suggest everyone read the “Standards of
conduct, and/or direct live tournaments. Ethical Practice” statement found on the
Tournament directors do. Participants in USBGF website at usbgf.org/clubs/std-
live tournaments are not required to hold ethical-practice/. 
USBGF membership — many do, some
do not. “Get Into the Game — Become a Member”

Petty personal disputes should be resolved

between players and, if that is not possible,
18 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine

Founding Sponsors
Diamond Bruce Newberg
Larry Liebster
Steve Schreiber
Bob Glass
Malcolm Davis
Ben Friesen John Calcott
Alan and Joan Grunwald
Jim Stutz Jeff Burdsall
Hugh Sconyers
Gus Contos Justin and Rynell Nunez
Mike Svobodny
Dion Hogan Steve Sax
Thomas Buckner
Albert Steg Dorn Bishop
platinum Julius High Scott Kelland
Karen Davis Chuck Bower Arthur Stein
Morten Holm Bill Finneran Stepan Nuniyants
Harvey Gillis Mario Savan Powhatan French
gold

116
Jake Jacobs Robert E. Stoller
Anna Covlin Kristina Vig Joe Potts
Myles Covlin bronze Arkadiy Tsinis
Carla Gibson
Rod Covlin Pat McCormick

usbgf founding sponsors Patrick and Carla Gibson

Perry Gartner
Carol Joy Cole
Neal and Kathy Weiner
David Kettler
Michael Flohr
Jeb Horton

& Prime benefactors

Larry Taylor Neil Kazaross
Alfred Mamlet Cloyd LaPorte
Kit Woolsey
Edward B. Bennett Secil Baysal
Michael Weinberger
Outstanding Supporters of our Organization Richard Munitz
Joseph Russell
Preston Guidry
Jake Jacobs
David Rennie
Alan Pruce

T
Jeffrey Acierno Phil Simborg
he USBGF salutes the individuals event pairing Founding Sponsors and Prime
Sean Cearley
Masayuki Mochizuki Ed Sawyer
Kristina Vig
and organizations who have gen- Benefactors with Giants of Backgammon FOUNDERS' CUBES BY Falafel Natanzon Play65 Backgammon
Twain Pigott
erously supported our Federation — The Tournament of Stars — is held annu- LAWRENCE SONNÉ Jim Pasko Judy Field
Jerry Godsey
by becoming Founding Sponsors and Prime ally, honoring the Founding Sponsors and Founding Sponsors are presented
David Leibowitz Michelle Steinberg
Rory Pascar
Benefactors. These 116 Founding Sponsors Prime Benefactors who have been instru- with an exquisite, personal- Tariq Siddiqi
ized, engraved doubling cube,
Jason Lee Greg Cottle
and Prime Benefactors have provided the mental in the success of the organization. Michael Louis Rosen Steve Blanchard
specially designed for the USBGF. James G. Allen
seed capital needed for the launch of the Founding Sponsors receive a doubling cube Jamie Erin Rosen John Hamlin
Sean Williams
U.S. Backgammon Federation and/or have designed by Backgammon Elegance, and ert Stoller, John Bird, Karen Davis, Saba Art Benjamin Anthony Anton
Pat Geoffroy
contributed to the Prime Tournament Prime Benefactors receive a doubling cube Bejanishvili, Art Benjamin, Carol Joy Cole, Lloyd E. Webber (LEW) Vladimir Gudgenov
Mark Gordon
Saba Bejanishvili Stuart Domeshek
Initiative. The support of our Founding designed by Geoffrey Parker Games. We Patrick and Carla Gibson, Bill Riles, Victor Rochelle Hasson
Frank Talbot Jason Pack
Sponsors and Prime Benefactors will be welcome additional Founding Sponsors Ashkenazi, Julius High, and LEW Webber. Dennis Culpepper
Michihito Kageyama Edj Analytics
appreciated for years to come, and includes and Prime Benefactors who wish to help Andrew Martinez
Mike Costello
recognition on our website in perpetuity us grow the game we all love! More information on the benefits of becom- silver Drew Giovanis
James E. Roland
Stephen Deep
and benefits not available to any other class ing a Founding Sponsor may be found at Lynn Ehrlich John Barnett
of Membership. Thanks to Thomas Buckner, our latest USBGF Founding Sponsor Benefits and on Chiva Tafazzoli Bill Riles
Diamond Founding Sponsor, and to Prime becoming a Prime Benefactor at USBGF Alex Gerding Josh Racko youth
In appreciation of this support, a doubles Benefactors Geoffrey Parker Games, Rob- Prime Tournament Initiative.
Russell Sands István Éger
Within each level, names are presented in the order of becoming Founding Sponsors.
20 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 21

American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie

AMERICAN BACKGAMMON wanted to go back. for a second here. You’ve used a couple of

Hall of Fame
technical terms. What exactly is a rollout?
My second trip was ‘81. And as the tourna-
ment was winding down — I got knocked Bill Robertie: Okay, a rollout means that
out after a couple of rounds — I got the you take a position, let’s say you’re getting
idea, “Well, why don’t I record the final, doubled and you want to know if you can
and maybe I can recoup some expenses take or not, and instead of just making a
here and turn it into a book?” guess about it, you actually play the posi-
tion out to some conclusion, however many

“
Paul Magriel did the commentary on the times you want.
final, and he and I had gotten to be friends
Bill Robertie at that point, so he asked me to come up Now, in the days before we had decent

This is how I’m on stage and add some commentary; and backgammon bots, the only way to do that
Abridged Interview by Robert Stoller since I’d be sitting in front of a closed-circuit was by hand, but I realized very early that
going to learn about

R
screen, I could also record the match at that had to be a really important tool for
obert Stoller: For the record, couldn’t get down there, but [Boston's] with one of the early neural net computer backgammon. I’m the same time. So I did. We had a good analyzing backgammon positions.
my name is Bob Stoller. I am a Logan [International Airport] was closed programs, Learning From the Machine; a time. We went on for hours. We yakked
going to take crucial
founding sponsor of the U.S. for a couple of days, and after that it got compendium, 501 Essential Backgammon and chatted and joked with the audience, I was in Boston; I didn’t know it, but play-
Backgammon Federation. I am in this crazy, so unfortunately I’m stuck here. Problems; a fabulous book analyzing com- positions, and I’m and, meanwhile, I got everything down. ers in New York, Magriel and one or two
wonderful Mary Moody Northen suite at puter programs, Modern Backgammon; and others, were doing the same thing at the
going to roll them out
the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Robert Stoller: So you have remarkable a whole array of articles archived on the Then I came home. And over the course time. But it was key to my development
Texas, on the weekend of the third annual backgammon credentials. You were the Backgammon Galore website. by hand and discover of several months, I rolled out by hand all because I wasn’t wealthy enough to play
Texas Backgammon Championships. And winner of the World Championship twice, the truth about them. the cube positions, and then a few checker for the kind of stakes that good players
one of the features of the tournament is the in 1983 and 1987. Is that correct? So what I thought I’d do is start with your plays I think, too. And then I got to writing. played for, and I couldn’t go down to New
And that indeed
inaugural Hall of Fame induction for the first book, Lee Genud vs Joe Dwek: The The book came out in the middle of 1982. York back and forth a lot, so rolling posi-
U.S. Backgammon Hall of Fame. Bill Robertie: That’s correct. 1981 World Championship of Backgammon. turned out to be an tions out by hand was my main method of
It was well received because there had understanding the game then.
incredibly powerful
I have on a Skype hookup one of our first Robert Stoller: And you have also writ- Bill Robertie: I remember it well. never been a book before where the author
inductees, Bill Robertie, who was stranded ten numerous books. My list goes back tool. actually could say “I did these rollouts and Now, in the modern era, the bots got good
by winter storm Juno. He is speaking with to 1981, and has what’s known as the red Robert Stoller: What inspired you to here are the results.” enough to do rollouts 20 years ago, and
us from his home in Arlington, Massachu- book: Lee Genud vs Joe Dwek: The 1981 write this book? now players almost exclusively rely on
setts, and he has graciously agreed to spend World Championship of Backgammon — the And the rollouts revealed that both players bot rollouts to get these answers. But back
a few minutes recalling some memories of World Championship match fully analyzed; Bill Robertie: Well, two things. In 1979, were in fact much too tight when it came to in the early eighties, you either did hand
his days in backgammon. Advanced Backgammon in two volumes I took my first trip to Europe. I had won taking, and that turned out to be a general rollouts or you just guessed.
with at least two editions; Reno 1986, a free trip to Monte Carlo after winning feature of backgammon in that period, but
Robert Stoller: Thank you very, very chronicling Nack Ballard’s rise to fame; a big tournament in Boston that Black & that was the first time that a clear light got Robert Stoller: Table 1 of the red book
much for agreeing to do this with us. two books for beginners: Backgammon White scotch was sponsoring. I didn’t do shone on that. says, “Probability of victory for leading
for Winners and Backgammon for Serious much in the tournament that year but really player in 15-point match.” I will characterize
Bill Robertie: My pleasure. I’m sorry I Players; a monograph on your encounter got a taste for European backgammon and Robert Stoller: Let me interrupt you this as a match equity table. Is that correct?
22 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 23

American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie
Bill Robertie: Yes. I think that was the in our first class who have, sadly, passed Bill Robertie: We both attended a tour-
first time that a match equity table of any away: Oswald Jacoby, Barclay Cooke, and nament at Turnberry Isle in 1980, a big
size appeared in print. Walter Trice. And if I’m not mistaken, tournament. He seemed very tired, so I
you at least had a passing acquaintance presumed that he was not in terrific health,
Robert Stoller: Now, the copyright date with all of them, and better than passing and I believe he died a year or two after
in my edition is 1982. The very next year with perhaps one or two. So let me ask that. But he was an important figure. His
you won the World Championship. you about them in order. Oswald Jacoby. books sold very well, and they influenced
You met him? a generation of backgammon players in the
Bill Robertie: That’s true. I think some pure style, which is what we called it then.
of the work I was doing on Genud-Dwek Bill Robertie: I met him twice, once in Las
helped, though at the time I was also work- Vegas for an invitational tournament. He Robert Stoller: One of your legacies
ing on the first copy of Advanced Back- won the tournament. I think he beat Jason with your colleague Kent Goulding was
gammon, so I was doing rollouts on some Lester in the finals. He was at that point the founding of a journal called Inside
checker plays as well that went into that about 78, and he was incredibly impressive. Backgammon. I have Volume 1, Number
TWO-TIME WINNER
book. But, yes, I think that played a role. I mean, this is a brilliant guy who at age 78 1 here. It’s dated January-February 1991.
Two-time World Champion Bill
was still razor sharp and played first-class I want to read you the “Welcome to Inside
Robertie was in the inaugural
Robert Stoller: There’s an ancient Latin backgammon for that time. Backgammon” passage, which is on the cohort inducted into the Ameri-
proverb. Translated, it’s approximately, “We page 2, inside front cover. can Backgammon Hall of Fame.
teach so that we ourselves may learn.” You He was a world-class player in backgammon,
are one of the most prolific authors among in bridge, in gin rummy, Klaberjass, pretty “Compared to most other games of skill, from other top experts.” well-written articles that were thoroughly own work.
the introductory class of inductees to the much any card game that you could gamble backgammon is nearly devoid of qual- researched. And in every issue we had four
Hall of Fame. Did you find that writing at, and he had been, I think, the youngest ity instructive literature. Both of us have I’m going to pause there. That reminded problems, the solutions to which would be Robert Stoller: My observation is that
helped you with your competitive game? person to ever pass the accounting boards. played our game-playing background in me of Orson Welles’ character Charles in the following issue. there hasn’t been a really excellent match
chess. When we first took up backgam- Foster Kane’s statement of principles in book on backgammon published in the last
Bill Robertie: Yes, definitely. If you write So he was well known and incredibly mon, we were extremely frustrated by the the initial issue of the New York Inquirer And we were also sending a message. We ten years. The last one that really impressed
a book and you do a good job of it, you’re impressive. You met this guy and thought, lack of books and magazines from which from the movie Citizen Kane. Did you wanted to encourage other players to write me was Marty Storer’s Backgammon Praxis:
going to learn more than anybody who “Wow, this is a first-class mind.” to learn. We have tried in the past to fill have something like that in mind when articles for us. And we would pay them. We The Matches Of Malcolm Davis, Volumes 1
reads the book. A position that appears some of that void, and we like to think we’ve you wrote that passage? were actually the first magazine that paid and 2. And my thought is that the computer
on one page of the book might have taken I knew Walter Trice because he was in succeeded, at least to a degree. We’ve now for backgammon articles. We were happy programs have just dried up the market
you two or three days to roll out and think Boston from the seventies on, and so I joined forces to produce what we think will Bill Robertie: I actually never made that to do it if we could get good articles that for high-quality books. Do you have any
about, before you could say, “Okay, I think would see him at tournaments. In Boston be some of the best backgammon literature connection, although I’ve seen the movie way. And we got a few. thoughts on that?
I know what’s going on here, and here it is.” we knew Walter was a very good player, ever. Inside Backgammon is intended to be many times. And, you’re right, there is a
but when his book came out we realized, everything we both looked for years ago. similarity there. But, no, that was not in Kit Woolsey, for the most part, took us Bill Robertie: Well, let’s separate back-
The reader may get something out of it, but “Oh, he’s a terrific writer as well.” This is not a newsletter. The first six issues either of our heads when we were writ- up on that. He was always contributing gammon books into two groups, the match
the way most people read, it fades quickly; taken as a unit will be the equivalent of an ing that. stuff, and a few other players did as well. books and the problem books. The match
TARA MENDICINO

whereas if you actually had to do the heavy Robert Stoller: What about Barclay excellent book covering all aspects of the We didn’t get as much as we would have books are far and away the easiest ones
spadework, you are the chief beneficiary. Cooke? What, if anything, did you have game. The majority of the work will be We were just stating what, to us, was the liked, but mostly Kent and I would make to write, always were, because you knew
by the way of contact with him? produced in-house by the two of us. We obvious motivation of the magazine. We up the slack. If nothing came in over the exactly what you had to do.
Robert Stoller: We have three inductees will also endeavor to solicit quality articles wanted a high-quality magazine with transom, we’d just fill up an issue with our
24 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 25

American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie
You had a match; you were going to do Robert Stoller: Well, personally that We have a lot of good players here. How was a great success. for the tournament. rating lists here. This is December 1967, and
commentary on it; you knew what positions saddens me, but I fully understand the about if I run an invitational tournament on page 397 I see rating for a W. Robertie,
you had to work on. In a sense, the work of commercial realities you have to contend in Washington and we’ll invite the top 16 And then we decided, “Well, we’ve got to It was a great event. We always had 40 to Massachusetts, and the rating is 2140. I’m
laying out a book had already been done for with. Another facet of your career in back- American players and have a great old time.” do this some more.” So we did World Cup 50 people. The matches were long, and guessing that’s you.
you. Just comment on the match, as much gammon, again in collaboration with your 2 — we decided to do it every other year, after the first year we switched to a best
or as little as you like, but the conceptual business partner, Kent Goulding, was that So he did, and it was a big success. All the essentially because it was a lot of work and three out of five, 11-point match format Bill Robertie: That’s me.
part has been finished. you also were promoters and tournament players in the tournament loved it. And we felt like that schedule would give us a for each round, which took essentially an
directors, and I think your flagship tourna- Kent was motivated to do another two down year when we could relax and then entire day to play. Robert Stoller: And now I’ve got Decem-
Now, as a publisher, I can tell you that the ment was the World Cup. Could you talk years later. He had called the first one the gear up for the next one. So we did World ber 1974, and on page 841 your rating
reason you don’t see a lot of match books about that? U.S. Invitational, and the one in ‘86 was Cup 2 in 1990, also in Boston. And then we came up with the idea that is up to 2176. But you left chess to go to
is — publishers discovered they the second U.S. Invitational. everybody who got knocked out of the backgammon. So what did you like about
don’t sell. So why do a match And then we had a great stroke of luck. A World Cup would get a complimentary backgammon better than chess? Or did you?
book if you can do a problem And then in between ‘86 and fellow named Harvey Huie, who owned entry into what for them was a last chance,
book instead? ‘88 he came to me and he said, a chain of hotels in Dallas, had become a but for everybody else was the U.S. Open. Bill Robertie: My rating fluctuated. The
“Let’s do something more spec- backgammon enthusiast. This would have highest it ever got I think was 2260, some-
Match books — I’m sure Jeremy tacular than this. Let’s first of been 1991. We were all in Monte Carlo And we made some innovations. We came thing like that. I had some successes in chess.
Bagai would probably agree all cast the net wider so we get together, and he came to Kent and me and up with the idea of chouette tournaments. I won the U.S. speed chess championship
with this — sell one-tenth as Europeans and South Ameri- said, “You know, by God, you fellows are They were moderately successful, and people in 1970, so I was a decent player; but the
much as problem books. Once cans, and let’s call it a World running a real good tournament there, but had a good time. That was the first weekend. reality was, by the time 1975-’76 was rolling
I discovered that after Reno Cup, and we’ll have very long I’ll bet we could run it in Dallas and you’d around, I was 29.
‘86, I said, “Okay, from now matches, and we’ll just see what have an even better time than in Boston.” We had a one-point match tournament
on I’m doing either problem happens.” that ended up with 128 players putting I knew that basically I wasn’t going to get
books or introductory books or And Kent and I said, “Well, Harvey, that in a hundred bucks each. That was a nice appreciably better than I was. There are rare
something, but I’m not doing We got 46 players, which blew sounds like a mighty good idea.” prize fund. cases of chess players improving in their
any more match books.” I actu- our minds. I mean, that was a thirties, but this was going to be my peak.
ally — no, I cheated a little. I high-entry-fee tournament. The Harvey said, “I’ve got a hotel you won’t We had doubles tournaments, and other
actually snuck a whole match matches started at 25 points believe, and we’ll give you the rooms you things. Eventually it expanded to nine solid And it was okay, but, gee whiz, I’d been
into the back of Modern Back- and went up from there. Even want, and it will be a gay old time, and we’ll days of backgammon. It was a lot of fun. playing chess since I was ten, and if this
gammon. in the consolation, the matches get everybody together, and we’ll chouette was as good as it was going to get — you
Bill Robertie: That’s correct. Kent got started I think at 21 or 19. all night and play all day, and, by God, this Robert Stoller: So looking back over your know, winning local tournaments in Mas-
Robert Stoller: Yes, you did. the ball rolling in 1984. He decided it had will be great.” career as a player, as a publisher, author, sachusetts — that wasn’t all that exciting.
been some years since there had been an We had essentially a week to play the tour- director, promoter, which of these roles
Bill Robertie: Yes. It was a good match, invitational backgammon tournament. nament, so it was not a grueling schedule. So we heard that, and we said, “Well, we’re gave you the most satisfaction? I didn’t really think about backgammon. I
and it was sort of fun, and people bought There had been quite a few of them in the A lot of times there would only be one moving to Dallas. This is great.” And we barely knew about the game. At some point
the book anyway for the first 200 pages of seventies, and the whole history of that match a day. held it for four years in Dallas. Let’s see. Bill Robertie: Playing. By far. somebody had taught me how to play. But
ROBERT AMADOR

it. But the truth is match books just do not is detailed in Reno ‘86. But in 1984 there The first year was at Harvey’s Bristol Suites in 1976, I had this conversation with a
sell. To a publisher they’re dead weight. So hadn’t been one since ‘78. So the tournament chugged along, and hotel. It was kind of a nice, big, round tower. Robert Stoller: Now both you and Kent friend of mine that changed my life for the
I don’t think you’ll see any more, certainly people had a great time, and we had an And then after that we moved to one of his came from the chess community, and in better. It was really a single conversation
not from me or the Gammon Press. And Kent said, “Well, we should change this. incredibly worthy winner, Joe Sylvester. It other hotels which actually had more space fact I brought some Chess Life & Review that pushed me over the edge from chess
26 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 27

American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie American Backgammon Hall of Fame: Bill Robertie
to backgammon. January 1976, I was living in Arlington I had those books, and I read them and a take or a drop? The books didn’t say. In first real, hard knowledge based on your own Bill Robertie: It’s the right balance for me
then — I went to the bookstores in Harvard read them, and I discovered something fact, the books, even though they taught rollout experience from these proposition between a board game where there’s real
Robert Stoller: Well, you’ve got to tell Square, and I bought every backgammon very interesting. I started playing with you how to play checkers pretty well, had exercises that you’ve done? skill in maneuvering the pieces — which of
us more about that. So who was the con- book they had on the shelves. I think I got my friends at the chess club downtown almost nothing to say about the cube. So course it has in common with chess — and
versation with? 15 in the first pass. The first thing I did was for very small stakes. And just by reading we didn’t know. Bill Robertie: Yeah. Oh, by the way, that a gambling game like poker, where you’re
I read them all. And I used what I knew those books, I had already gotten much prop turned out to be a take, so that led betting on probabilistic outcomes. It’s a
Bill Robertie: I’ll let his name be unknown about chess to sort them out. better than they were — which was a big We played a lot of ace-point games, and directly to a few days later playing in a very nice merger of the two.
for now, but here’s what happened. He was jump, because before that I couldn’t really you’d get a lot of shots and you hit some chouette at the Cavendish Club and taking
a very strong chess player, better than me. The books were all over the place. One beat anybody, and they couldn’t beat me. shots and won. So we said, “Well, if some- that position. Actually it came up in either I’d rather gamble at backgammon than
He also lived in Boston at the time. We were book would contradict another book, and It was like we were all beginners and none body doubles us and all we have is an ace- one of my games or one of Dan Harrington’s poker, and I’d rather play backgammon
chatting over dinner one night, and he told so on. Some seemed to have interesting of us knew anything, and I couldn’t see at point game, is this a take or not?” games. We must have been on the team instead of chess. So, for me, it’s a perfect
me the most amazing story. He said, you stuff to say. Others, you couldn’t really that point where the skill in the game really together. We both took it. The guy in the synthesis. Other people may disagree, but
know, my girlfriend also plays backgammon. tell. So I used my chess-player mind to say, came in, ‘cause there were no good players So I said, “Well, what I’m going to do is I’m box laughed at us and said, “Everybody that was my impression, and it has never
And I said, “Oh, yeah, backgammon, okay.” “I’m going to look through these, and I’m around to show us. going to go home and I’m going to play knows that’s a pass.” And we said, “Okay. changed, really.
And he said, “You know, I came home last going to pick out the ones that sound like ace-point games out a hundred times, and We’ll play it as a proposition.”
night, and she was sitting in a chair count- they were written by somebody who really But now I realize, “Oh, okay, these guys I’m going to keep track of the results and Robert Stoller: Well, we’ve been going for
ing piles of money she’d won chouetting at knows what he’s talking about.” must have known what they were talking see what happens.” And that was my first So that led to the first serious money mak- just under 40 minutes, and that strikes me
the Cavendish Club.” about, because, just by doing what they hand rollout. And the result was: it’s a huge ing in my career. And that led me to think, as a nice way to wrap up this interview. Is
And since there are lots and lots of good told me to do, I can at least beat beginners pass. And right away I said, “This is great, “Oh, boy, I’ve got the mother lode here. This there anything else you’d like to say?
And a light bulb went off in my head. I said, chess books written by good chess players, I now.” And that got me very excited. So I because now I actually have knowledge is how I’m going to learn about backgam-
“Oh, playing backgammon, counting piles knew how someone who really understands kept my eye out. about the game based on a quasi-scientific mon. I’m going to take crucial positions, Bill Robertie: I’d like to thank the commit-
of money. I like the sound of this.” the game sounds when he writes. experiment.” and I’m going to roll them out by hand tee for putting me in the Hall of Fame. That’s
And a month later, Joe Dwek’s book came and discover the truth about them.” And a very nice honor, totally unexpected. The
At that point, I had a very low-level com- So I was able to take that initial batch and out, Backgammon for Profit. And I read that, Now, I’d taken statistics courses in college, that indeed turned out to be an incredibly young man who started out playing almost
puter programming job, and a crummy cull it down to three or four books. Barclay and I said, “Okay, this is the gold standard. so I knew that a hundred-game rollout did powerful tool. 40 years ago did not see this in his future.
apartment, sort of the typical life of the Cooke’s book, The Cruelest Game, made the This guy must be a good player, and I’m not give you 99 percent accuracy or even Of course, we didn’t see the Hall of Fame
20-year-old going nowhere. Not living in cut. Tim Holland’s first two books, Begin- taking his advice,” and that was a big jump. 95 percent accuracy. There was a big fudge Robert Stoller: You’ve mentioned Dan in anybody’s future until very recently. So
my parents’ basement, because no one did ning Backgammon and Better Backgammon, factor here. But I didn’t care because I knew Harrington. I believe you and Mr. Har- thanks to Bill Riles and the people at the
that in those days, but a couple of steps made the cut. Let me think. But about the same time I figured out that if I did enough of them, I was going to rington have collaborated on a series of USBGF for putting all this together, and
up from that. And I was really looking for something that was crucially important. get better. So I kept chugging away. poker books as well. thanks for putting me in the initial class.
something new and interesting. Playing Chuck Papazian had collaborated on a book We’d all been playing against each other I appreciate it.
games and making money: that sounded called Modern Backgammon Explained or for a month or two — and the other chess I remember the first rollout I ever did that Bill Robertie: Yes. Starting with Har-
pretty good. something like that. That made the cut. players are starting to get better, too, and we led to a proposition where I made money. It rington on Hold ‘Em, we wrote seven books. Robert Stoller: You’re most welcome.
had quite a little group going — but there was a rollout of the position after one side We finished the last one earlier this year. Thank you very much for sharing your
So I said, “I’ve got to look into this back- Oh, and one other book made the cut were many, many things we didn’t know. starts with a 6-4 and runs, and the other time with us. 
gammon a little more. Maybe this is an because I didn’t know what to make of it, and side rolls double 5s and makes two points Robert Stoller: What do you like most
area worth exploring.” that was Backgammon for Blood, by Bruce For example, what was an ace-point game and then the first guy fans. about backgammon relative to the other - ROBERT STOLLER
Becker, not to be confused with a newer worth? If you were playing an ace-point games?
So later that month — this is the end of book by the same title by an Englishman. game and somebody doubled you, was it Robert Stoller: So you now have got the
28 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 29

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

I
n this year’s Chicago Open Markowitz match was fantastic, and I would have loved will provide us many more chances to learn
Masters tournament, the redoubtable to analyze 50 or more of the interesting and from what they do. I thank Bruce Farquhar
Michihito (Michy) Kageyama met the instructive decisions I found in it. But space for providing the eXtreme Gammon (XG)
intrepid Matt Cohn-Geier (MCG) in an unfortunately limits me to 10. At least we file along with some comments.
11-point match in the second round. The can be confident that these two great players

Position 1
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Pip: 119

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

Matt Cohn-Geier
8-Away
is Michy

Chicago Open Markowitz Masters score: 0

pip: 102
Introduction by Karen Davis and Analysis by Marty Storer

11 point match

11-Away
pip: 119
Michy
score: 3
Kageyama
Pip: 102
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is MCG
XGID=-BaCCBB -----bA---bbcbcB---:1:-1:-1:00:0:3:0:11:10
Game 3, Move on
17:roll,
White (MCG) on roll. Cube action?
cube action?

BACKGAMMON GIANT #2 Analyzed in Rollout No redouble Redouble/Take

Player Winning Chances: 71.16% (G:12.54% B:0.61%) 71.59% (G:12.17% B:0.87%)
Backgammon Giant #2 Michy
Opponent Winning Chances: 28.84% (G:6.38% B:0.05%) 28.41% (G:6.13% B:0.12%)
came into his own at the Chicago Cubeless Equities +0.484 +0.866
Open, placing 1st, 2nd, and Cubeful Equities
3rd in the three top events. No redouble: +0.706 ±0.007 (+0.699..+0.713)
Redouble/Take: +0.577 (-0.129) ±0.012 (+0.566..+0.589)
Redouble/Pass: +1.000 (+0.294)

T
he 35th Chicago Open gave Backgammon Olympiad (won by Akiko point-winners entering a single elimination
Best Cube action: No redouble / Take
Michihito (Michy) Kageyama Yazawa) — a one-of-a-kind event composed Playoff. Michy showed his appreciation, Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 23.3%
an opportunity to show that he of multiple contests including Double jubilation, and class by promptly becom- LeadingRollout details
3-0, MCG owned a 2-cube and was the 9 point. He redoubled. prove powerful, and indeed the score was
1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
is truly one of backgammon’s Giants. He Match Point, SpeedGammon, Score specific ing a lifetime USBGF member as a Gold a big favorite in the game. He had two of lopsided enough to make MCG’s redouble
Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
won the Markowitz Masters, tied for second (2-away, 4-away; 3-away, 6-away), two Stan- Founding Sponsor. Michy’s checkers stuck behind a five-prime Michy accepted on the strength of his wrong. Even at 0-0, the take would be easy,
KAREN DAVIS

Double Decision confidence: 100.0%

in the “More Swiss” format event won by dard 7-point matches; Performance Rating, with 13 numbers to send back a third. Five five-point board, the close race, and good though the redouble would be correct.
Take Decision confidence: 100.0%
Dorn Bishop, and finished 3rd/4th in the and Backgammon Quiz; with the top eight other numbers
Duration:also played 50
4 minutes very well: 66,
seconds chances to hit and gain time to escape from
64, and 55 to escape, and double 2 to make
eXtreme the 22 point.
Gammon Version:A2.19.208.pre-release,
timely redoubleMET: to 8Kazaross
could XG2
30 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 31

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

MCG rolled 65 to escape and hit, then won four points to take a 7-0 lead. The next game was a priming battle. MCG had an advantage would have a clear take. But at this score, at 6-away. With more points, MCG should a third. Meanwhile, Michy’s board crashed
in Position 2. MCG’s double is a whopper with cheese; not double, and with fewer, he should. to his 3, 2, and 1 points. But MCG was
Michy’s redoubles are powerful because still a prohibitive favorite. He rolled 33 in
Position 2
gammons and redoubles are dead for MCG MCG did make his 3 point quickly. He hit Position 3.
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
with the cube at 4. With Michy 11-away, two more of Michy’s checkers, but Michy
Pip: 128
Matt Cohn-Geier MCG would have a borderline initial double was able to escape two of them, and then
4-Away
is Michy Position 3
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
score: 0 Pip: 86
pip: 133
Matt Cohn-Geier
4-Away
is Michy

11 point match score: 0

pip: 52

11-Away
pip: 128
Michy
score: 7
Kageyama 11 point match
Pip: 133
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is MCG
XGID=---bBCC-BBA -a----bbccb--B-:0:0:-1:00:0:7:0:11:10
Game 4, Move on
8: White (MCG) on roll. Cube action?
roll, cube action? 11-Away
pip: 86
6 Michy
score: 7
Kageyama
Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Pip: 52
Player Winning Chances: 69.94% (G:21.79% B:1.99%) 70.22% (G:23.20% B:3.44%) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is MCG
Opponent Winning Chances: 30.06% (G:6.96% B:0.27%) 29.78% (G:7.17% B:0.29%) XGID=-EFB-A--a---------bccdb-A-:1:1:-1:33:0:7:0:11:10
Cubeless Equities +0.618 +1.204 Game 4, Move to38: White (MCG) to play 33.
play 33
Cubeful Equities
No double: +0.633 ±0.013 (+0.620..+0.647)
1. Rollout 1 17/14 5/2 4/1*(2) eq: +0.752
Double/Take: +0.473 (-0.160) ±0.023 (+0.450..+0.495) Player: 88.73% (G:5.91% B:0.19%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.749...+0.755) - [99.1%]
Double/Pass: +1.000 (+0.367) Opponent: 11.27% (G:0.84% B:0.00%) Duration: 32.2 seconds
2. Rollout 1 17/8 4/1* eq: +0.747 (-0.005)
Best Cube action: No double / Take Player: 88.45% (G:6.41% B:0.23%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.744...+0.750) - [0.9%]
Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 23.3% Opponent: 11.55% (G:0.57% B:0.00%) Duration: 41.7 seconds
ShouldRollout details He has the edge
MCG double? 3 point soon and lock Michy’s checkers in. anchor. He may be unwilling to split against 3. Rollout 1 17/11 5/2 4/1* eq: +0.709 (-0.043)
1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Player: 86.66% (G:8.49% B:0.33%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.705...+0.712) - [0.0%]
for several reasons. First, his blocking Finally, MCG has 43 to hit and send back
Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
a rack of MCG’s builders, but MCG may
Opponent: 13.34% (G:1.41% B:0.00%) Duration: 1 minute 06 seconds
structure is superior: it’s a solid prime, a third checker. have to slot in his board or advance too
Double Decision confidence: 100.0%
4. Rollout 1 17/14 7/1* 4/1 eq: +0.701 (-0.051)
unlike Michy’s, which is broken. Second, his
Take Decision confidence: 100.0%
quickly. In that case, Michy may be able Player: 87.58% (G:3.78% B:0.08%) Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.699...+0.704) - [0.0%]
checkers are at the
Duration: 8 edge of Michy’s
minutes prime,
32 seconds But Michy has resources. His broken five- to hit or escape. Opponent: 12.42% (G:0.20% B:0.00%) Duration: 17.7 seconds
5. Rollout 1 17/11 4/1*(2) eq: +0.697 (-0.056)
while Michy’s checkers are badly placed
eXtreme prime
Gammonmay hold
Version: up for two rolls
2.19.208.pre-release, MET:or even XG2
Kazaross
Player: 87.20% (G:3.28% B:0.08%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.694...+0.699) - [0.0%]
on the 24 point. That means he has pretty more, preventing MCG from escaping. The MCG doubled, a decision that would be Opponent: 12.80% (G:0.19% B:0.00%) Duration: 17.7 seconds
good timing, despite being ahead five pips race is close, so Michy will be in good shape hugely correct for money or if both sides 11296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
before the roll; he may be able to make his if he can escape a checker or advance his needed 11 points, though even then Michy Dice Seed: 34568863
Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
32 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 33

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

MCG pointed on Michy’s blot, and played blot if Michy hits with 25 or joker 26. (In Michy won a point in the next game, so that richness and complexity. so. He rolled 53, which he misplayed with back and soon had 55 to play in the fol-
17/11 with the remaining 3s. That was an his comments, Bruce Farquhar makes the now MCG led by only 4-away to 8-away. the overly loose 8/3* 23/20. Simply 20/12 lowing position.
error! The correct play is to make the 1 same observations.) That joker is just what In the next game MCG became a huge In fact, Michy did not redouble — no shame would have been better, adding pressure
point, but also to slot the 2, 4/1*(2) 5/2 Michy rolled. MCG missed with 61, and favorite. He doubled and Michy wrongly in that, for very few players would have done against MCG’s back checkers. MCG hit
17/14. This move maximizes chances for a had to pass Michy’s redouble. took (about a .10 error). But Michy survived
Position 5
closeout, and takes aim at Michy’s second to reach Position 4, where he was on roll.
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Position 4 Pip: 140
Matt Cohn-Geier
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 145 4-Away
is Michy
Matt Cohn-Geier
4-Away score: 3
is MCG pip: 182

score: 7
pip: 145

11 point match

11 point match

8-Away
pip: 140
Michy
score: 7
Kageyama
8-Away Pip: 182
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
pip: 152 is MCG
Michy
score: 3
Kageyama XGID=-aA-BBBba---AB---bcbBbbAAA:1:1:-1:55:3:7:0:11:10
Pip: 152 Game 6, Move to10: White (MCG) to play 55.
play 55
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Michy
XGID=-aAaBBBbB ---AB---bcbAbbB--:1:1:1:00:3:7:0:11:10
Game 6, Move on
8: roll,
Black (Michy) on roll. Cube action?
cube action? 1. Rollout 1 7/2*(2) 6/1*(2) eq: +0.872
Player: 77.94% (G:72.59% B:5.37%) Conf.: ± 0.023 (+0.849...+0.894) - [100.0%]
Opponent: 22.06% (G:5.85% B:0.58%) Duration: 10 minutes 31 seconds
Analyzed in Rollout No redouble Redouble/Take
Player Winning Chances: 43.71% (G:15.97% B:1.32%) 44.23% (G:16.69% B:1.57%) 2. Rollout 1 18/13*(2) 7/2*(2) eq: +0.710 (-0.162)
Opponent Winning Chances: 56.29% (G:21.57% B:3.68%) 55.77% (G:22.97% B:4.35%) Player: 73.79% (G:59.86% B:13.79%) Conf.: ± 0.018 (+0.692...+0.727) - [0.0%]
Cubeless Equities -0.142 +0.548 Opponent: 26.21% (G:4.51% B:0.61%) Duration: 19 minutes 50 seconds
Cubeful Equities 3. Rollout 1 18/13* 13/8 7/2*(2) eq: +0.629 (-0.243)
No redouble: +0.490 (-0.058) ±0.015 (+0.475..+0.505) Player: 72.14% (G:59.02% B:13.85%) Conf.: ± 0.019 (+0.610...+0.648) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 27.86% (G:5.05% B:0.47%) Duration: 19 minutes 38 seconds
Redouble/Take: +0.548 ±0.018 (+0.530..+0.566) 4. Rollout 1 18/13* 7/2*(3) eq: +0.524 (-0.348)
Redouble/Pass: +1.000 (+0.452) Player: 70.03% (G:57.45% B:13.49%) Conf.: ± 0.021 (+0.503...+0.544) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 29.97% (G:5.71% B:0.56%) Duration: 21 minutes 43 seconds
Best Cube action: Redouble / Take
1
Rollout details 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
MCG’s 1296 Games
position looksrolled
good.with Variance
True, he doesReduction.
be a redouble? Does Michy even have an enough, and the redouble kills MCG’s MCG playedSeed:
Dice 34568863
18/13*(2) 7/2*(2). This was a Michy’s reply was punishment. He rolled checkers off without breaking a point. MCG
Dice Seed: 34568863 Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
not haveMoves:
an anchor in Michy’s board, but he advantage?
3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
gammons. Besides, Michy will be a big blunder. The best move is the double switch, double 1, playing bar/24*(3) 2/1*. Eventually wrongly passed. That made the score 4-away
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
owns the 18 point and has a five-prime to underdog even after losing two points, so 7/2*(2) 6/1*(2), denying Michy 11 aces to he hit when he had a five-point board and for MCG, 6-away for Michy.
Double Decision confidence: 100.0%
hem in Take
Michy’s back men. Is there anything
Decision confidence:
No, but according to XG, Michy should
100.0%
there’s little to lose by sending the cube to 4. survive with a double anchor. MCG had seven checkers off. He closed
to think about? Can
Duration: this position
24 minutes really
03 seconds redouble anyway! The position is volatile Positions like this testify to backgammon’s his board and redoubled after bearing two
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
34 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 35

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

Position 7
In the next game, MCG became a favorite against Michy’s holding game. He missed some opportunities to double, but that worked
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
out well for him: he left a blot which Michy hit.
Pip: 146
Position 6 Matt Cohn-Geier
3-Away
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 is MCG
Pip: 99
6 Matt Cohn-Geier score: 8
4-Away pip: 146
is MCG

score: 7
pip: 99
11 point match

11 point match 5-Away

pip: 137
Michy
score: 6
Kageyama
Pip: 137
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Michy
6-Away XGID=b-BBB -B-B--AbA --bb-cbbBA--:0:0:1:00:6:8:0:11:10
pip: 130
Michy Kageyama Game 9, Move on
7: roll,
Black (Michy) on roll. Cube action?
cube action?
score: 5
Pip: 130
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Michy Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take
XGID=a-B-BCBB-----A---b-fBdb-A-:0:0:1:00:5:7:0:11:10 Player Winning Chances: 56.64% (G:32.86% B:0.73%) 57.03% (G:33.87% B:0.70%)
Game 7, Move on
11:roll,
Black (Michy) on roll. Cube action?
cube action? Opponent Winning Chances: 43.36% (G:12.21% B:1.16%) 42.97% (G:12.08% B:1.87%)
Cubeless Equities +0.254 +0.909
Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Cubeful Equities
Player Winning Chances: 72.41% (G:10.42% B:0.32%) 72.21% (G:13.31% B:0.49%) No double: +0.690 (-0.082) ±0.016 (+0.674..+0.706)
Opponent Winning Chances: 27.59% (G:7.38% B:0.40%) 27.79% (G:9.25% B:0.92%) Double/Take: +0.772 ±0.021 (+0.752..+0.793)
Cubeless Equities +0.469 +0.995
Cubeful Equities Double/Pass: +1.000 (+0.228)
No double: +0.777 (-0.133) ±0.011 (+0.766..+0.788)
Best Cube action: Double / Take
Double/Take: +0.910 ±0.019 (+0.891..+0.929) Rollout details
Double/Pass: +1.000 (+0.090) Michy’s1296 Games
position looksrolled with strong.
extremely VarianceHeReduction.
siderable trouble escaping three checkers MCG’s favor. Michy won a point in the next
Dice Seed: 34568863
was right to double, and MCG passed. But from behind MCG’s broken five-prime, and game, and followed with a two-point win to
Best Cube action: Double / Take Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
Rollout details the pass was a double whopper! According MCG gains a lot if he hits a return shot in lead by two points in the Crawford game.
Double Decision confidence: 100.0%
1296 Games
Michy doubled rolled
in this with Variance
powerful position,Reduction.
three back checkers to bring home. MCG’s the score 3-away, 5-away. MCG became a to XG’s rollout, MCG has considerable win- Michy’s board. MCG reached a strong holding position,
Take Decision confidence: 100.0%
Dice Seed: 34568863
and MCG passed. The decision is difficult, three-point board is helpful in protecting
Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
big favorite, but Michy rolled a double- ning chances: around
Duration: 43% wins,
20 minutes 14 including
seconds and Michy had to play 52.
but passing is a blunder! MCG still has against attack. hitting joker, and MCG fanned. Michy had 12% gammons. Michy may still have con-
eXtreme The score
Gammon was2.19.208.pre-release,
Version: now 3-away toMET: 4-away in XG2
Kazaross

Double Decision confidence: 100.0%

enoughTake
winning chances to venture a take.
Decision confidence: 100.0%
a cube decision.
He leads by 31 pips,
Duration: and Michy
10 minutes still has
49 seconds In the next game, MCG won a point, making
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
36 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 37

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

Position 8 Position 9
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Pip: 171 Pip: 95
Matt Cohn-Geier Matt Cohn-Geier
3-Away, Crawford 2-Away, Post-Crawford
is MCG is Michy

score: 8 score: 10
pip: 171 pip: 162

11 point match
11 point match
Crawford

1-Away, Crawford 1-Away, Post-Crawford

pip: 114 pip: 95
Michy Kageyama
score: 10
Michy
score: 9
Kageyama
Pip: 114 Pip: 162
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is Michy is MCG
XGID=-bB--cE-D--BaB -a---db-b---:0:0:1:52:10:8:1:11:10 XGID=---B-DB -B------c-bccC-bbB-:1:1:-1:41:10:9:0:11:10
Game 12, Move 9: Black (Michy) to play 52
to play 52
Game 13, Moveto 14: White (MCG) to play 41
play 41

1. Rollout 1 8/3 6/4 eq: +0.036 1. Rollout 1 8/7 8/4 eq: +0.329
Player: 52.64% (G:23.93% B:4.41%) Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.030...+0.042) - [100.0%] Player: 66.46% (G:30.54% B:5.77%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.324...+0.334) - [100.0%]
Opponent: 47.36% (G:13.64% B:0.49%) Duration: 12 minutes 49 seconds Opponent: 33.54% (G:4.16% B:0.23%) Duration: 2 minutes 28 seconds
2. Rollout 1 13/11 13/8 eq: +0.021 (-0.015) 2. Rollout 1 10/6 7/6 eq: +0.303 (-0.027)
Player: 51.61% (G:21.18% B:3.45%) Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.015...+0.027) - [0.0%] Player: 65.13% (G:31.37% B:5.97%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.298...+0.307) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 48.39% (G:9.22% B:0.32%) Duration: 11 minutes 22 seconds Opponent: 34.87% (G:3.67% B:0.13%) Duration: 2 minutes 20 seconds
3. Rollout 1 8/6 8/3 eq: +0.010 (-0.026)
1
Player: 51.20% (G:22.61% B:4.11%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.005...+0.016) - [0.0%] 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
MCG played
Moves:safe, stacking
3-ply, cubetwo checkersXG
decisions: on Roller
after being hit. If he does so, Michy’s back figure strongly in many of XG’s decisions.)
Opponent: 48.80% (G:12.02% B:0.39%) Duration: 13 minutes 46 seconds
his 6 point. But this was a perfect oppor-
eXtreme checkers will be2.19.208.pre-release,
under pressure; MET:he will have XG2 MCG’s safe play was not a big error, but it
4. Rollout 1 11/9 11/6 eq: -0.017 (-0.053) Gammon Version: Kazaross

Player: 49.94% (G:23.02% B:4.83%) Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.022...-0.011) - [0.0%] tunity for him to clear his 8 point and slot lost his double anchor and may not be able was a mistake nonetheless.
Opponent: 50.06% (G:11.50% B:0.48%) Duration: 14 minutes 39 seconds his 4. Michy’s board and prime are still a to recover it. (Bruce Farquhar notes that
5. Rollout 1 13/11 8/3 eq: -0.053 (-0.089)
bit anemic, so MCG may easily recover loss of the opponent’s low anchor seems to
Player: 48.15% (G:19.58% B:3.64%) Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.059...-0.047) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 51.85% (G:13.48% B:0.46%) Duration: 14 minutes 20 seconds

1 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.

What isDice
thereSeed:
to think about? Michy made
34568863 He has to give up his 24 point to hit, and 1-away to 2-away, post-Crawford.
Moves:
the routine, safe3-ply, cube13/11.
play, 13/8 decisions: XG Roller
However, that sometimes backfires, losing long-term
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
Precision Dice at a Great Price! usbgf.org/shop
XG’s rollout slightly favors the bold 8/3 6/4! shot equity. And if MCG doesn’t hit, Michy In the final game, Michy opened by slot- Looking for precision dice? The USBGF BG Shop carries 3 sizes of ball-cornered precision
One of the considerations here is that MCG’s figures to improve his board quickly. ting with 21, and he took MCG’s double. dice in 9 different colors. Precision Dice: $15 per pair, plus shipping.

gammons are only marginally useful: all

they do is take away Michy’s free drop in Later MCG hit two checkers, which ended
MCG became the favorite against Michy’s
decent 1-5 backgame, and had 41 to play USBGFBGSHOP
the next game. Of course, MCG will hit if up on his ace point. Michy saved the gam- in Position 9.
he can, but a hit is still far from winning. mon from there. Michy was now ahead
38 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 39

Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier Michy vs. Matt Cohn-Geier

Position 10

About Marty
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 56
Matt Cohn-Geier
2-Away, Post-Crawford
is MCG M arty Storer is the USBGF Feature
Editor for Annotated Matches
and the 2015 Michigan Summer
score: 9
champion, as well as the 2013 New
pip: 56
England Backgammon Club champion.

His two-volume Backgammon Praxis

was released in 2005 to rave reviews.
11 point match With the intrepid co-author, two-time
U.S. Open Champion Mary Hickey,
he has contributed to another book,
What's Your Game Plan? Backgam-
1-Away, Post-Crawford mon Strategy in the Middle Game.
pip: 131
Michy Kageyama
score: 10
Pip: 131 Marty lives in southern New Hamp-
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 shire with his wife, three children, four
is Michy
XGID=-AABCBB------------eBadeB-:1:1:1:63:10:9:0:11:10
Game 13, Moveto 18: Black (Michy) to play 63 pet mammals, and several pet bots.
play 63

1. Rollout 1 24/18 24/21* eq: +0.231

Player: 61.55% (G:5.38% B:0.16%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.226...+0.236) - [100.0%]

USBGFBGSHOP
Opponent: 38.45% (G:23.74% B:0.57%) Duration: 6 minutes 40 seconds Professional
2. Rollout 1 24/21* 20/14 eq: +0.212 (-0.019) Backgammon Scoreboard
Player: 60.61% (G:5.62% B:0.25%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.208...+0.217) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 39.39% (G:24.92% B:2.07%) Duration: 5 minutes 48 seconds Imported from Finland
3. Rollout 1 24/21* 21/15 eq: +0.193 (-0.038) This top-of-the-line professional
Player: 59.63% (G:5.83% B:0.22%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.188...+0.197) - [0.0%] backgammon scoreboard
Opponent: 40.37% (G:25.14% B:1.23%) Duration: 5 minutes 49 seconds is a must-have item for any
tournament or chouette player!
1
1296
MCG later left aGames rolledand
direct shot, withMichy
Variance
hit Reduction.
blot if Michy has no blot there! and lost the race. Chalk up another victory Extra-heavy coated cardboard
Dice Seed: 34568863 construction ensures enhanced
it with this 63, playing
Moves: 24/21*/15.
3-ply, cube A better
decisions: XG Roller for Michy. What a match! 
stability and long-term durability.
6 was 24/18. That move brings two check-
eXtreme The restVersion:
Gammon is history: MCG fanned,MET:
2.19.208.pre-release, andKazaross
Michy XG2 Match scores from 0 to 25 points
ers to bear on the outfield, and removes played 2/1 to make his 1 point. MCG eventu- - MARTY STORER are visible from either side, and
are easy to read from a distance.
the rearmost man from most of MCG’s ally entered on the open 2 point and got a
This is the finest and highest
threats. MCG can’t point on an ace-point direct shot as Michy bore off. But he missed, quality backgammon scoreboard
available for purchase. Imported
from Finland. Includes USBGF logo
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$39.00 each plus shipping.

usbgf.org/shop Professional Scoreboard

40 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 41

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals

The Naturals point to a clear play, at least it’s worth considering why the answers for an opening 21, but is clearly too risky
on the opening roll. The other groups might differ. There are three reasons why in reply to an opening 41 split since there
each pose a question. Slot or Split? Run this may happen: the slot would be exposed to a double
or Split? Down or Split? These questions shot. So rules for opening replies are often
apply equally well to the first roll (where First, the risk-to-reward ratio may change based on the opening play, such as “Slot
we usually know the answer) and the sec- depending on the opening roll. For example, aces after Opener has slot or played down,

Bagai’s Replies Surprise

ond roll (where we’re often confused), so slotting is just slightly better than splitting otherwise split.”

Position 1 — 41S 21

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Pip: 162
White
By Jeremy Bagai
Unlimited Games
is Player 2

M
score: 0
ost players have learned the covers how to prioritize your second-roll ask which point to make along with hitting. pip: 162
Opening Rolls. There are only goals. It is an expansion of an early section of I found it hard to come up with even a
fifteen of them, after all. a longer paper, Bagai’s Replies: Mastering the single generalization that applies to both
Second Roll. That paper presents a complete domains, so I stopped trying: Non-Doubles Unlimited Game
The Opening Replies are another matter. system for learning and memorizing all the and Doubles are considered separately. This Jacoby Beaver

There are some 630 of them (depending money-game replies, and it can be read in article is concerned with the Non-Double
on the set of opening plays you choose to full at www.fortuitouspress.com/replies. replies only.
prepare against) and many are not obvious. Unlimited Games
pip: 167
Black
score: 0
How to come to terms with that much data? One of the first things to notice upon sifting The Non-Doubles are the same set of fifteen
Pip: 167
How to memorize it for use over the board? through the data is that the fifteen Non- rolls that confront you on the opening 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1
Double replies are quite different from the shake. They divide into four mutually XGID=-aa---E-C---dE--ac-e----B-:0:0:1:21:0:0:3:0:10
Money Game:toBlack to play 21
play 21
I began my study of the second roll a few six Doubles. For instance, a Non-Double exclusive groups:
years ago, and, while I have much yet to reply may present a choice between hitting
1. Book1 24/23 13/11 eq: -0.188
learn, I also have much to report. This article and pointing, whereas a Double reply may Player: 45.92% (G:11.99% B:0.52%)
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.190...-0.185) - [100.0%]
Opponent: 54.08% (G:16.53% B:0.77%)
2. Book1 24/21 eq: -0.202 (-0.015)
Player: 45.62% (G:11.17% B:0.48%)
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.205...-0.200) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 54.38% (G:16.51% B:0.62%)
Naturals 31, 42, 53, 61, 65
3. Book1 13/11 6/5 eq: -0.211 (-0.024)
Ace-X 21, 41, 51 Slot or Split? Player: 45.94% (G:11.97% B:0.55%)
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.215...-0.208) - [0.0%]
Six-X 62, 63, 64 Run or Split? (Or point?) Opponent: 54.06% (G:18.05% B:1.33%)

Others 32, 43, 52, 54 Down or Split?

4. Book2 13/10 eq: -0.228 (-0.041)
Player: 44.87% (G:11.89% B:0.51%)
Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.233...-0.224) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 55.13% (G:16.88% B:0.96%)
5. Book2 24/23 24/22 eq: -0.232 (-0.044)
Player: 44.95% (G:10.97% B:0.47%)
Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.236...-0.228) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 55.05% (G:16.86% B:0.66%)

1Generated by Steven Carey on 3/26/2013 using eXtreme Gammon 2.10

46656 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 1
Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
42 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 43

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals

Position 3 — 21$ 31
Second, occasionally the best opening play is blocked. You can’t alternatives when default plays are illegal, such as “Slot aces if
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
split a 41 after Opener makes the Deuce point with a 64 since splitting is blocked by an opening 64P.”
Pip: 162
the 23 point is occupied. So rules for opening replies often give White
Unlimited Games
Position 2 — 64P 41 is Player 2
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 157 score: 0
pip: 164
White
Unlimited Games
is Player 2

score: 0 Unlimited Game

pip: 157 Jacoby Beaver

Unlimited Games
Unlimited Game pip: 167
Jacoby Beaver
Black
score: 0
Pip: 167
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1
XGID=-b----E-C---dEa--c-da---B-:0:0:1:31:0:0:3:0:10
Money Game:toBlack to play 31
play 31
Unlimited Games
pip: 167
Black
score: 0
Pip: 167 1. Book1 24/20* eq: +0.105
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1 Player: 51.75% (G:16.41% B:1.10%)
Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.101...+0.109) - [100.0%]
XGID=-b----E-C---eE---b-d---bB-:0:0:1:41:0:0:3:0:10 Opponent: 48.25% (G:12.65% B:0.53%)
Money Game:toBlack to play 41
play 41 2. Book2 8/5 6/5 eq: -0.008 (-0.113)
Player: 49.88% (G:15.45% B:0.88%)
Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.016...+0.000) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 50.12% (G:15.73% B:0.80%)
1. Book1 13/9 6/5 eq: -0.156
Player: 47.84% (G:13.03% B:0.59%) 1
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.158...-0.153) - [100.0%] Generated by David Rockwell on 2/3/2013 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
Opponent: 52.16% (G:19.10% B:1.65%)
31104 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
2. Book1 13/8 eq: -0.166 (-0.010) Dice Seed: 53648468
Player: 46.65% (G:12.70% B:0.55%) Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply
Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.168...-0.164) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 53.35% (G:17.19% B:0.94%)
2Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
1Generated by David Rockwell on 1/14/2013 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00 10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
62208 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 77390818
Dice Seed: 44495564 Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release
Hit or make your best point? The answer may be common knowl- I certainly didn’t know if any such patterns existed when I began
The Third reason is the big one. Sometimes the reply is different alternative to hitting is a great play itself. How to prioritize? An edge now, but you can’t say it’s at all clear just from inspection. So this study, and I was also pretty fuzzy on a fair number of the data
because there are blots to hit. (There are rarely blots to hit on the example that always stumps beginners, for good reason, is a 31 which goals are trumped by hitting, and by what kind of hitting? points. So imagine my surprise upon discovering this question
opening roll.) Hitting is usually a great idea, for all the familiar after an opening 21 slot. Even players who know the openings pretty well may not be able has a clear answer, one that I had never before seen in print. If I
reasons. But not all blots are created equal, and occasionally the to answer this question in the abstract. Knowing each data point have missed an earlier formulation please let me know and I’ll be
doesn’t guarantee awareness of patterns within the data — if such happy to cite it. But until such time, I name this particular piece
patterns even exist. of backgammon wisdom . . .
44 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 45

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals

Position 4 — 62S 42
Bagai’s Replies Surprise 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 159
White
For non-doubles replies, hitting any blot outside your inner board takes Unlimited Games
is Player 2
priority over anything else. Hitting loose on your 5 and 4 points takes
priority over everything remaining except for playing your Naturals. score: 0
pip: 159

Or, phrased as a set of prioritized rules:

Unlimited Game
1. Hit any blot outside your inner board. Jacoby Beaver

2. Play your Naturals.

3. Hit loose on your 5 and 4 points.
Unlimited Games
pip: 167
Black
score: 0

}
Pip: 167
4. Rule for Ace-X. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1
5. Rule for Six-X. (These three are mutually exclusive, so priority is irrelevant.) XGID=-a----EaC---dEa--c-e----B-:0:0:1:42:0:0:3:0:10
Money Game:toBlack to play 42
play 42
6. Rule for Others.
1. Book1 13/7* eq: -0.074
These are the six main rules for Non-Doubles Replies, and they’re covered in detail in the longer paper, where I present the complete Player: 48.14% (G:13.76% B:0.65%)
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.078...-0.071) - [100.0%]
system. This article is focused on those first three rules, how to apply them, and their few counter-examples. Opponent: 51.86% (G:14.49% B:0.81%)
2. Book1 8/4 6/4 eq: -0.093 (-0.019)
Player: 47.42% (G:13.09% B:0.50%)
Rule 1: Hit any blot outside your inner board. We saw our first Hit or make the 4 point? It’s fairly close in all three cases, but hit- Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.096...-0.090) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 52.58% (G:13.12% B:0.62%)
example of this rule in Positon 3 — better to hit on the 20 than to ting is best, as Rule 1 suggests.
1Generated by Steven Carey on 4/19/2013 using eXtreme Gammon 2.10
make the 5 point. Another classic example comes when Opener 31104 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
leaves a blot on your bar point with 62, 63, or 64, and you roll a 42. In fact, there are 96 cases where you can hit outside your inner Dice Seed: 38795617
Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller
board on the second roll, and it turns out you should hit in 94
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release

of them. Before reading on — do you know the two exceptions? come when the hit in question is most awkward, leaving lots of
return shots and stripping some point. And that’s exactly what
Logically, the exceptions should come when the alternative to we see when Opener splits to the bar point with a 62 or 63, and
18" Starter Backgammon Board! usbgf.org/shop hitting is most attractive. And, logically, the exceptions should you roll a 31.
Black backgammon attache with attractive stitched leatherette exterior and beige
playing surface. Includes black and red points, color-coordinated checkers, dice cups,
doubling cube, and dice. Starter Board: $55, plus shipping.

USBGFBGSHOP
46 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 47

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals

Position 5 — 62S 31 Position 6 — 54S 53
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 159 Pip: 158
White White
Unlimited Games Unlimited Games
is Player 2 is Player 2

score: 0 score: 0
pip: 159 pip: 158

Unlimited Game Unlimited Game

Jacoby Beaver Jacoby Beaver

Unlimited Games Unlimited Games

pip: 167 pip: 167
Black
score: 0
Black
score: 0
Pip: 167 Pip: 167
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1 is Player 1
XGID=-a----EaC---dEa--c-e----B-:0:0:1:31:0:0:3:0:10 XGID=-a---aE-C---dE---d-e----B-:0:0:1:53:0:0:3:0:10
Money Game:toBlack to play 31
play 31
Money Game:toBlack to play 53
play 53

1. Book1 8/5 6/5 eq: -0.064 1. Book1 13/5* eq: -0.096

Player: 48.10% (G:12.94% B:0.50%) Player: 47.71% (G:13.52% B:0.53%)
Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.068...-0.059) - [100.0%] Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.101...-0.090) - [100.0%]
Opponent: 51.90% (G:12.51% B:0.55%) Opponent: 52.29% (G:15.00% B:0.85%)
2. Book1 24/21 8/7* eq: -0.104 (-0.040) 2. Book1 8/3 6/3 eq: -0.137 (-0.042)
Player: 47.48% (G:12.76% B:0.57%) Player: 46.76% (G:12.25% B:0.46%)
Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.108...-0.099) - [0.0%] Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.143...-0.132) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 52.52% (G:14.25% B:0.66%) Opponent: 53.24% (G:14.44% B:0.69%)
3. Book2 13/10 8/7* eq: -0.117 (-0.053) 3. Book2 24/21 13/8 eq: -0.159 (-0.064)
Player: 47.47% (G:13.56% B:0.65%) Player: 46.23% (G:10.43% B:0.39%)
Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.125...-0.109) - [0.0%] Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.165...-0.153) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 52.53% (G:16.07% B:1.06%) Opponent: 53.77% (G:13.62% B:0.52%)

1 1
Sure, youGenerated by Steven
could hit, leaving Careyshots
16 return on 4/19/2013 using
on your bar eXtreme
point and Gammon
(Rule 1),2.10
then go ahead and make the Natural play. Examples are Generated by David Rockwell on 7/7/2012 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
15552 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. 10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
stripping your
Dice 8 point,
Seed: but making the best point on the board
38795617 common, and not all that interesting. (Opener rolls 31 and makes Dice Seed: 75970560
Moves:
is better. 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller 5 point. You roll 42. You can’t hit outside your board . . . so make Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply

2 Generated by David Rockwell on 8/4/2012 using eXtreme your 4 point.)

Gammon 2.00 Of the 119 cases where this rule applies, there is 2Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
5184 Games
Why are the 62 rolled
and 63 with
splits VariancetoReduction.
exceptions Rule 1, but not the 64 only one set of significant exceptions. Before reading on — can 10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 27472421 Dice Seed: 77390818
split? Because
Moves 64S
andgives
cubeOpener more
decisions: numbers to point or anchor
3-ply you think of them? Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
when left alone. However, 64S 31 is very close:eXtreme
a difference of 2.19.208.pre-release
Gammon Version: eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release

just .002 between hitting and pointing. Unless you’re striving for Opener splits to the 20 point, say with a 54, and you roll 53. Rule
perfection, it’s pretty convenient to consider all three members of 2 suggests making your 3 point since there are no outside blots
the 6xS 31 family as the only exceptions to Rule 1. to hit. But that would be a significant error. You should forgo the
relatively weak 3 point in order to attack on the strong 5 point.
Rule 2: Play your Naturals. If you roll one of these strong num- This set of exceptions includes all cases where Opener splits to
bers (31, 42, 53, 61, 65) and you can’t hit outside your inner board the 20 point: 43S, 54S, and the rare 43U.
48 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 49

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals

Position 8 — 43Z 64
Rule 3: Hit loose on your 5 and 4 points. Can’t hit outside your not to fight for. Rule 3 covers 40 positions, such as the case where
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
board? Didn’t roll a Natural? Your next priority is to hit loose, if Opener splits with 32 and you roll 21. Hitting loose on the 4 point
Pip: 160
possible, on your 5 and 4 points. These points are too important should feel automatic. White
Unlimited Games
Position 7 — 32S 21 is Player 2
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 162 score: 0
pip: 160
White
Unlimited Games
is Player 2

score: 0 Unlimited Game

pip: 162 Jacoby Beaver

Unlimited Games
Unlimited Game pip: 167
Jacoby Beaver
Black
score: 0
Pip: 167
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1
XGID=-a--a-E-C---dE--ac-e----B-:0:0:1:64:0:0:3:0:10
Money Game:toBlack to play 64
play 64
Unlimited Games
pip: 167
Black
score: 0
Pip: 167 1. Book1 24/14 eq: -0.210
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1 Player: 45.52% (G:9.93% B:0.46%)
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.213...-0.206) - [100.0%]
XGID=-a--a-E-C---dEa--c-e----B-:0:0:1:21:0:0:3:0:10 Opponent: 54.48% (G:15.87% B:0.63%)
Money Game:toBlack to play 21
play 21 2. Book1 8/2 6/2 eq: -0.224 (-0.015)
Player: 44.59% (G:12.61% B:0.51%)
Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.228...-0.221) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 55.41% (G:16.50% B:0.87%)
1. Book1 24/23 6/4* eq: -0.133
Player: 47.19% (G:12.74% B:0.57%) 3. Book2 24/18 8/4* eq: -0.241 (-0.032)
Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.141...-0.124) - [100.0%] Player: 44.97% (G:11.55% B:0.58%)
Opponent: 52.81% (G:15.93% B:0.84%)
Conf.: ± 0.012 (-0.253...-0.230) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 55.03% (G:18.51% B:0.99%)
2. Book1 6/4* 4/3 eq: -0.185 (-0.052)
Player: 45.98% (G:12.14% B:0.55%) 4. Book3 13/7 8/4* eq: -0.249 (-0.040)
Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.194...-0.176) - [0.0%] Player: 44.72% (G:12.74% B:0.58%)
Opponent: 54.02% (G:16.38% B:0.98%)
Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.255...-0.244) - [0.0%]
Opponent: 55.28% (G:18.37% B:1.44%)
1Generated by David Rockwell on 1/2/2013 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
1Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 11/26/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34597820 36288 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply Dice Seed: 84409609
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

2Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 11/26/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00

Once again, this rule comes with a single set of exceptions: Forgo as a reverse-split (24/21 13/9) and you roll a 64, your best play is 3888 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
hitting on your 4 point with 64. For instance if Opener plays 43 24/14 and your second best play is 8/2 6/2. Dice Seed: 84409609
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

3Generated by David Rockwell on 1/6/2012 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00

15552 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 74048723
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release
50 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 51

Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals Prioritizing Second-Roll Goals

These three rules present a nice overview of your priorities in play the complete roll. Consider the case where Opener slots with FlashBack is a tool designed to help you memorize backgammon FlashBack is a free download for both Android and iOS, and comes
the Non-Doubles Replies: Hit Outside, Play Naturals, Hit Inside. 41 and you roll 64. Rule 1 tells you to hit with the 4, but how to positions. It runs on your Android or iOS device (phone or tablet) with pre-installed decks for the Opening Roll (money and match
They’re also a great way to introduce the replies to a beginner. play the 6? Read the longer paper for the sub-rules that define so it’s always within reach. Here’s how it works. Each card shows play), Two- and Three-Checker Bear-offs, Match Equities, and
Note that the rules presented here don’t always specify how to each complete play. a question. Tap on the question to see the answer. Choose Hard, Take Points. Use the free decks to make sure FlashBack behaves
So-So, or Easy to rate the card. Cards you rate as hard will be to your liking before moving on. The Opening Replies deck-set is
Position 9 — 41$ 64
shown again more often than cards rated as easy, concentrating available for $20 through in-app purchase. It includes the decks:
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
your practice on the material you most need. Non-Doubles (Rules), Non-Doubles (Positions), Non-Doubles
Pip: 162
White (Exceptions), as well as
Unlimited Games For example, this card Doubles (Rules), Dou-
is Player 2 shows the position 63S bles (Positions), Doubles

score: 0
21. Tap on the question (Exceptions), as well
pip: 162 to reveal the best play: as all of the Opening
13/11 8/7* (Hit Outside). Replies at DMP, GG, and
If the answer is unclear GS, for well over 2500

Unlimited Game to you, tap the Hint but- positions. Available now
Jacoby Beaver ton for more information on the Google Play and
(including much of the Apple App Stores. Find
content of this article.) out more about Flash-
Unlimited Games Back at www.fortuitous-
pip: 167
Black
score: 0 FlashBack always dis- press.com/flashback.
Pip: 167
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1 plays the best play up top,
XGID=-b----E-C---dE--ac-da---B-:0:0:1:64:0:0:3:0:10
Money Game:toBlack to play 64 with plays below ranked Studying the Opening
play 64
in order of equity. Equi- Replies using this sys-
ties of plays within .01 are tem and FlashBack has
1. Book1 24/20* 20/14 eq: +0.194
Player: 54.19% (G:16.05% B:1.02%) shown in black. Equities dramatically improved
Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.185...+0.203) - [100.0%]
Opponent: 45.81% (G:12.07% B:0.51%) off by more than .01 but less than .1 are shown in green. Mistakes my game. I hope it helps yours. 
2. Book1 24/20* 13/7 eq: +0.137 (-0.057) greater than .1 are shown in red. Click on any play to see the
Player: 52.30% (G:17.01% B:1.13%)
Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.128...+0.147) - [0.0%] resulting position on-screen. - JEREMY BAGAI
Opponent: 47.70% (G:12.22% B:0.58%)
3. Book1 24/18 24/20* eq: +0.131 (-0.063)
Player:
Opponent:
52.68% (G:15.99% B:1.11%)
47.32% (G:12.69% B:0.53%)
Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.121...+0.140) - [0.0%]
About Jeremy
J
1 Generated by David eremy Bagai received his doctorate Product Manager at CyberArts
If your second roll doesn’t fall Rockwell onthese
into one of 11/16/2012 using
categories, eXtremeWhat
it will Gammon
comes2.00
after reading and absorbing all this material? It’s one
5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. in Psychology from the Univer- writing software specifications and
necessarily
Dicefall one of the three remaining categories: Ace-X,
into29850618
Seed: thing to “understand” the replies, but quite another thing to con-
sity of Pennsylvania in 1999, where managing teams of developers.
Moves
Six-X, and and See
Others. cube decisions:
the 3-ply
longer paper for the rules and sub-rules sistently find the best play over the board. Somehow, you’ll want he studied the ways in which we
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release
for these categories. And of course, for how to play the Doubles. to practice enough to be quick and confident in all cases. You can evaluate outcomes, assign prob- He wrote the critically acclaimed
do this on your own, but I know a better way .... abilities, and select actions. He has Classic Backgammon Revisited, and
taught at the Wharton School of published it along with Backgam-
Business and U.C. Berkeley, and mon Boot Camp (Trice) and Back-
enjoyed his four years as Senior gammon Praxis (Storer) through his
company The Fortuitous Press.
 8
USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 53

The Rule of 8

C
ertain types of mental arithmetic are easy: e.g., multiplying by 2 and dividing by 10. But 1296 division is not. I decided to
see if I could find an easy and accurate way to do 1296 division over the board and under time pressure. For the rest of this

The Rule of 8 article I shall discuss my method, which I call “the Rule of 8” for reasons that will become clear.

How to do 1296 Division I started by mapping out for every 100 the result of dividing by 1,296, which produced the following spreadsheet:

Quickly and Accurately Every 100 ÷ 1296 Result

By Grant Hoffman 100 0.08

200 0.15
300 0.23

E
veryone should know that 36 x 36 equals 1296, a key In a recent video by Phil Simborg and Stick called “Doubling Cube 400 0.31
number in two-roll bearoff calculations. Because the 102” (highly recommended), the following position with Black 500 0.39
cube can sometimes get extremely high at such critical on roll was discussed. 600 0.46
moments, it is important to make accurate decisions in them. 700 0.54
800 0.62
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 6 900 0.69
White 1000 0.77

I then came up with this formula to determine the correct percentage which applies to the hundreds digit and tens digit in the number
to be divided:

The formula is: 8n − a, where n is the digit being considered and a is the adjustment.

When n is 1 then a = 0

When n is 2 to 5 then a = 1

When n is 6 to 8 then a = 2

When n is 9 to 10 then a = 3
Black
Pip: 6
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Black on roll. Cube action? Let’s start with our simple example of: 299⁄1,296

To determine whether this position is a double or redouble, take Black misses 13/36 times. Then White will bear off both check- I would simply round 299 up to 300, and then note that the digit we wish to convert is 3 (the hundreds digit).
or pass, you need to know the take points for the particular score ers 23/36. If n = 3 then a =1 so:
and White’s chance of winning. 8n - a
The combined probability of both these events happening is: = (8 x 3 ) – 1
For White to win here if no doubling were allowed, Black would = 24 – 1
have to miss and then White would have to bear both checkers off. 13⁄36 × 23⁄36 = 13 × 23⁄36 = 299⁄1,296 = 23, or 23%. If we divide 299 by 1,296 we get 23.07%.
54 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine

The Rule of 8

USBGFBGSHOP
Transparent Baffle
Well, that was a simple example, but what if it was 470⁄1,296? Box with Etched
Let’s do it. USBGF Circular Logo
by Phil Simborg
The first digit is 4, which has an a = 1 so: A USBGF BG Shop exclusive!
8n - a Absolutely gorgeous transparent
baffle box with the beautiful
= (8 x 4 ) – 1 USBGF logo etched on the front.
= 32 – 1
Be the envy of your friends at your
= 31% (we need to remember this) local backgammon club, or stand
out at the next ABT tournament.
Next, the tens digit is 7 so a = 2 so: Our baffle boxes are made from
8n – a durable 1/8" clear acrylic. This new
design is specifically made for
= (8 x 7) – 2 travel and easy assembly.
= 56 – 2
Baffle Box: $45.00 each.
= 54
About Grant Carrying Case: $10.00 each.

As this is the tens digit, it gives us another 5.4% winning chances.

G rant Hoffman and his wife Jackie run a
small computer consultancy in Nelson, New
usbgf.org/shop USBGF Baffle Box
Zealand. He won the New Zealand Backgammon
Now if we add 31% + 5.4%, we get 36.4% winning chances. An Championships twice (2008 and 2013) and
exact calculation of 470⁄1,296 gives us 36.3% winning chances. finished second twice (2011 and 2015).

I usually round the third digit (the ones digit) up or down to the nearest tens digit. i.e. if the number was 467 I would simply calculate
eXtreme Gammon is now available on your Android device, iPhone and iPad

Mobile
470. However, you can, if you absolutely need to, calculate it as well.

In remembering the adjustment I simply remember that when n is 1 then a = 0, and when n is 6 to 8 then a = 2, and fill in the numbers
between. For example, if n is 4 then a must be 1. Similarly if n is 9 it must be greater than the adjustment for 6 to 8 which is 2 so it
must be 3.
iOS
With a little practice you should be able to use this technique more confidently and more accurately than long division. I hope that The power of eXtreme Gammon in the palm of your hands
you will find this “Rule of 8” useful.  Play with instant feedback using the Tutor Mode
 Setup a position and analyze it using the same engine than XG desktop (up to 3-ply)
Art Benjamin, noted mathemagician and member of the USBGF Board of Directors, suggested an alternative Rule of 7.7. Art notes,  Games are saved and can be emailed for a full analyze in XG
“Since 1296 rounds to 1300 and 1⁄13 = 0.077, it might be easier to divide by 100, then multiply by 7.7 percent. For example, to compute  2 player mode: use XG Mobile as a portable board
300⁄1,296, I would do 3 x 7.7% = 23.1%. But that may not be easy for many people. Your method has the advantage of being easier to  High Quality Graphics
calculate, at the cost of more to memorize.”   Track your Progress, results and dice statistics

www.xg-mobile.com
- GRANT HOFFMAN
 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 57

Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin

Position 1
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 121
Cihangir Çetinel
19-Away
is Cihangir Cetinel

score: 0
pip: 121

19 point match

19-Away
pip: 134
Sergey Erokhin
score: 0
Pip: 134

Final pressure 12

Game 1, Move
11 10 9 8 7 6 5
XGID=-A-BB-CB ---abC-aabbd-b--B-:0:0:1:62:0:0:0:19:10
6: Black (Sergey) to play 62
to play 62
4 3 2 1
is Sergey Erokhin

Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin 1. XG Roller++ 13/11* 7/1 eq: +0.236
By Bob Wachtel Player: 49.72% (G:29.57% B:0.87%)
Opponent: 50.28% (G:13.42% B:1.06%)

I
2. XG Roller++ 24/16* eq: +0.028 (-0.208)
n this year’s Monte Carlo final, two neck speed at which the match was played. Nor does the natural fear of looking dumb
Player: 49.02% (G:23.44% B:1.21%)
young, hard-working students of the Two of backgammon’s most celebrated by studying a move that the audience thinks Opponent: 50.98% (G:16.51% B:0.97%)
game were pitted against one another superstars, “Falafel” Natanzon and Gus is obvious help matters. Still, despite the eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

in a 19-point match. From the “undefeated Hansen, were invited to comment on the speedgammon pace, the PRs were quite In this, the first game of the match, Sergey outfield blots. But XG surprisingly flags this that is not the easiest question to answer.
bracket” came the Turkish expert, Ali match in real time; but on most moves, good. Sergey shone with a 3.37 score, and had an interesting choice. The instinctive as a huge blunder — a “double whopper” If we ask XG to do the calculation, it tells
Cihangir Çetinel; from the “second-chance they barely had time to recognize the dice Cihangir’s PR, at 7.58, was deceptive. He move, and the one I think most of us would — preferring 13/11* 7/1. What’s going on? us that the alternative, 13/11* 7/1, noses
bracket” (having already lost once) arrived roll before the clock was punched and the played much better than that until the last make (both Gus and Falafel, in the few out Sergey’s play at DMP, but only by .017
his Russian opponent, Sergey Erokhin. opponent had replied. At this pace, even few games, when the match score got so seconds they had to study, said it “looked If we approach this question using the — not much.
Cihangir only had to win this match to they were often simply unable to catch big lopsided in his favor that he over-froze the like the right idea”) is to leap out with a back Stick playbook, our starting point should
win the tournament; but if Sergey won, the mistakes or recognize correct plays. Their puck, missing numerous clear doubles and checker, 24/16*, hitting one of Cihangir’s be: “What’s the DMP play?” Unfortunately,
combatants would face one another again commentary, plus the video broadcast of passing a trivial take.
in a shorter tiebreak match. There was a the final match, can be found on the 40th
considerable amount of money and renown World Championship YouTube playlist. Let’s have a look, with the leisure that Falafel
riding on the outcome, and both players and Gus did not enjoy, at a few positions
TARA MENDICINO

were understandably nervous. It’s tough to force yourself to think when, from the contest.
like Sergey and Cihangir, you are under
The tension was manifested in the break- unaccustomed money and peer pressure.
58 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 59

Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin
Variant Position 1-A: DMP Variant Position 1-B: After 24/16* and White fans
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 121 Pip: 137
Cihangir Çetinel Cihangir Çetinel
1-Away 19-Away
is Player 2 is Player 2

score: 0 score: 0
pip: 121 pip: 137

1 point match 19 point match

1-Away 19-Away
pip: 134 pip: 126
Sergey
score: 0
Erokhin Sergey
score: 0
Erokhin
Pip: 134 Pip: 126
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1 is Player 1
XGID=-A-BB-CB ---abC-aabbd-b--B-:0:0:1:62:0:0:0:1:10 XGID=aA -BB-CB ---abC-aAbbd -b--A-:0:0:1:00:0:0:0:19:10
Game 1, Move to6 Variant:
play 62
Black (Sergey) to play 62 Game 1, Move on
6 Variant: Black (Sergey) on roll. Cube action?
roll, cube action?

1. XG Roller++ 13/11* 7/1 eq: -0.006 Analyzed in XG Roller++ No double Double/Take

Player: 49.71% (G:29.48% B:0.89%) Player Winning Chances: 69.63% (G:45.94% B:1.92%) 69.61% (G:46.05% B:1.91%)
Opponent: 50.29% (G:13.14% B:0.96%) Opponent Winning Chances: 30.37% (G:7.64% B:0.48%) 30.39% (G:7.62% B:0.48%)
2. XG Roller++ 24/16* eq: -0.023 (-0.017) Cubeless Equities +0.799 +1.622
Player: 48.86% (G:22.80% B:1.05%) Cubeful Equities
Opponent: 51.14% (G:15.19% B:0.97%) No double: +0.898 (-0.102)
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 Double/Take: +1.389 (+0.389)
If the two plays are so close at DMP, why, Part of the reason that 13/11* 7/1 is supe- of games, it wins more gammons and loses Double/Pass: +1.000
early in a long match, should one be so rior leaps out from the statistics; though fewer gammons than 24/16*. But that is
Best Cube action: Double / Pass
much better than the other? the play wins about the same percentage not the whole story. eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
Sergey has rolled a good number; but part when Cihangir dances (25% of the time). Cihangir enters, Sergey will often be in
of that roll’s value can only be realized by He will then double (it’s not too good); but trouble (as happened in the game, where
using it cube-efficiently. If he makes the in that event he has hugely (by .39) lost his he lost in a couple of moves).
big play (24/16*), his main payoff comes market. The other 75% of the time, when
60 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 61

Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin
Variant Position 1-C: After 13/11*, 7/1 and White fans Variant Position 1-D: Black owns the cube
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pip: 132 Pip: 121
Cihangir Çetinel Cihangir Çetinel
19-Away 19-Away
is Player 2 is Player 2

score: 0 score: 0
pip: 132 pip: 121

19 point match 19 point match

19-Away 19-Away
pip: 126 pip: 134
Sergey
score: 0
Erokhin Sergey
score: 0
Erokhin
Pip: 126 Pip: 134
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
is Player 1 is Player 1
XGID=aB -BB-CA ---AbB -aabbd-b--B-:0:0:1:00:0:0:0:19:10 XGID=-A-BB-CB ---abC-aabbd-b--B-:1:-1:1:62:0:0:0:19:10
Game 1, Move on
6 Variant: Black (Sergey) on roll. Cube action?
roll, cube action?
Game 1, Move to6 Variant:
play 62
Black (Sergey) to play 62

Analyzed in XG Roller++ No double Double/Take 1. XG Roller++ 13/11* 7/1 eq: -0.019

Player Winning Chances: 60.59% (G:41.01% B:1.39%) 60.84% (G:41.42% B:1.42%) Player: 49.76% (G:29.67% B:0.87%)
Opponent Winning Chances: 39.41% (G:10.03% B:0.82%) 39.16% (G:10.07% B:0.85%) Opponent: 50.24% (G:13.48% B:1.05%)
Cubeless Equities +0.534 +1.102 2. XG Roller++ 24/16* eq: -0.137 (-0.117)
Cubeful Equities Player: 49.06% (G:23.06% B:1.08%)
No double: +0.609 (-0.211) Opponent: 50.94% (G:16.21% B:0.94%)
Double/Take: +0.820 eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

Double/Pass: +1.000 (+0.180) To see how much of the equity swing side (where, admittedly, it should not be). is just that it’s a bad play; but the other half
between the two plays is due to this hidden Now 24/16* is a far smaller mistake: only is due to its cube inefficiency.
Best Cube action: Double / Take
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
cube scenario, let’s look at the same posi- a “single whopper.” So it looks like about a
If, on the other hand, he makes the small rather efficiently. Cihangir would still have doubling territory, try to take baby steps, tion and roll with the cube on Cihangir’s 50-50 split: half of what’s wrong with 24/16
play, 13/11* 7/1, and Cihangir dances a clear take, but this would be a strong creeping up on the take/pass border.
(which now happens much more often, double for Sergey. There’s a general principle
44.4% of the time), he gets to use the cube involved here: when you are getting into
62 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 63

Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin
Position 2
his prime (the bar point). It presents itself, better board and a number of spare checkers once Cihangir has done that, blotting with
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
rather, like a position in which one player in the zone. This observation leads us to 8/3*, it is not consistent to split. Thus the
Pip: 145
Cihangir Çetinel has an anchor and the other does not, and the right game plan and then to the right play that XG likes: 8/3* 6/5.
18-Away in which the player with the anchor has a play. The right game plan is to attack; and
is Sergey Erokhin
Variant Position 2-A: After 8/3*, 6/5 and White fans
score: 0
pip: 151 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Pip: 139
Cihangir Çetinel
18-Away
is Player 1
19 point match
score: 0
pip: 154

19-Away
pip: 145
Sergey Erokhin
score: 1
Pip: 151 19 point match
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is Cihangir Cetinel
XGID=-b---BD -D---cC---b-dbbA-A-:0:0:-1:51:0:1:0:19:10
Game 2, Move 4: White (Cihangir) to play 51
to play 51

19-Away
XG Roller++ 8/3* 6/5 eq: +0.275 pip: 139
1. Sergey Erokhin
score: 1
Player: 55.09% (G:23.96% B:1.01%) Pip: 154
Opponent: 44.91% (G:13.93% B:1.03%) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is Player 2
2. XG Roller++ 24/23 8/3* eq: +0.215 (-0.061) XGID=-b---BD -D---cC---a-ccba-AA:0:0:-1:00:0:1:0:19:10
Player: 53.88% (G:22.67% B:1.00%) Game 2, Move on
4 Variant: White (Cihangir) on roll. Cube action?
roll, cube action?
Opponent: 46.12% (G:15.35% B:1.10%)
3. XG Roller++ 24/23 6/1* eq: +0.205 (-0.071)
Player: 53.98% (G:20.83% B:0.56%) Analyzed in XG Roller++ No double Double/Take
Opponent: 46.02% (G:13.63% B:0.68%) Player Winning Chances: 69.07% (G:39.17% B:1.13%) 69.00% (G:39.72% B:1.12%)
4. XG Roller++ 13/8 6/5 eq: +0.195 (-0.080) Opponent Winning Chances: 30.93% (G:7.59% B:0.36%) 31.00% (G:7.61% B:0.37%)
Player: 53.94% (G:19.47% B:0.61%) Cubeless Equities +0.714 +1.448
Opponent: 46.06% (G:12.35% B:0.58%) Cubeful Equities
5. XG Roller++ 24/23 13/8 eq: +0.160 (-0.115) No double: +0.896 (-0.104)
Player: 53.36% (G:18.39% B:0.67%) Double/Take: +1.190 (+0.190)
Opponent: 46.64% (G:13.04% B:0.54%)
Double/Pass: +1.000
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

Best Cube action: Double / Pass

Another difficult choice presented itself, this it; he’s a bit ahead in the race, so he’s not the correct hit-and-not-split play, 8/3* 6/5. eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2
time to Cihangir, in the next game — and keen on leaving shots by hitting; and his
again, it was not at all obvious to the Giant back checkers look like they need to start What is XG thinking? To read its mind, There is, finally, an immediate cube bonus associated with the cor- shot) double-out. In contrast, with the passive play that Cihangir
commentators exactly what was right in the running. Thinking of this as a species of identify your game plan! And now, if you rect play in this position, just as in the earlier example: if Sergey made, he will rarely be able to send his opponent the cube soon.
13 seconds that the Turkish player used prime vs prime position, Cihangir brought look more carefully at this position, it fans (25% of the time), Cihangir has a pretty efficient (a .12 over-
to think about it. Cihangir’s choice, 24/23 down a builder to the eight point and split stops looking like prime vs prime — for
13/8, seems natural and logical enough: his from his 24 point. Yet XG says this play is a Cihangir’s spare checkers on the six point
8 point is stripped, so he’d like to reinforce serious (.115) blunder when compared to cannot move backwards to fill in the gap in
64 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 65

Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin
I’d like to finish this survey of the final match stressful circumstances, they would have It was on the second move of that game (the more than a thoughtless, albeit quick and winning game if he can successfully run like 6-1 and 6-2 awkward for Sergey. That
by examining two other instructive mistakes gotten them right. Both errors occurred sequence was 6-1, 6-3, 4-4) that Cihangir confident, play! from the 20 point. He should therefore cross blot can also be used to extend Cihangir’s
the players made. Given their expertise, I in game 12, when Cihangir already had had this double deuce to play. that strategy by making the 11 point (as he outside prime with rolls like 6-4 (which he
am confident that, on a quiz or under less a 16-6 lead. What should Cihangir have done instead? did) and then simply making his own four actually rolled next) and 5-3, or to serve as
Well, his blot on the 15 point is actually point with the other two deuces, 13/11(2) a landing spot for the back checker with
Position 3
usefully placed, and should not be touched. 6/4(2). True, Cihangir can now be hit with 6-3. And indeed, the bluff was to no avail,
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Behind in the race and with a back checker a three, but that would hardly be fatal; and for Sergey doubled anyway!
Pip: 158
Cihangir Çetinel trapped, he knows that Sergey will have a otherwise the 15-point blot will make rolls
3-Away
is Sergey Erokhin Position 4
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
score: 6 Pip: 127
pip: 144
Cihangir Çetinel
3-Away
is Cihangir Cetinel

score: 16
19 point match
pip: 127

13-Away
pip: 158
Sergey Erokhin
score: 16
19 point match
Pip: 144
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
is Cihangir Cetinel
XGID=-a----EBBBa-eB---c-eB-----:0:0:-1:22:6:16:0:19:10
Game 12, Move 2: White (Cihangir) to play 22
to play 22 13-Away
pip: 114
Sergey Erokhin
score: 6
1. XG Roller++ 13/11(2) 6/4(2) eq: -0.670 Pip: 114
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Player: 41.96% (G:5.73% B:0.19%) is Sergey Erokhin
Opponent: 58.04% (G:16.30% B:0.38%) XGID=--a-CBBBBB--b-c-Ba-cabb---:1:-1:1:43:6:16:0:19:10
Game 12, Move 7: Black (Sergey) to play 43
to play 43
2. XG Roller++ 15/11 13/11 6/4 eq: -0.776 (-0.106)
Player: 40.63% (G:5.58% B:0.19%)
Opponent: 59.37% (G:18.67% B:0.34%) XG Roller++ 9/6 9/5 eq: +0.763
1.
3. XG Roller++ 15/11 13/11(2) eq: -0.808 (-0.138) Player: 76.85% (G:19.12% B:0.27%)
Player: 39.14% (G:4.97% B:0.15%) Opponent: 23.15% (G:3.95% B:0.14%)
Opponent: 60.86% (G:17.28% B:0.33%)
2. XG Roller++ 9/2* eq: +0.618 (-0.145)
4. XG Roller++ 24/22 15/11 13/11 eq: -0.858 (-0.188) Player: 67.55% (G:22.94% B:0.61%)
Player: 39.28% (G:4.93% B:0.15%) Opponent: 32.45% (G:9.73% B:0.34%)
Opponent: 60.72% (G:19.46% B:0.35%)
3. XG Roller++ 9/5 4/1 eq: +0.597 (-0.165)
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 Player: 71.31% (G:15.43% B:0.21%)
Sometimes, when you are afraid of being had just passed an easy take in the previous for reflection, did not notice that anything Opponent: 28.69% (G:5.59% B:0.19%)
doubled, it is tempting to put some doubt game, and now, again feeling the pressure, was amiss; but in this situation it would 4. XG Roller++ 16/9 eq: +0.580 (-0.183)
Player: 71.59% (G:13.13% B:0.51%)
in your opponent’s mind by making a quick, he took all of four seconds to make his play, have paid Cihangir to bear down and just
Opponent: 28.41% (G:5.45% B:0.21%)
confident play. With his commanding lead 15/11 13/11 6/4! try to make the very best move he could. eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.208.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

in the match, Cihangir knew that the cube Here’s the secret: more often than not, your
might be coming his way at any turn. He Once again, Falafel and Gus, with no time equanimity will intimidate an opponent far
66 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine

Final Pressure: Cihangir Çetinel vs. Sergey Erokhin

Later in this game, it was Sergey’s turn to six-prime with 3-1, 2-1 or 1-1; or point on
get careless. Things had gone his way: he Cihangir’s blot with 6-4, 5-4, 6-3, 5-3, 6-2,
had leaped out from the 20 point with a 5-2, 4-3, 4-2, 3-2 or 2-2. Even on his worst
double four; Cihangir’s back checker had roll (6-1) he would remain a comfortable
never escaped, and he had been able to favorite.
build a 6-prime to permanently contain it.

“
Now all Sergey had to do to ensure a win But what about the risk of abandoning the
was to bring his checkers home from the six-prime? What if Cihangir rolls a 1-6 and
16 point without being counter-primed. leaps? Well, remember that Sergey had a
He rolled a 4-3 and took 4 seconds to play 13-pip race lead when he rolled the 4-3 and He rolled a 4-3 and
16/9, a .18 blunder! Falafel, to his credit, would retain that lead after the 1-6 reply. took 4 seconds to play
caught this mistake as instantly as it was He would still be about a 70-30 favorite.
16/9, a .18 blunder!
made. “I don’t do this. You know what,” he
told Gus, “I break the six-prime. I break As the game unfolded, Cihangir got substan- Falafel, to his credit,
the six-prime.” tial winning chances after hitting Sergey’s
caught this mistake
blot and making his own five point. But
And right he was. Sergey’s play (which, he rolled an anti-joker 66 after that, and as instantly as it was
again, many of us would make automati- Sergey prevailed in the game. made.
cally) leaves Cihangir way too much coun-
terplay. By instead breaking the 9 point with But not in the match. The final score was
9/6 9/5, Sergey would have given himself 19-8, and Cihangir Çetinel was crowned
many safe ways to bring the game home. the 2015 World Champion. 
On his next turn he can either: clear his 16
point with a 6-5, 6-6, 5-5 or 3-3; remake his - BOB WACHTEL

About Bob
C urrently #8 on the peer-ranked
survey, "The Giants of Backgam-
mon List," Robert Wachtel has been
is the Editor of Primetime Backgam-
mon, the official magazine of the U.S.
Backgammon Federation. He won
one of the backgammon world’s the 2015 Los Angeles Open Super-
elite players for the last 30 years. 32 Jackpot, won the singles and
He is the author of a book on ace- doubles at the 2001 Nevada State
point endings, In the Game Until the Championships, and has captured
End (1993), and its sequel, In the the national backgammon champi-
Game Until the End Volume II: Ace- onships of the U.K., Finland, Norway,
Point Endgame Analysis — the Next Sweden, and Italy. He finished 2nd
Generation (2014), as well as more in Monte Carlo, 2004, and 2nd in
than 40 articles on the game. Bob the Crown's Cup, Berlin, 2007.
east meets west T
he 40th Backgammon World Çetinel is the first Turkish national to ever of the 21st century. In more recent years,
Championship was won by the win this prestigious tournament; and his Japan claimed three winners (2009, 2011,

Licence at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
In Monte Carlo https://www.flickr.com/photos/kurt-b/14527118268/.
Turkish physician and medical victory may indeed signal yet another shift 2014). But the emergence of champions
researcher, Ali Cihangir Çetinel. In a com- in the balance of world backgammon power. from Eastern Europe – Vyacheslav (Slava)
panion article, Bob Wachtel analyzes several From 1967 through 1985, 60 percent of the Pryadkin (Ukraine) in 2013 and now Çeti-
By Karen Davis interesting positions from Çetinel ’s final Monte Carlo champions were American. nel – may reflect the growing popularity
match, in which he bested the Russian Then Germany and Israel dominated the and professionalism of modern backgam-
‘Monaco' by Kurt Bauschardt

expert Sergey Erokhin. Another article, field up to 2000, after which Denmark, mon in a part of the world where “tavla”
penned by his countryman, Sabri Büyüksoy, Sweden, and Norway accounted for more (backgammon without the cube) is deeply
profiles the new champion. than half of first places in the first decade embedded in the culture.
Continued on page 76
70 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine

East Meets West in Monte Carlo

THUMBS UP!
Winners gave a thumbs up to the 40th
Backgammon World Championship
at the concluding awards ceremony.

ARDA FINDIKOĞLU
Arda Fındıkoğlu was recruited by
Backgammon World Championship
organizer Patti Rubin to co-direct
the 40th anniversary event.

WINNER'S PRIZE BOARD

TARA MENDICINO

CIHANGIR ÇETINEL Geoffrey Parker Games, sponsor of the World Champi-

Cihangir Çetinel is the first onship, donated one of their exquisite backgammon
Turkish player to win the boards to the Championship division winner, plus a
World Championship. beautiful roll-up board for the Championship finalist.
72 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 73

East Meets West in Monte Carlo East Meets West in Monte Carlo

01 04 07 10 13 16

02 05 08 11 14 17

03 06 09 12 15 18

01 Kimon Papachristopoulos won 04 Gokhan Gunes of Turkey (l) and 07 Tuvya Felt from the U.S. finished 10 Thibaud Thompson of Switzer- 13 Laura Monaco of Italy won the 16 Sergey Erokhin of Russia had
the Stanley Tomchin Super Jackpot, Jesper Carlsson (r) of Sweden did an 2nd in the Championship division land took the Intermediate division Ladies event, plus was a team member a great tournament, finishing second
featuring $10,000 in added money. outstanding job assisting players and Consolation. Consolation. on both the doubles and Belair Team in Main and 3rd in Tomchin Super
staffing the event. Championship winning teams! Jackpot.

02 Fernando Neumark from 05 Gay Roberts of the Isle of Man 08 Donna Sherred of the U.K. 11 Mochy (l) won the Monte Carlo 14 Volker Wenzlaff, maker of 17 Axel Stemark of Denmark
Argentina won the Championship finished 2nd in the Novice division performed superbly, reaching the Open and was awarded his trophy by Gammoner boards, had his customized performed well and took the win in the
division Consolation. Consolation, losing to Leos Fiala of the finals in the Novice division against the Backgammon World Championship boards on display in the boutique and final of the Championship division Last
TARA MENDICINO

Czech Republic. eventual winner Pia Aimonen of Finland. organizer Patti Rubin (r). provided one for live streaming. Chance.

03 James Ballié of Switzerland, who 06 Antoinette-Marie Williams (l) 09 Michael Urban won the Monte 12 Engin Öngel (l) of Turkey beat 15 Former world champion Akiko 18 Eric McAlpine of the U.K. (r) had
has assisted in all 40 World Champion- handled hotel reservations, while Tara Carlo Open Intermediate division, and Gus Contos (r) in the Intermediate Yazawa and Falafel Natanzon were a an outstanding tournament, finishing
ships, co-directed the event. Mendicino (r) ran the dual live streams. finished third in the Intermediate main. division of the Monte Carlo Open. formidable doubles team. 3rd in the Championship division.
74 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 75

East Meets West in Monte Carlo East Meets West in Monte Carlo

01 03 07 01 Stepan Nuniyants from the U.S.

and world champion Akiko Yazawa
enjoy a moment at the Gala Dinner.

02 Patti Rubin, organizer of the

Backgammon World Championship,
pulled off a fabulous fortieth
anniversary tournament.
02
03 An exquisite gourmet dinner
added to the festive atmosphere.

04 The dinner with entertainment

at the magnificent Le Sporting Monte-
Carlo was a high point of the week.

05 Staff member Lynn Ehrlich

provided a touch of glamour.

04
06 Gus Contos, who tied for sixth in
05 06 the Championship division, and former
World Champion Joe Russell, who
finished 3rd in the Super Jackpot, were
the top Americans at the event.

07 Karen Davis, Chairman of the

USBGF, finished third in the Monte
Carlo Open, losing to Sean Williams,
president of the UK Backgammon
Federation, in the semi-finals.

08 Bill Phipps (l) enjoyed a week

TARA MENDICINO

of intense backgammon at the World

Championships and fine dining
08 throughout Monte Carlo.
 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 77

East Meets West in Monte Carlo

World Championship Attendance
Year Total Championship Intermediate Novice

2015 238 160 55 23

2014 224 155 47 22
2013 205 141 43 21
2012 177 136 27 14
GUS HANSEN & FALAFEL 2011 194 138 31 25
Gus Hansen and Falafel Natanzon provided 2010 221 158 40 23
commentary on the final match of the World 2009 263 173 58 32
Championship, watched live by over 375
simultaneous viewers from all over the globe.
2008 298 199 58 41
2007 342 218 76 48
2006 336 212 76 48
Continued from page 69 to the venue was in evidence throughout: But for most of us, it was the promise of 2005 370 238 78 54
This year Monte Carlo organizer Patti from the opening cocktail reception to the playing tournament matches against the 2004 474 276 108 90
Rubin, president of the IPATT Group, closing awards ceremony, both held at the world’s best that was the main attraction. 2003 457 271 121 65
made an astute acquisition, picking up the Fairmont Monte Carlo, with breathtaking In addition to Çetinel, winners included: 2002 470 281 114 75
services of ELITE/WBF Türkiye director views of the Mediterranean and Monaco Boris Gurov (Russia) in the Intermediate 2001 456 290 107 59
Arda Fındıkoğlu. Arda, who runs the highly Yacht Club. As ever, the gala dinner, held event; Pia Aimonen (Finland) in the Nov- 2000 432 267 114 51
successful Merit Open in Cyprus, brought at Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, was a high ice; Kimon Papachristopoulos (Greece/ 1999 379 231 93 55
his superb organizational skills, infectious point of the week. The guests enjoyed high Germany) in the Tomchin Super Jackpot; 1998 360 220 76 64
warmth and enthusiasm, and innovative fashion on display, an exquisite menu, and Konstantinos Mitrelis (Greece) in the World
ideas to this classic event. Among the a stunning performance by the Bad Boys Federation Cup as well as the Speedgam- Not only is the field of winners becoming Super Jackpot; expanded marketing and magazine coverage of events such as this.
attractions offered by Rubin to celebrate of Ballet. mon World Championship; Shimon Kagan more diverse, but attendance has been ris- social networking opportunities to promote Its reach is international, with coverage
the 40th anniversary event: (1) worldwide (Israel) in the Seniors event; Iva Natchkebia ing consistently over the last three years. the 40th anniversary of the tournament; and opinion consciously dedicated to our
streaming of key matches, expertly coor- The World Championship draws many of (Georgia) in the Juniors event; Italians The decline in backgammon tournament the directorship of Arda Fındıkoğlu who goal of nurturing a worldwide backgam-
dinated by USBGF Vice President Tara the world’s greatest game players to Monte Annalisa Agosti and Laura Monaco in the attendance internationally and in the U.S. has successfully run the Merit Open; the mon community.
Mendicino; (2) a colorful and very high- Carlo. Poker star Gus Hansen (who is still, Doubles event; Laura Monaco (Italy) in in the late 2000s was a major source of increased visibility and formation of an
level commentary on the final match by Gus in the opinion of many, among the very best the Ladies World Championship; Italians concern to the community, leading to the international community generated by As David Dennis posted on the USBGF
Hansen (Denmark) and Falafel Natanzon at backgammon) was in action throughout Giorgio Castellano, Fabrizio Lo Surdo, and creation of national backgammon federa- streaming key matches at major tourna- Facebook site, “Well done to all involved -
(Israel), and (3) a demonstration match the tournament playing the fashionable Laura Monaco in the Belair Team World tions to bring new players into the game ments to a worldwide Internet audience; and whether playing, winning, losing, spending
played on the BackgammonAce mobile gambling game, Chinese poker, against Championship; Doug Mayfield (USA) and attract sponsors. Participation in the the efforts of federations like the USBGF, and of course the streaming, organising
app by World #1 Giant of Backgammon gin rummy legend Mike Sall. There was a in Mochy’s Proficiency Exam; and Kota Main events (Championship, Intermediate, offering sponsored online tournaments that and ensuring the event ran as smoothly
Mochy against Falafel – another way for world-class Shogi (Japanese chess) tourna- Fujiwara (Japan) in the Shogi tournament. and Novice) at the World Championship allow players around the world to test their as possible!” 
TARA MENDICINO

enthusiasts around the world to test their ment, and of course an array of high-stakes Mochy (Japan) won the Monte Carlo Open, reached a high of 474 in 2004 before fall- skills against one another without incurring
skills against top-class players. chouettes, with jet setters testing their luck which kicked off the week’s action in an ing to 177 in 2012. This year’s field of 238 the expense of traveling to major tourna- - KAREN DAVIS
against the likes of former World Cham- exciting final with Sean Williams (UK). players reflects the draw of added money ments. Growth-generating buzz also comes
The glamour that brings so many players pions Slava Pryadkin and Akiko Yazawa. contributed by Stanley Tomchin to the from the USBGF's PrimeTime Backgammon
78 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 79

Cihangir Çetinel: 2015 World Champion

Cihangir Çetinel
2015 World Champion
Points on Friendship
By Sabri Büyüksoy

O
ver the 40 years that Dr. Cihangir
Çetinel has played backgam-
mon, he has studied the game
intensely. But despite the technical expertise
he has acquired, he confided in the speech
he gave at the 2015 World Championship
awards ceremony that the prizes he has
cherished most in his backgammon odyssey
are the friendships he has made.

Cihangir is married and has one child. He Tavla is a normal, and indeed an essential him; and as he met other enthusiasts and Cihangir had to take care of him and hardly
is an urologist, and has worked at a state aspect of Turkish culture. In Cihangir’s gained international experience, he became got any sleep at all throughout the tourna-
hospital for the last 20 years, publishing case, however, he started playing modern even more skillful. Finally he acquired XG, ment. Somehow he prevailed; but in his
about 20 research papers during this time. backgammon with the cube as a young child and after meticulous study, began playing acceptance speech he reminded us that it
Over the last year-and-a-half, he has con- when his mom brought home a beautiful at a World Class level. In due course, he was others, not himself, that he cared most
centrated so intently on backgammon that board that she had purchased in the USA. acquired victories and trophies — which about. He dedicated his trophy to another
he has had to defer his application for an He excelled at the game from the start, brings us to Monte Carlo 2015. Like the 2014 friend, Miran Dayı, an Armenian Turk
associate professorship! discovering in it a complexity that most World Champion, Akiko Yazawa, whom who passed away after the tournament. I
players did not even suspect. He became a he follows, he recognizes the importance believe that Cihangir’s wonderful attitude,
backgame expert, and once he had beaten of focus and determination. demonstrating the power of fellowship to
all of his mates he began looking for other transcend cultural boundaries, should be
challenges, trying his hand at bridge and That tournament adventure did not begin an inspiration to us all. 
WORLD CHAMPION
poker. Then, a few years ago, he discovered auspiciously for Cihangir. Due to a reser-
Cihangir Çetinel, the new World
KARL KBOX

the Turkish backgammon leagues, where vation mixup, he ended up sleeping on a - SABRI BÜYÜKSOY
Champion, showed himself to be not
only a tough competitor but a compas- the modern game has replaced tavla. The friend’s floor. And if that were not worry
sionate physician caring for others. mysteries of the doubling cube intrigued enough, a backgammon friend got sick.
 ADVERTISE
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 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 83

Ed Sawyer
Founding Sponsor & Winner of USBGF By 1994, Ed had tired of competitive chess
and turned his attention to duplicate bridge.
competitor. Ed prefers the faster pace of
backgammon, which nevertheless demands
Advanced Divisional I By 1999, became a Life Master, and was a level of focus comparable to chess or
also elected President of the Anchorage Go. “One very important trait one must
By Robert Stoller Bridge Club. cultivate to truly enjoy backgammon,” he
observes, “is the ability to handle losing.”
In the summer of 2000, Ed took up the Ed personally finds it more tolerable to lose
game of Go. In the autumn of 2001, he at backgammon than to lose a long game of
and fellow USBGF Founding Sponsor Bob chess or Go. But winning at backgammon
Stoller started the Anchorage Go Club. Ed is as satisfying as winning at chess or Go
characterizes the quality of his Go play as — and his losing backgammon opponents
“rusty,” rating approximately 2 Kyu. Ed’s rarely feel that they were outplayed!
USBGF nickname — “Shusaku” — is an
homage to Kuwahara Torajiro [1829 - Ed started playing backgammon online

“
1862], known professionally as “Honinbo a few years ago, which he enjoys, “but
Shusaku” and considered to be one of the nowhere near as much as head-to-head
greatest Go players of all time. [live] play.” Nevertheless, given Anchorage’s
One very important
physical remoteness from every American

CHUGACH STATE PARK trait one must Ed credits Bob Stoller as being both a Go Backgammon Tour venue, combined with
and backgammon mentor. Circa 2008, Saw- the relatively limited number of serious
Ed Sawyer explores the natural cultivate to truly
beauty of Chugach State Park yer and Stoller co-founded the Anchorage local competitors, “GridGammon is a
near Anchorage, Alaska. enjoy backgammon is Backgammon Club. As the club developed, godsend.” “The opportunity to compete
the ability to handle Ed began working seriously on his back- [online] against the best backgammon

E
gammon game. players in the world is not only an honor
losing.
d Sawyer, July 2014 winner of After a three-year tour of duty, he returned players were smokers, and the cascading and privilege,” he says, “it is also a necessary
the U.S. Backgammon Federa- home to Maine in 1980, only to realize pile of cigarette butts which engulfed them Among backgammon’s many attractions for part of improving.” Ed uses both XG and
tion Advanced Divisional I online that he missed Alaska. He moved back to eloquently testified to the intensity of that him is the challenge of combining skill with GNU as his “bot” resources, and has read
tournament, has been enthusiastic about Anchorage in August 1981. backgammon match. the luck factor in an attempt to manage, “many fine backgammon books.” But for
games of strategy from childhood. Born if not control, the unknown. In response him, “Playing is the most fun.”
in Bangor, Maine, in 1955, his first great Ed was introduced to backgammon in Although Ed enjoyed backgammon, he was to interested observers of a backgammon
passion was chess. Having limited funds 1976, at the height of the “backgammon not yet ready to take it seriously, preferring match-in-progress who ask, “What kind Ed states that his goal in backgammon is
during his adolescence, he slept one night boom” of that decade. He played with his to spend most of his free time and energy of game is this?” Ed replies, “It is a game to become World Champion. “Until then,”
in the local (Livermore Falls, ME) cem- wife and several of his chess friends, all sharpening his chess. Those efforts culmi- of position and probabilities.” Those who he says, “I will settle for simply being able
etery during the 1975 Maine State Chess of whom were “hooked” on the game. Ed nated in his becoming a USCF Master and dismiss backgammon as being “all about to hold my own and not embarrass myself
Championship! vividly recalls one intense money match winning numerous tournaments, including luck”, he believes, not only sell backgam- against anyone I might encounter — espe-
between two of his Anchorage chess friends. the Alaska State Chess Championship in mon short — they will inevitably neglect cially Bob Stoller’s newest students!” 
In 1977, Ed joined the Army, and after They had started on Friday evening, and 1989. He then successfully maintained his to learn the many fine points which must
completing basic training was stationed at had been playing nonstop when Ed caught hold on that title for the next four consecu- be mastered in order to become a decent - ROBERT STOLLER
Ft. Richardson, Alaska (near Anchorage). up with them late Sunday afternoon. Both tive years.
84 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 85

Genna Cowan

Genna Cowan NOVICE WINNER AT D.C.

Genna Cowan (L) won the Novice

Winner of USBGF
division of the 2014 Capital Clas-
sic ABT tournament — shown
with finalist Sheri Peters (R).
Advanced Divisional V
responsibility, the league had more than some lasting friendships via online play. I
Interview by Karen Davis 20 divisions with 15 players, or about 300 had no concept of the doubling cube before
players at a time. I soon discovered that playing online.

M
people had established multiple IDs. As a
any backgammon players When and why did you start would happen to the Internet when com- league administrator, I had access to login Yahoo has since closed its backgammon
socialize on online playing playing backgammon? puters not designed to handle four-digit information and managed to whittle the field sites. Serious league players migrated to
sites. It’s a way to meet people My dad was a rabid duplicate bridge player, year dates might implode resulting from down to about 10 divisions of 15 unique other online gaming sites, and I learned
with similar interests, establish friendships, travelling to bridge tournaments, and the practice of abbreviating a four-digit players. It was through another league at about GridGammon, which is considered
and relax over a fun game at any hour of the having attained Life Master status at an year to two digits. Speculation was that Yahoo that I met Tara Mendicino and Bill quite serious and known to attract top-level
day or night. Genna Cowan has enjoyed this early age, much sought after as a playing the year 2000 would be indistinguishable Riles and learned more about opportuni- players. One of my leagues chose Safe Har-
online experience, as well as more serious partner. Bridge players often played a game from 1900. ties to play backgammon ‘over the board.’ bor Games as their playing platform. And
play, in the USBGF Online Circuit and in of backgammon as a side attraction. When many of the old Yahoo players play on Safe
ABT and local club live tournament events. my parents divorced in 1973, Dad taught On a lark, I decided to check out the Internet While social backgammon on Yahoo Harbor Games. It has both unrated and
She won the USBGF Advanced Divisional me the game and we met weekly for dinner gaming world before that happened. I played attracted a number of players, it had its rated social rooms and a wide variety of
V in February 2015, an online tournament out and played backgammon afterwards. backgammon on Yahoo on New Year’s Eve drawbacks. Some people viewed it as a tournaments every half hour. I particularly
reserved for those with a USBGF online We were asked to leave many a restaurant 1999, and lo and behold, the Internet was pick-up site and would immediately ask like one club that has 9-point round-robin
Elo rating of 1500-1649. She shares her for lingering overlong after eating! still there in the morning. I’ve been addicted “A/S/L?” (age, sex, and location). Cheating matches. I also play on Daily Gammon,
reflections on the attractions of social and ever since. I played in several online leagues was commonplace. People would artificially which is somewhat similar to postal chess.
competitive backgammon, and the dif- I played for about ten years, and then didn’t that used Yahoo as a play site, similar to how boost their ratings by playing 101 point
KAREN DAVIS

ficulty some novice players have adapting pick it up again until New Year’s Eve of 1999. the USBGF uses GridGammon. I directed matches or stall to influence you to quit to Among online platforms, GridGammon is
to serious tournament play. At the time, there was intense speculation one of the leagues and ran a 7-point round gain rating points via your timeout. Still, the most respected. You need a referral to
about the Y2K millennium bug — what robin every 2 weeks. When I picked up this I learned a lot about the game and made get in, which USBGF provides for mem-
86 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 87

Genna Cowan Genna Cowan

bers. People know each other — there is have to work at maintaining my energy rolled a 5 in the opening — four times in luck relationship that is reminiscent of life. sleep or feel stressed, it’s a way to unwind. I
less virtual anonymity. Many players list and focus. There is also great competition a row! I almost had a chance to beat him Elayne’s grandchildren each read a poem. play one to two hours a night, if I’m home.
their local club in their profiles. But I find available to me in Washington, D.C., but because he was preoccupied calculating The entire service was very moving. And I play at one of the local clubs most
it harder to get a casual game. I suspect I’ve not made that step yet. I really respect the odds of all those 5s! Monday nights.
that some GridGammon players may be players who finish in the top of the bracket Another long-time local player, Bill Wilner,
ratings-conscious, and with my Elo rating at these tournaments; doing well at a live Maybe the most memorable game was in served as a pallbearer. He drove Elayne to How did you find your
now a bit below 1500, many higher-rated event is much more draining than it looks. an online match. My opponent had already backgammon tournaments so that she was experience participating in
players decline an invitation to play. taken 14 checkers off when I hit the last able to keep doing what she loved right the USBGF Online Circuit?
Playing at big ABT tournaments is an even checker, and I still managed to win the until the end. She came in second at our I really enjoy the USBGF Online Circuit.
How have you tried to greater challenge! I won the Novice divi- match, even though the odds of doing so Maryland club tournament in both March I get the chance to play some very strong

“
improve your game? sion at the Capital Classic in September were very low. and April. players. I’m also impressed with how easy
I don’t have the temperament for reading 2014. I went there with a good attitude — it is to schedule matches. That is not the
backgammon books, or even studying determined to win. Even though I perhaps How have you found directing the Tell us a little about your life case in some of my online leagues. It is a
positions on Facebook. Watching advanced should have entered Intermediate, I knew Watching advanced Maryland Backgammon Club? outside backgammon. great opportunity for all players, especially
players play at tournaments, especially playing would be a marathon for me, and I stepped up and volunteered to keep the I live in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. those new to the game.
players play at
doubles matches where partners discuss I didn’t have the focus to go up to the next club going when Kim Messina needed a area and work as a compliance officer for
plays, is a great way to learn. I also enjoy level. The financial investment is also a tournaments, break. I knew someone had to do it if I the federal government. I’ve been married What suggestions would you have
watching streamed matches, especially if consideration for me. I really appreciate the especially doubles was going to have a place to play. We use almost 30 years; we have one son who just for USBGF to enhance playing
there is commentary. side events offered as opportunities to play the USBGF rules and I have a copy at hand graduated from the University of Maryland opportunities for members?
stronger opponents and test those waters.
matches where if I need to make a decision. It’s a small in computer science and is now working I don’t have many ideas about playing
I’ve thought about purchasing eXtreme partners discuss plays, group of 5-12 players. We have a website in Germantown, MD, fully launched and opportunities, but I recommend that the
Gammon, but I’m not yet ready to commit Which do you prefer and why? https://mdbackgammon.wordpress.com/. independent! My husband doesn’t play USBGF donate a modest quality tourna-
is a great way to learn.
to the work that would be required to benefit I prefer online, because it is less stressful The group is grateful to have someone to backgammon, but we play Shanghai, a ment-sized backgammon board as a prize
from it. Once I get serious about moving for me to play in the comfort of my own I also enjoy watching call the restaurant and email notices of variation of gin rummy. in the Novice division at ABT tournaments.
up to the next level and have the time, I home. While I can’t read my opponent’s streamed matches, our monthly gathering. But I don’t have a I’d also like to see badges or medals instead
plan on enjoying the USBGF discount and visual clues, I am also not intimidated by talent for marketing, so I’m not the person I knit well, and play hand bells poorly in of trophies — something that people could
pursuing that course of study. their body language. Backgammon can be a
especially if there is to grow the group. It is not that difficult to the church choir. I’ve always admired the put on their boards or their own wooden
“head” game, and I haven’t learned how to commentary. run the monthly tournament because the instrument, but was never musically tal- plaque — like walking stick medals. I think
Do you play in live tournaments handle intimidating opponents who might players are so supportive and really enjoy ented, although I was forced to study piano they would be fun to collect and trade.
as well as online? handle the checkers or throw the dice in the game. as a child. We meet and practice one night a
I play regularly in two local clubs — the ways that could obtain a psychological week. Luckily it is a very small congregation Thank you for your support of this game
Baltimore Backgammon Club, directed by advantage. I’m impressed by the members of my local and they are very appreciative, and it has that is so easy to love... and hate! And thanks
Vic Morawski, and the Maryland Backgam- clubs and their support of the game and each been great fun to pick up an instrument. especially for your support of streaming
mon Club, which was directed by Kim What have been your most other. About 10-12 backgammon players matches at top tournaments. It’s a great
Messina, Elayne Feinstein’s daughter; but memorable experiences from the local clubs attended the memorial I’ll probably work another 3 years. After way for us social backgammon players to
I’ve pitched in running it lately with Elayne’s playing live, online? service for Elayne [Feinstein]. The rabbi I retire, maybe I’ll have time to learn to appreciate high-level play and learn in an
illness and passing. I enjoyed playing Bob Koca once at a local spoke eloquently about how backgammon count pips and memorize match equity enjoyable way. 
tournament. I was in awe of him, and had teaches you about life, teaches you to deal tables. For now, I enjoy being able to play
I find playing live a little unsettling, and no expectation of winning until we each with the dice you’ve gotten, and the risk- for fun and for relaxation. When I can’t - KAREN DAVIS
 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 89

Dmitriy Obukov Dmitriy Obukov

Winner of USBGF
at backgammon, it’s not necessarily your Masters in 2012, placing second in the
fault. That makes chess more personal, Lincoln-Douglas Doubles event with Prince

Masters Divisional XII and players get more upset when they lose. Barlow at Illinois in 2012, and winning
the Doubles with Stepan Nuniyants at the
By Karen Davis He encourages chess players to try back- Chicago Open in 2013.
gammon. Some wonder why anyone would
want to play a “luck” game, but if they try Dmitriy was born in the Latvian area of the

IMPRESSIVE RESULTS it, they may change their minds and come USSR, but Latvia regained independence
to love it. He now doesn’t play chess at all, in 1991. Latvians of Russian heritage are a
Dmitriy Obukhov, winner of the
USBGF Masters Divisional XII, is in the and he’s not alone. He estimates his current minority (about one-fourth of the national
top ten USBGF online Leaderboard PR is around 3.5, but thinks he still can population and 40% in the capital of Riga),

“
based on Elo rating, and a member improve his game. He says he still relies a and often face barriers to gaining entrance
of the prestigious PR 4.0 Club.
lot on visualization, but isn’t afraid of deep to the better colleges and better jobs. Dmi-
match equity calculation when needed. triy came to the U.S. in late 2000 at the
He reviews each age of 20 to find a better life. He settled
weekly tournament, who is among the best match after playing However, Dmitriy has worked at mastering in the Detroit region where his uncle and
in the world. That doesn’t happen in chess! backgammon, reading the major books grandfather live. Still, he’s found it hard
it, and then creates
including Walter Trice’s Backgammon Boot to make use of his training in electrical
flash cards of his

D
Many chess players find it hard to accept Camp; Nack Ballard and Paul Weaver’s Back- engineering and math, so backgammon
mitriy Obukhov is one of the when they are winning at backgammon gammon Openings; and Hal Heinrich and provides an important intellectual outlet.
blunders along with
stars of the USBGF Online Cir- and suddenly lose. But Dmitriy finds back- Kit Woolsey’s New Ideas in Backgammon.
cuit, ranking in the top ten out of gammon has more math, and the theory is 5 similar positions or Dmitriy enjoys playing top players in the
more than 600 players. He won the USBGF less developed with major new advances variations that help He likes playing online because he can play USBGF Online Circuit, and thinks the
Masters Divisional XII event in May 2015. occurring in the last 10-15 years, while chess at his convenience, and it’s easier to check USBGF is doing a good job helping grow
him understand the
He is relatively unknown since he plays in was nearly perfected over 100 years ago. matches for errors. He estimates that he the game. He reads PrimeTime Backgam-
few ABT tournaments, but earned a coveted It’s still possible to discover new concepts position to review spends about half his backgammon time mon magazine, enjoying particularly the
place in the PR 4.0 Club for those who have in backgammon. studying, and half playing. He reviews analytical articles, but also the interviews
later.
averaged a Performance Rating under 4.0 each match after playing it, and then cre- of players he knows. In his opinion, for
in 10 pre-announced public matches of 7 He finds the backgammon world and chess ates flash cards of his blunders along with backgammon to grow, it needs both players
points or more. world are different in other respects as well. 5 similar positions or variations that help who play for free and those who play for
The chess world is more secretive, and him understand the position to review later. money. Those who play for money will not
Dmitriy took up backgammon seriously top players are less willing to share their play seriously in a free tourney. It is impor-
only seven years ago when fellow-Michigan knowledge. Dmitriy finds backgammon He has a string of ABT tournament wins tant, in his view, to have tournaments for
chess and backgammon player Bill Calton players more open, friendlier, and more beginning with winning the After-Tourna- them as well. He suggests that the USBGF
VICTOR ASHKENAZI

started playing backgammon at a chess club. willing to answer questions. In chess, it’s ment $20 event in Michigan in 2010, 2nd offer small stakes for winning online events,
Dmitriy was a master chess player, but liked not uncommon to be told to go read a book in the Advanced Jackpot in Pittsburgh in even as modest as $100, to ensure all players
the challenge of mastering backgammon. when you ask a question. He thinks one of 2011, winning the Ohio Masters Jackpot take their matches seriously.
As a beginner, he became hooked on the the reasons may be that when you lose at and finalist in the Ohio Championship
game by beating a top player in a local chess, it’s your own fault. When you lose division in 2012, 3rd/4th in the Michigan - KAREN DAVIS
90 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 91

Walt Smith

Walt Smith people who would milk you for all you
were worth. Fortunately he tried it again
Backgammon is more sociable than chess.
Chess is very serious, and there is an unwrit-
He also placed second in the consolation in
the Intermediate division in Michigan in

Winner of USBGF in 1999 when Leonard Dangremond, a

fellow chess player, taught him the game.
ten rule that you don’t kid around. But in
a backgammon chouette you can make
2011, and took 3rd in the Intermediate at
Michigan in 2015, as well as placing second

Advanced Divisional II Len was patient, answered his questions,

and introduced him to the backgammon
wisecracks, with everybody ragging each
other. Backgammon players are also more
in the Limited Doubles with Bob Hickey.

Interview by Karen Davis server GamesGrid (now GridGammon). willing to talk and share information to He loves playing in the USBGF Online

L
help you learn. Circuit, particularly against better players,
ike fellow Michigan player Dmitriy Cavendish Club outside of Detroit playing It’s been an emotional learning curve. In especially when he meets international
Obukhov, Walt Smith, winner of the a card game on a Saturday night when he chess, you won’t lose unless you make Pittsburgh 2001 was his first real tourna- players or those who can’t make live tourna-

“
USBGF Advanced Divisional II in was lured into a dime chouette with a cast mistakes. In backgammon you can do ment. He found it enjoyable, in a nice ments. He suggests that the USBGF offer
September 2014, has his roots in chess. It of formidable players. One of them was everything right and be punished. But setting, with people who encouraged him more prizes — even entry into a raffle for
took several forays into backgammon to kind enough to warn him that he was out- Walt still finds that he enjoys backgammon to continue playing. He learned by asking a free membership. Once players belong
get him hooked. In 1992, returning from a classed. But he played. At first, he followed It’s been an emotional more. In chess it takes a lot of time to make players he respected questions, watch- to the USBGF, he thinks they will find it
chess tournament with a friend, he stopped the crowd, doubling when they did. He got slow, consistent progress. And while his ing good players, and reading articles in worthwhile and stay.
learning curve. In
in Flint on a lark to check out the local up four points, but then it was his turn in chess Elo rating is above 2000, he knows Gammon Village online. He advanced to
backgammon tournament. He knew the the box. After a dumb move, five cubes chess, you won’t Dmitriy’s 2200+ master chess level is out playing in local tournaments four nights a Walt happily uses the resources that the
rules, but that was about all; so he stuck to flashed instantly like a school of piranhas. lose unless you of reach. So for now, he’s content to focus week — alternating among Metro North in USBGF offers to help players improve,
the $5-entry-fee Novice division. He took two and dropped the others. He on backgammon and take Dmitriy’s advice Detroit, Grand Rapids, Plymouth, and Flint. including video lessons and magazine
wound up down two points for the night,
make mistakes. In that you can’t be good at two games. articles. He enjoys researching topics at his
His second venture into the backgammon but he was turned off by backgammon backgammon you can His most memorable experience was playing leisure, and finds the material nicely orga-
world was very different. He was at the for 4 to 5 years, viewing it as filled with He finds it hard to explain to friends why Sam Pottle from Wisconsin at Pittsburgh in nized. The time and effort that volunteers
do everything right
he likes backgammon. It has simple rules, 2002 — the first good player that he beat, have put in to create this structure shows,
and be punished. But but he enjoys the complexity of it. He also but then he was crushed by Bob Glass like he says, that they love the game. 

Walt still finds that he enjoys the spectrum of personalities in the a grape. Nonetheless, he finished second
backgammon world: a really diverse group. in the Open division overflow consolation. - KAREN DAVIS
enjoys backgammon
more.

Black Sweatshirt with USBGF Logo! usbgf.org/shop

Gildan 7.75 oz. 50% cotton/50% polyester pre-shrunk crewneck sweatshirt in black, with
the USBGF rectangular logo surrounded by a red border. Available in multiple sizes.
Sweatshirt: $30, plus shipping.

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 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 93

2015 Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships

GREAT PERFORMANCE
Marty Storer, USBGF Feature Editor for
Annotated Matches, won the Michigan
Open and the USBGF National
Championship East with a 17-1 win-loss
rate in those two events, averaging a
3.2 PR in his six recorded matches.

In the Intermediate division, Steven Sher-

bel (MI) defeated Ross Gordon (CT) in a
hard-fought final, with Walt Smith (MI)
finishing third. Fran Miller (OH) moved

2015 Michigan Summer up to first place in the Novice after finishing

second last year.

Backgammon Championships North American winners included Nick

Mourtos (Canada) who tied 3rd/4th Conso-
By Karen Davis lation in the Open, and Jose Farca (Mexico)
who finished 3rd/4th in the Michigan
Masters.

T
he Michigan Summer Backgam- Marty Storer (NH), USBGF Editor for Held over the 4th of July, this tournament
mon Championships — one of the Annotated Matches, put in a rare tour- always has a holiday feel, with lots of fun
oldest, largest, and most popular nament appearance and took home two side events. Sam Mizutani (Japan) won
tournaments on the tour — celebrated its trophies. He fought his way back through the Michigan Charity Blitz, with Steve
40th anniversary this July. In this year’s the Second Chance bracket to win the Grund (PA) finishing second and taking the
tournament (held July 2-5 at the Novi Open event, defeating Jason Pack twice to USBGF added money. $300 was raised for
Sheraton) the turnout was spectacular: emerge victorious. He also won the USBGF the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Both
151 players participated in the three divi- National Championship East (128 entries, Sam and Akiko Yazawa of Japan shared the

Licence at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/skynoir/14385141108/ sions (Open, Intermediate, and Novice), with $500 added money) and will face Gary Long-Distance prizes.
with 38 more in side events, for a total of Fries (VA), winner of the USBGF National
189. Most of the tournament’s success is Championship West in the grand finale. Di Di and Xiaoya Ji (GA) teamed up to
attributable to its stellar organizer, Carol Jason Pack (NY) also had a spectacular win the Open doubles, defeating home
Joy Cole, and her warm, welcoming, com- tournament, winning the Masters Jackpot as team Ben Friesen (MI) and Greg Merri-
‘4th of July' by Bill Dickinson

petent, and experienced staff — Mary Ann well as finishing second in the Champion- man (MI). The Limited Doubles was won
Meese, Butch Meese, John Carrico, and Paul ship division. Gary Bauer (NJ), 2014 Open by Nick Blasier (TX) and Dan Wittkopp
KAREN DAVIS

Berg — with veteran tournament director winner and 2013 Masters Jackpot winner, (MI) with Bob Hickey (OH) and Walt
Howard Markowitz filling in when needed. kept his streak alive with second place in Smith (MI) taking second.
the 2015 Masters Jackpot. Continued on page 97
94 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 95

2015 Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships 2015 Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships

01 03 07
01 Lorenzo Morales (MI) finished
second in the Detroit $10 Quickie.

02 James Worley (MO) won the

Prince Barlow Junior Jackpot in a field
of 32 entrants.
02
03 David Kettler (TX) livens up
every tournament he attends with his
broad smile and colorful shirts.

04 Intermediate winner Steven

Sherbel (MI) and finalist Ross Gordon
(CT) celebrated with Leyla Zaloutskaya
(NY), winner of Frank Talbot’s
Newcomer Freeroll.

05 Brian Lonergan (LA) received a

3-year USBGF Premium membership
awarded by David Presser (IL), who
04 generously donated his Tournament of
Champions prize.

06 06 Nick Blasier (TX) & Dan Wittkopp

(MI) won the Limited doubles event
with 12 teams.

07 Jason Pack (NY) had an excellent

tournament, winning the Michigan
Masters and finishing second in the
Open.

08 David Rockwell (IL) had excellent

KAREN DAVIS

results in the Open division, finishing

05 08 3rd out of a field of 70.

96 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 97

2015 Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships 2015 Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships

GARY BAUER LITZENBERGER GEORGES NADER

Gary Bauer (NJ) finished second Roberto Litzenberger (VA) won the Fire- Georges Nader (FL) tied for 4th STEPAN NUNIYANTS & LEYLA ZALOUTSKAYA
in the Michigan Masters. cracker Open Jackpot in a field of 16. place in the Michigan Open.
Stepan Nuniyants (WA) is always a sought-after doubles partner, shown with Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY).

Continued from page 93

The Michigan tournament had 100 percent Roberto Litzenberger (VA) won the Fire- (NJ) (USBGF BOD member, who ran
payout in the Open, Intermediate, and cracker Open Jackpot over Matt Reklaitis streaming of major matches throughout
Novice events — making it particularly (MA), while Bill Toth (MI) won the Fire- the tournament) winning the $20 After
attractive to equity chasers. The generosity cracker Limited Jackpot. Philippe Salnave Tournament.
of numerous sponsors adds to the appeal of (FL) took the $20 Detroit Quickie, while
the event. Gary Fritzche (MI) won Sandy David Shaerf took the $10 Detroit Quickie. Other major sponsors were Michigan’s Judy
Kaplan’s Senior Special; James Worley Again, these last two side events had fields Field, who donated 150 colorful souvenir
(MO) won Prince Barlow’s Junior Jackpot, of 32. mugs; and Dion Hogan, who provided an
Leyla Zloutskaya (NY) won Frank Talbot’s abundance of snacks and coffee during
Newcomer Freeroll. All three of these side Former World Champion Bill Robertie the weekend.
events had 32 entrants. (MA) took the $50 Wednesday Warm-Up
over Karen Davis (DC). Carol Joy Cole got The action started early and ended late,
Backgammon by Sonné donated engraved to play and win the $30 Wednesday Warm- with intense chouettes going on in the side
cubes for the Sunday Trophy events: Steve Up (directed by Paul Berg), while Jenna room throughout! The attendees returned
Sax (CA) won the Sunday Trophy Open Longman (who staffs the Flint Boutique) home from the holiday, sated on backgam-
DOUBLES WINNERS SAM MIZUTANI NOVICE WINNER Jackpot over Ronald Loero (Venzuela). won the $20 Wednesday Warm-Up. mon and hospitality, and looking forward
Di Di and Xiaoya Ji (GA) won the Sam Mizutani (Japan) won the Michi- Fran Miller (OH) took the Novice Perennial winner Peggy Neubig (NJ) won to returning next year! 
KAREN DAVIS

Open Doubles in a field of 32 teams. gan Charity Blitz, which raised $300 for division title out of a field of 13 players. the Sunday Trophy Limited Jackpot over In the after-tournament events, it was Eric
the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
Joseph Jemal (NJ). Hiner (WI) in the winner’s circle in the $50 - KAREN DAVIS
After Tournament, and Michelle Steinberg
98 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 99

Backgammon: From Basics to Badass

Book Review
M
arc Olsen may be unknown to many USBGF mem- in early 2013, and it is now owned by roughly half the members
bers, but he is a rising star internationally, ranked of the Danish Backgammon Federation. The English translation

backgammon: from basics to badass #48 on the 2013 Giants list. Having won the 2014
Nordic Open in his native city of Copenhagen, and having been
(prepared with the assistance of Christopher Hostrup-Pederson)
has only recently become available in the United States.

By Marc Brockmann Olsen a member of every Danish team in the annual Denmark vs. The
World matches, he will almost certainly be voted to a higher rank B-to-B consists of a 13-page introduction summarizing the rules
when the next Giants list is compiled. and purpose of backgammon, followed by nine substantial chapters
Review by Robert Stoller
and nine additional one-page appendices covering all aspects of
According to its back-cover information, his book, Backgammon: the game, from the most elementary concepts through the subtle-
From Basics to Badass (“B-to-B”), was originally published in Danish ties of match play. Here is a brief synopsis of the chapter contents:

»» 1. The [Ten] Basic Concepts

»» 2. The [Five] Basic Game Plans

»» 3. The Opening Game [three primary and four secondary goals; analysis of
the best opening plays for all 15 possible dice combinations]

»» 4. Advanced Strategy [twenty-four concepts]

»» 5. The Doubling Cube

»» 6. Match Play

»» 7. “The Value Equation” [how to asses positions in terms of their prime, blitz, race and contact potential]

»» 8. Doing The Pip Count [numerous simplifying techniques]

»» 9. [Eight] Various [miscellaneous] Topics.

Much of my involvement with the Anchorage Backgammon Club the best thing you can do in backgammon!” [page 32]; “Build
consists of teaching the fundamentals to beginners and aspiring a prime as soon as possible.” [page 34]; “The 5-point is the best
post-beginners. In this regard, Olsen’s 10 “Basic Concepts” (Chap- open point on the board, and is called ‘the golden point’. When
ter 1) and 5 “Basic Game Plans” (Chapter 2) are extremely useful you have the opportunity to make it, it’s usually the right thing
teaching aids. Here are his ten basic concepts: (1) The Race; (2) to do.” [page 47]. Olsen’s concept-driven approach to teaching
Hitting; (3) The Prime; (4) Flexibility; (5) Safety; (6) Connectivity; harkens back to a profound observation by Bill Robertie (circa
(7) Buried Checkers; (8) An Anchor; (9) The “Golden Point”; (10) 2001) just as the neural-net programs Jellyfish and Snowie had
Aggression In The Early Stages. Each concept is discussed in detail begun to revolutionize backgammon praxis. “Despite their power-
and illustrated with multiple diagrams. Each section of explanatory ful analytic capabilities,” Robertie wrote, “Jellyfish and Snowie [as
discussion is introduced with, and/or ultimately concludes with, well as the newer programs GNU and eXtreme Gammon] have
an easy-to-remember proverb or moral, e.g., “Hitting is usually a frustrating drawback: they are mute. . . . [The bots’ roll-out]
100 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 101

Backgammon: From Basics to Badass Backgammon: From Basics to Badass

results come only as factoids, with no explanation given. To really Game. Backgammon (Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co., idea to the next level. Olsen’s 24-page Chapter 7 — “The Value Equation” — is yet another
improve as a player, you’ve got to incorporate these results into New York 1976) — Chapters 4, 6, 8 and 9. (Magriel included a piece of analysis which, to the best of my knowledge, is uniquely
some meaningful theory of the game, and the nets are no help relatively brief treatment of the Back Game in the final chapter Following Woolsey, Olsen builds his 28-page analysis of match his. He argues that all backgammon games, without exception, are
here. . . . To play well, humans need theories and concepts, not of Backgammon, at pages 387-393.) 11. Olsen identifies five basic dynamics on the foundation of an updated (and expanded) won in one of four ways: (1) Prime (which has significant gammon
just facts.” Modern Backgammon (The Gammon Press, Arling- plans — Running, Priming, Blitz, Holding and Back-Game. He match-equity table, plotting match-winning chances at all scores potential); (2) Blitz (which also has significant gammon potential,
ton, MA 2001), pages 4 and 5 (bold-face added by me). Olsen introduces them in Chapter 2, and they emerge as the foundation from 7-away, 7-away to 1-away, 1-away/post-Crawford. He then but is inherently riskier, because when a blitz fails, it generally leaves
explicitly acknowledges his intellectual debt to Robertie at page for everything else in B-to-B. illustrates an array of gammonful a compromised structure in its wake);
110 of B-to-B, citing Modern Backgammon as “perhaps the best reference positions from blitz, prim- (3) Race (which has relatively little
backgammon book ever written.” Informed opinion holds that one achieves proficiency with the cube ing and back-game structures and a gammon potential); or (4) Contact
by developing and mastering an inventory of reference positions. separate array of gammonless refer- (which also has relatively little gam-
The idea of harmonizing checker play with the most appropri- In this regard, Olsen’s Chapter 5 is a 50-page gold mine. He com- ence positions from pure race and mon potential, especially when the
ate game plan dates back at least as far as Paul Magriel’s classic mences with a 6-page discussion of backgammon equity, includ- holding-game structures. Next, he winning hit comes in the final phase).
Backgammon. In Magriel’s system, there are four basic plans: ing a graphic illustrating the doubling window. There follows a details the proper cube strategies for Olsen’s Value Equation states: Total
Running Game; Holding Game; Priming Game, and Attacking catalogue of reference positions linked to every phase of the game: both leader and trailer, integrating Value equals Prime value plus Blitz
those same reference positions from value plus Race value plus Contact
blitz, prime, back-game, pure race, value (any of which may be negative
»» Early cubes - 5 positions
and holding games with each possible or positive figures). Chapter 7 then
»» Races [ the 8-10-12% formula] - 2 positions match score from 2-away, 2-away proceeds to derive the net Total Value
through 5-away, 5-away. Chapter 6 for 23 additional reference positions.
»» Bear-off [3-, 4-, 5- and 6-roll positions] - 4 positions
concludes with a 2-page analysis of Those resultant values guide each

»» Holding Games - 4 positions “free-drop” and “free-take” positions side’s subsequent checker play and
in post-Crawford games, and 5 refer- cube strategy.
»» Blitzes - 5 positions ence positions for match re-doubles.
In conclusion, those of us who enjoy learning from written materi-
»» Priming Games - 4 positions
In short, Olsen’s Chapter 6 combines the best game plan for each als (either separately from, or in addition to, neural net programs)
»» Deep Anchor Games - 4 positions illustrative position with the optimal cube strategy at the array of have been blessed with two excellent new books — Conquering
end-of-match scores where each position might appear. Olsen’s Backgammon by Ed Rosenblum and Backgammon: From Basics
»» One-Man Back - 4 positions analysis demonstrates several paradoxes whereby a given position to Badass. 
can be a double/pass at one match score yet also be a big no-double/
»» On The Bar against a Closed Board - 5 positions
huge take at a slightly different match score. In my opinion, this - ROBERT STOLLER
»» Back-game - 5 positions is a truly monumental achievement.

»» “Too Good” - 4 positions

»» TOTAL - 46 cube reference positions. MARC BROCKMANN OLSEN

BACKGAMMON — FROM BASICS TO BADASS
Available in soft-cover, 319 pages. [1st English Ed. 2015]
Back in 1999, Kit Woolsey penned a ground-breaking study of “the to 0-to-0 (5-away, 5-away). [“Five Point Match” by Kit Woolsey, Amazon.com $28.99
five-point match” which analyzed the optimal cube strategy and GammOnLine, August, 1999; archived at www.bkgm.com/articles.] Backgammon a la Carte $30.00
checker play at every match score from 4-to-4 (1-away, 1-away) Marc Olsen’s 28-page Chapter 6 — “Match Play” — takes that
102 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 103

Qualifying Prime Clubs

BELTWAY BACKGAMMON
Director: Barry Silliman Location: Washington, D.C.

qualifying prime clubs Phone: (240) 674-7222 E-Mail: sillybaz@beltwaybg.org Website: beltwaybg.org
Details: Beltway Backgammon had 23 USBGF members as of December 2014.  For more information about the Beltway Backgam-

Local Affiliated Clubs List mon club, please visit beltwaybg.org.

ARIZONA BACKGAMMON CLUB

T
he U.S. Backgammon Federation provides support to gift memberships. The awards are made on an annual basis. For Director: Doug Amenda Location: Phoenix, Arizona
local affiliated clubs with ten or more USBGF members more information, contact Justin Nunez, Local Club Initiatives Phone: N/A E-Mail: doug@amendainsurance.com Website: N/A
including the club director, designated as Prime Clubs, Director at justin_nunez@yahoo.com or info@usbgf.org. Details: The Arizona Backgammon Club had 18 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the Ari-
to help promote the growth of backgammon in their communities. zona Backgammon Club, email Doug at doug@amendainsurance.com.
At the end of May 2015, 16 clubs qualified as Prime Clubs, includ-
Prime Clubs with 10-19 USBGF members receive one gift USBGF ing for the first time the Atlanta Northside Backgammon Club, CHICAGO BAR POINT CLUB
Premium membership to award to an individual selected by the directed by Jerry Godsey. Congratulations! The sixteen clubs listed Director: Bill Davis Location: Chicago, Illinois
Prime Club Director; those with 20-29 USBG members receive below have received the Prime Club designation. Phone: (773) 583-6464 E-Mail: on-line@chicagopoint.com Website: chicagopoint.com
two gift Premium memberships; and those with 30+ receive three Details: The Chicago Bar Point Club achieved Prime Club with 17 USBGF members as of December 2014. For more information
about the Chicago Bar Point Club, please visit chicagopoint.com/bpc.html.

GAMMON ASSOCIATES DALLAS BACKGAMMON LEAGUE

Director: Patrick Gibson Location: Los Angeles, California Director: Tom Wheeler Location: Dallas, Texas
Phone: (818) 901-0464 E-Mail: pgibsonmfic@gmail.com Website: GammonAssociates.com Phone: N/A E-Mail: zwheel@sbcglobal.com Website: N/A
Details: The first club to reach the goal of USBGF Prime Club status is Gammon Associates. At the end of December 2014 it had Details: The Dallas Backgammon League has 13 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the Dallas
39 USBGF members. Gammon Associates donated their 2013 award to furthering the work of the U.S. Backgammon Federation. Backgammon League, email Tom at zwheel@sbcglobal.com.

BACKGAMMON BY THE BAY LAS VEGAS BACKGAMMON CLUB

Director: Ted Chee Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California Director: Tony Anton Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: (831) 261-4583 E-Mail: ted@bgbythebay.com Website: bgbythebay.com Phone: (702) 458-0926 E-Mail: tonyanton@earthlink.net Website: vegasbg.com
Details: Backgammon By the Bay had 30 USBGF Premium and Youth members as of December 31, 2014. Backgammon By the Bay Details: The Las Vegas Backgammon Club had 13 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the Las
donated their 2013 Prime Club award to furthering USBGF application of backgames.org. Vegas Backgammon Club, email Tony at tonyanton@earthlink.net.

NYC BACKGAMMON DURHAM/CHAPEL HILL BACKGAMMON CLUB

Director: Richard Munitz Location: New York, New York Director: Ken Larsen Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Phone: N/A E-Mail: rich@usbgf.org Website: nycbg.com Phone: N/A E-Mail: KLarsen1@nc.rr.com Website: Durham/Chapel Hill BG Club
Details: USBGF liaison Richard Munitz and NYC Backgammon has also reached Prime Club designation. As of the end of December Details: The Durham/Chapel Hill Backgammon Club has achieved Prime Club status as of December 2014, with 12 USBGF mem-
2014, the NYC Backgammon group had 24 USBGF members. bers. For more information about the Durham/Chapel Hill Backgammon Club, please email Ken at KLarsen1@nc.rr.com.
 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 105
FLINT AREA BACKGAMMON CLUB
Director: Carol Joy Cole
Phone: (810) 232-9731
Location: Flint, Michigan
E-Mail: cjc@flintbg.com Website: flintbg.com live abt tournament results
From July 24 - September 13
Details: The Flint Area Backgammon Club had 12 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the
Flint Area Backgammon Club, email Carol Joy Cole at cjc@flintbg.com.

Complete tournament results may be found at chicagopoint.com

AUSTIN BACKGAMMON CLUB
Director: Scott Butki Location: Austin, Texas
Phone: N/A E-Mail: sbutki@gmail.com Website: austinbackgammon.com July 2015
Details: The Austin Backgammon Club has achieved Prime Club status as of February 15, 2015, with 12 USBGF members. For
more information about the Austin Backgammon Club, please email Scott at sbutki@gmail.com.
ABT - 20th MINNESOTA OPEN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
ATLANTA NORTHSIDE BACKGAMMON CLUB July 24-26, 2015; Bloomington, Minnesota
Director: Jerry Godsey Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Phone: N/A E-Mail: jerrygod2000@hotmail.com Website: N/A OPEN (16): 1-Ralph Stowell (MN), 2-Jim Pokela (MN); 1C-David Rockwell (IL), 2C-Yury Millman (MN);
Details: The Atlanta Northside Backgammon Club has achieved Prime Club status as of May 8, 2015 with 12 USBGF members. For 1LC-Jeff Spencer (MN).
more information about the Atlanta Northside Backgammon Club, email Jerry at jerrygod2000@hotmail.com.
INTERMEDIATE (27): 1-Steve Binenstock (MN), 2-Ron Kompelien (MN); 1C-Gregg Trunnell (MN), 2C-Steve
HOUSTON BACKGAMMON CLUB Waller (MN); 1LC-Tom Magne (MN).
Director: Bill Riles Location: Houston, Texas
Phone: (281) 703-9304 E-Mail: billriles@sbcglobal.net Website: N/A 2ND ANNUAL GOPHER CLASSIC (24): 1-Cinda King (IL), 2-Joe Briggs (MN); 1C-Ray Fogerlund (NV),
Details: The Houston Backgammon Club had 12 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the 2C-Paul Baraz (CA).
Houston Backgammon Club, email Bill Riles at billriles@sbcglobal.net.
MASTERS JACKPOT (8): 1-Steve Brown (MN), 2-Jack Edelson (WI).
COLORADO BACKGAMMON CLUB
Director: Lynda Clay Location: Boulder, Colorado DOUBLES (8 teams): 1-Cinda King (IL) & Ed Ziesche (MN), 2-Paul Baraz (CA) & Bob Schumacher (MN).
Phone: N/A E-Mail: info@coloradobackgammon.com Website: coloradobackgammon.com
Details: The Colorado Backgammon Club had 11 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the MINI-MATCH (16): 1-Milton Gonzalez (Costa Rica), 2-Jack Edelson (WI).
Colorado Backgammon Club, email Lynda at info@coloradobackgammon.com.

CHARLOTTE BACKGAMMON CLUB August 2015

Director: David Rogers Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Phone: (704) 965-3573 E-Mail: dashro@bellsouth.net Website: N/A
Details: The Charlotte Backgammon Club achieved Prime Club status in 2012. As of December 2014, it had 10 USBGF members. 5th MONTE CARLO BACKGAMMON OPEN
For more information about the Charlotte Backgammon Club, please email dashro@bellsouth.net. August 2-3, 2015; Monte Carlo, Monaco

KANSAS CITY BACKGAMMON CLUB MONTE CARLO OPEN (64): 1-Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan), 2-Sean Williams (England), 3/4-Karen Davis
Director: Eric Barr Location: Overland Park , Kansas (USA) / Axel Stemark (Denmark); 1C-Kazuhiko Yotsushika (Japan), 2C-Doug Mayfield (USA).
Phone: (816) 237-8089 E-Mail: mister.eb@gmail.com Website: Kansas City Backgammon Club
Details: The Kansas City Backgammon Club had 10 USBGF members as of December 31, 2014. For more information about the MONTE CARLO INTERMEDIATE (44): 1-Michael Urban (Germany), 2-Gus Contos (USA), 3/4-Paul Fredheim
Kansas City Backgammon Club, email Eric Barr at mister.eb@gmail.com. (Australia) / Edmond Mezini (Italy); 1C-Valery Mikhaylets (Russia), 2C-Airat Metshin (Russia).
106 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 107

Live ABT Tournament Results Live ABT Tournament Results

40th BACKGAMMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BELAIR WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (40 teams): 1-Italians: Giorgio Castellano / Fabrizio Lo Surdo /
August 4-9, 2015; Monte Carlo, Monaco Laura Monaco, 2-Swiss: Nicolas Deloche / Bernard Morel / Rolf Vetsch.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (160): 1-Cihangir Çetinel (Turkey), 2-Sergey Erokhin (Russia), 3-Eric McAlpine MOCHY'S PROFICIENCY TEST (14): 1-Doug Mayfield (USA), 2-Alain Babillon (France).
(England), 4/5-Armen Khachatryan (Armenia/Russia) / Kimon Papachristopoulos (Greece/Germany),
6/8-Henrik Bang (Denmark) / Gus Contos (USA) / Engin Öngel (Turkey/England); 1C-Fernando Neumark SHOGI TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Kota Fujiwara.
(Argentina), 2C-Tuvya Felt (USA), 3C/4C-Tore Fredriksen (Norway) / Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan);
1LC-Axel Stemark (Denmark), 2LC-Nevzat Dogan (Denmark). ABT - 13th WISCONSIN STATE BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 14-16, 2015; Madison, Wisconsin
INTERMEDIATE (55): 1-Boris Gurov (Russia), 2-Raphael Rosalba (France), 3-Michael Urban (Germany),
4/5-Günther Holzinger (Germany) / Helmut Jeske (Germany); 1C-Thibaud Thompson (Switzerland), CHAMPIONSHIP (24): 1-Tak Morioka (IL), 2-Dennis Culpepper (VA); 1C-Steve Brown (MN), 2C-Vadim
2C-Kakhaber Natchkebia (Georgia), 3C/4C-Laura Monaco (Italy) / Ciprian Radulescu (Romania); Nuniyants (WI).
1LC-Moises Farca (Mexico/USA), 2LC-Souhail Atie (Lebanon/Monaco).
ADVANCED (25): 1-Dan Wittkopp (MI), 2-Zachary Tabac (WI); 1C-Jay Robinson (IL), 2C-Paul Mangone
NOVICE (23): 1-Pia Aimonen (Finland), 2-Donna Sherred (England), 3/4-Bogdan Constantinoiu (Romania) / (CA).
Jose Carlos Fernandez (Spain); 1C-Leos Fiala (Czech Republic), 2C-Gay Roberts (Isle of Man); 1LC-Kenneth
Prola (USA), 2LC-Patricia Rey (Monaco). NOVICE (5): 1-Joe Green (WI), 2-Paulette Duong (IL).

SENIORS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (128): 1-Shimon Kagan (Israel), 2-Kakhaber Natchkebia (Georgia), 3/4- BADGER CLASSIC (8): 1-Steve Brown (MN), 2-David Rockwell (IL).
John Broomfield (England) / Nodar Gagua (Georgia/Russia).
AMATEUR JACKPOT (8): 1-Paul Mangone (CA), 2-Nick Blasier (TX).
STANLEY TOMCHIN SUPER JACKPOT (64): 1-Kimon Papachristopoulos (Greece/Germany), 2-Lars Trabolt
(Denmark), 3/4-Joe Russell (USA) / Sergey Erokhin (Russia). DOUBLES (15 teams): 1-Mike Flohr (IL) & Faddoul Khoury (IL), 2-Steve Binenstock (MN) & Yuri Millman
(MN).
DOUBLES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (64 teams): 1-Annalisa Agosti (Italy) & Laura Monaco (Italy), 2-Falafel
Natanzon (Israel/USA) & Akiko Yazawa (Japan), 3/4-Götz Hildsberg (Germany) & Kimon Papachristopoulos BLITZ (16): 1-Keene Marin (WI), 2-Jeff Nitschke (MN).
(Greece/Germany) / Max Mowzoon (USA) & Cliff Pappas (USA).
SPEEDGAMMON (16): 1-Kevin Ahtou (MN), 2-Faddoul Khoury (IL).
WORLD FEDERATION CUP (32): 1-Konstantinos Mitrelis (Greece), 2-Jörgen Granstedt (Sweden), 3/4-Boris
Gurov (Russia) / Christoph Wagener (Germany). QUICKIES (64): 1-Phil Simborg (IL), 2-Brian Vance (MI).

LADIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (8): 1-Laura Monaco (Italy), 2-Antoinette Williams (USA). FASHIONABLY EARLY BIRD JACKPOT (16): 1-Steve Brown (MN), 2-Jack Edelson (WI).

SPEEDGAMMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (64): 1-Konstantinos Mitrelis (Greece), 2-Cihangir Çetinel EARLYBIRD JACKPOT #1 (16): 1-Sean Garber (IN), 2-Tak Morioka (IL).
(Turkey), 3/4-Jostein Flood (Norway) / Franck Stepler (France).
EARLYBIRD JACKPOT #2 (8): 1/2-Charles Haley (IN) / Brian Vance (MI).
JUNIORS TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Iva Natchkebia (Georgia), 2-Thomas Décultot (France).
AFTER TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Sean Garber (IN), 2-Nick Blasier (TX).
108 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 109

Live ABT Tournament Results Live ABT Tournament Results

September 2015 ABT - 3rd SEATTLE BACKGAMMON CLASSIC
September 11-13, 2015; Kirkland, Washingon

ABT - 12th CAROLINA INVITATIONAL BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS OPEN (27): 1-Stepan Nuniyants (WA), 2-Ed O'Laughlin (VA), 3/4-Martin D'Alexander (OR) / Matt Reklaitis
September 3-7, 2015; Charlotte, North Carolina (MA); 1C-Pat MacNeil (Canada), 2C-John Gamalielson (WA), 3C/4C-Mark Ferrin (OR) / Alan Steffen (NY);
1LC-Jack Edelson (WI).
CHAMPIONSHIP (39): 1-Paul Weaver (AL), 2/6-Dennis Culpepper (VA) / Karen Davis (DC), Alfred Mamlet
(MD) / Frank Raposa (VA) / Marty Storer (NH), 7/8-Chris Knapp (MA) / Ed O'Laughlin (VA). INTERMEDIATE (16): 1-Karl Pearson (WA), 2-Joseph Hutchinson (WA), 3/4-Arash Akbar (WA) / Kat
Denison (WA); 1C-Lee Brooks (WA), 2C-Karla McKenzie (KS); 1LC-Carol McGannon (Canada).
ADVANCED (28): 1-Doug Johnson (FL), 2/4-Marcy Kossar (MD) / Stewart Pemberton (FL) / Chen-Fu Yu
(MD), 5-Michael Valliere (PA), 6/8-Patty Geoffroy (MA) / Joseph Jemal (NJ) / Proctor Ritchie (AZ). NOVICE (4): 1-David Dooley (Canada).

NOVICE (13): 1-Adam Tyson (NC), 2-RoseMarie Holsing (NC); 1C-Gary Henman (NC); 1LC-Barbara SUPER JACKPOT (13): 1-Mark Ferrin (OR), 2-Pete Anderson (WA), 3/4-John Gamalielson (WA) / Ed
Garrett (NC). O'Laughlin (VA).

FASTER MASTERS (11): 1-Cliff Pappas (AZ), 2-Dennis Culpepper (VA). DOUBLES (11 teams): 1-Jack Edelson (WI) & Ed O'Laughlin (VA), 2-Pete Anderson (WA) & John
Gamalielson (WA), 3/4-Lee Brooks (WA) & Steven Carey (WA) / Pat MacNeil (Canada) & Alex Toth (WA).
QUEEN CITY CUP MASTERS JACKPOT (16): 1-Victor Ashkenazi (NJ), 2-Ray Lightbourn (Bahamas).
CARDINAL CLASSIC AMATEUR JACKPOT (14): 1-Gary Koscielny (NY), 2-Ben Elliott (NC). USBGF PRIME TOURNAMENT (64): 1-Ed Rosenblum (NM), 2-Steven Carey (WA).

$20 QUICKER QUICKIES (64): 1-Steve Sax (CA), 2-Joe Nolan (TN).
$10 QUICKER QUICKIES (8): 1-Michelle Steinberg (NJ), 2-Alia Azamat (NJ).

DOUBLES (16 teams): 1-John Klein (MD) & Ed O'Laughlin (VA), 2-Stephen Collins (OH) & Karen Davis
(DC).

SKUNK DICE FOR CHARITY: 1-Stephen Collins (OH). $1,000 was raised for the American Diabetes
Association in memory of Peter Kalba, and in support of all our backgammon players who have diabetes.

$50 USBGF PRIME JACKPOT (64): 1-Carol Joy Cole (MI), 2-Richard Munitz (NY), 3/4-David Rogers (NC) /
Michael Valliere (PA).
$25 USBGF PRIME JACKPOT (32): 1-Ghazi Al-Kinani (VA), 2-Stephen Deep (AZ).
$25 USBGF PRIME JACKPOT OVERFLOW (8): 1-Alia Azamat (NJ), 2-Michelle Steinberg (NJ).

$50 Earlybird Tournament (4): 1-Chris Knapp (MA).

$20 Earlybird Tournament (12): 1-Eric Stevens (FL), 2-Gary Henman (NC).

$50 After Tournament (16): 1-Phil Simborg (IL), 2-Mary Hickey (OH).
$20 After Tournament (8): 1-Gary Koscielny (NY), 2-Maura Carter (NC).
110 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 111

u  sbgf master point leaders

B
  y Rich Munitz  Updated: 08/19/2015
u  sbgf online circuit
B
  y Karen Davis

2015 National Master Points Top 10 2014 Tournament of Champions Player List
# Name Master Pts Match Pts Rank Pts * Win - Loss Win % Rating Events 1st Pl. Name GG ID Rating Tournament Won
1. Ray Fogerlund 56.94 48.14 8.80 41 - 36 53.25% 1619.65 20 1 Bill Riles 70cbcht69 1769.98 Circuit Monthly for June
2. Carter Mattig 46.64 40.24 6.40 38 - 33 53.52% 1599.23 13 1 Bruce Newberg thenewb 1835.11 Circuit Monthly for September
3. Karen Davis 43.76 38.65 5.11 36 - 31 53.73% 1574.62 15 0 Cuneyt Argun Genc caggammon 1901.15 USBGF Masters Divisional V
4. Julius High 39.88 37.17 2.71 36 - 46 43.90% 1535.55 23 1 David Kettler SuperDavek 1828.77 Circuit Monthly for April
5. Carol Joy Cole 39.37 36.88 2.49 39 - 28 58.21% 1593.62 13 0 David Presser Gasman 1942.26 Feb, Mar, Oct; Masters III
6. Phil Simborg 39.18 34.27 4.91 33 - 31 51.56% 1609.13 15 0 Deborah Ferolito Tricksy 1503.08 Intermediate Divisional II
7. Tuvya Felt 37.37 33.99 3.38 31 - 33 48.44% 1523.33 15 1 Ed Sawyer Shusaku 1568.63 USBGF Advanced Divisional I
8. David Rockwell 36.99 32.81 4.18 31 - 18 63.27% 1622.38 9 0 Eva Zizkova elza 1832.92 Circuit Monthly for January
9. Frank Raposa 31.46 28.36 3.09 29 - 33 46.77% 1574.00 14 1 Frank Simon pattayastyle 1868.99 USBGF Masters Divisional VII
10. Victor Ashkenazi 31.22 25.78 5.44 24 - 15 61.54% 1661.82 7 0 Harvey Gillis Sandman 1798.23 Circuit for November
Igor Erovenko Sharikov 1768.02 USBGF Masters Divisional VII
* Master Points are calculated by adding Match Points + (Rank Points * 0.6).
Irina Litzenberger spirals 1646.55 Circuit for May
Istvan Eger egeristi 1487.26 USBGF Intermediate I

2015 Online Master Points Top 10 Jacob Atie

John Gamalielson
Dolphin
TarsTarkus
1799.68
1884.04
NIC Championship Division
Circuit Monthly for December
John Klein 66fromthebar 1808.50 Circuit Monthly for August
# Name Master Pts Match Pts Rank Pts * Win - Loss Win % Rating Events 1st Pl.
Karen Davis karendavis 1796.22 Circuit Monthly for July
1. Karen Davis 31.17 28.28 2.89 37 - 20 64.91% 1833.24 22 0 Michelle Steinberg MishyPoo 1607.62 Adv III; NIC Intermediate
2. Eva Zizkova 28.17 26.40 1.77 34 - 19 64.15% 1845.07 23 1 Peter Toftsoe Toftsoe 1839.56 USBGF Masters Divisional I
3. Zdenek Zizka 26.19 24.39 1.80 29 - 18 61.70% 1823.70 20 1 Ralph Desimone raymond 1594.32 USBGF Advanced Divisional IV
4. Ted Chee 25.43 23.82 1.60 33 - 17 66.00% 1879.92 20 0 Ted Chee tedc 1856.60 USBGF Masters Divisional II
5. Igor Erovenko 23.82 21.71 2.10 30 - 18 62.50% 1784.91 23 1 Tom Christner Poettom 1607.42 NIC Advanced Division
6. William Lonergan 21.22 18.02 3.20 36 - 25 59.02% 1733.22 28 1 Walt Smith dapenguin 1570.66 USBGF Advanced Divisional II
7. Adam Prager 20.92 17.54 3.38 28 - 16 63.64% 1776.94 19 1 Zdenek Zizka XZet24 1792.65 USBGF Masters Divisional IV
8. Jan Cerny 20.86 18.90 1.96 25 - 20 55.56% 1778.08 19 0
9. Dmitriy Obukhov 20.29 17.42 2.87 26 - 10 72.22% 1935.64 13 1
10. Frank Simon 18.89 15.08 3.81 21 - 11 65.63% 1854.13 12 1 Follow the Action!
* Master Points are calculated by adding Match Points + (Rank Points * 0.6).
Follow all the action in the 2014 Online Circuit Tournament of Champions! The official
drawsheet may be viewed at http://usbgf.org/trny/drawsheets/?trny=200
112 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 113

u  sbgf National leaderboard

B
  y Barry Silliman - Rankings Editor  Updated: 8/20/2015
u  sbgf National leaderboard
Open / Championship Novice / Beginners
Top-Ranked Players Top-Ranked Players In Top-Ranked Players Top-Ranked Players In
In USBGF-Rated Events American Backgammon Tour Events In USBGF-Rated Events American Backgammon Tour Events

# Name Rating # Name Points # Name Rating # Name Points

1. Masayuki Mochizuki 1660.54 1. Chuck Bower 25.78 1. Fran Miller 1557.30 1. C.J. Uttley 2.27
2. Neil Kazaross 1651.91 2. Joe Russell 24.81 2. C.J. Uttley 1553.73 2. Igor Baburov 2.27
3. Kit Woolsey 1650.52 3. Phil Simborg 24.56 3. Greg Smith 1545.42 3. Rebecca Lively 2.14
4. Joe Russell 1647.00 4. Ray Fogerlund 23.38 4. Jin Hu 1537.49 4. Ken Torrens 1.50
5. Michy Kageyama 1646.38 5. Marty Storer 23.33 5. Maria Heiner 1535.80 5. Fran Miller 1.44
6. Jonah Seewald 1644.59 7. Cliff Pappas 21.00 6. Gary Koscielny 1533.51 6. Alia Azamat 1.14
7. Tak Morioka 1639.32 9. Dorn Bishop 19.13 7. Rebecca Lively 1530.54 7. Barry Retzkin 1.13
8. Ed O'Laughlin 1638.16 9. Tak Morioka 17.33 8. Genna Cowan 1530.24 8. Konstantin Keresteliev 1.13
9. Odis Chenault 1633.21 9. Carter Mattig 17.30 9. Charlene Britton 1529.16 9. Allen Michie 1.07
10. Victor Ashkenazi 1625.54 9. David Rockwell 14.59 10. Sheri Peters 1529.01 10. Garry Boltjes 1.00

Intermediate / Advanced Qualifications for inclusion in USBGF-Rated Events

The numbers following the player names show their Elo ratings, cumulative since 2009. Open and Advanced
Top-Ranked Players Top-Ranked Players In player listings are restricted to USBGF members. To be listed, a player must have played in the listed division
In USBGF Rated Events American Backgammon Tour Events of a live USBGF-rated tournament in the past thirteen months.

Qualifications for inclusion in American Backgammon Tour Events

# Name Rating # Name Points
ABT Points are awarded only in the main events of ABT tournaments; no points are awarded in any side events.
1. Pete Mostoufi 1625.84 1. Steven Sherbel 11.33
The numbers following the player names show the total ABT Points earned in 2015 competing in the specified
2. Chen-Fu Yu 1622.67 2. Dennis McFarlin 9.63
division.
3. Josh Racko 1622.61 3. John Skratulia 9.20
4. Bob Howayeck 1619.04 4. Kathleen Davis 9.14
5. Artie Sutton 1599.79 5. Bruce Ballance 9.11
6. Neal Weiner 1592.35 6. Bob Howayeck 8.95
7. Brandon Macklin 1580.08 7. Gary Koscielny 8.60
8. Cheryl Andersen 1577.68 8. Feliks Goykhman 7.85
9. Lynn Lusk 1575.62 9. LEW Webber 6.80
10. Steve Binenstock 1575.50 10. Eric Barr 6.17
 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 115

u  sbgf online leaderboard

B
  y Tara Mendicino  Updated: 10/05/2015
u  sbgf online circuit winners
B
  y Tara Mendicino  Updated: 10/05/2015

Online Circuit Top 10 Recent Online Circuit Tournament Winners

# Name GG ID Rating Win - Loss Win % Trnys Won High Rating Start Date Status Tournament Winner

1. David Presser Gasman 1983.59 77 – 26 75% 8 1983.59 Jul 21, 2015 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional X Carlos Pulido
2. Adam Versaw adamV 1947.94 18 – 6 75% 3 1965.32 Jul 16, 2015 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional IX Shannon Mckinney
3. Jim Stutz NaturalDog 1943.92 15 – 3 83% 1 1958.73 Jul 16, 2015 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional X Ray Cifani
4. Chris Yep cyep 1942.39 13 – 3 81% 1 1952.17 Jul 13, 2015 Completed Membership Blitz #20 William Lonergan
5. Petko Kostadinov bulgari 1942.31 14 – 3 82% 1 1953.24 Jul 08, 2015 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XVII Joseph Russell
6. Joseph Russell JRUS 1938.95 65 – 35 65% 6 1938.95 Jul 08, 2015 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional VIII Michael Mesich
7. Doug Amenda thephoenix2 1924.30 52 – 26 67% 5 1936.19 Jul 01, 2015 Completed Circuit Monthly for July Jan Cerny
8. Dorn Bishop dorn 1923.87 14 – 6 70% 2 1944.76 Jun 07, 2015 Completed Membership Blitz #19 Fabian Melnik
9. Dmitriy Obukhov Lyurix 1921.96 71 – 35 67% 3 1956.23 Jun 07, 2015 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional IX Martin Zizka
10. Bill Phipps bjp 1919.49 5–0 100% 1 1919.49 Jun 07, 2015 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional VII Shannon Mckinney
Jun 07, 2015 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XVI Joseph Russell
Up-to-date ratings may be found at: usbgf.org/trny/leaderboard/ Jun 07, 2015 Completed Club Team Championship Qualifier 6 Capital Classics
Qualifications for inclusion in USBGF Online Circuit Events May 15, 2015 Completed Membership Blitz #18 Alfred Mamlet
The numbers following the player names show their Elo ratings, cumulative since September 2012 in the USBGF
May 10, 2015 Completed Circuit Monthly for May Bruce Newberg
Online Tournament Circuit. To be listed, a player must be a current or past member of the USBGF.
Apr 27, 2015 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XV Adam Prager
Apr 27, 2015 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional VI Ergin Bayrak
Apr 27, 2015 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional VIII Ken Meng

Upcoming Online Circuit Apr 5, 2015

Mar 29, 2015
Completed
Completed
Club Team Championship Qualifier 5
USBGF Intermediate Divisional IV
They Might be Giants
Martin Zizka

Tournaments
Circuit Monthly for November
Start Date: November 1, 2015
2015 USBGF Online Circuit
Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=238 Tournament of Champions
Masters and Advanced Divisional Tournaments
All 2015 Online Circuit tournament winners will be invited to participate in the 2015
Masters Divisional XXI Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=235
USBGF Online Circuit Tournament of Champions. This exclusive event will start in mid-
Advanced Divisional XIII Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=237
April 2016. Don't miss it!
Intermediate Divisional XIII Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=236
Membership Blitz Tournaments
Membership Blitz #24 Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=239
116 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 117

Upcoming Tournaments

upcoming tournaments ABT: CALIFORNIA STATE DEC

Upcoming ABT Tournaments and CHAMPIONSHIP
Dates: December 4 - 6, 2015
USBGF Sponsored Live & Online Events Place: Hilton LAX, Los Angeles, CA
Details: Website
Be sure to mark your calendar and attend these exciting ABT tournaments Phone: 818/901-0464
& USBGF events. For complete tournament listings, see chicagopoint.com. PRIME
TOURNAMENT

ABT: FLORIDA STATE OCT ABT: 9th NEW YORK METRO OPEN JAN
Dates: October 15 - 18, 2015 Dates: January 6 - 10, 2016
Place: Marriott Nrth, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Place: Hyatt, Jersey City, NJ
Details: Brochure Details: Website
Phone: 941/355-6354 Phone: 408/529-6769

PRIME
TOURNAMENT

ABT: CONNECTICUT STATE OCT ABT: 4th TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS FEB

Dates: Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2015 & 2016 USBGF AWARDS
Place: Doubletree, Windsor Locks, CT Dates: February 4 - 7, 2016
Details: Website Place: Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TX
Phone: 203/521-7866 Details: Website
Phone: 281/703-9304
PRIME PRIME
TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT

ABT: LAS VEGAS OPEN NOV ABT: SUNSHINE STATE CLASSIC FEB
Dates: November 18 - 22, 2015 Dates: February 19 - 21, 2016
Place: Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV Place: Clearwater, FL
Details: Website Details: Email
Phone: 702/218-8238 Phone: 727/743-0500

PRIME
TOURNAMENT
118 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine

California State
Upcoming Tournaments

ABT: OHIO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dates: March 18 - 20, 2016
MAR Championship
Place: Marriott, Cleveland, OH DECEMBER 4 - 6, 2015
Details: Email
Phone: 330/268-4610 Hilton LAX
5711 West Century Boulevard
PRIME
TOURNAMENT
PRIME
TOURNAMENT

Los Angeles, CA 90045

ABT: U.S. OPEN APR
Dates: April 13 - 17, 2016 • Double Elimination Format
Place: Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Details: Email
• Super-32 and Paul Dingwell Amateur
Phone: 702/218-8238 • Open and Super-32 will be clocked
• Side Events galore: Seniors, Doubles, Blitzes, Quickies, Jackpots
PRIME
TOURNAMENT • Lecture by Phil Simborg
• Tournament is video friendly
ABT: ATLANTA SPRING CLASSIC APR • Hospitality-mornings and snacks
Dates: April 28 - May 1, 2016 • Free 5-minute Airport Shuttle
Place: Sheraton, Atlanta, GA
Details: Email
Phone: 404/403-1957 Contact Patrick Gibson at pgibsonmfic@gmail.com
Tournament Brochure available at gammonassociates.com
PRIME
TOURNAMENT

ABT: 36th CHICAGO OPEN MAY

Dates: May 26 - 30, 2016
Place: Holiday Inn, Rosemont, IL
Details: Email
Phone: 617/699-9100

PRIME
TOURNAMENT
 BECOME A
MEMBER

JOIN US
USBGF.ORG
We encourage you to be part of our community and
help us promote the game we love to all players worldwide.
Want to learn more? Read our brochure at usbgf.org/members/brochure.pdf.