Bear-off cubes

Backginners has been up for a month!

In the first month there were seven posts, almost 2.000 pageviews and 65 comments. Knowing that there are people out there who read this is really encouraging!

Backinners has also been mentioned on some very popular backgammon websites and discussion boards, so I would like to thank everyone who helped in a way to spread the word about it.

I hope you'll continue to visit this blog and you'll find posts instructive and helpful – I'll do my best.

Last time we talked about some backgammon probabilities and today we'll see how those shortcuts can help us calculate correct cube decisions in bear-off positions.

Calculating probabilities

I'm glad to see there were no problems with the positions from the last time.
The only "trick" was to notice the cube has been turned in 1st and 3rd example, so those positions are no redoubles (but they would be initial doubles).
Second example was double/pass.

Before we continue to our next problems, couple of words about backgammon probabilities.

Doubling in races

Last week there were some technical problems with Blogger service, but now it seems everything is OK. I've manually returned the missing comments.

There were some very good comments by ah-clem and pthalo about two methods for converting pip count to doubling action - Trice count and Keith count.

If you didn't read them yet, I recommend you to read the comments from the last time.

Today we'll discuss cubes in races without the contact, in positions where both players have started to bear-in without opposition.

Playing 54, to split or not?

Last time I promised a shorter analysis, so here it is.
Today we'll discuss only one problem, also from the opening phase of the game, but it is regularly misplayed.

I encourage you to write your opinions about positions, questions about my analysis, etc.
By writing your opinion before seeing analysis you will sharpen your game; posting questions about analysis will help me to know on what should I concentrate while writing, where to put more or less effort in explanation, etc.

So here we go:

Preventing anchors, blitz doubling and checkerplay, and more

Today we'll discuss two problems from the last time - hitting loose (or not) on 4pt, preventing your opponent to make his advanced anchor [Exercise 1], and how to play some rolls when in blitz, coupled with doubling decision [Exercise 2].

As we have three problems, this post will again be a long one. Next post will be shorter, I promise.