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OLM Fr 09/02/11

Posted By: Taper_Mike
Date: Saturday, 3 September 2011, at 6:22 a.m.

In Response To: OLM Fr 09/02/11 (Jason Lee)

The Essence of Backgammon

This kind of choice is the essence of backgammon. We can play prime-v-prime, and be the heavy favorite, or else we can go for the close-out, and try to win a gammon victory.

In the prime-versus-prime scenario, we would have two of our checkers trapped, but in position to escape XG's five-prime, while XG would have three checkers behind our five-prime, none of which would be in position to escape. Furthermore, in a battle of primes, our racing disadvantage would become a timing advantage.

Making the two point will commit us to an attacking plan. We might win 8 very big points with a gammon, but we also might get into trouble on the very next toss if White enters on the three point.

I looked at this so long, that I decided to setup the resulting positions. Now you can see them. With only a modicum of confidence, I finally decided to play the prime-v-prime. I sure hope I've captured an essence I like.

My vote: 13/7, 9/7

Mike





White is Player 2

score: 7
pip: 133
15 point match
pip: 144
score: 1

Blue is Player 1
XGID=b-a-CBB-BA-A-B-b---bbbbbB-:2:-1:1:62:1:7:0:15:10
Blue to play 62

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.00

In favor of making the two point:

  • put a third checker on the roof
  • make a fourth inner-board point
  • increase the chance of a close-out
  • increase the chance of a gammon win
  • put to use the advanced spare on 4 point

Against making the two point:

  • only two builders trained on the three point
  • we may need to hit loose if White enters there
  • if White enters on one point, bar point is open
  • filling the bar point later might be hard





White is Player 2

score: 7
pip: 135
15 point match
pip: 136
score: 1

Blue is Player 1
XGID=c-B-BBB-AA-A-B-b---bbbbbB-:2:-1:1:62:1:7:0:15:10
Blue to play 62; he has made his two point

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.00

In favor of making the bar point:

  • all our forward checkers link up, and work together
  • put three checkers behind a five-point prime
  • no checker is in escape position
  • might make nine point, and with it, a full prime
  • creates a solid game plan for victory: White cracks, we escape

Against making the bar point:

  • almost no chance of a close-out
  • much reduced chance to win a gammon





White is Player 2

score: 7
pip: 133
15 point match
pip: 136
score: 1

Blue is Player 1
XGID=b-a-CBBBB--A-A-b---bbbbbB-:2:-1:1:62:1:7:0:15:10
Blue to play 62; he has made his bar point

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.00

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