WINTER 2020 Abt Winner Frank Raposa Finishes First in the 2019 ABT Points Race!

PRIMETIME BACKGAMMON OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF WINTER 2020 abt winner Frank Raposa finishes first in the 2019 ABT points race!

michigan summer merit cyprus open championships & california state Marty Storer’s world class analysis of Arda Fındıkoğlu guest directs at LA! the thrilling final match-up between Plus an exclusive report & interview Frank Raposa & Phil Simborg from the 7th Merit Cyprus Open U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org TexasTexas BackgammonBackgammon ChampionshipsChampionships

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information on local clubs, giving Prime Club information and also players of the year. Not only that, our valued Founding PRIMETIME Sponsors are listed. Their generosity, which BACKGAMMON now includes some great new gifts, makes OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF WINTER 2020 winter Issue it possible for us to operate not only on the abt winner U.S. but also the world stage. Frank Raposa finishes first in the 2019 ABT PrimeTime Backgammon points race! By Marty Storer, Executive Editor All this is accompanied by final ABT standings, complete tournament results, and ur Winter issue features 2019 In his regular Math Overboard column, Art info on upcoming events, among them ABT Champion Frank Raposa, Benjamin delves into bearoffs. His “Count- NY Metro, Texas, and the Boston Open. two ways: with a fine cover ing Bearoffs” article makes a good study Following those popular extravaganzas, Ophoto, and an article by Karen Davis and companion to Michy Kageyama’s recent we can look forward to Ohio State, the U.S. Marty Storer, not only recapping the Michi- book Endgame Technique. Rich Munitz’s Open, Atlanta, and the Cherry Blossom gan tournament but also featuring Frank’s Rulings column thoroughly covers the tournament in D.C. play as the winner over finalist Phil Simborg. rules about cube actions: When is a double The other feature articles are also intrigu- really a double and a take really a take? The “Get Into the Game—Become a Member” ing: Bill Riles recaps November’s Cyprus answers are unambiguous! tournament, including an interview with Marty Storer michigan summer merit cyprus open veteran director Arda Fındıkoğlu and a Chris Bray, author of many books as well preview of his new spring tournament to be as the USBGF’s regular online column championships & california state Marty Storer’s world class analysis of Arda Fındıkoğlu guest directs at LA! held in Cyprus. We have rollicking reports “Bray’s Learning Curve,” brings us wittily the thrilling final match-up between Plus an exclusive report & interview Frank Raposa & Phil Simborg from the 7th Merit Cyprus Open on both the Denver Shootout and the Cali- rendered news from across the pond. A U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org fornia State Championship, with pictures short time ago his regular column in The provided by Candace Mayeron and others. Independent had been canceled when the Finally, we have Karen Davis’s coverage of publication went digital, but now he is the her Sunny Florida tournament, including backgammon columnist for The Times, Exclusive reporting and Marty Storer’s analysis from two historic the world-famous newspaper based in final matches: the undefeated bracket and London. We congratulate The Times on photos from tournaments the tournament final, both played between gaining his services, and wish Chris the 80-year-old Ed O’Laughlin, who took the best in his new role. tournament title after many swings, and held in Florida, fresh-faced Cary Hoarty, who tore up the Karen Davis, USBGF President and Execu- U.S. circuit this year at the tender age of 20. tive Director, gives us a historic column Michigan, Los Angeles, All tournament reporting is accompanied for a historic event: the Federation’s tenth MARTY STORER by pictures galore. anniversary, including latest news, history, Marty Storer is a member of the USBGF Denver, & Cyprus! goals, ongoing challenges, and metrics of Board of Directors and Executive Editor success. Separately, she provides the latest of PrimeTime Backgammon magazine. 6 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 7 In This Issue c In This Issue Winter 2020

FEATURED 30 2019 MICHIGAN SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS 66 Karen gives a rundown of all events, and Marty analyzes positions from the two Raposa–Simborg final matches. DAN’S NEW DENVER SHOOTOUT BY KAREN DAVIS AND MARTY STORER Dan Minardi inaugurates a new tournament on a Wild West theme. 44 44 2019 SUNNY FLORIDA DRAWS TOP-FLIGHT PLAYERS Over 100 tough players competed in a host of THRILLER AT FLORIDA fun and exciting events at Karen Davis’s popular The Sunny Florida final was a historic tourney. battle between old and young, where age BY MARTY STORER AND KAREN DAVIS triumphed by a couple of whiskers. 63 THE PHOENIX RISES COUNTING BEAROFFS Chris Bray, the popular USBGF columnist, is now The See the latest endgame tricks conjured Times of London’s backgammon correspondent. up by our resident Mathemagician. 30 86 BY CHRIS BRAY

TOURNAMENT REPORTS GREAT WIN AT MICHIGAN! 66 INAUGURAL DENVER SHOOTOUT

Frank Raposa’s winning ways have culminated in an ABT Candace Mayeron reports on Dan Minardi’s Championship, helped by his big Michigan victory.

ambitious, fun-filled, and successful kickoff. BY CANDACE MAYERON 70 2019 CALIFORNIA STATE INCREDIBLE MERIT CYPRUS OPEN A report on the West Coast’s annual backgammon- Arda’s signature event of 2019 was attended fest, chock-full of news and pictures. by over 500 players from around the world. 76 7TH MERIT CYPRUS OPEN KAREN DAVIS; WBF TÜRKIYE WBF DAVIS; KAREN Questions or comments about PrimeTime The USBGF’s premier roving reporter covers one of Backgammon? We want to hear from you! Europe’s biggest events. KAREN DAVIS; CANDACE MAYERON CANDACE DAVIS; KAREN TOP: FROM Contact us via email at [email protected]. 76 TOP: FROM BY BILL RILES 8 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 9 In This Issue In This Issue

Winter PRIMETIME BACKGAMMON OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF WINTER 2020 2020 abt winner Frank Raposa finishes first in the 2019 ABT ON THE COVER points race! Frank Raposa occupies the limelight with a well- MATH OVERBOARD deserved ABT victory for a year full of tough 86 COUNTING BEAROFFS & competition. He won two events, the Boston APPLICATIONS Open in February and the Michigan Summer Championship in July. Over the years he has been Complicated endgame math is distilled into one of the country’s most successful players. simple counting tricks. BY ART BENJAMIN Photo courtesy of Tara Mendicino. AWARDS PARTY AT CYPRUS!

WHAT’S THE RULING? Players from many countries celebrated various 24 RETRACTING A CUBE ACTION victories, including Albert Steg of the USA at front left. The Federation’s rulings expert tells when a cube action is really final. michigan summer merit cyprus open BY RICHARD MUNITZ championships & california state Marty Storer’s world class analysis of Arda Fındıkoğlu guest directs at LA! the thrilling final match-up between Plus an exclusive report & interview TOURNAMENT RESULTS Frank Raposa & Phil Simborg from the 7th Merit Cyprus Open 93 LIVE TOURNAMENT RESULTS U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org See all the results from ABT tournaments held in 22 FOUNDING SPONSORS 110 ONLINE LEADERBOARD Florida, Connecticut, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Thanks to our newest Diamond, Gold, See the latest leaders from USBGF online tourna- Silver, and Bronze Founding Sponsors for ments, plus wins, losses, and tournaments won. LOCAL CLUB NEWS generously supporting our Federation! 97 2019 LOCAL CLUB AWARDS 111 ONLINE CIRCUIT WINNERS The 2019 champions of USBGF Local Clubs are USBGF NATIONAL & ONLINE STATS View the list of USBGF members who have featured, including names and photos. won recent Online Circuit tournaments and 108 2019 ABT STANDINGS TOP 60 BY KAREN DAVIS congratulate your friends. WBF TÜRKIYE WBF Follow all the top players in the American USBGF NEWS Backgammon Tour points race. TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 12 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN 109 MASTER POINT LEADERS 112 UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS Write for PrimeTime Backgammon! President Karen Davis tells an exciting tale of past, Check out the top-ten players in both the USBGF Mark your calendar and attend these exciting ABT We are always looking for great content and present, and future of our ten-year-old Federation. National and Online Master Points for 2019. and USBGF events taking place across the country, photos. If you are interested, we would love to hear

BY KAREN DAVIS RIGHT: MENDICINO; TARA including select international events. from you! Contact us via email at [email protected]. LEFT: 10 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 11 PRIMETIME USBGF Board BACKGAMMON publisher Staff & Bill Riles of Directors Executive Editor USBGF Volunteers Marty Storer Board Chairman; Chair, vice president Founding Editor Executive Committee; Tara Mendicino Matt Cohn-Geier Chair, Hall of Fame APRIL KENNEDY Committee Production Editor Chair, Ratings and Stats Joseph Russell April Kennedy, Social Media Director, Tara Mendicino Committee; Chair, Rules is co-director of the Viking Classic and Ethics Committee CONTRIBUTING Championships and co-director of President; Richard Munitz Photographers the Twin Cities Backgammon Club. Executive Director Tara Mendicino (cover), Karen Davis Brian Schilling, Doris Auer chief operating officer; TREASURER USBGF Photographers Vice chairman; Chair, John Pirner Bill Riles, Karen Davis, Governance and Tara Mendicino, Steve Sax, Nominating Committee Candace Mayeron Chief Technology Art Benjamin Officer; Chair, Editorial Advisory Board Technology Committee Karen Davis (Chair), Member, Local Club Matt Reklaitis RAY BILLS Carol Joy Cole, Tara Mendicino, Committee Bill Riles, Marty Storer Ray Bills, Membership Director, Jack Edelson Secretary; Executive was on the winning USA Team Editor; Executive at the Chicago Open’s USA vs. information Chair, Tournament Committee TARA MENDICINO Japan event in 2018. He won the PrimeTime Backgammon is the Directors Advisory Marty Storer Wisconsin Amateur Jackpot in 2017. official magazine of the Committee; Chief, Tara Mendicino, Production Editor, U.S. Backgammon Federation. Tournament Support Chair, Marketing Vice President and member of Ben Friesen Committee the USBGF Board of Directors, contact us Frank Talbot and co-director of the Texas Email: [email protected] Chair, Membership Backgammon Championships. Website: usbgf.org Committee Special Adviser to Board Julius High Volume 11, Issue 1 of Directors Carol Joy Cole JEFF PROCTOR © 2020 U.S. Backgammon Federation Chief Financial Officer Jeff Proctor is co-director of the Jeb Horton USBGF Online Circuit tournaments. notice He also directs the Atlanta Northside Opinions expressed in these Rules and Ethics Backgammon Club and the Atlanta pages are those of the individuals Committee; Spring Classic ABT tournament. and do not necessarily reflect Hall of Fame Committee official positions of the AMADOR ROBERT MENDICINO; TARA KENNEDY; APRIL Neil Kazaross U.S. Backgammon Federation. KAREN DAVIS KAREN FROM TOP: FROM 12 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 13 President’s Column

USBGF President’s column A Decade of Progress By Karen Davis, President and Executive Director

KAREN DAVIS Founded in 2009 Karen Davis brings her expertise as a former nonprofit CEO, economist, and noted health policy expert to her he U.S. Backgammon Federation (USBGF) is celebrating Goals and Achievements role as President and Executive Director of the USBGF. our tenth anniversary. The highlight of the year was a generous donation to establish the USBGF National Cham- The USBGF was founded in December 2009 with the mission of Tpionship Prize Fund, with a $10,000 ongoing annual contribution. advancing the awareness, participation, education, and enjoyment the fascination of the game was of paramount importance. Fur- events, funded by donations to the USBGF and investment of our This fund provides $5000 added money to the USBGF National of the skill-based game of backgammon. We have five major goals: ther, there was no national organization to represent the interests resources. We have raised awareness about ABT events using social Championship to be held at the Cherry Blossom Backgammon of players, to grow the backgammon community, and to expand media (primarily Facebook and MeetUp), our website, magazine, Championship April 29-May 3, 2020. In addition, winners of eight 1. Attract new players and help them enjoy growing mastery opportunities to play, learn, and receive recognition. and bulk e-mails to over 3000 members of the backgammon Regional Qualifiers in 2020 will receive $500 added money and of the game; community. USBGF Rules are now used at all ABT tournaments a spot in the Round of 16 in the 2021 USBGF National Cham- Today much has changed. As the accompanying table on Metrics in ensure fair play. pionship. Regional Qualifiers were selected based on size, recent 2. Support the grass-roots growth of local clubs; of Success indicates, we are on track to meet most of the Metrics growth in entrants, and geographic dispersion. They include: the of Success we set for ourselves five years ago. Major accomplish- The USBGF provides a wealth of analytic information used by New York Metropolitan Open, the Chicago Open, the Michigan 3. Improve our benefits and service, and expand playing oppor- ments to which the USBGF has contributed include: players looking to improve their game including almost 50 issues Summer Championships, the Viking Classic, Denver Wild West, tunities; of the premier backgammon magazine, PrimeTime Backgammon Sunny Florida, Las Vegas Open, and California State. Make plans Attract new players and help them enjoy published since September 2010, over 250 teaching videos, popu- now to compete in these prestigious events! 4. Nurture the backgammon community creating a social net- growing mastery of the game lar features such as the Online Match Series with All-time ABT work of those with a love of the game; As a direct result of a USBGF Novice/Newcomer initiative, novice Champion Neil Kazaross and commentary by New Zealand expert We’re delighted that Ben Friesen, who directs or assists with almost entrants at ABT tournaments have doubled over the last four years: Grant Hoffman and German expert Kimon Papachristopoulos, half of all ABT tournaments, has been elected to the USBGF 5. Secure the resources required to carry out our mission and 287 in 2019 compared with 135 in 2015. and Chris Bray’s Learning Curve weekly post on the USBGF Board of Directors. He brings the perspective of younger directors realize our potential. Facebook page and website. committed to adopting innovative practices and modern tourna- Attendance at ABT tournaments has grown steadily since 2010. ment management techniques. He has agreed to serve as Chief of The organization was founded at a time that backgammon was The number of total entrants at ABT tournaments has increased Support the grass-roots growth of local clubs Tournament Support for the USBGF, and will be launching new in decline. Attendance at American Backgammon Tour (ABT) from 1912 in 2016 to 2281 in 2019, a 20 percent increase. The number of backgammon clubs with 10 or more USBGF initiatives to support local clubs – including comparative inter-club tournaments had declined steadily since 2000. The tournament members has grown to over 30, with 60 percent of USBGF U.S. statistics, streaming, and support to local club and ABT directors. community was aging. The growth of poker and electronic games The USBGF acquired the ABT in December 2016, and has provided based members belonging to a local club. We have supported the was eclipsing backgammon. Attracting new players who appreciate almost $70,000 added money to USBGF members winning ABT growth and attendance of local clubs by providing over $10,000 in 14 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 15 President’s Column President’s Column added money to annual Local Club Initiative events, listing clubs over one million views since launch in 2013. Fans of top players Dinner, and the top 20 ABT winners receive We are deeply grateful to our 184 Individual on our website, and publicizing winners of major local club events have an opportunity to both learn from the masters and follow small paperweight trophies. The USBGF and Corporate Sponsors, up from 130 at the on the USBGF Facebook page. We feature local club Players of their favorite players. National Master Point system recognizes end of 2016. The USBGF has received over the Year in PrimeTime Backgammon. those who win matches as well as place in $300,000 in support from corporate and The U.S. Backgammon Foundation, a charitable foundation estab- ABT Main division events and Masters individual sponsors. Corporate sponsors Improve our benefits and service, and lished by the USBGF, provides $6,000 in annual financial support and Amateur Jackpot, while the USBGF provide significant benefits to members expand playing opportunities for streaming of key matches at major ABT tournaments. Sixteen Online Master Point system does the same and ABT tournament directors as well as Six new and exciting tournaments have been added to the ABT in ABT tournaments streamed an estimated 482 matches in 2019. In in the USBGF Online Tournament Circuit. in-kind benefits and discounts, including recent years—the Boston Open, the Cherry Blossom Champion- the future the USBGF will be making expert streaming services The top ten National Master Point leaders backgammon boards, discounts on back- ship, Denver Wild West, Niagara Invitational, Sunny Florida, and available at select ABT tournaments. and top ten Online Master Point leaders gammon software, travel discounts, prizes, the Viking Classic—and new directors and organizers, mentored are also recognized at the Awards Dinner. and added money. by veterans, have stepped up to the plate in Atlanta, Los Angeles, A new USBGF Remote Commentary Support Center, headed by See tables in this issue for more details. and Wisconsin. USBGF Board member Matt Reklaitis, now provides offsite com- Gammon Stuff has donated nine FTH mentary by top-flight commentators and streaming production We also post the ABT points and USBGF boards, valued at a total of $9,030, to ABT We are deeply grateful These new tournament directors and organizers have brought support for the final Championship match of ABT tournaments. “ master points leaders on the USBGF and tournaments annualy. Gammon Guys has fresh ideas, cutting-edge marketing techniques, and modern to our 184 Individual ABT Facebook sites throughout the year to followed suit, and donates an Artgammon tournament management to the ranks of tournament directors The PrimeTime Backgammon magazine helps create a commu- bring much-deserved recognition to players travel board (valued at $500 each) to 2019 and Corporate and helped spread practices that make tournament play an enjoy- nity of backgammon players around the world with news, player who are working to master the game. The ABT tournaments that had 10 or more able experience. profiles, and tournament coverage. A touching example of this Sponsors, up from 130 ABT and Ratings section of the website, Novice entrants in 2018. The board is friendship was the assistance our Chairman’s daughter received at the end of 2016. The usbgf.org/ratings/, provides a wealth of awarded to the Novice/Intermediate divi- The USBGF has developed a highly acclaimed Online Tournament obtaining emergency medical care in Japan with the help of Giant statistics as well as all ABT tournament sion winner. In addition, both Gammon Circuit, with 106 online tournaments representing a total of 3277 #1, Mochy Mochizuki. It’s a small world thanks to the connections USBGF has received drawsheets since 2009—a great historical Stuff and Gammon Guys provide boards at entrants in 2019. New online tournaments in the last two years forged through backgammon. over $300,000 in resource. discounted rates as prizes for online events. include FTH Board Blitzes, Gammon Guys Intermediate Jackpots, The newly established Grunwald Prize Fund support from corporate Founding Sponsor Jackpots, Premium ABT Jackpots, the Women’s Chris Bray’s popular weekly column on the USBGF Facebook We also track the progress on our Facebook provides watches to teams winning local Circuit, and the Local Club Initiative Championship. page, Bray’s Learning Curve; Cary Hoarty’s key positions in ABT and individual site of U.S. players in world backgammon club Novice/Mentor Doubles tournaments. Championship and Advanced final matches on the ABT Facebook sponsors. rankings—including Grandmaster and Nurture the backgammon community creating a page; and coverage of ABT Tournaments on the ABT Facebook Master designation by the Backgammon The USBGF is a nonprofit organization social network of those with a love of the game page enable Facebook fans and visitors to comment and interact Masters Awarding Body (BMAB) and that realizes a modest surplus annually. The USBGF and ABT Facebook pages provide news about players with each other. Volunteers regularly post results of USBGF Online Backgammon World Rankings by the This is accomplished through a lean budget and events, recognition to those winning local, regional, national, Circuit matches, ratings and statistics, and USBGF news. World Backgammon Federation. combined with growth of membership, international, and online events, and educational columns and contributions from Sponsors, a cadre of analysis of positions. It helps players keep up with what their The USBGF oversees the American Backgammon Hall of Fame which Secure the resources required volunteers, and a minimally compensated backgammon friends are doing and offers an opportunity to now has 23 honorees including the most recent inductee Steve Sax. to carry out our mission staff. We acknowledge and thank all those congratulate fellow players on their accomplishments or mourn New inductees are honored at the USBGF Annual Awards Dinner and realize our potential who have stepped up to make this member- their passing. The USBGF Facebook page now has 3,300 fans and in San Antonio, held in conjunction with the Texas Backgammon Membership in the USBGF has grown to driven organization a success. Following the ABT Facebook page 33,400 fans. Championships. Their recognition plaques are posted in a special 1275 members today including 15 percent good nonprofit practice and reflecting our Hall of Fame dedicated section of the USBGF website. The top outside the U.S. commitment to transparency, our financial The USBGF YouTube repository of streamed matches has received three ABT point leaders receive trophies at the USBGF Awards statements are posted on our website. 16 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 17 President’s Column President’s Column Metrics of Success Future Priorities Growing the Backgammon Community In an electronic age, strategies that make use of social media, Supporting Local Clubs websites, and apps show promise for growing the backgammon Newcomers & Novices 2016 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Goal We’re excited to announce the launch of the USBGF Inter-Club community. The USBGF has revamped its Facebook pages over Novice entrants at ABT tournaments 175 298 300 Ratings and Statistics initiative, directed by Ben Friesen. The the last year, with modest success growing the number of fans and USBGF Novice members 43 189 80 system will display the total USBGF national master points, ABT visitors, while also stimulating membership in the USBGF. More points, USBGF online master points, and local club master points extensive implementation of social media outreach is planned in Local Clubs 2016 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Goal earned by USBGF members of the club. It will provide recogni- the coming year including more promotion of local club events, Prime Clubs 20 30 25 tion to clubs whose members belong to the USBGF, and attend online tournaments, and national tournaments. A revamped web- and win in ABT and local club tournaments. Ben will also offer site is also underway to make resources more readily available to Affiliated Clubs 80 86 100 USBGF services and support for a fee to help local club directors those seeking information on where and how to play, educational USBGF members in Prime/Affiliated Clubs 515 693 800 with websites, statistics, marketing, and technical assistance, materials, ratings and statistics, and news. Promoting backgam- International members 156 191 200 depending on interest. mon apps, for example, by giving top-quality apps as tournament prizes, is also planned. Benefits & Playing Opportunities 2016 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Goal Enhancing the Tournament Experience USBGF Online tournaments 80 106 90 I recently asked Arda Fındıkoğlu, director of the Backgammon Helping Beginners and Intermediate USBGF Online tournament entrants 3153 3277 4500 World Championships in Monte Carlo, why his tournaments draw Players Learn the Game ABT tournaments 21 19 25 300-500 players. He pointed to three key factors: added money, A library of educational resources on the USBGF website will ABT Main event entrants 1912 2281 2500 an attractive venue, and superb organization and service. Incor- be key to helping beginners and intermediate players acquire ABT unique entrants 983 1083 1250 poration of these features and recognition of U.S. tournaments skills and enjoy competitive play. Excellent educational mate- that follow this model could help appeal to players, including rial is being generated including the Chris Bray Learning Curve Communication 2016 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Goal international players. weekly columns on the USBGF website, Art Benjamin’s lectures and articles, and short state-of-the-art videos being developed by Facebook likes 2500 3313 5000 The USBGF will try to replicate his experience by offering sup- Backgammon Galaxy. Expanding and organizing these resources Matches streamed/recorded at ABT tournaments 300 482 500 port and services to U.S. directors. These include purchasing to make them more readily accessible would help engage a grow- and renting to directors modern tournament equipment such as ing backgammon community. Finances 2016 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Goal audio/visual equipment (microphones, projectors, digital display USBGF members 960 1275 1500 screens) as well as services such as streaming, electronic brackets, Forging International Collaboration % ABT entrants who are members 67% 75% 95% cross-matching of registration with USBGF membership database; The U.S. is exploring membership in the World Backgammon Surplus $6,000 $5,000 (est) $7,500 and assistance with websites, brochures, and marketing material Federation (WBGF). Originally formed as the European Backgam- Founding Sponsors/Donors/Corporate Sponsors 130 188 175 such as retractable banners. mon Federation, the WBGF is giving consideration to modifying its statutes, governance, rules, and venue for the World Team One key to a pleasurable tournament experience is pre-scheduled Championship to transition to a truly global organization includ- match times so that players know when they need to be available ing the U.S. and Japan as members. for their next match and when they can have free time to explore As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we can point to a record the area or enjoy time with family and friends. It also facilitates Meanwhile the U.S. is participating in the World Backgammon “ a schedule of streamed matches for off-site viewers to follow the Internet Federation (WBIF) Online Team Championships. As of accomplishment in which all of us may take great pride. action. of this writing, the U.S. team is tied for third out of 30 countries having won five out of seven of its country match rounds. 18 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine President’s Column

Launching a Capital Campaign to Ben Friesen and John Pirner, who were elected to the Board Progress on these priorities will require new resources. The USBGF in December 2019. Board of Directors has approved launch of a Capital Campaign to raise required funds. Funds raised will be used to provide website As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we can point to a record of enhancements; expand and enhance videos on the USBGF YouTube accomplishment in which all of us may take great pride. Progress channel; develop modern tournament management services and over the last decade would not have been possible without the support; partner with one or more Backgammon Servers to ensure volunteers and staff who give so generously of their time and first-quality backgammon servers accessible to all USBGF members effort, and for this we are truly grateful. Exquisite Craftsmanship for online tournaments; and sponsor USBGF signature events. Our boards are made by Fazil Terlemez, a German craftsman. Key to success in the next ten years will be transitioning to an Challenges Ahead employed staff with talented individuals responsible for key Disabled from polio when he was 3 years old, and limited to working from functions—foremost among them being education, membership, a sitting position in a wheel chair, Fazil has earned his livelihood for the past 20 years by making superb backgammon boards, dice cups and doubling We’re fortunate to have the dedicated support, time, and talent of marketing, support for local clubs and tournaments, and tech- cubes. For Fazil, no detail is too small to be overlooked. Everything about the 14-member U.S. Backgammon Federation Board of Directors, nology. This will likely require an infusion of operating revenue his designs speak of strength, durability, and beauty. His boards are a composed of leading players, tournament directors, and experts as well as up-front capital funds for development. Your support joy to play on. drawn over the years from business, nonprofit administration, of these investments in the future of backgammon in the U.S. is academia, economics, finance, information technology, law, much appreciated.  Fazil’s playing surface of choice is a felt made from dense Merino sheep wool. Merino wool is a quiet yet lively playing surface. Dice tumble easily across marketing, and political science. We extend our congratulations “Get Into the Game — Become a Member” the soft board surface. Checkers will never lose their smooth glide action.

Our boards are built with 45mm (1.75”) and 50mm (2”) checkers. Their smooth surfaces perfectly compliment Fazil’s Merino wool playing surfaces. Every board comes with 8 corner protectors, a unique handmade 40mm 65+ unique doubling cube, 2 or 4 dice cups, 4 or 8 ball-cornered precision dice, and a board designs Chouette pack that includes 4 acrylic doubling cubes, 2 scoring cubes, and a high quality leather dice bag. Our newly released Titan Series boards are are in stock and built with 50mm (2 inch) checkers. Every board ships with a heavy duty ready to ship. canvas carry bag.

You can find us at gammonstuff.com or at facebook.com/gammonstuff

FUTURE OF THE GAME Helping beginners like 10-year old Giles Freedman, who played in the California State tournament in December, acquire skills and enjoy competitive

play is a priority for the USBGF. MAYERON CANDACE www.gammonstuff.com | www.facebook.com/gammonstuff USBGF Streaming Sponsorship The U.S. Backgammon Federation has acquired an amazing state-of-the-art laptop to bring the highest quality streaming possible to be enjoyed by the global backgammon community. American Backgammon Tour Live Streaming Sponsor We are excited to announce that live match streaming for the 2020 American Backgammon Tour is sponsored by the U.S. Backgammon Federation. Streaming for the Atlanta Spring Classic and 40th Chicago Open may be viewed on Twitch. Streaming for the Cherry Blossom Championship may be viewed on YouTube. Make a Donation to the Streaming Fund and Show Your Support! Show your appreciation of our live broadcast by donating to the U.S. Backgammon Foundation Streaming Fund PayPal account at [email protected], and/or by joining or renewing your U.S. Backgammon Federation membership. Streaming at Select USBGF Prime Tournaments & International Events The enhanced streaming capability is also being made available to select USBGF Prime Tournaments and major international events on an on-going basis.

LIVE STREAMING ON Live Streaming Sponsor 22 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 23

corporate Jim Pasko John Stryker Michelle Steinberg Gammon Stuff David Leibowitz Andrew Martinez Tariq Siddiqi Cook Travel FoundingJason Lee MichaelSponsors Flohr John Hamlin GameSite 2000 Frank Talbot Joe Potts Vladimir Gudgenov Geoffrey Parker Games Michihito Kageyama Secil Baysal Stuart Domeshek Gammon Guys Josh Racko Roberto Litzenberger Jason Pack The Grunwald Fund Kevin Finch Bernard Nussbaumer Edj Analytics USBGF National Championship Dan Dabney Kit Woolsey Mike Costello Prize Fund Jack Edelson Judy Field John Barnett Arkadiy Tsinis David Kettler Lloyd Sorenson Diamond Matthew Brown Neil Kazaross Scott Ward Karen Davis - Chairman’s PB Cloyd LaPorte William Lonergan Larry Shiller Thomas Buckner David Klausa Ray Cifani Matthias Vohwinkel Robert Stoller - Chairman’s PB Dennis Lutz Dan Wittkopp Michael Valliere Malcolm Davis Bryan Ignozzi Stephen Deep Karam Ashoo Alan and Joan Grunwald Dennis Culpepper Stephen Kenney Eliot Tawil Hugh Sconyers Albert Steg Anthony Anton Shay Asraff Mike Svobodny usbgf founding sponsors Jonah Seewald John C. Hamlin Ed Rosenblum Jason Briggs Ron Fash Blake Fleetwood Kirby Domingue Jamie Erin Rosen Marty Storer Thomas Poole Boris Docevski Michael Louis Rosen & Prime benefactors Charlie Briggs Ted Chee John Bird - President’s PB silver Eric Petersen Koray Agirbas John Pirner Edward Corey Candace Mayeron Outstanding Supporters of our Organization Art Benjamin - Sustaining PB Bill Riles - Sustaining PB bronze Rob Goodner Dorn Bishop - Contributing PB Dick Allen - Bronze Capital Sponsor platinum Chris Siddall Lynn Ehrlich Victor Ashkenazi - Contributing PB Julius High - Contributing PB Eva Marie Doiron he USBGF salutes the individuals and Prime Benefactors with Giants of Back- enhancement, educational material, modern Chiva Tafazzoli Pat McCormick Morten Holm Christian Briggs and organizations who have gen- gammon—The Tournament of Stars—is tournament equipment, and tournament Alex Gerding Michael Weinberger Harvey Gillis Boris Dekhtyar Larry Liebster Preston Guidry erously supported our Federation held annually at the Cherry Blossom Back- sponsorship. Bruce Newberg Adrian Nedelcu Ben Friesen Sean Cearley Joseph Russell Max Mowzoon Tby becoming Founding Sponsors and Prime gammon Championship, honoring the Jim Stutz Play65 Backgammon Patrick and Carla Gibson - Sust. PB Chris Trencher Benefactors. These 184 Founding Sponsors Founding Sponsors and Prime Benefac- Thanks to our newest Diamond Founding Gus Contos Greg Cottle Lloyd E. Webber (LEW) - Pres. PB Allen Tish Dion Hogan James G. Allen and Prime Benefactors have contributed tors who have been instrumental in the Sponsors Art Benjamin and John Pirner; Jeb Horton Gary Fox Chuck Bower Mark Gordon Gary Koscielny $300,000, providing the seed capital needed success of the organization. Founding Gold Founding Sponsor, Marty Storer; gold Bill Finneran Rochelle Hasson Ian Terry Saba Bejanishvili - Sustaining PB Mario Savan Drew Giovanis for the launch of the U.S. Backgammon Sponsors receive an attractive personalized Silver Founding Sponsors Charlie Briggs Jim Slomkoski Chris Cavanagh184Jake Jacobs James E. Roland Federation, and/or have contributed to doubling cube noting their level of giving. and Eric Petersen; and Bronze Founding Bill Chibnik Alan Pruce Kristina Vig Steve Schreiber Ken Bame the Prime Tournament Initiative. The sup- Prime Benefactors receive a doubling cube Sponsor Dick Allen. Carol Joy Cole - Sustaining PB Patty Geoffroy Knapp John Calcott John Klein Anna Covlin Sean Williams Jeff Burdsall port of our Founding Sponsors and Prime designed by Geoffrey Parker Games. We Elizabeth Liberty Myles Covlin Rory Pascar Justin and Rynell Nunez Joe Feldman Benefactors will be appreciated for years to welcome additional Founding Sponsors More information on the benefits of becom- Rod Covlin Stepan Nuniyants Arthur Stein Vinson Blanton come, and includes perpetual recognition and Prime Benefactors who wish to help ing a Founding Sponsor may be found at Perry Gartner Scott Kelland Powhatan French Kimberly Lewis Larry Taylor Kathy McGrath Weiner Carla Gibson on our website and benefits not available us grow the game we all love! USBGF Founding Sponsor Benefits and on Daniel Bryant Alfred Mamlet Bob Glass David Rennie Frank Ley to any other class of Membership. becoming a Prime Benefactor at USBGF Edward B. Bennett Steve Sax Phil Simborg The USBGF Board of Directors has Prime Tournament Initiative. Richard Munitz Steve Blanchard Ed Sawyer youth Jeffrey Acierno Russell Sands Twain Pigott István Éger In appreciation of this generous support, a approved the launch of a Capital Campaign Masayuki Mochizuki Gary Oleson Jerry Godsey Pierce Valliere

doubles event pairing Founding Sponsors in 2020 to raise funds needed for website AUER DORIS Falafel Natanzon Within each level, names are presented in the order of becoming Founding Sponsors. 24 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 25 What’s the Ruling? Retracting a Cube Action

Therefore, the player who doubled begins their turn when their What’s the ruling? opponent hits the clock to end their turn and they remain on turn until they roll their dice, make a legal move and finally end their Retracting a Cube Action turn by hitting their own clock. A game clock serves two distinct USBGF By Richard Munitz functions in backgammon: it is used to signal the end of a player’s Chairman, USBGF Rules and Ethics Committee turn, and it is used to keep track of how much reserve thinking time each player has left. Players hit the clock after cube actions—not Submit questions to: [email protected] to end their turn, but to ensure that the clock is deducting time from the player who is currently thinking. a chouette when Schrödinger’s cat is in the box. Given that the Question Rules say nothing about being able to retract a cube action once Intent: The Rule’s and the Player’s it has occurred; given that the first cube action did occur; and With the rationale for the ruling explained, let’s make sure we I doubled my opponent and hit my clock. My opponent picked up the cube and placed it down in the usual spot where you put a cube given that there cannot be two cube actions, it follows logically fully understand the intent behind Rule 1. when you accept it. However, they didn’t hit the clock. After a few moments, they picked the cube back up and moved it back onto that the second cube action, in this case the pass, could not occur. the playing surface and thought a bit more. Finally, they moved the cube to the center, paused the clock and scored the game for me. Therefore, the second cube action is void. The intent in using the words “placed down” is to specify a clear, I wanted them to pass so I was happy that they changed their mind. I didn’t know the rule, but since this was a Responsible Moves unambiguous action that occurs at a single moment in time. That tournament, I figured it didn’t matter, so we started the next game. But what if I wanted them to take? Or what if we were playing Legal Once a cube action occurs, it is final; is, if the bottom of the doubling cube has touched solid ground, Moves? What is the rule on this? it may not be retracted. the place-down has occurred. Otherwise it has not. If the fact is But you end your turn by hitting the clock! That is also true. Except agreed, then it is clear whether a cube action has occurred. There that a cube action is not a “turn” in backgammon. It is a phase of is no need for judgment; no need to guess what someone was The Ruling the doubling cube has been placed down outside the playing a turn—the turn of the player who doubled. thinking. The place-down either happened or it did not. If it hap- Your opponent has accepted your double. Their subsequent attempt field. In this example it was so placed. The question states that the pened, the cube action was final at the moment of contact. Prior to pass the double is void. doubling cube was “placed … down in the usual spot where you »» Rule 2 [RULES OF BACKGAMMON]: After the first roll, to that moment, no cube action had occurred. It is not necessary put a cube when you accept it”; since that spot is outside of the the players throw two dice and alternate turns. for the cube to have been released for it to have been placed down. Rationale for Ruling playing field, the condition has been met and a take or pass has The Rules state the conditions necessary for a cube action to be definitely occurred. Which cube action was it? The usual place for »» Rule 3 [RULES OF BACKGAMMON]: A player may double Now that we know why the rule was written to specify “placed committed. If the conditions are met, then a cube action has an accepted cube is the bear-off tray area nearest to the opponent, only at the start of their own turn and before rolling the dice. down,” it should be clear that the words “absent other evidence occurred; otherwise no cube action has occurred. In a previous so we presume from the question’s wording that the cube was of intent” must not be interpreted to mean that the player’s intent column, we learned that touching the doubling cube commits a placed there. Thus the cube action was a take. The opponent has »» Rule 4 [END OF TURN]: When playing with four dice, can be conveyed by any physical handling of the cube besides player to doubling. Up until the moment of that touch, they are accepted the double. players end their turn by picking up their dice. placing it down outside the playing field. No other movement of not committed to double. There is a similar rule that covers tak- the doubling cube conveys intent—whether inside the playing ing or passing. But they didn’t hit the clock! True; nor did they clap their hands The rules of the game of backgammon are “common law” and field or outside, horizontal or vertical, up or down. Even lowering and say “I love backgammon.” However, Rule 1 does not state were not written by the USBGF or any other organized body. They the cube into the bear-off tray with a millimeter of air remaining »» Rule 1 [DOUBLING CUBE ACTIONS]: Absent other that a take or pass occurs when the clock is hit (and nor does indicate that turns alternate between the players; that throwing the below the cube does not convey intent and is therefore not a cube evidence of intent, a take or pass occurs when the cube is any other rule). It says that a take or pass occurs when the cube dice is an integral part of a turn; and that a double is part of the action. However, this action substantially increases the likelihood placed down outside the playing field. is placed down. That is the moment at which the take occurred, turn of the player who is about to roll. In the USBGF Rules, this that the opponent might believe that the cube has touched down and everything thereafter is irrelevant to the cube action. interpretation is reinforced by Rule 4. Even when playing without on solid ground, and could result in a dispute over the facts. With- Rule 1 defines a specific condition that if met, establishes that a a clock, players can still double, but players end their turn only by out supporting evidence, a director will generally rule against the

take or pass cube action has occurred. That condition is whether A player cannot both take and pass on the same turn—even in SCHILLING BRIAN lifting their dice—not by taking a double. player who caused the confusion that led to the dispute. That is 26 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine What’s the Ruling? Retracting a Cube Action also true in cases where the players agree on the facts but capri- grab and hold the cube, hit the clock, and don’t promptly pause cious cube handling by one player confuses their opponent who it or score the game, that is evidence of intent to take. It would ADVERTISE does not fully understand the rules; time is wasted in settling the take quite a good argument to convince the director otherwise. IN PRIMETIME F P dispute, and blame for the delay will be assigned to the person ½ P who took the confusing action. So, don’t be that person! Avoid Summary all unnecessary movement of the doubling cube and you’ll avoid A take or a pass occurs at the moment when the cube is placed unfavorable rulings. down outside of the playing field. Prior to that moment, no cube action has occurred. Once a cube action has occurred, it is final »» Capricious cube handling causes confusion. Confusion and may not be retracted. Although unnecessary physical han- causes unfavorable rulings. Don’t do it! dling and movement of the cube does not by itself causes a cube action to occur, it is bad practice and players should try their best Capricious cube handling means unnecessary movement of the to avoid doing so. That way they will avoid unfavorable rulings. cube, for example juggling it or moving it from side to side. We’ve already learned that no movement of the cube conveys intent short Left unanswered is the question about how playing in a Legal of a place-down when taking or passing. But if not capricious Moves vs. a Responsible Moves tournament affects the ruling and cube handling, then what does Rule 1 mean by “other evidence player responsibilities. That topic will be the subject of my Rulings of intent”? Let’s give some examples and you’ll get the idea. The column for our next issue, Spring 2020.  player can say “I take” or “I pass” or words to that effect. Pretty clear, right? If the player starts to reset the checkers, or pauses the - RICHARD MUNITZ clock and scores the game, then they have clearly passed. If they

To review the complete USBGF Tournament Rules, Ruling Guide, and Tournament Options, please visit usbgf.org/docs/rules.pdf.

About Rich ichard Munitz is one of the original founders of Rthe USBGF, has served on the Board of Directors since 2009, and serves as Chairman of the Rules Committee and the Ratings and Stats Committee.

He is a winner of the American Backgammon Tour and has ranked as high as 4th in lifetime ABT PrimeTime in Print points. He has been voted Giant of Backgammon multiple times, ranking as high as #21. Subscribe for $72 annually, not including shipping. Richard runs the NYC Backgammon Meetup. He is a 4 issues for $18 each. Email [email protected] for details. professional software developer and lives in Suffern, NY. TARA MENDICINO TARA BACKGAMMON LEARNING CENTER It’s finally here: a one-stop shop for all of your backgammon needs! BLC has a long and respected track record in providing first-class backgammon instruction––both live and online. The Center leaves little to chance, providing its 25 expert instructors with carefully structured, detailed lesson plans for players at every level of the game. Our fees are modest, but our results are not. Check out the testimonials on our website, backgammonlearningcenter.com.

BLC has expanded its services in 2020. We’ve added an online mart where you’ll find a variety of high-quality equipment, including several colorful lines of backgammon sets and next-gen baffle boxes. There’s a bookstore too, featuring Bob Wachtel’s trio of sensational new books: The Backgammon Chronicles, Volumes 1 and 2, and The Language of Backgammon.

Come visit us at backgammonlearningcenter.com!

In Memoriam Larry liebster

e are sad to announce the passing of Backgammon Legend Larry Liebster, age 91. Larry was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, but later lived in New WJersey where he was very active in the NYC Backgammon scene during its heyday. Larry eventually retired to Las Vegas and has been a long time member of the USBGF as well as the Las Vegas Backgammon Club. Larry, a dapper gentleman, was well known AMERICAN USBGF BACKGAMMON on the ABT Circuit and loved by all who were lucky enough to TOUR #2020 know him. Larry was a kind man who would gladly take some time to help a newbie out when they needed it. Larry was also known for buying lots of teams in the Calcutta. He was a USBGF Silver Founding Sponsor. He will be sorely missed. Godspeed Larry. 30 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 31 2019 Michigan Summer Championships

The Michigan Masters always has a strong Michigan sponsors, Judy Field and Sandy 2019 field of 32 players. Grandmaster Kit Woolsey Kaplan. Both were remembered and missed. (CA) triumphed, defeating Texan David Philippe Salnave (FL) won the Sandy Kaplan michigan summer Kettler in the final. Ed O’Laughlin (VA) who Memorial Senior Jackpot. Pavel Zaoral finished second last year, was 3rd/4th along (Czech Republic) won the Prince Barlow championships with Nick Blasier (TX). Junior Jackpot. Louis Bedell (PA) won the Frank Talbot Newcomers Free Roll. Report by Karen Davis with Match Analysis by Marty Storer The BMAB-USA #11 event, directed by Dmitriy Obukhov and Ben Friesen, The Michigan Charity Blitz (128 entries) he 44th Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships, attracted 22 players eager to test their raised $300 for the Flint Water Fund of the held in Novi from July 4–7, 2019, and directed by the backgammon skill. Four players tied for United Way. The Blitz was won by Robert doyenne of tournament directors Carol Joy Cole, drew 1st with 4-1 records: 1/4-Sean Garber (IN) Loveless (Canada) with Christopher Yep, T200 players. This impressive total attests to the event’s continuing / Candace Mayeron (CA) / John Pirner director of the Columbus, OH club, finish- popularity. There were 176 entrants in the three main divisions, (MN) / Herb Roman (IL). PR results: 1-Kit ing second. plus 24 additional participants in various side events. Woolsey (CA) at 2.54, 2-Gerry Tansey (MO) at 2.67, 3-Neil Kazaross (IL) at 3.52, 4-John Besides Gammon Stuff and Gammon Guys, The tournament has long had a strong Canadian contingent, and O’Hagan (IN) at 3.63. who provided prize boards to the winners this year was no exception with 14 Canadians in attendance. Pavel of the top two divisions, other sponsors Zaoral from the Czech Republic received the Long Distance prize The 4th of July weekend always has a festive added to the allure of the events. These of a Michigan Summer Championships shirt. Wilcox Snellings, air punctuated by Firecracker Jackpots. The included the Michigan Masters (Dion now residing in Costa Rica, was a welcome return to the American $200 Open Firecracker Jackpot was won Hogan), Sandy Kaplan Memorial Senior backgammon scene. by Farhad Forudi (OH), with David Todd Special, Prince Barlow’s Junior Jackpot, (MO) taking the $200 Open Firecracker Frank Talbot’s Newcomer Jackpot, and the Frank Raposa (VA) won the Open Championship in a field Overflow. Dan Minardi (CO) took home Backgammon Elegance Jackpots. of 81, playing against Backgammon Learning Center pro Phil FRANK RAPOSA the prize for the $100 Limited Firecracker Simborg in the final. Frank won the bonus prize of a beautiful Jackpot. It was a terrific weekend for all, thanks to Frank Raposa took home Carol FTH Championship board, provided by sponsor Gammon Stuff. Joy Cole’s fabulous Michigan the sponsors and the courteous, compe- Michael Neagu from Canada won the Consolation by defeating Open Championship trophy. The Open Doubles event filled quickly with tent, professional staff. Ben Friesen did an Cary Hoarty (OH) in the final. 32 teams. John Klein (MD) paired with outstanding multi-tasking job, directing Frank Raposa—who won first-place trophies the tournament, posting the results on In the Intermediate division, Simon Kennedy-Rose (IL) took first in both the Open and Doubles!—to defeat bgbrackets.com, and streaming 44 matches place, defeating Stewart Pemberton (FL) in a hard-fought final. He Cary and Laura Hoarty (OH) in the final. featuring 37 different players, with notices received a travel board bonus prize donated by sponsor Gammon and photos of players posted on the Ameri- Guys. Robert Lessard from Canada won the Consolation, with STREAMED FINAL MATCH The Limited Doubles was won by Canadi- can Backgammon Tour Facebook page Daniel Bluestone (VA) finishing second. ans Scott Douglas and Robert Lessard in a throughout the tournament. Troy Long- Onsite players watched spellbound as Frank Raposa bested Phil Simborg in the final of the 44th Michigan field of 14 teams. man, Mary Ann Meese, Butch Meese, and The Novice division drew 12 players, with Fran Miller from Ohio Summer Backgammon Championships. Dmitriy Obukhov rounded out the superbly taking first. Last year’s Novice winner, Michigan’s Diane Rebottaro, This year saw the passing of two long-time expert and experienced staff.

won second prize. DAVIS KAREN Continued on page 34 32 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 33 2019 Michigan Summer Championships 2019 Michigan Summer Championships 01 02 06 07

Strong Winner’s Contingent Circle

01 Allen Tish and Garry Kallos 06 Pavel Zaoral came from the teamed up in the Doubles to defeat Czech Republic to win the long- Candace Mayeron and Kit Woolsey, distance travel prize of a Michigan finishing 3rd/4th. Summer Championships shirt and capture the Prince Barlow Junior JP. 02 Frank Talbot, wearing his Team USA hoodie from the World Team Simon Kennedy-Rose received Championships in Montenegro in April, 07 his Intermediate division trophy from won the Summer Freeze-Out in a field 03 08 director Carol Joy Cole. of 32 players.

03 Phil Simborg was at his peak 04 05 09 10 08 American Backgammon Hall of running the Michigan Calcutta, while Famer and Giant of Backgammon Kit Butch Meese looked on. Woolsey won the Michigan Masters.

04 Dan Minardi , organizer of 09 Frank Raposa and John Klein the Denver Wild West tournament, won the Doubles, demonstrating celebrated the July 4th holiday the great depth of the Washington, weekend by winning the $100 D.C. backgammon-playing field. Limited Firecracker Jackpot.

10 Philippe Salnave savored Steve Sax and Wilcox Snell- 05 his trophy for the Sandy Kaplan ings—two of backgammon’s best—are Memorial Seniors Jackpot

insightful analysts and commentators. MAYERON CANDACE DAVIS; KAREN awarded by Carol Joy Cole. 34 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 35 2019 Michigan Summer Championships 2019 Michigan Summer Championships Continued from page 31 Wilcox and Steve analyzed the same way, but did not mention a related position: Analysis of Positions from the Open Finals by Marty Storer Position 1-A Cover Position

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 hat seemingly sentient bot, eXtreme Gammon (or XG), impossible for even the best players to avoid the occasional big Score Pips has again consented to help me analyze some interest- error (often termed a “whopper”), and I believe that our mistakes Money White (Player 2) 134 ing positions from high-profile matches, in this case the do the most to point out how we can improve. Money Black (Player 1) 113 T2019 Novi Open finals. As the lost-once finalist of the double- elimination Open, Frank Raposa (originally from Fitchburg, Both Open finals matches were streamed, with live and insight- Black to play 11 MA, now living in Virginia) needed to win two 11-point matches ful commentary from two Giants: Wilcox Snellings, at one time against the redoubtable Phil Simborg (formerly of Chicago, now considered among the world’s best several players, and who clearly 7/6 4/1 +0.733 living in Palm Beach, FL). Helped by this big win, Frank won the remains top-notch; and recent American Backgammon Hall of 6/5 4/1 +0.562 (-0.171) 2019 ABT Championship! Fame inductee Steve Sax. In this article I’ll occasionally allude to their streamed comments. The first match can be viewed on A word about the featured positions: I generally try to choose YouTube at Match #1, and the second can be viewed at Match #2. problems that I find particularly interesting or instructive. These 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 are often, but not always, decisions where one or both players In the second game of the first match, Frank held a 2-cube lead- Paradoxes and Probabilities, Barclay Cooke. New York: Random House, 1978. erred. In selecting such positions I don’t at all mean to diminish ing 9-away to 11-away. He had one of Phil’s checkers on the bar these winners’ great accomplishments—nor do I wish to detract against his five-point board, and hoped to roll two 5s to escape Though Cooke’s book contains many mistakes, he analyzed this Frank rolled 62: 7/1 5/3, instead of 6/4 (no legal 6!) had he played from the high-quality streamed commentary (see below). It is before Phil could enter and cause problems. He rolled 31. one almost entirely correctly. After covering the 1 point, Black correctly the previous turn. Phil then entered with double 2, and must play 7/6, protecting against breaking his board by killing 66 Frank rolled 42, pointing on his 2 point but breaking his 6 point Position 1—First Final Match entirely, and 62 and 61 partially—also dodging White’s 52 indirect and leaving a direct 6 to hit from the bar – instead of closing his 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips shot (though Cooke didn’t think that factor was relevant), while board! Fortunately for Frank, Phil stayed on the roof. Frank exited 11-Away White (Phil Simborg) 110 avoiding duplication of 5s to attack the open Black 2 point and with a 5 and soon redoubled Phil out. 9-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 100 to escape 23/18. This historical solution is extremely similar in concept to that of Position 1! In the next game, trailing 11-away to 7-away, Phil quickly built Black to play 31 an advantage and had a cube decision in the following position. From Position 1, an instructive sequence ensued. Phil fanned, and 7/6 7/4 +0.400 ü 7/4 6/5 +0.317 (-0.083) 7/3 +0.303 (-0.097) FRANK & PHIL 6/2 +0.200 (-0.200) Frank Raposa (L) and Phil Simborg put on a great display

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 of brilliant backgammon play.

Frank played 7/4 6/5, likely wanting to maximize builders for ately without exiting Frank’s board). Second, Frank can kill 6s by his open 2 point. This is a big and threefold error. First, the play bringing two checkers from his 7 point to his inner board, a move does not maximize builders for the 2 point since the building 5 is that also gives him three board-closing numbers (42 22) instead almost useless—Frank must run with a 5 instead of making his 2 of effectively two (32). Finally, 7/4 7/6 leaves no blots or shots.

point (though he will hit with some 5s if Phil comes in immedi- DAVIS KAREN 36 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 37 2019 Michigan Summer Championships 2019 Michigan Summer Championships Position 2—First Final Match Frank has the edge, with a lead in the Making the 4 point is second best in the 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips race, one checker back to Phil’s two, and rollout, by only 0.026 PPG. But the double 11-Away White (Phil Simborg) 160 a threat to escape or extend his blockade. advance, 24/21 24/20, tops the list! I don’t 7-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 166 How should Phil use his poor roll of 43 to recall that the commentators even men- White on roll. Cube action? counter Frank’s threats? tioned the play. Can it be right, and if so, why? Or has XG gone crazy? ND Winning Chances: 64.56% (G:24.95% B:1.42%) ND Winning Chances: 35.44% (G:8.59% B:0.60%) Both commentators endorsed switching

D/T Winning Chances: 64.81% (G:25.55% B:1.36%) from the bar to the 4 point. Wilcox said that I think the key is that Phil’s back checkers D/T Winning Chances: 35.19% (G:8.54% B:0.71%) many players do not realize that making are badly placed on the 24 point. He wants Best choice: Double / Take the 4 point with 43 is often right in similar to get them moving before Frank can make No Double +0.793 (-0.078) positions —while in contrast, a 21 roll is his 4 or 5 point. The double advance is most Double/Take +0.871 commonly used to switch from the bar likely to lead to a big gain: either sending ü +1.000 (+0.129) I think the key is that 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Double/Pass “ point to the 5. back a second of Frank’s checkers, or grab- Phil’s back checkers are bing an advanced anchor. If Frank attacks, Phil doubled, and Frank’s choice was tough. Wilcox and Steve he has not made), and he still has some blots to consolidate. Phil badly placed on the 24 What else can Phil do? Hitting loose on he may have to leave a direct or indirect touched on this play only briefly, noting the score as a factor in figures to have plenty of work ahead even after making a new the 1 point gains a tempo and may stop return shot; and if he points on one blot, Frank’s decision. Frank passed, but XG says the take is clear at point, because the players have an equal number of back checkers point. He wants to get Frank from running or making a point Phil will have a direct shot to cover the other. +0.871 points per game (PPG) for Phil, instead of the +1.00 Frank and the race is somewhat close. them moving before immediately, but it is otherwise feeble. It If Frank’s board had been any stronger, a actually ceded. Later one commentator said he thought both the seems wrong to advance one or both back split would likely have been quite wrong. Frank can make his 4 double and pass had been correct – and the position surely looks The next position is from the fourth game, with Phil trailing checkers against 12 attackers in the zone. scary for Frank, especially with a four-point lead in the match. 10-away to 7-away. It is fascinating. Though Wilcox and Steve or 5 point. The double The 4 point may accelerate an attack, and I will be impressed if Phil, master teacher However, he is not in too much danger of being blitzed; Phil has thought the choice was clear (as I did too, watching later), that advance is most likely to by making it Phil can duplicate Frank’s of the Backgammon Learning Center (with only a two-point board with just eight checkers in the zone (that does not seem to be the case: 42, 51, 62, and 64 to hit and to make his which I am also associated), or anyone else is, in his inner board or bearing directly on an inner-board point lead to a big gain: either 4 or 5 point. for that matter, can derive enough insight to use this position as part of a wider les- Position 3—First Final Match sending back a second But Phil didn’t make the 4 point, nor did son or lesson set. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips of Frank’s checkers, or he hit or advance. He played 13/9 13/10, 10-Away White (Phil Simborg) 150 grabbing an advanced pinning his hopes on building new forward Frank doubled Phil in—incorrectly, due to 7-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 136 points instead of building one immediately the score and his lack of forward develop- anchor. and leaving a direct shot. XG pegs this ment. The following position came after White to play 43 move as a small whopper – it gives up the Frank had escaped, made his 10 point, and midpoint, leaves two blots and nine indi- sent back another of Phil’s checkers. Phil 24/21 24/20 -0.368 rect shots, and plays into Frank’s priming had no advanced anchor, but he did have 8/4 7/4 -0.394 (-0.026) advantage. Priming one checker is not the 24 anchor, with a three-point board nearly as powerful as priming two, and and five-prime, while Frank still had only 24/21 8/4 -0.422 (-0.055) Phil has two checkers back to Frank’s one. a one-point inner board. 8/1* -0.436 (-0.068) ü 13/10 13/9 -0.475 (-0.107) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 38 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 39 2019 Michigan Summer Championships 2019 Michigan Summer Championships Position 4—First Final Match Phil led by two points after the first five games of the second match. He attacked with double 5 after Frank opened by splitting his back 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips checkers. He had 41 to play after Frank came in: 10-Away White (Phil Simborg) 145 Position 5—Second Final Match 7-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 113 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips White to play 53 7-Away White (Phil Simborg) 147 9-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 158 24/16 -0.211 23/20 8/3 -0.251 (-0.040) White to play 41 ü 8/3 6/3 -0.278 (-0.066) 13/8 +0.081 6 8/4* 4/3 +0.055 (-0.025) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ü 24/23 8/4* +0.018 (-0.063)

Phil quickly made his 3 point for a full prime, and the commenta- count Black’s bad replies. Many 6s are forced and some 5s are tors agreed. But although this was no whopper, it was still a clear problematic. In fact he has 12 nasty blot numbers (65 64 62 54 53 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 mistake. 43) after White’s 24/16. Anyway, leaving the outside double shot has little downside because so many of Black’s aces and deuces Phil’s stronger board favors attacking, and he did attack: 8/4* 24/23. are still under pressure after White makes the fine play of 13/8. White should think as follows: “Black is threatening to prime are duplicated to make his 5 or 4 point. The commentators liked this play, but it is better to unstack the me and I have to counter that threat if I can. How do I throw a midpoint and make the 8, tightening up the outfield and preserving But Phil’s hit worked perfectly. Frank fanned; Phil did not double monkey wrench into his builders’ machinery? If I come up to his No other play does as much to stop Black from achieving his goals, a lead in the race. The loose hit is risky, leaving 14 return shots as but covered with 62 (6/4 13/7); Frank fanned again; and Phil 5 or 4 point, I might get pointed on, though I might also gain an and 24/16 is best. Second best, by 0.040 PPG, is to advance to the well as 10 more numbers to anchor. Even if Black stays on the bar, correctly cashed. advanced anchor or a direct shot. How about coming out to the 20 point and slot the 3. White will be a small underdog to complete a four-point board next 16 point? That way I don’t expose a blot on a point he wants to turn, and doubling would be a big mistake at the score (though Late in Game 8, Phil still led by two points and had a double ace make, but I do put direct pressure on his blot and his stripped 10 Frank won two points that game, then wrapped up the match in borderline correct at 11-away to 11-away). Black’s back checkers to play in a mutual holding position. point. If I hit him, my five-prime will usually be enough to win.” two more games with a four-point gammon and a win at Craw- ford. It was all down to the last and deciding 11-pointer: “double This motif occurs frequently. Once you consider 24/16, you can match match.” BEAUTIFUL BOARD Frank Raposa relaxes after his tough final match surrounded by his MISSING TROPHY trophy and FTH Michigan Summer Classic Championship board. Phil Simborg enjoys his “what would have been trophy” as finalist in the Michigan Open. KAREN DAVIS KAREN 40 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 41 2019 Michigan Summer Championships 2019 Michigan Summer Championships Position 6—Second Final Match and Phil would hesitate to redouble because the cube might come break the anchor. Phil had around 12% to gammon for the match 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips back at 8 for the match. Nice cube action by both players here. and the title. But with four checkers off he left a direct shot, which 6-Away White (Phil Simborg) 110 Frank hit. Frank still had a five-point board with the 6 point open, 8-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 104 By the thirteenth game, the score was tied at 4-away to 4-away. and he advanced his two outside checkers as Phil fanned three Frank took a 2-cube in a viable 22-point holding-racing position, times. In the following position he could redouble, possibly for White to play 11 but Phil bore in safely and closed him out after he was forced to the match. Position 8—Second Final Match 13/11(2) +0.072 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips ü 17/13 +0.000 (-0.072) 4-Away White (Phil Simborg) 43 4-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 56 Black on roll. Cube action? 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 NRD Winning Chances: 59.96% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) NRD Winning Chances: 40.04% (G:0.11% B:0.00%)

The race is close, and Phil’s outside points are stripped. He chose home, and also protecting against at least two future 6s by allow- RD/T Winning Chances: 60.34% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) 17/13, and Wilcox agreed, saying Phil’s play would protect future ing a safe 17/11. This is not an easy play to find! RD/T Winning Chances: 39.66% (G:0.29% B:0.00%) 6s and keep Frank‘s 66 blocked. Steve concurred. But it’s best to Best choice: No redouble / Take switch from the midpoint to the 11—leaving no shots, blocking In the eleventh game, Phil still led, 4-away to 6-away. Frank had No redouble +0.637 double 5 and double 4 instead of double 6 and double 3, gaining a cube decision: Redouble/Take +0.613 (-0.024) a subtle timing benefit by moving the key holding point closer to 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ü Redouble/Pass +1.000 (+0.363)

Position 7—Second Final Match Steve said Frank’s position might be worth redoubling. Wilcox in the long term, the take starts to seem justified. But how about 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips disagreed, but said the Woolsey Doubling Rule was a huge factor; the double? 4-Away White (Phil Simborg) 144 that rule, one of the most important heuristics in backgammon, 6-Away Black (Frank Raposa) 102 says to double whenever you’re not sure your opponent should Frank redoubled to 4. XG tells us two things: first, that the redouble Black on roll. Cube action? take. If Frank doubles here, he gives Phil the chance to make a is technically a 0.024 error, vindicating Wilcox’s snap judgment; mistake; and if he’s thinking of doubling in the first place, turning and second, that a mere 5.7% chance to draw an incorrect pass ND Winning Chances: 71.93% (G:19.62% B:0.25%) ND Winning Chances: 28.07% (G:4.72% B:0.27%) the cube is unlikely to be a huge error. would justify redoubling. The borderline take occurs around the

D/T Winning Chances: 70.90% (G:20.85% B:0.29%) point where Frank advances his outside checkers three or four D/T Winning Chances: 29.10% (G:4.71% B:0.38%) Well, positions like this are hard to calculate, and errors can be pips forward, and the sequence 41 (or 32): 10/5, fan, is a fairly Best choice: Double / Pass huge. XG tells us that Phil can take for the match with a minimum large market loss! So the position is highly volatile, and purely in No double +0.845 (-0.155) winning chance of 33.13%. On pips alone, adding 16 to Phil’s technical terms Frank’s redouble is not far wrong. Double/Take +1.090 (+0.090) count for his checker on the bar – using (2S x (N+1)) / ((6+N) x

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ü Double/Pass +1.000 (6-N)), a formula from Kleinman where S = sum of opponent’s Having received the kind gift of a difficult decision, Phil passed. XG made inner-board points, and N = number of inner-board points says his winning chances are around 40%. Phil stresses the value of Phil’s position looks decent, but it is really no bargain, as is com- be a small take at 0-0 to 11, but is a big pass at 4-away to 6-away; closed – the position would seem to be a redouble: maybe a take Woolsey’s Law (as he calls the Woolsey Doubling Rule) to all his monly true of 18-point holding games that include a trailing blot that’s partly because Phil’s board is momentarily a bit weak, but and maybe not. Realizing that Frank will leave a direct shot with students, and no one is immune from its effects. Kit Woolsey uses or low anchor against a strong or improving board. Frank gave a primarily because of the score. A two-point win for Frank would 64 and a two-number indirect with most other rolls, and will suf- his own Rule to steal match points “like a pirate,” to quote Michy powerful double and Phil correctly passed. The position would even the score, a four-point win would put him ahead by two, fer some inefficiencies on certain immediate 4s, as well as on 6s Kageyama from another context. I am among his many victims. 42 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 2019 Michigan Summer Championships

Frank took the match and the 2019 Michigan Summer Champion- ing second in Novi, he finished second in the New York Masters ship by winning two points in the next game, a mutual priming/ this year, and 3rd-4th in the Las Vegas Seniors. Last year he fin- holding/tactical game that Phil doubled early and Frank properly ished second in Connecticut and had many other good results in took (standard actions at the 2-away, 4-away score). This was doubles and strong jackpots. Both players deserve kudos for their Frank’s second ABT victory this year (he won the Boston Open in performances in Novi and everywhere else.  February), and his latest in a long string of wins, culminating in his first-place finish in the 2019 ABT. As for Phil: besides finish- - KAREN DAVIS AND MARTY STORER

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usbgf.org/shop Professional Scoreboard USBGF USBGF BG SHOP KAREN DAVIS KAREN USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 45 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida Draws Top-Flight Players By Marty Storer and Karen Davis

he Sunny Florida Backgammon Championship, orga- Ed dug in and won, overcoming huge odds in the final two games. The Palm Beach Pro-Am Doubles attracted 32 teams, and all- finishing second. nized by Karen Davis and held at the luxury boutique PrimeTime Backgammon Executive Editor Marty Storer shares Florida teams took the prize money. Loy Anderson and Eugen Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 10-13, his analysis of some key positions below. Philippe Salnave (FL) Mobius defeated Perry Gartner and Clement McNally in the final The $50 Warm-up tournament was won by Dmitriy Vernitsky over T2019, drew 111 Main division entrants, up 20 percent from last finished third, while Roberto Litzenberger (VA) and Stacy Turner to take first place. Jason Briggs and Tom Kelly finished 3rd/4th Kit Woolsey. In the $20 Warm-up tournament, Jerry Shea (NY) year. The tournament’s top-flight directors—Ben Friesen, Máté (FL) shared 4th/5th. Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY) won the Consolation. along with Susan Randall and Stacy Turner. took first place, defeating Irina Litzenberger (VA). Feher, Greg Lilley, and Robin Horton—were assisted by Stephen Collins and Joan Libby (hospitality). Jeb Horton directed the In the Advanced division, rising star Clem McNally (FL) emerged Side events kept everyone busy. Kevin Jones (FL) defeated Ray Gary Koscielny won a $100 Knockout and a $50 Knockout, while BMAB-USA pre-tournament event. Máté came from Hungary to victorious. Clem has worked hard on his game, taking lessons from Zamani (MD) to win the Older and Wiser event. Art Benjamin Bob Howayeck (FL) won two $50 Knockouts and Carol Joy Cole stream matches onto YouTube and post real-time results on Matt visiting superstars such as Michy Kageyama and Bill Robertie. (CA) squeaked under the age limit to win the Young and Restless (MI) won one $50 Knockout. Reklaitis’s electronic bgbrackets.com. Kevin Jones (FL) was second, while Daniel Bluestone (VA) and event, over local player Chris Link. Alec Izzo shared 3rd/4th. April Kennedy (MN) won the Con- Art Benjamin received rave reviews for his seminar, “About That The events kicked off with a Backgammon Masters Awarding solation—giving women the honors in both the Championship The FTH Board event attracted 16 players eager to take home the Race.” Phil Simborg and Gary Koscielny gave tips to Newcomers, Body-USA #12 tournament, courtesy of certified BMAB director Consolation and Advanced Consolation flights. specially designed Sunny Florida board—a bright and colorful and answered questions along with Michy Kageyama and Art Jeb Horton. It offered five 11-point matches for a record 55 experi- creation. Despite valiant efforts in the final by Peter Albury from Benjamin. These master teachers joined the newcomers for Thai ence points. It attracted 20 grandmasters, masters, and Giants of Katherine Hortenstine (FL) won the Newcomers division, fol- The Bahamas, Robert Christensen (FL) was the lucky winner. food and more discussion following the session. Backgammon, as well as others serious about improving their game. lowed by young Jamie Cruz (FL), in a field of 12 players. Katherine Corporate sponsor Gammon Stuff provided the FTH board for Florida’s Gary Koscielny triumphed with a perfect 5–0 win-loss received an Artgammon travel board donated by Gammon Guys, the event. Beautiful trophies for winners were generously donated by Jason record, followed by Carlos Azcarate (FL), Marcy Kossar (MD), as well as a beautiful pineapple trophy created by Charlie Briggs Briggs. and Philippe Salnave (FL), all of whom scored 4–1. In terms of with a 3-D printer! An Artgammon Board was won by Allen Tish in a field of eight, Performance Rating, the winners were: (1) Kit Woolsey (CA) at and he promptly gave the prize to a thrilled Mona Mazza. Art Attendees were delighted with the marvelous experience provided 3.31; (2) Michihito Kageyama (Japan) at 3.49; and (3) Jim Stutz Three major Jackpots attracted a top field of 40 players. Chris Benjamin finished second. by the luxury boutique hotel and the top-flight tournament staff. (CT) at 3.91. Both PRs and experience points are used to evaluate Trencher (NY) won the Miami Masters Jackpot, with Cameron The next Sunny Florida tournament has already been scheduled: it performance against benchmarks for BMAB titles such as Master Govonlu from Massachusetts taking second and Victor Ashkenazi With $375 in added money donated by the U.S. Backgammon will take place October 8-11, 2020 at the fabulous luxury boutique and Grandmaster. (NJ) finishing third. Florida’s Stacy Turner won the Orlando Open Federation, the USBGF Jackpot attracted 32 members. It was won W Hotel on the beach in Fort Lauderdale! Be sure and set aside that over Michigan’s Carol Joy Cole. Jim Glover (FL) celebrated his by Blake Fleetwood (NY) with Pavel Zaoral (Czech Republic) Columbus Day weekend for another great event in sunny Florida! The thriller of the tournament was the final Championship match 65th birthday by winning the Lauderdale Limited Jackpot with between 80-year old Ed O’Laughin and 20-year old Cary Hoarty. Eric Stevens (FL) second. 46 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 47 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida

event, where both have fine chances. Well, backgammon is not Now I will examine 21 positions from both O’Laughlin – Hoarty Sunny Florida chess and anyone can get lucky on the given day. But Ed is not your matches. As always, my robot assistant, eXtreme Gammon or XG, typical 80-year-old. Not only has he been studying, playing, and has given me invaluable assistance. And finally before getting to Finalists winning forever (for example, he defeated me in the big Saginaw, the analysis, let me say that I tend to concentrate on errors because MI tournament of 1983), but it seems that he’ll continue to do so. I think they have the most to teach us. In doing so I do not mean He is energetic, and could easily pass for 55 or a good-looking 70. to cast aspersions—partly because I don’t want any stones to come He will tell you that his main secret is clean living, and in his case my way. Spoiler: The second match, the tournament final, was full this can’t be a mere cliché. of drama at the end.

As for Cary, let’s hope he continues for at least sixty more years The first match, the Undefeated final, was an interesting 11-pointer. in his quest to perfect his considerable skills! It looks like he’s on In the first game, Ed’s openings acumen was tested by this 21. track for that, traveling the U.S. with his mother Laura in order ED O’LAUGHLIN AND CARY HOARTY to play without ceasing. This year’s Sunny Florida final Position 1

was a historic contest between 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 an 80-year-old veteran and Score Pips a 20-year-old upstart. 11-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 153 11-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 160 Marty Storer: 21 Positions from Two Sunny Florida Finals Black to play 21 The Sunny Florida final was contested by Ed O’Laughlin and Cary Hoarty. In fact, they faced off in not one, tied for 1st-2nd in Wisconsin Blitz and Wisconsin Quickies; 2nd ü Bar/22 -0.372 but two Sunny Florida final matches: the final of the Undefeated in Chicago 1-Point Quickie (128 players); and 2nd in $20 Detroit Bar/23 24/23 -0.384 (-0.012) bracket, and the final of the entire tournament. The Second Chance Quickie (64 players) in Michigan. Bar/24 13/11 -0.423 (-0.051) flight fed into the tournament final, which consisted of only one Bar/24 6/4 -0.467 (-0.095) match. This popular format is considered equitable because going Cary: 1st in San Antonio Blitz (96 players); 2nd in Las Vegas; Bar/23 6/5 -0.486 (-0.114) into the final, the Second Chance winner has won more matches Cherry Blossom: 1st in Young Politicos, and tied for 1st-3rd in 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 than the undefeated player. Abraham Lincoln Jackpot; Boston: 1st Last Chance, 1st Open Jackpot, and 1st Junior Jackpot; 2nd in Sunshine State Masters; Three choices come to mind at once: making the 23 anchor to put ace point) and may gain big by hitting, anchoring, or escaping. It’s These two players have been red-hot on the 2019 U.S. circuit. Here 2nd Consolation in Michigan; California State: 3rd/4th Conso- pressure on Cary’s 8 point; remaking the 24 point with the 1 and less dangerous, and almost as good, to make the 23 point, which are their successful results this year so far, besides the current one lation; tied for 1st-2nd in Ohio State After-Tournament; tied for bringing a builder to the 11; and splitting to the 22 point, putting secures a decent anchor against Cary’s frontloaded position but (with apologies for any inadvertent omissions in perusing such 1st-2nd in Wisconsin $50 Jackpot; and as for Doubles events, the the back checkers at risk but doing the most to mobilize them. also incurs self-blockage by coming within six pips of Cary’s 8 a long list): team of Cary and Laura Hoarty won first prize three times and Besides those plays, Ed might select the aggressive anchor-and- point. Bar/24 13/11 comes third in the rollout. Both the slot and took second in five events. slot play, bar/24 6/4, or even the super-aggressive splot (slot and the splot are blunders, too loose for the needs of the position. Ed: 1st in Connecticut; tied for 1st-2nd in Wisconsin Blitz; 2nd in split), bar/23 6/5. Grand Crystal Beaver (Minnesota); 1st Consolation in Gibraltar Though of course there have been prior confrontations between The key lesson: In the opening, not only are plays like bar/22 and Atlanta; semifinalist in Michigan Masters, NY Metro Super grizzled graybeards and apple-cheeked youths, this one is special. Ed plays the opening quite well, and he made the best play here, often advisable, but stripping the midpoint is often dubious. Jackpot, and Denver’s Iron Horse Jackpot; 1st in Atlanta Doubles I’m not sure such a match-up, let alone two, has ever been seen in bar/22. With this he comes under the gun on Cary’s 3 point, but Here, bar/24 13/11 is well back of the top two plays. It not only

(with Joe Feldman); 2nd in Denver Doubles (with John O’Hagan); any game: an 80-year-old against a 20-year-old in a high-profile DAVIS KAREN can be pointed on with only 10 numbers (counting 54 to make the strips but leaves five outside shots, while blocking prospects are 48 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 49 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida not sufficiently increased. In general, we must be wary of leaving Early in the second game, Ed doubled aggressively on his third In the fourth game, with Cary ahead 6 – 1, both players started with some good rolls. Ed tried a risky loose hit and was rewarded when outfield builder-blots against split back checkers in the early game. turn after Cary fanned on his two-point board. Cary took and Cary fanned. He had a cube decision in the following position: soon hopped to Ed’s 16 point, while Ed created a four-prime and Position 3 Cary replied with 31, making the 21 anchor. Ed escaped his back split to Cary’s 5 point. Cary rolled 51: around the corner to the 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 checkers and built a five-prime against that anchor, doubling a bit 11 point, and loose hit on the 5, reaching the following position Score Pips early. Cary accepted the double, hit a shot, and won four points with Ed to play 62. 5-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 165 after a redouble-take. He was off to a good lead of 4 – 0. 10-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 151 Position 2 Black on roll. Cube action? ND Winning Chances: 58.97% (G:26.96% B:3.07%) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips ND Winning Chances: 41.03% (G:11.84% B:0.86%)

7-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 141 D/T Winning Chances: 59.23% (G:27.08% B:2.94%) 11-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 144 D/T Winning Chances: 40.77% (G:12.23% B:1.15%) Best choice: Double / Take Black to play 62 No double +0.674 (-0.062) ü Double/Take +0.736

Bar/23 7/1* -0.244 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Double/Pass +1.000 (+0.264) ü Bar/23 13/7 -0.331 (-0.088) The double is fairly obvious: Ed threatens to hit and cover at once 4 instead of doubling to 2, the position would have been a mon- (seven numbers), or hit and then cover (52 or 54, followed by 24 ster pass at the score; but Ed’s chance to gammon is only around misses, followed by about 31 covers, for a total of around 8%), 27%, and with the cube only on 2 there is still plenty of play left

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or cover and then hit (hard to calculate exactly, but seemingly for Cary despite Ed’s elevated gammon chances. around 10%). Then too, Ed will have the edge in most of the Ed played to the 7 point with the 6. Though this move is natural, Nevertheless, the uglier play is correct! The hit steers toward an other variations, based on equal-strength boards, fewer checkers Positions like this one cause undue fear because the player being it is oriented toward priming, where prospects are poor because attacking game and gains a tempo that may be critical. It drasti- back, Cary’s checker on the bar, and Ed’s resulting chance to hit doubled can easily envision his opponent doing everything like Cary figures to have the advantage. He has 31 ways to make his cally reduces Cary’s chance to make his 5 point, and even gives or prime after his next roll. clockwork: hitting, covering, priming, escaping, and bearing in 5 point for a four-prime of his own, and if he does so, he will be him four ways to stay on the bar. According to the rollout, it’s best and off for a gammon. If you find yourself thinking like that, try to favored with only one checker back to Ed’s two. In prime-vs.-prime by 0.088 points per game (PPG). The score is a kicker: Cary leads by five points in the match! That think positive thoughts, such as: “I have an anchor, a good board, action, the player with more checkers back tends to have the worst factor would be enough to convince the vast majority of players and a four-and-a-half point prime. What if he doesn’t hit and cover? of it, and that’s the case here. But the alternative, hitting on the Cary’s next roll was 65, which would have been disastrous had he to pass. But Cary had no fear. His take was excellent; he realized What are my chances if he does one thing and not another?” By ace point, breaks Ed’s structure. rolled it from the roof! But he made his 5 point and eventually that his winning chances were substantial, and in fact they are such reasoning you will often conclude that you can take because doubled Ed out, to go ahead 6 – 0. about 41% according to the rollout. If Ed had been redoubling to your opponent still has much work to do—as Ed does here.

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USBGF Board of Directors. DAVIS KAREN 50 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 51 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida

Passing would have been a large mistake, but Cary rose to the gammon prospects, and the possibility of a match-winning gam- mix things up tactically while Ed has a stronger board —and After an exchange of hits, Cary wound up with a four-prime against occasion. He turned the game around after taking, winning 2 mon will then cause the leader to tremble. The other side of that 24/18 gives Ed 14 ways to hit and cover—Cary should try to avoid Ed’s five back checkers. In the next position he rolled another points after first anchoring on Ed’s 3 point, then hitting, then coin is that the leader can take a gammonless cube (as in a straight contact long enough to be able to use his builders to good effect. interesting set of boxcars. escaping all of his checkers. He led 8 – 1, or 3-away to 10-away: race) with as little as 20% winning chances—less than at a normal Unlike Albert’s examples, Cary’s position is quite flexible after he now he really had to be careful with the cube. match score! And of course checker play can be difficult at the plays all 6s forward, making his bar and adding a builder to his 9. score, with safety and boldness acquiring different weights than Position 5 Playing well, Ed came back. By the tenth game he trailed 7 – 9: in most other match situations. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 for Cary it was the infamous 2-away, 4-away score, which, as Bob Score Pips Wachtel has observed, has broken many hearts. The trailer should On his second turn, Cary rolled 66. 6 2-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 126 turn the cube with decent winning chances and slightly elevated 4-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 159 Position 4 White to play 66 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips 2-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 158 24/18* 13/7 13/1* +0.463 4-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 151 24/18* 18/12 13/7(2) +0.439 (-0.024) 24/18* 13/1* 7/1 +0.424 (-0.040) White to play 66 24/18* 18/12 13/1* +0.375 (-0.088) ü 24/18* 18/12 7/1*(2) +0.340 (-0.124) 15/9 13/7(3) +0.015 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ü 24/18 15/9 13/7(2) -0.128 (-0.143) Of course the first 6 will be to hit on Ed’s bar point, but how about The hybrid option is best: to hit on the 18 point, retain the 7 point, the rest? Cary can make the ace point and put a second checker and hit loose on the 1, 24/18* 13/1* 13/7. After this play, Cary may on the roof, playing 13/7 with the final 6. That play seems risky easily keep his prime and hit Ed’s remaining outside blot, which

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 because it abandons the four-prime and buries two checkers, but would give Ed serious problems. it might allow Cary to hit outside, or to attack on his 2 point if He made his bar point and moved a checker to his 9 point for a point with four checkers is usually so inflexible that it’s preferable Ed enters there, or both. A second option is to refuse to hit again, Second best is to hit only the 18-point checker and keep the prime, builder. He had only two real choices with the fourth 6: to activate to play 24/18 instead of 13/7 with the final 6 (see p. 52 of the Fall coming around to the 12 point and moving two checkers to the 7. and third is to point on the 1 point, hit on Ed’s bar, and play 13/7 another builder with 13/7, or move the back checker out to Ed’s issue). Here, Cary has not rolled opening 65, but the position is Finally, Cary might hit loose on his 1 point, keeping the blockade for the fourth 6. Well back of the top three plays is the move Cary bar point, hoping to escape if Ed misses, or at least to hit a return similar to those Albert covered: one checker back on the 24 point intact, reducing Ed’s chances to make a triple anchor, and some- made, 24/18* 7/1*(2) 18/12: the same as the third option except for shot if Ed fails to hit and cover the 5 point. and one escaped, with neither bar point yet made. times benefiting from additional timing after Ed hits with an ace. the last 6. Maybe Cary feared to leave double 4 and double 3 return shots against Ed’s four-point board, but that’s not a big price to Cary chose 24/18, following a double-6 motif that has gained The best play here is to make the bar with three 6s and play 15/9 pay for slotting the bar point and adding a builder for the open 2. popularity since the bots appeared in the early ‘90s, but was not for the fourth. This position is different from a “following up 65” often seen before then. With one checker back in the early game, position not only because a builder on the 9 point is well placed, it’s very often correct to move three 6s up front and the fourth but for two other reasons. First, Ed has a structural problem that Starter Board at a Great Price! usbgf.org/shop out to the opposing bar point. Albert Steg’s Fall 2019 PrimeTime gives punch to Cary’s priming chances (having made his deep 2 Need an affordable starter board? The USBGF BG Shop carries an 18" black and red attache board with cups and dice included. Starter Board: $55 each, plus shipping. article, “Following up the 65 Opener,” discusses this subject in the point, Ed can hardly counterprime in response); and second, Ed context of how to play 66 as a third roll, after you have run with cannot easily concentrate on mobilizing his back checkers because 65 and your opponent has replied; he says that making your bar he is committed to covering the blot on his 5 point. Rather than USBGFBGSHOP 52 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 53 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida

Ed fanned and Cary rolled boxcars again, putting a second checker bar, entering both checkers and hitting on Cary’s 12 point. Cary Ed fought his way through the Second Chance to reach the tour- Cary raced to a 10-3 lead in the 11-point match, but Ed won a point on the bar and making his 7 and 2 points. With the cube in the then fanned twice, and Ed reached the following position with nament final, and must have been itching for revenge. “Crabbèd in the Crawford game and two points in the next. In the ninth game, center, Cary hoped for an undoubled, match-winning gammon. double 1 to play. age and youth cannot live together,” wrote Shakespeare; yet here trailing at 5-away post-Crawford and with Cary owning a 2-cube, But Ed rolled the only number to hit, joker double 4 from the were the old veteran and the young upstart facing each other for Ed rolled a 21 that was reminiscent of his choice in Position 1. the second time in the same event, with all eyes on them. Position 6

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Position 7 Score Pips 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 6 4-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 91 Score Pips 2-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 156 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 157 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 166 Black to play 11 Black to play 21 15/14 13/10 +0.573 15/11 +0.478 (-0.095) Bar/23 6/5 -0.118 15/12 13/12 +0.436 (-0.137) Bar/24 13/11 -0.154 (-0.036) 15/14 10/7 +0.428 (-0.145) ü Bar/22 -0.162 (-0.044) ü 13/9 +0.418 (-0.154) Bar/24 6/4 -0.174 (-0.055) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Bar/23 11/10 -0.175 (-0.056) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Ed has choices. Above all he needs to make his 4 point, and he can costly return shots and gaining Cary’s 64 as a “root number” (a focus on that point either by making his 10 point or playing 13/9 number to hope for or “root for”). With Ed’s 10 point made, Cary’s Again Ed played bar/22, which would have been fine in the first duplicates his 4s to hit and to cover. In fact, this splot is so strong for another builder. Or he can play a mixed strategy that involves 64 reply would force him to play 7/1 exposing a second blot. The game of an 11-point match. But the current score is Gammon Go that XG says it’s best, though by a smaller margin, even at 0-0 to 11. outfield coverage as well as coverage of his 4, say with 10/6 or 15/11. 10 point would come in handy in other variations as well, for for him, where won gammons are wonderful but lost gammons example if Cary rolls another root number (he has 21 and 42), or are no worse than ordinary losses because any kind of loss gives Cary rolled 53 to point on his 3 point, but Ed escaped both back Ed picked 13/9, giving 26 numbers to slot the 4 point and three if he enters and Ed decides to break a backgame point to increase up the match. An advanced anchor has lower priority than when checkers and trapped five of Cary’s checkers behind a four-prime. more (66 65) to make it outright—if conditions are favorable, outfield coverage. lost gammons count double, and Ed has everything to gain by Cary kept a strong board and was reduced to an anchor on Ed’s 4 that is, if Cary does not hit or come off the bar with some other entering on Cary’s 2 point and unstacking his 6 point to slot his point, Ed having a gap on his 5 point with only his 7 and 6 points kind of good roll. No doubt Ed thought he could afford this play This is an instructive position. The rollout results emphasize that desirable 5, hoping to put quick pressure on Cary’s back checkers. to clear. Ed had 81% winning chances including only 4.5% to win because he could resort to the 3-4 backgame if things went wrong. root numbers are often important in dicey backgame positions, Though Cary has nine checkers in the Zone, he would rather make a gammon, and with four blot numbers he left an 11-number shot. and that safety can be critical. Here, Ed can afford to bide his time. his bar point than attack on the low points in his board, and 6/5 Cary rolled the ace to hit! But Ed will not like it if he is forced to play a backgame, with his 4 point open and perhaps with a checker on the bar. Cary may scoop Cary fanned, and Ed slotted his 4 point—a good tactic against up more blots, not only stopping Ed from improving his board, Cary’s checker on the bar, giving best overall chances to make but perhaps gaining opportunities to leave only a few indirect that key point. But the feared variation came to pass as Cary hit shots in order to clear the bar point. And even if Ed does get a all three of Ed’s outside blots and cleared his bar point while they ANOTHER TALENTED VETERAN 20-number shot, he will have some difficulty winning from there. were on the roof, winning an undoubled gammon and the match Karen Davis is not only the USBGF President after Ed missed a 20-number shot against 10 checkers off. Cary and Board of Directors workhorse, but By far the best play is to make the 10 point, 13/10 15/14. That was in the tournament final, and the only question was who his also the able and energetic director of

way Ed brings another checker to the Zone while avoiding four opponent would be. DAVIS KAREN the successful Sunny Florida event. 54 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 55 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida Position 8 31), though double 2 and double 1 both hit inside and may cause his other number was a 4: 6/2, forced. Ed hoped Cary would roll 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips Cary trouble. But it’s more important to keep Ed from exiting one of the nine fanning numbers, but Cary rolled 63 to hit the 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 104 with any 5, so hitting is best. Anyway, four of Ed’s return shots, second checker! Now the game and match were almost in the 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 45 23 and 24, force him to break his 6 point and leave a 17-number bag for Cary—but Ed remained with an 8.8% chance to win the shot at a second blot. game and stay alive. White to play 21 Cary did hit, but chose the wrong 3: 18/15 instead of 8/5. Ed’s Soon Cary had both of Ed’s checkers on the bar, with the 2 point ü 21/20* 10/8 +0.532 four-point board must be respected, and the joker 62 return shot slotted and 21 to play: would be disastrous. Ed did roll the feared deuce in reply, but 21/20* 12/10 +0.495 (-0.037) 21/20* 20/18 +0.491 (-0.042) Position 10

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 110 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 72 Cary’s play of 21 reversed the previous turn’s winning chances, Ed fanned, and Cary failed to cover. He rolled double ace and made giving him 81.5%! He correctly played 10/8 with the deuce, keeping his 8 point, creating a broken five-prime—which came in handy White to play 21 his four-prime, slotting the 8 point, and giving himself 18 numbers after Ed hit with 42! Cary replied with 42, missing the second to close his board. It would have been a big error to maximize juicy blot: bar/21, 20/18. Ed rolled 31 to make his 3 point safely, 9/6 +0.892 covers with 4/2 (20 numbers), though that is tempting because for a four-point board. Cary then had 63 to play. ü 19/17 9/8 +0.892 of Ed’s 3-point blot. All Cary had to do now was bring this game 21/20 9/7 +0.890 (-0.002) home to achieve his first ABT main-event victory. 19/18 9/7 +0.889 (-0.003) 6 Position 9 21/19 9/8 +0.887 (-0.005) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 114 Cary moved his outside builder 1 pip forward, gaining all 6s plus What’s the meaning of this? Simply that in such positions, it’s all 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 55 combinations (17 numbers) to close his board next turn if Ed right to play against extremely unlikely joker variations if long- should stay out. With the 2 he played 19/17, adding double 5 to term chances are good. White to play 63 cover from a distance: 18 cover numbers in all. No other play gives him as many. The trouble with his play is that it’s vulnerable to A few moves later, Cary had rolled double 1 and switched from 8/5 8/2* +0.503 long-shot parlays where Ed rolls two quick deuces and then hits his 3 point to his 2 point in order to put Cary on the bar. Ed had 21/18 8/2* +0.473 (-0.031) Cary’s 8-point blot. That doesn’t seem like much to worry about, brought one checker in. Cary rolled 61 and had to decide what but it’s something. The safe play, 9/6 giving only 15 immediate risk he was willing to take in order to try to close Ed out. ü 18/15 8/2* +0.464 (-0.040) cover numbers, is tied with Cary’s play in XG’s lengthy rollout! 21/12 +0.428 (-0.076) 6 21/15 18/15 +0.402 (-0.101) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Cary’s main choice is whether to hit loose with the 6. If he hits, more after 18/15, or two more after 21/18. The reason for keeping In such positions, it’s all right to play against extremely he must decide whether to bring his 8-point blot to safety on his the 8 point is to give Ed a chance to break his 6 point and leave a “ 5 point, or to leave it alone in order to gain cover numbers: one direct shot in his board: he has eight numbers to do so (42 41 32 unlikely joker variations if long-term chances are good. 56 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 57 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida Position 11 Position 13

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 120 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 96 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 69 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 72

White to play 61 White to play 21

21/15 16/15 +0.790 11/9 7/6 +0.912 18/12 16/15 +0.783 (-0.007) 21/19 7/6 +0.898 (-0.013) 21/20 21/15 +0.779 (-0.010) ü 18/17 11/9 +0.897 (-0.015) 21/20 16/10 +0.779 (-0.010) 21/20 11/9 +0.896 (-0.015) 6 6 ü 16/9 +0.767 (-0.023) 11/8 +0.896 (-0.016) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Cary played 16/9, leaving four return shots but bringing maximum at the same time keeping builders in play, retaining good outfield Cary tried 11/9 18/17. Again, it is wrong to leave two blots within (corresponding to the 6,4 double shot, with no extras) and four ammunition for the open 3 point. This was not too bad, but still control, and making it quite difficult for Ed to hit multiple blots. range of the open 3 point; Cary should leave only one and also fewer ways to hit back next turn! incorrect. Now that Cary has lost his four-prime, Ed will have an maximize cover numbers. The best play is 11/9 7/6, giving 29 easier time escaping after he hits. Accordingly, Cary should be Ed came in with 43, and Cary would hit with any roll but 44 or 43. covers (28 for the 6,3 double shot, plus 55 from outside), and Cary was punished for his 0.015 PPG transgression, small but in cautious and make the 15 point, thus avoiding the 63 return shot, He rolled 64, not the best hitting number but still a hit. also giving a non-duplicated return-hitting 3 in reply to a single this case deadly. Ed hit with 32, Cary fanned on the three-point 3 by Ed. By comparison, Cary’s actual play gives only 27 covers board, and Ed rolled a joker 63 to hit again! Cary stayed on the bar Position 12 a second time, and suddenly Ed’s winning chances were at 62.5%! 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Score Pips Position 14 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 113 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 62 Score Pips 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 131 White to play 64 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 60

9/3* 8/4 +0.648 Black to play 64 ü 21/17 9/3* +0.623 (-0.025) 18/14 9/3* +0.621 (-0.027) 22/18* 18/12 +1.173 ü 22/18* 16/10 +1.145 (-0.028) 6

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 6

After hitting on his 3 point with the 6, Cary played 21/17 to give another 11 to put Ed’s second checker back on the roof. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 himself best chances if Ed were to stay on the bar. Again he should have been more cautious; 8/4 is the correct 4, avoiding Ed’s four Cary rolled 61 to hit the second checker, and Ed fanned! His To make things worse for Cary, Ed rolled 64 to hit again! After getting a checker closer to home. His winning chances were up double-hitting numbers. But Ed fanned, and his chance to win the game-winning chances were at 2%. With 20 numbers to close his hitting with the 4, there are just two return shots after either legal to 71%, including 61% gammons! game was down to 5.3%. Cary had 16 ways to close his board and board, Cary failed to do so yet again! His roll was 21. 6. Ed moved to his 10 point, attacking both remaining blots and 58 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 59 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida Position 16 Surprising as it may seem, Ed’s play of the 6 was wrong. It’s better to eight hit-bounce numbers (three of which are duplicated to hit 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 move to the 12 point, gaining three more shots at the outside blot. on the 8 point) waste a lot of outside motion. Score Pips If Ed can hit that blot, he figures to gain enough time to scramble 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 141 home. The chance to hit on the 4 point, then bounce safely away, Cary did well, entering two checkers with 54. Ed replied with 65. 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 39 is not worth as much in comparison. That’s partly because those

Position 15 Black to play 61

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips ü 12/5 +1.858 1-Away, PC White (Cary Hoarty) 140 5-Away, PC Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 50

Black to play 65 6

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ü 18/12 10/5* +0.692 18/7 +0.026 (-0.665) Ed covered! Now he was up to 95% game-winning chances, to double match point. A slippery old fellow indeed! including nearly 87% to gammon and about one chance in nine hundred to win the match with a backgammon. In the six moves At DMP, things progressed in the youngster’s favor. Cary locked 6 since Position 12, Ed had reversed the winning chances! He did Ed into a 22-anchor game with less than 15% winning chances,

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 not roll one of his six blot numbers (thereby disappointing some eventually reaching this monstrously favorable position: bloodthirsty spectators), and won the four-point gammon to get Ed hit on his 5 point, for a “Giant” saving of seven shots. Hitting Cary had 13 return shots to make himself a big favorite again, but Position 17 would also have been best if Ed had moved to his 12 point last he missed with a single 4 and Ed rolled a welcome 61. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 turn; the “safe” 12/1 would have left a checker on the 16 point, Score Pips too far from home. 1-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 52 1-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 80

EXCITING FINAL MATCH White to play 21 Cary Hoarty (L) and Ed O’Laughlin concentrate, as Cary’s mother 2/Off 1/Off +0.911 Laura and his grandfather ü 4/3* 3/1 +0.904 (-0.007) watch from close up. 5/4 2/Off +0.902 (-0.009) 2/1 2/Off +0.895 (-0.016)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

In such positions the general rule is to bear checkers off. Of course his 1 point with the 2, which was wrong by only 0.007 PPG and there are many exceptions, most occurring when the race is closer 0.4% match-winning chances. After the move, Cary’s chances still and putting the opponent on the bar has correspondingly higher stood at 95.2%. (Shades of the previous game!) Two checkers off

KAREN DAVIS KAREN value. Here, Cary opted to hit on his 3 point with the ace and cover was correct, but hit and cover would have been best in the variant 60 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 61 2019 Sunny Florida 2019 Sunny Florida Position 20 position where Ed gains six pips and one crossover by covering Three turns later, Ed entered with a 3 and remained alive! His 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 his 1 point with the blot on his 7. chances were down to 3.7%. Score Pips 1-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 15 Position 18 1-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 71 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips 1-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 32 Black to play 51 1-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 83 ü 22/21* 21/16 +0.135 Black to play 53

ü Bar/22 6/1 -0.926 Bar/22 7/2 -0.935 (-0.009) Bar/17 -1.000 (-0.074) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Bada-bing! Ed hit with 51. He was now nearly a 4-to-3 favorite with best play. Though Cary kept the excitement going by entering at

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 his first opportunity, at that point Ed had already taken off four checkers. Cary’s last chance came at DMR (Double Match Roll): Position 21 Of course Ed covered his 1 point with the 5, hoping for Cary to blot with 62 or 52. But the roll was 33, clearing the 5 point and strip- 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ping the 4. Ed replied with 31. Score Pips 1-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 3 Position 19 1-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips 1-Away White (Cary Hoarty) 20 White to play 32 1-Away Black (Ed O’Laughlin) 75 ü 1/Off(2) -1.000 Black to play 31

ü 7/3 -0.919 7/6 4/1 -0.919 7/4 2/1 -0.937 (-0.017) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4/3 4/1 -0.941 (-0.022) Cary Hoarty rolled, an insufficient 32 came out of the baffle box, Congratulations to them both for their fine and entertaining 5/1 -0.942 (-0.022) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and Ed O’Laughlin was the 2019 Sunny Florida winner. What a performance!  thrilling finish! We have heard that several spectators fainted with Ed played 7/3, which XG says beats the alternative 7/6 4/1 by That’s 6.79%, and then Ed has to win from there. the excitement, but nobody died that we know of—certainly nei- - MARTY STORER AND KAREN DAVIS a single chance in 10,000. The tradeoff is between better spare ther of the intrepid contestants, for whom many victories remain. position after 7/3, and two more ways to keep a closed board after Of course, Cary rolled one of the eight blot numbers: a 61, which Cary’s roll of 21. Before Cary’s roll, Ed’s chances to hit are 88/1296: unlike 31 at least bore two checkers off. Drum roll, please: 8/36 (61 51 41 31) for Cary to leave the blot, x 11/36 for Ed to hit. 62 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 63 2019 Sunny Florida

About Marty arty Storer is the Executive Editor of MPrimeTime Backgammon. In 2015 he won the Michigan Summer Championship and the USBGF National Championship East. He won the first ABT title (1993), and is a three-time New England Backgammon Club champion.

Marty has been awarded the title of Grandmaster Class 2 by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body. He is the #28 Giant of Backgammon for 2017.

His two-volume Backgammon Praxis was released in 2005 to rave reviews. In 2011, with intrepid co-author Mary Hickey, he published What’s Your Game Plan? Backgammon Strategy in the Middle Game. He is currently the phoenix rises at work on another book, Astounding Backgammon. By Chris Bray Marty lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife, children, pet mammals, and pet bots. wenty-five years ago I submitted an article entitled “Backgammon: Quo Vadis?” to all the U.K.’s national newspapers. I heard nothing whatsoever and so reverted Tto writing short articles for the members of the Double Fives Club, Transparent Baffle Box run by George and Diana Sulimirski, where I played most of my with Etched USBGF backgammon. Circular Logo in Both Large & Small Sizes Three months later an editor at The Independent found my article A USBGF BG Shop exclusive! at the bottom of his in-tray and called me. After some discussion Absolutely gorgeous transparent he agreed to publish it—they even paid me! It was well received baffle box with the beautiful USBGF logo etched on the front. and they asked for a few more occasional articles. Thus was born

Be the envy of your friends at your The Independent’s backgammon column. A good IT friend helped local backgammon club, or stand me to create the diagrams—there were no backgammon diagram- out at the next ABT tournament. ming tools in 1994. This was only the second national newspaper Our baffle boxes are made from column, the original being the late Paul Magriel’s writings in the durable 1/8” clear acrylic. These New York Times in the 1970s. designs are specifically made for travel and easy assembly. Baffle Box: $45.00 - $75.00 each. Fairly soon the column became fortnightly and then weekly, aided Carrying Case: $10.00 each. by the appointment of Bill Hartston as Games Editor. I knew Bill usbgf.org/shop USBGF Baffle Box from my chess-playing days; we got on well and he helped me a USBGF BG SHOP

‘The Phoenix’ by Philip Pryke Philip by ‘The Phoenix’ https://www.flickr.com/photos/40187740@N00/7776575340. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. Licence at lot in those early days. 64 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 65 The Phoenix Rises The Phoenix Rises

After two years disaster attempted to strike. Naturally those characters are drawn from untimely death I kept up a regular dialogue And so the Phoenix rises from the ashes and The first six articles will cover some of A change in editorial policy would see my my real-life backgammon friends and with David Parfitt, the Games Editor of The from Friday December 6th there will once the basics but after that the column will column, and others, disappear. My pleas for acquaintances. The only truly fictitious one Times, gently reminding him that such an more be a weekly backgammon column in a be much as it was before, although I have a stay of execution were ignored but then a is the Dowager Duchess because I wanted august publication should surely be able to national newspaper. I will have achieved one more words to play with in The Times. For flood of letters to the editor from backgam- to use a country house (Harbinger Hall) find room for a backgammon column. Sadly, of my life’s ambitions in writing a column new readers I have written “An Introduc- mon enthusiasts around the country led to as the setting for the stories. Most of the his opinion always differed from my own. for the newspaper that I have read every tion to Backgammon” which the UKBGF a swift change of heart. It is just possible characters can be identified easily if you day since I was eighteen years old. is kindly hosting, and to which there will that I, with the assistance of others in the know the London backgammon players. That is, until very recently. About two be a link in the first article. The column backgammon world including Michael No prizes for identifying the Prophylactic months ago I received an unexpected email This time the diagrams will be created by will be in both the printed and the online Crane of BIBA, had something to do with Pole or the Tempestuous Turk. from David asking me to come for a meeting bglog, the superb diagramming tool cre- version of the newspaper. that flood of letters arriving! at The Times’s splendid new offices next to ated by Simon Woodhead in Australia. Sadly Barry Bigplay, Barry McAdam, is no The Shard at London Bridge. I was more Simon has created a special version of the Having a column in a national newspaper From November 1996 to March 2016 the longer with us. He and I played backgam- than pleasantly surprised when he offered tool just for my own use and that version can only be good for the game, and I hope column missed publication only once. mon and golf together for many years and me the role of backgammon columnist now creates the diagrams for my website it brings in new players as well as educating On the Saturday after her death the entire he will continue to play in the Duchess’s for The Times. They were planning some and for The Times. I am deeply in his debt. and amusing those who already play the magazine section was devoted to Princess chouette as long as I continue to write. Jeeves changes to the Mindgames section of the Ray Kershaw has once more volunteered to game of kings.  Diana. The column developed over time and Wooster, and Holmes and Watson, paper and had decided that they now had review all my articles and so many thanks and as digital technologies improved it were later additions to the column, and room for backgammon. Needless to say, I to him as well. - CHRIS BRAY became easier to submit my weekly offer- both pairs of characters lend themselves accepted his offer with alacrity. ing. Now it could be done by email rather well to giving backgammon lessons. than on diskettes. The Independent’s graphics department created superb diagrams, Apparently, all good things come to an though occasionally a checker or two was end. In April 2016 The Independent went mislaid! digital and most of its interesting content, including the games section, was axed. The I was lucky enough to start writing the dice cups went silent and I was cast into About Chris column just when the first bots were com- the writer’s wilderness. I must pay tribute hris Bray is one of backgammon’s most ing onto the market and so had the use of here to Ray Kershaw who, throughout Cexperienced writers, the author of numerous JellyFish (I helped them to rewrite their user the twenty-two years of the column’s life, books (including Backgammon for Dummies) as well manual), GNU Backgammon (GNUBG), painstakingly reviewed all of my articles as USBGF’s online series called Bray’s Learning Curve. Snowie, and, of course latterly, eXtreme before they reached The Independent. For 23 years he served as the backgammon Gammon (XG). Without those wonderful correspondent of the newspaper The Independent, and tools detailed analysis would have been I had already started my own website in has recently begun a regular backgammon column in impossible and the columns would not 2013, chrisbraybackgammon.com, but The Times, the famous British daily newspaper based have been as accurate as they were. in compensation for the demise of the in London. He is also a fine player and commentator. newspaper column I added a weekly, longer From the great bridge writer, Victor Mollo, article to my website. I borrowed the idea of a menagerie of char-

acters to populate my imaginary chouette. In the three years since the column met its BRAY CHRIS 66 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 67 Inaugural Denver Shootout

01 04 07

02 05 08 OPEN WINNER! And here she is, the Queen of Backgammon, Carol Joy Cole (L), with the Open winner’s trophy presented by Denver organizer Dan Minardi! inaugural 03 06 09 denver shootout By Candace Mayeron

an Minardi, a highly respected creative website tipped us off that this event advanced player, proved himself would be something special. He chose a to be a champion as a tourna- Western / Cowboy theme and it permeated 01 It’s a family affair for Colorado’s 04 MFIC and Hall of Famer 07 The Western-themed trophies Dment organizer with his first-ever tourna- every part of the planning and the event. Jonah Seewald, son Calvin and wife Patrick Gibson had a good run in the are fabulous. Only the Minnesota ment, September 20-23, 2019, at an all-suites He gave the staff themed names like Sheriff Sue. Marston Hefner on the left. tournament and in the Calcutta. Viking tournament and the Denver hotel in Denver, Colorado. It was hugely and Wrangler; he had Wanted posters for Shootout have trophies like these. successful with experienced circuit players some of the top Open and Advanced play- 02 Cary Hoarty with his girlfriend 05 Colorado’s Marc Emrich played 08 David Klausa, he of the side eye, and newcomers alike, and Minardi received ers with a paid cash bounty to whomever of four years, Clare Phelps. Yes, her hair next to Texan David Kettler wearing is rapidly becoming a top circuit player. thunderous applause when acknowledged knocked any of them out of the Main divi- is purple. another of his trademark shirts. Notice the branded neck ribbons. over the microphone by Marjorie Harbrecht. sion. (April Kennedy and boyfriend Michael Mesich drew each other in the first round, 03 Dan Minardi’s daughter, Jessica, 06 California Organizer Candace 09 Marcy Kossar had a good Minardi’s attention to detail wowed the and the bountied April was knocked out played the Novice division and worked Mayeron ably wrangled the Side Events tournament, coming in 2nd in the Staff. with a pink hat, badge, and gun! Advanced. crowd. His well-developed and highly Continued on page 69 MAYERON CANDACE 68 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 69 Inaugural Denver Shootout Inaugural Denver Shootout

SHERIFF BEN FRIESEN Tournament Sheriff Ben Friesen actually wore chaps, a tight vest and 10 13 16 a pink bandanna around his neck.

NEIL KAZAROSS & CJC Neil Kazaross is all smiles because he gets to hold hands with Carol Joy Cole, and Carol is all smiles because she is about to beat Kazaross in the ABT 11 14 17 Open finals! Her win propelled her to #2 in the current ABT standings (behind Frank Raposa).

12 15 18

10 Joshua Riddell cracks up Sean 13 Minardi thoughtfully provided 16 Vera Holley brought the Continued from page 66 Garber. Was it the T-shirt or something branded local transportation for sunshine from Orange County. Her son, by her own Significant Other!) The spectacular trophies were all Shuttle” and daughter Jessica’s boyfriend, Parker, drove players he said? We’re guessing the latter. players. Patrick Keene won the Speedgammon Western themed, awarded for events with names like Gunslinger where they needed to go. and placed in the After Tourney. Shootout and Wolf Blitz. Novices were Greenhorns. Even the Staff 11 Newly appointed (now elected) 14 The ubiquitous Ray Foger- 17 Minardi carried out his Western Tip Jar was a spittoon!! The ABT requires an inaugural event have at least 40 players to USBGF Board member (Treasurer), lund gave a well-attended and much theme even to the spittoon / Staff Tip continue to get ABT accreditation; Minardi drew (another ter- John Pirner. He’s also the US appreciated lecture on NINE different Jar! Notice the attention to detail: the Branding was everywhere. He had a special backdrop made with rible pun!) 97, and we are absolutely positive everyone will return representative for FTH boards. backgammon strategies. sign is fire engraving on tree bark. the Bad Hombre photo, silver sheriff badges for the staff. He next year!  12 Michael Mesich collected the 15 Greenhorn Will Harris (R) 18 Bill Riles (L) mosey’ed on in branded (a pun?) pencils, scorecards, drawsheets, player nametags $50 bounty on April Kennedy and defeated William Reeves (L) in the finals. from Texas and lasso’ed the Open and lanyard ribbons. Snacks were plentiful, coffee and soft drinks - CANDACE MAYERON

apparently used it to buy handcuffs. Looking on is Novice Vivian Haesloop. Consolation trophy. MAYERON CANDACE were always available. He converted his car to the “Shootout 70 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 71 2019 California State Championship 2019 01 02 California state championship Photos by Patrick Gibson, David Klausa, and Candace Mayeron

Excellent Tournament!

01 The ladies event is called “Wonder Women”. This is the trophy GUEST DIRECTOR topper. The winner will be the 2019 Cal Guest Tournament Director Arda State Wonder Woman. Fındıkoğlu (Istanbul) and Executive Tournament Director Patrick Gibson (R). 02 Newlyweds Alia & Victor Ashkenazi discuss an important here were two big stories going into the 42nd California Generating the most pre-tournament buzz was the presence of backgammon strategy…cuddling. State Championship, held in Los Angeles the first week- Arda Fındıkoğlu as a Guest Director, joining Executive Tournament 03 Trophies for the Cal State end of December: the race for ABT Player of the Year Director / Hall of Famer Patrick Gibson and Tournament Direc- 03 Championship have an Oscar theme. Tand the presence of Guest Director Arda Fındıkoğlu of Turkey. tor Ben Friesen, newly elected to the USBGF Board of Directors. 04 05 The silver/blue trophy on the left is the Gibson and Friesen are stalwarts of the So Cal events and have Arda Cup. On the right is the Wonder The Cal State is the last ABT tournament of the year and thus successfully worked together the past three tournaments. One Woman Ladies trophy. the last opportunity for players to achieve one of backgammon’s of the main reasons Fındıkoğlu accepted tournament producer most coveted titles: ABT Player of the Year. Following the Las Candace Mayeron’s invitation was for the opportunity to work 04 Mayeron had a Zen Center with Vegas Open, it was clear the Cal State would determine POTY, as with the highly esteemed Gibson, (and vice versa!) Fındıkoğlu is artifacts from the 70’s (brochures, a there were seven players all within a couple points of #1, and all the leading TD in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. He directs side-by-side board) and a jigsaw puzzle seven were at the Cal State! In order they were: Frank Raposa, Joe over 20 tournaments a year, including Montenegro, the Monte collage of the pink hair photographs. Gigi Goyette works the puzzle. Feldman (his win in Vegas propelled him to #2), Ed O’Laughlin Carlo World Championship, and Northern Cyprus— the largest (the only of the seven to have previously won ABT-POTY), Cary backgammon tournament in the world with an average of around 05 Tournament directors (L Hoarty, Jonah Seewald, Carol Joy Cole and Allen Tish (U.S. Open 700 players from 43 countries. Although the Cal State always to R): Dan Minardi (Denver), April winner earlier in the year). posts good numbers—this time over 150 players—it was like a Kennedy & Michael Mesich (MN). vacation for Fındıkoğlu. There were 23 club, weekly, interna-

Continued on page 74 MAYERON CANDACE tional or ABT directors at the event. 72 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 73 2019 California State Championship 2019 California State Championship

01 04 07 10 13 16

02 05 08 11 14 17

03 06 09 12 15 18

01 Arda Fındıkoğlu and 04 Jonah Seewald (L) battles with 07 Ted Chee (L) runs one of the 10 Ten year old Giles Freedman on 13 Pavel Zaoral (L) came from the 16 Happy father and son doubles Tournament Producer Candace Alfred Mamlet. Looking on (L to R) largest U.S. club, Backgammon by the the right, standing to be eyeball level Czech Republic to lose to Joe Russell winners Todd and Max Crosner. Other Mayeron. are: Jeremy Ly, Carter Mattig, Victor Bay in Northern California. On the right with Steve Sax, double-chaired on the (R) on Russell’s march to the Masters doubles winners were Kennedy/Mesich Ashkenazi, Bill Riles, and Roberto Gaui. is Ray Fogerlund of Las Vegas. left. Gigi Goyette looks on. title and prize. and Fogerlund/Wark. 02 Banners from other 05 Such good friends Laura Hoarty 08 Eitan Peleg and Tara Mendicino 11 World renowned player and 14 Intermediate winner Farid 17 Paul Mangone won the Open tournaments circled the room. “Set and Kara Schultz. in the finals of the Advanced division. tournament director, Ian MacFarlane Faryab (blue tie) and finalist Ali Consolation and the heart of Results decoration,” says the entertainment- Peleg won the match and title. (left) wears Oregon but lives in Brazil. Shamsian, with trophies and prize Director and staffer Jean Mangone. minded Mayeron. Ben Friesen at his streaming table. Gammon Guys travel board.

03 Players listen attentively to 06 Ian Terry (R) traveled from 09 Vera Holley is the Tournament 12 Neil Kazaross is always camera- 15 Amateur Jackpot winner Patrick 18 Mutual Admiration Society. Fındıkoğlu’s lecture on European Houston just to assist Arda Fındıkoğlu Organizer for the Orange County ready. And lots of fun. Keene is congratulated by TD Gibson.

associations and tournaments. in the event. Backgammon Club (CA). MAYERON CANDACE KLAUSA; DAVID GIBSON; PATRICK 74 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 75 2019 California State Championship 2019 California State Championship

OPEN WINNER! Introducing the 2019 California State Champion, Ergin Bayrak, WONDER WOMEN also the Player of the Year at Some of the Wonder Women of the Gammon Associates, Los Angeles’s 2019 Cal State (L to R): Ashkenazi, backgammon club. Asked if he Litzenberger, Clay (the eventual were going to Disneyland with winner), Cole, Mayeron, Schultz, the prize money, he answered Holley, Davis, Kennedy, Anderson. “Heck no! Monte Carlo!”

His win, combined with the fact that only title, with Peleg the winner. Farid Faryab Cary Hoarty of the Magnificent Seven won of California won the Intermediate in his any points (3C/4C) left Frank Raposa as the first tournament over the more seasoned Ali ABT Player of the Year, to be so honored Shamsian of Arizona. The coveted Wonder at the Texas Backgammon Champion- Woman trophy went to Lynda Clay in the ships, January 30 to February 2, 2020 in ladies event. San Antonio. CUSTOM FTH BOARD Meanwhile, 1989 World Champion Joe Another change was the addition of a fourth Russell was ploughing his way through the Dan Minardi (L) won the FTH Cal State division on the ABT side. Mayeron split the Masters Jackpot, defeating Ray Fogerlund, custom tournament board, with John Pirner of Gammon Stuff presenting Novice division into two parts: Novice and Fred Chamanara, Neil Kazaross, Pavel and Jonah Seewald photobombing. Intermediates (high beginners). “I realized Zaoral and finally Dmitriy Obukhov—not I was not servicing my high beginners by one easy opponent! Patrick Keene, a local, Mayeron, who repeatedly states “it’s all show business,” dramatically one.” Victor Ashkenazi bested Bob Wachtel in the Arda Challenge pushing them out of Novice and into the won the Dingwell Amateur Jackpot over announced Fındıkoğlu’s participation in June at the Los Angeles finals and was awarded the beautiful trophy. level below the Open,” she reasoned. “The Elli Nache, another local. Keene, the son Open with a live feed from Istanbul. At the Cal State Fındıkoğlu fourth division was successful in that high of Vera Holley (tournament organizer in handled all side events, leaving Friesen and Gibson to concentrate Ultimately, it was a Player of the Year who took home Cal State top beginners were delighted to not have to play Orange County and circuit player) had a on the Main and Jackpots. Both sides ran without a hitch (duh) honors and top points, but not the POTY you think. Local favorite Advanced; however, we had only one true great weekend, also winning the Blitz and and attendees said it was the best Cal State ever! Fındıkoğlu finally Ergin Bayrak just one week earlier earned Gammon Associates’ beginner, so we never ran a Novice com- Juniors. All top five positions were won got a workout running his own event, the Arda Challenge, which POTY. Gammon Associates (run by Gibson) is the So Cal back- petition.” There were many strong players by locals. Apparently it’s tough to beat was a Super Speedgammon that the players loved. As he held the gammon club and one of the strongest in the nation. Bayrak, a and familiar names in the Advanced divi- players with a Home Court advantage! Arda Cup in his hands, he mused quietly, “I was born in a small professor of economics at USC, lost in the first round of the Open sion, including Lynda Clay, Dan Minardi, We would be remiss if we did not mention town in Turkey and my parents were not rich. If anyone had ever to local Mario Savan, then bought back in and sledgehammered Roberto Gaui, Daniel Bluestone, Laura Giles Freedman, a local ten-year-old, who told me I’d be at a luxury hotel in Los Angeles at the 42nd anything his way past Scott Kelland, Wayne Jeffcoat, Joe Russell, Dennis Hoarty, Irina Litzenberger. Ultimately captured everyone’s heart with his respectful conducting an event named after me, I would have never believed McFarlin, Paul Mangone, Roberto Litzenberger and eventually another pair of strong players, Eitan Peleg demeanor and low-key play.  it. I’ve run over 2000 tournaments but I will always remember this Ray Fogerlund to win the 2019 California State Championship. and Tara Mendicino, duked it out for the 76 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 77 7th Merit Cyprus Open—Interview with Arda Fındıkoğlu

Arda: We try to be the first ones to welcome them and the last Arda: At each of our tournaments, we have had some interested to say goodbye. That’s important to me. players whom we could not accommodate because of the lack of hotel rooms. Most players don’t prefer to stay outside the hotel. Bill: Today is registration day; the warmup begins tomorrow, and We thought a second edition would be a good idea so that we the main event Wednesday. How are things going? could accommodate everybody. In 2020, we will inaugurate a new concept called Springfest; the dates are March 25-29. Really, this Arda: So far I think we’ve registered about 200 players, and we’re will be another Merit Open, with the same hotel, same facilities, expecting 250 or 300 more before the main event. So the field will same service—I think it could be very promising. be around 500 total. But for me, the most important part is that this is a gathering of some 40 countries, even a bit more, and the Bill: Well, that’s fantastic. I want to tell everybody again how whole backgammon world will be here. I think that’s fabulous! much we appreciate Arda’s taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. Bill: There’s a tremendous diversity of people and cultures, and it’s fulfilling to see everyone interacting. Knowing them all, and Arda: I know you’ve traveled a long way! Bill Riles (L) with Arda Fındıkoğlu speaking many languages, you help bring them together. Bill: We appreciate that. But we so enjoy the tournament. We Arda: For me, the most beautiful part of the whole event is the will be doing more interviews and updates throughout the week’s interview with Arda Fındıkoğlu starting moment for the main categories. As I watch from the events. We’ll try to keep them short and informative, perhaps stage, I see all 500 players playing, and nobody’s standing around. several per day. By Bill Riles That’s my big satisfaction. Arda: It will be very interesting for everybody. All around the ill Riles: Hello, backgammon fans. This is Bill Riles Bill: How have you managed to accomplish so much with this event? Bill: I said that you’re the face of the tournament, but you have world people will be watching Cyprus, and you will be helping us. with Tara Mendicino, from the Texas Backgammon a great supporting staff, a great venue, and a great sponsor. That Championships, reporting from the Merit Open Inter- Arda: First, I would like to say that the players, who have been must make it easy for you. Bill: That’s what we intend. We look forward to a great week. Bnational Backgammon Championship in Northern Cyprus. This arriving here for seven years now, are not my “customers.” Rather, I is Monday, November 4, the day before the tournament begins, consider them to be special guests. For the last twenty years I have Arda: Yes, it does. I have worked hard myself, but the event would Arda: I look forward to a great week too. Exhausting, but great! and there’s a lot of activity here in Kyrenia. So we’re fortunate to been a member of this community of players, which is growing not have been possible without the support of Merit as the main be able to introduce and interview briefly the director and face of day by day. People are hearing from their friends that they’re as sponsor, the hosts, and the staff. The biggest applause should go Bill: Thank you very much.  this tournament, Arda Fındıkoğlu. Thanks for the time. welcome here as in their own home. I think that’s the main reason to the hard-working staff: about 20 people in all. for our event’s success. - BILL RILES Arda Fındıkoğlu: Thank you for coming. Bill: This is the seventh Merit Open, which is held in the October Bill: Tara I arrived at 3 a.m. yesterday morning, and you and to November time frame. But you’re starting a second tournament Bill: Tara and I had the privilege of being here last year, and we’re Gökhan Güneş were out there to greet us. next year. back this year. In a few short years I think this has become the premier tournament in the world, both in size, in treatment of Arda: Yes, like last time. That’s normal! the players—it’s just renowned. Interview with Arda Findikoglu Bill: I know that’s true of every person that arrives, and on their Arda: We’re doing our best, as always. departure you see them off. View the unabridged interview on Facebook. TARA MENDICINO TARA USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 79 7th Merit Cyprus Open 7th merit cyprus open By Bill Riles

ypically, to revisit an incredible moment or event in one’s of the tournament were as extraordinary as they were last year. life is an exercise in disappointment. Unfortunately, the Some physical changes have been made to the hotel which slightly initial thrill, marvel, and wonder can never be repeated compromised the tournament experience, yet enhanced the entire Tand, consequently, the expectations are almost never met. The venue. The relocation and expansion of the casino compressed futility of an attempt to again experience the original often only the area of the playing room buffet; however, it also provided a dulls the memory—was it as great as I recall? beautiful new second floor lounge and terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and the pools. Tara and I attended the 6th Merit Open last year and were amazed by everything associated with the event—the tournament, the host Beyond the tournament play, Tara and I enriched our own expe- venue, the food and drink, the organization, the weather, Cyprus riences by utilizing our new state-of-the-art camera equipment itself, and more. We combined a U.K. vacation enroute, both for to provide daily video updates and interviews to the Internet rest and relaxation and to acclimate to the difference in time zones. audience. We very much enjoyed doing this, and we think the quality improved daily. Hopefully we enabled some of those not For the 7th Merit Open, held in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, from in attendance to experience and enjoy the tournament—and November 4 through 10, 2019, we followed the same formula— maybe we also enticed some to attend future tournaments in with a stunning five days in Vienna and by arriving in Cyprus two Northern Cyprus. days earlier, in relation to the tournament schedule, than we did last year. We were well rested and relaxed before any of the events. For the 7th Merit Open the hosts/sponsors, organizers, and directors again employed their proven recipe (detailed in last year’s Although we missed the awe that accompanied our first visit, PrimeTime tournament report) to provide the ultimate tourna-

TARA MENDICINO; WBF TÜRKIYE WBF MENDICINO; TARA that did not significantly diminish our experience. Most aspects Continued on page 82 80 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 81 7th Merit Cyprus Open 7th Merit Cyprus Open

WORLD CHAMPION 2019 World Champion Eli Roymi, Israel, (blue cap) competes against Emrullah Cosar of Turkey in an attempt to accomplish the impossible by adding the Merit Open championship in the same year. He did well, finishing 6/8.

BIG BOARD! The huge backgammon board poolside provided entertainment for many.

WETGAMMON EVENT The perennially popular Wetgammon tournament was SUPER JACKPOT WINNERS fun for all—participants and Atsamaz Arsagov of Russia finished onlookers alike. Raoof Ghasem second to Michael Neagu, Romania/ Karimi (Iran) bested Klaus Canada, (with the flag) in Super Jackpot Switon (Denmark) in the final of #1. Arda Fındıkoğlu (l) and Marco Fornasir

the twenty-two player field. TÜRKIYE WBF (r) present them with their trophies. 82 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 83 7th Merit Cyprus Open 7th Merit Cyprus Open

THE FINALISTS Harald Johanni (L), Germany, won the Merit Open Championship by defeating Steen Grønbech, Denmark. Johanni won the Second Chance bracket and defeated Grønbech, the Undefeated bracket winner, twice to claim the title. Grønbech won the Nordic Open earlier this year and came very close to a second major international championship.

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES! (Germany) vs. Iosebi Menabdishvili (Georgia); Johan Moazed after a long absence, was a surprise finalist. The 17-point first match (Sweden) vs. Shahab Ghodsi (Iran); Khachik Melikyan (Arme- was well played by both; however, the dice were incredibly good Marco Fornasir presents trophies to: nia) vs. Eli Roymi (Israel); and Sergey Chetkov (Russia) vs. Steen to Johanni as evidenced by a +13.5 XG luck factor. The tiebreaker (Top left) Michihito Kageyama, Japan, Grønbech (Denmark). Menabdishvili moved into the semi-finals final, nine points in length, mirrored the first match. Johanni again won the Merit Mega Jackpot. against Ghodsi while Roymi (the reigning World Champion) had the better of the dice (though not nearly as dramatically as in (Top right) Kimon Papachristopoulos, Germany, is always a won his match to meet Steen Grønbech in the second semi-final. the first match) and outplayed the favored Grønbech to win the strong contender at every tournament. He was the finalist Grønbech prevailed over Menabdishvili in the undefeated final prestigious Masters Championship title. Congratulations to both, in Speedgammon, and finished 3/4 in the Mega Jackpot. to move to the Masters championship final. and to all the participants who comprised the large, impressive

(Left) Ayla Karmen Acun, Turkey, (L) defeated Karina tournament field. Langhoff de Thurah, Denmark, in the Ladies Tournament. Concurrently, the second chance bracket of the Masters division was being played. The two losing undefeated bracket semi-finalists, Two Germans contested the Masters Last Chance final with Continued from page 79 Ghodsi and Roymi, and the losing finalist, Menabdisvili, joined Christian Liebe-Harkort outlasting Marcel Büker for the title. ment experience to 519 players from 41 countries. It is inspiring with checkers, a scoreboard, scoresheets with pens, and water. All the last four second chance bracket players, Harald Johanni (Ger- to see such a collection of varying cultures, languages, races, and the players had to supply were dice, and the match could begin. Six many), Kemal Okal (Turkey), Levan Koreli (Georgia), and Johan In the Intermediate division Per “Pelle” Stenberg (Sweden) defeated ethnicities come together in harmony in common interest. streaming stations were cordoned off in one corner of the room Moazed. In the round of eight Johanni bested Okal, Menabdishvili Inja Myhr (Denmark) for the Championship. Payam Pashaeifor and a complimentary full-service bar was in another. Waitstaff had a bye, Moazed defeated Kareli, and Ghodsi moved past Roymi. (Iran) finished third. Zhina Bergström (Sweden) and Hakan Rus- The annual 869BG Warm-Up tournament began on Tuesday with strolled the room to serve the players and to keep the area neat. Johanni then beat Menabdisvili and Ghodsi beat Moazed before tum (N. Cyprus) shared fourth and fifth places. In a tie for sixth, 321 participants. The matches were five points in length until the Johanni moved past Ghodsi to join Grønbech in the Masters seventh, and eighth places were Yasar Ozdemir (Turkey), Andrea seven-point final, in which Frank Talbot of the USA defeated the Each division again was double elimination, wherein the champion championship final. Chin (China/Italy), and Tina Weile (Denmark). Marc Werner U.K.’s David Brown. of the undefeated bracket and the champion of the one-loss second (Germany) defeated Rosen Stoyanov (Bulgaria) in the Last Chance. chance bracket would meet for the tournament championship, with The Masters championship final was played in a private room, The main events began Wednesday with 338 players in the Masters the second chance winner required to win twice to seize the title. streamed to the Internet, and broadcast in the hotel’s theater to a One of the more popular events at the Merit Open each year is division and 181 players in the Intermediate. Board numbers were standing-room-only audience. The undefeated finalist Grønbech the Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles. This year 134 teams competed assigned on the brackets to allow a player to proceed to the desig- After three days of play the Masters division undefeated bracket had won the Nordic Open earlier in the year and was a considerable with the German team of Stephan Hartmann and Herbert Lindner

nated location to find a fully equipped playing station—a board had narrowed to the final eight players: Kimon Papachristopoulos TÜRKIYE WBF favorite needing only a single win. Johanni, returning to the game claiming the title. 84 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 85 7th Merit Cyprus Open Tournament Results

WBF - 7th INTERNATIONAL MERIT OPEN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP November 5-10, 2019; Kyrenia, North Cyprus

MASTER FLIGHT (338): 1-Harald Johanni (Germany), 2-Steen Grønbech (Denmark), 3-Shahab Ghodsi (Iran), 4/5-Iosebi Menabdishvili (Georgia) / Johan Moazed (Sweden), 6/8-Kemal Okal (Turkey) / Eli Roymi (Israel) / Levan Kareli (Georgia), 9/12-Philip Kazemieh (Germany) / Mats Karlsson (Sweden) / Eric McAlpine (England) / Albert Steg (USA), 13/20-Almir Vajzovic (Switzerland) / Sergey Chertkov (Russia) / Minh Nguyen (France) / Levon Vardapetyan (Armenia) / Mehmet Ali Akpolat (Turkey) / Zafer Tas (Turkey) / Heribert Lindner Germany) / Tommy Kean (Denmark); 1LC-Christian Liebe-Harkort (Germany), 2LC-Marcel Büker (Germany), 3LC/4LC-Nicholas Check (England) / Kamran Shirazi (Iran/France); Ladies Prize – Antoinette-Marie Williams (USA).

INTERMEDIATE (181): 1-Per “Pelle” Stenberg (Sweden), 2-Inja Myhr (Denmark), 3-Payam Pashaeifar (Iran) 4/5-Zhina Bergström (Sweden) / Hakan Rüstem (North Cyprus), 6/8-Yasar Ozdemir (Turkey) / Andrea Chen (China/Italy) / Tina Weile (Denmark), 9/12-Gheorghe Slabu (Romania) / Mohamad Amir Naderighaleh (Iran) / Heidi Munk Andersen (Denmark) / Ann Maibritt Ehlers (Denmark); 1LC-Marc Werner (Germany), 2LC-Rosen Stoyanov (Bulgaria), 3LC/4LC-Walter Busato (Italy/Germany) / Bora Yurdun (Belarus/Turkey); Ladies Prize – Inja Myhr (Denmark).

“ION RESSU MEMORIAL” DOUBLES (134 teams): 1-Stephan Hartmann (Germany) & Heribert Lindner (Germany), 2-Gili Davidovitz (Israel) & Joel Schiff (Israel), 3/4-Thomas Myhr (Denmark) & Klaus Switon (Denmark) / Ann Maibritt Ehlers (Denmark) / Thomas Jespersen (Denmark).

AWARDS CEREMONY MERIT MEGA JACKPOT (8): 1-Michihito Kageyama (Japan), 2-Ralf Jonas (Germany), 3/4-Alfredo Unes (Brazil) / Kimon All of those players who won or Papachristopoulos (Germany). cashed in the tournament were MERIT SUPER JACKPOT #1 (32): 1-Michael Neagu (Romania/Canada), 2-Atsamaz Arsagov (Russia), 3/4-Benjamin Lund recognized in the lavish Sunday (Denmark) / Nick Blazier (USA). evening awards ceremony. MERIT SUPER JACKPOT #2 (32): 1-Volker Sonnabend (Germany), 2-Massoud Aghdam (Iran), 3/4-Daniel Sørensen (Denmark) /

Saturday included the Ladies Tournament, the Mega Jackpot, and Tara and I plan to return for the 8th Merit Open next November. Akiko Yazawa (Japan). MERIT SUPER JACKPOT #3 (32): 1-Dorel Leon (Romania), 2-Amir Golegolab (Iran), 3/4-Blake Fleetwood (USA) / Jörgen three Super Jackpot tournaments of thirty-two players each. Ayla We hope to again realize the same experience we have now had Granstedt (Sweden). Karmen Acun (Turkey) captured the Ladies title over last year’s twice before, and that keeps bringing us back to Northern Cyprus. semifinalist Karin Langhoff de Thurah (Denmark). Michihito I am positive we will do so. UNIVERSITY OF GAMMON TEAM MATCH (8 teams): 1-Bakar Matikashvili & Karen Sarkisyan (Georgia), 2-Iosebi Menabdishvili & Kageyama (Japan) defeated Ralf Jonas (Germany) in the final of the Edward Nazaryan (Georgia). eight-player Mega Jackpot. The finals of the three Super Jackpots The organizers, directors, sponsors, and hosts of the Merit Open LADIES TOURNAMENT (48): 1-Ayla Karmen Acun (Turkey), 2-Karina Langhoff de Thurah (Denmark), 3/4-Elle Wågström saw Michael Neagu (Romania/Canada) best Atsamaz Argasov continue to perfect the formula which has enabled them to establish, (Sweden) / Marina Pirueli (Georgia). (Russia), Volker Sonnabend (Germany) defeat Massoud Aghdam in a few short years, the largest and most successful backgammon WARM-UP 869BG (321): 1-Frank Talbot (USA), 2-David Brown (England), 3/4-Michael Flesch (England) / Emin Sendil (Turkey). (Iran), and Dorel Leon (Romania) outlast Amir Golegolab (Iran). tournament in the world. In 2020 they will expand the Northern SPEEDGAMMON: (256): 1-Armen Tsaturyan (Armenia), 2-Kimon Papachristopoulos (Germany), 3/4-Ary Nogueira (Brazil) / Cyprus franchise with a companion tournament to be known as Kakhaber Natchkebia (Georgia). In various side events Armen Tsaturyan (Armenia) defeated Kimon ”Springfest” (in March) to complement the 8th Merit Open in ONE-POINT MATCH (128): 1-Tommy Larsen (Denmark), 2-Romani Gvenetadze (Georgia), 3/4-Tim Line (England) / Klaus Switon Papachristopolous (Germany) in the 256-player Speedgammon November. The new tournament will allow even more players (Denmark). tournament final; Tommy Larsen (Denmark) bested Romani to experience the marvel that is the Merit Open International MOCHY’S QUIZ (107): Best Speaker – David Presser (Israel), Winner – Jörgen Granstedt (Sweden). Gvenetadze (Georgia) in the 128-player 1-point event; and Raoof Backgammon Tournament in Northern Cyprus. There are now Ghasem Karimi (Iran) proved the best diver/player in the unique more opportunities to attend.  BMAB-Middle East #3 (16): 1-Amir Golegolab (Iran), 2-Thomas Tenland (Sweden). Wetgammon event. WET GAMMON UNDERWATER EVENT (22): 1-Raoof Ghasem Karimi (Iran), 2-Klaus Switon (Denmark), 3/4-Bruno Kürsteiner

- BILL RILES TÜRKIYE WBF (Switzerland) / Hideaki Ueda (Japan). 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

86 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 87 Counting Bearoffs and Applications

we have two checkers on one point and one checker on another For example, the bearoff position in Figure 1 has a unique stars math overboard point. Altogether, that gives us M(6, 3) = 20 + 6 + 30 = 56 ways and bars representation… to distribute 3 checkers in the home board. As it turns out, we Figure 1 Counting Bearoffs and Applications can calculate M(n, k) without breaking it into a bunch of cases. By Art Benjamin Here’s the general formula:

ow many bearoff positions are possible, ranging from For example, the number of ways to place 2 checkers on 2 different Before we explain why this is true, let’s practice with a few examples. the empty position where all checkers are off to the points in your home board is position where all 15 checkers are on the 6 point? The Hanswer to this question (54,264) and its elegant mathematical 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 explanation won’t make you a better backgammon player, but it as previously shown. indirectly leads to some simple insights about bearing off quickly, namely: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 35, 36, 45, 46, 56. **|****||***|***|**|* which we will discuss at the end of the article. Another useful observation is that The number of ways distribute all 15 checkers in the inner board is which can be read from right to left indicating that we have one The branch of mathematics devoted to enumeration problems checker borne off, followed by two checkers on the 1 point, then like the one above is called combinatorics, and happens to be my three checkers on the 2 point, then three checkers on the 3 point, main research area. (I like to say that it is the area of mathematics For example, C(6, 4) = C(6, 2) which you can obtain from the 13 14 15 16 17no 18 checkers on 19 the 4 point, 20 four 21 checkers 22 on 23 the 245 point, and two that counts the most!) The number of ways that n different objects formula or by realizing that the number of ways to choose 4 checkers on the 6 point. can be arranged is objects out of 6 is the same as the number of ways to not choose To calculate all bearoff positions with 15 checkers or less, there 2 objects out of 6. are two ways to do it. The hard way is to compute M(6,15) + M(6, Conversely, every arrangement of 15 stars and 6 bars corresponds 14) + M(6, 13) + ∙∙∙ + M(6, 0), but that’s too much work. Instead, to a unique bearoff position. For example, the arrangement Likewise, the number of ways to place 3 checkers on 3 different we can think of any checkers that are borne off as being on the For example, the letters a, b, c can be arranged in 3! = 3 × 2 × 1 = points in your home board is 0 point, so the number of bearoff positions is simply M(7, 15), |****||**|****|*****| 6 ways as follows: abc, acb, bac, bca, cab, cba. which is equal to C(21, 15) = (21 × 20 × 19 × 18 × 17 × 16)/6! = 54,264, as previously claimed. represents the position: We let C(n, k) denote the number of ways to choose k different Figure 2 objects from a set of n objects, where order is not important. Suppose we wish to also count those ways that 3 checkers can be Why does this formula work? Why should the total number of (Mathematicians call these combinations and use the notation placed in the inner board, but we remove the restriction that they bearoff positions be C(21, 15)? We explain it through the use of which is pronounced “n choose k”. ) must all be on different points. Let’s let M(n, k) denote the ways stars and bars. Every bearoff position can be represented with to choose k objects out of n, but we allow objects to be chosen 15 stars (each representing a checker) and 6 bars, where the first The formula for C(n,k) is multiple times. For the problem at hand, we are looking to calculate bar separates the checkers on the 0 point from the 1 point, the M(6, 3). How can we compute that? second bar separates the 1 point from the 2 point, …, the sixth bar separates the 5 point from the 6 point. In addition to the C(6, 3) = 20 positions where all three checkers are on different points, we must add 6 positions where all 3 checkers

are on the same point, plus add 6 × 5 = 30 more positions where Freepik.com’ ‘image: Freepik.com. from resources has been designedusing cover This https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. Licence at 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 88 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 89 Counting Bearoffs and Applications Counting Bearoffs and Applications

The arrangement: The M(7, 13) term counts all positions with two or more check- ing to our computer program, and undoubtedly verified by many see players violate it on occasion. In the position below, Magriel’s ers off. The M(6, 11) term counts all positions with exactly one others before me, we can certify that Magriel’s Theorem is true. theorem would insist on playing 6/off (since after bearing off the ||||||*************** checker off and three or more checkers on the ace point. The M(5, 1, the 5 is forced). Instead, Black chose to make the smoother play 8) term counts all positions with 1 checker off, two checkers on Despite the popularity and simplicity of Magriel’s Theorem, I still of 6/5, 6/1 which is a 0.04 error. represents the empty position where all 15 checkers are borne the ace point, and four or more checkers on the deuce point. And Figure 3 off. Notice that every stars and bars position contains exactly 21 so on. (Note that M(n, –1) = 0 so the empty position is assigned 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 characters (15 stars plus 6 bars) and is thus determined by the the integer 0.) The process of turning an integer into a position Score Pips location of the 15 stars (or equivalently the 6 bars). For instance, is a little more complicated and those details are omitted here. Money White (Player 2) 53 the empty position is determined by putting the 15 stars in posi- Money Black (Player 1) 58 tions 1 through 15 (or equivalently the 6 bars in positions 16 Greedy Bearoffs and Magriel’s Theorem through 21). The position before that had bars in positions 1, 7, Black to play 51 12, 15, 16, and 21 (or equivalently stars in the other 15 positions). The algorithm described above has the useful feature that if posi- Hence the number of ways to determine where the 15 stars go is tion X can legally move to position Y, then position Y will have 6/Off -0.925 C(21, 15) = 54,264 as promised. a smaller integer assigned to it. This allows us to write computer ü 6/5 6/1 -0.966 (-0.041) programs that calculate exact statistics about every bearoff position Now that we know how many bearoff positions exist, the next without the need for any simulation. In particular, we can calculate challenge is to match each position with a unique integer between the EPC (Effective Pip Count) of every bearoff position. I’ll say a 6

0 and 54,263. The empty position gets the integer 0 and the six lot more about EPC in a future article, but using these numbers 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 single checker positions are assigned the integers 1 through 6, then we can compute the best way to play each dice roll and the prob- the positions with exactly two checkers (there are M(6, 2) = 21 of ability of being off in r rolls for every integer r. (Technical note: It was also fun to evaluate the effectiveness of the Greedy Rule. This proved to be a popular feature since it allowed players to step them) are assigned the integers 7 through 27, and so on. Position This assumes that you always make the move that minimizes your I remember when I first started playing backgammon online on away from the computer (which could run very slowly back then) number 54,263 is the position with all fifteen checkers on the 6 point. EPC, which is generally the right thing to do. There are exceptions FIBS (First Internet Backgammon Server) in the 90s, I paid the when your bearoff reached a crunched position. It is now a regular when your opponent is massively ahead and you need to play for creator Andreas (marvin) Schneider to implement a feature that feature in most backgammon servers, including Backgammon Note for math lovers: Here’s the general formula for turning a specific doubles.) This allows you to determine, for any pair of would give players the option to force the computer to bear off Galaxy, Backgammon Studio, and GridGammon (where it’s called position into its unique integer. Every position can be represented positions X and Y, the probability that X beats Y when X is on roll. in a greedy fashion for any non-contact position. Specifically, the Auto Bearoff). In Michy’s new book on Endgame Technique, he by vector X = (x0, x1, x2, x3, x4, x5, x6) where xj is the number of Greedy Rule says: advocates always using the Greedy Rule. He notes that there are checkers on the j point. The integer assigned to vector X is given So what can we learn from such a program? I’ll have more to say in exceptions, but you might not ever encounter them in your lifetime. by the summation: future articles, but here are two simple results that are easy to apply. If rolling doubles allows you to take four checkers off, then do Despite the simplicity of this rule, I still see new players violate so, and if rolling non-doubles allows you to take two checkers it on a regular basis, playing a 61 by using the ace to smooth out In Magriel’s classic Backgammon book, it says what has become off, then do so. the position instead of taking the checker off. These players are known as Magriel’s Theorem: violating Magriel’s Theorem and the Greedy Rule simultaneously! For example, the position shown in Figure 1 has vector X = (1, 2, 3, 3, 0, 4, 2) and is assigned the integer In a non-contact bearoff position with at least one checker on the ace point, it is always correct to use an ace to bear off M(7, 13) + M(6, 11) + M(5, 8) + M(4, 5) + M(3, 5) + M(2, 1) a checker. = 27132 + 4368 + 495 + 56 + 21 + 2 = 32,074. I don’t think that a formal mathematical proof was ever written (and Bob Koca has convinced me that such a proof would be very

complex), but we can at least verify it by exhaustive analysis. Accord- SCHILLING BRIAN 90 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 91 Counting Bearoffs and Applications Counting Bearoffs and Applications Figure 5 Just for the fun of it, we decided to see how often the Greedy Rule the Greedy Rule was wrong, and very few of these were serious 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 was wrong. Among the 54,263 x 21 = 1,139,523 bearoff positions errors. Here is the position and roll where the Greedy Rule makes Score Pips and rolls, there were only 1669 (about 0.14%) situations where its worst error. 7-Away White (Player 2) 40 7-Away Black (Player 1) 36 Figure 4

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Score Pips Black to play 22 7-Away White (Player 2) 46 7-Away Black (Player 1) 35 4/Off 2/Off(2) +0.484 2/Off(4) +0.407 (-0.077) Black to play 42 7

4/2 3/Off +0.607 4/Off 2/Off +0.365 (-0.243) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 Here’s the worst position where making the greedy play with 33 fails to be optimal. The best play (6/off, 3/off (2)) increases Black’s winning chance by almost 2%. The greedy play is a .07 error.

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Figure 6

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 When Black rolls a 42, the greedy play of taking off two checkers checkers (sometimes 13, and infrequently 14) almost all of which Score Pips is worse than the non-greedy play of 4/2, 3/off, with an EPC that are on the 1, 3, and 5 points, with at most one checker apiece on 7-Away White (Player 2) 40 is higher by 1.35 pips. With the greedy play, Black loses a turn if the 2, 4, and 6 points with a roll of 42 or 62 or 64. With other rolls, 7-Away Black (Player 1) 45 he rolls two or more deuces, whereas with the non-greedy play, the EPC difference is at most 0.5 and the non-greedy play is easily 4/2, 3/off, Black needs to roll three deuces before losing a turn. seen to be correct for the same reason as before. Black to play 33 When played against White’s position shown, the greedy play loses 6.2% more often than the best play (62.7% versus 68.9%) and is Among the 1669 greedy errors, only 35 of them involved doubles, 6/Off 3/Off(2) +0.292 considered a triple blunder by XG with a .24 error. all of which had an EPC error of at most .3 pips. Here’s the worst 3/Off(4) +0.218 (-0.073) of the situations where the greedy play of 22 fails to be optimal. Almost all of the positions with serious errors have the same In the followng example, the greedy play costs Black about 1.9% “smokestack” shape as the previous position. They typically have 15 winning chances and is a .076 error.

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

As Magriel’s Theorem implies, if you can play 11 by taking off four Acknowledgments: Thank you to my research students Stephen aces, then it is always right to do so. Likewise, for rolls of 66, 55, Gross and Jackson Bibbens for computer programming assistance, and nearly all rolls of 44. Also, aside from a few smokestack posi- and to Hal Heinrich and Bob Koca for valuable conversations.  tions with nine checkers, the greedy play is always optimal when you have ten checkers or less to bear off. In summary, unless you - ART BENJAMIN bring your checkers into a smokestack position with at most one checker on the 2, 4 and 6 points, then just play greedy and don’t

BRIAN SCHILLING BRIAN give it another thought. 92 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Counting Bearoffs and Applications live abt tournament results October 2019 About Art rt Benjamin, math professor at Harvey Mudd ABT - SUNNY FLORIDA BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP ACollege, is one of backgammon’s foremost October 10-13, 2019; Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributors as well as a fine player. He has been a member of the USBGF Board of Directors since 2011. He currently chairs its Governance and Nominating CHAMPIONSHIP (51): 1-Ed O’Laughlin (VA), 2-Cary Hoarty (OH), 3-Philippe Salnave (FL), 4/5-Roberto Committee, and is a Diamond Founding Sponsor. Litzenberger (VA) / Stacy Turner (FL); 1C-Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY), 2C-Ray Zamani (MD), 3C/4C-Cameron Govonlu (MA) / Kit Woolsey (CA). He has supported intercollegiate play and propelled successful outreach efforts to professional mathematicians. He won the 1997 ADVANCED (48): 1-Clement McNally (FL), 2-Kevin Jones (FL), 3/4-Daniel Bluestone (VA) / Alec Izzo (FL); ABT championship, placing second in 1993 and 1C-April Kennedy (MN), 2C-Eugen Möbius (FL), 3C/4C-Marcy Kossar (MD) / Rick Wolf (FL). third in 1996, and has had many good results since then. He loves to invent quick and easy counting NEWCOMERS (12): and memorization methods for backgammon. 1-Katherine Hortenstine (FL), 2-Jamie Cruz (FL); 1C-John Savio (NY), 2C-Monica Talbot (MI).

MIAMI MASTERS JACKPOT (24): 1-Chris Trencher (NY), 2-Cameron Govonlu (MA), 3-Victor Ashkenazi (NJ).

eXtreme Gammon is now available on your Android device, iPhone and iPad ORLANDO OPEN JACKPOT (20): 1-Stacy Turner (FL), 2-Carol Joy Cole (MI).

LAUDERDALE LIMITED JACKPOT (16): 1-Jim Glover (FL), 2-Eric Stevens (FL).

iOS PALM BEACH PRO-AM DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Loy Anderson (FL) & Eugen Möbius (FL), 2-Perry Gartner (FL) & Clement McNally (FL), 3/4-Jason Briggs (FL) & Tom Kelly (FL) / Susan Randall (FL) & Stacy Turner Mobile (FL). The power of eXtreme Gammon in the palm of your hands  Play with instant feedback using the Tutor Mode OLDER AND WISER (32): 1-Kevin Jones (FL), 2-Ray Zamani (MD).  Setup a position and analyze it using the same engine than XG desktop (up to 3-ply)  Games are saved and can be emailed for a full analyze in XG YOUNG AND RESTLESS (16): 1-Art Benjamin (CA), 2-Chris Link (FL).  2 player mode: use XG Mobile as a portable board  High Quality Graphics FTH BOARD EVENT (16): 1-Robert Christensen (FL), 2-Peter Albury (Bahamas).  Track your Progress, results and dice statistics www.xg-mobile.com GAMMONGUYS BOARD EVENT (8): 1-Allen Tish (CA), 2-Art Benjamin (CA).

USBGF JACKPOT (32): 1-Blake Fleetwood (NY), 2-Pavel Zaoral (Czech Republic).

BMAB-USA #12 TOURNAMENT (20): 1-Gary Koscielny (FL), 2/4-Carlos Azcarate (FL) / Marcy Kossar (MD) 94 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 95 Live ABT Tournament Results Live ABT Tournament Results

/ Philippe Salnave (FL). PR results: 1-Kit Woolsey (CA) at 3.31, 2-Michihito Kageyama (Japan) at 3.49, 3-Jim Stutz (CT) at 3.91. November 2019

$100 Knockout (8): 1-Gary Koscielny (FL). ABT - LAS VEGAS OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT $50 WARM-UP (22): 1-Dmitriy Vernitskiy (FL), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA), 3/4-Marcy Kossar (MD) / Roland November 20-24, 2019; Las Vegas, Nevada Leutert (FL). $20 WARM-UP (8): 1-Jerry Shea (NY), 2-Irina Litzenberger (VA). CHAMPIONSHIP (72+30 rebuys): 1-Joe Feldman (MI), 2-Cary Hoarty (OH), 3/4-Mark Antranikian (CA) / Jonah Seewald (CO); 1C-Takayuki Hino (Japan), 2C-John O’Hagan (IN), 3C/4C-Gary Bauer (NJ) / Guido ABT - CONNECTICUT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS / NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS Weidner (Germany); 1LC-Scott Ward (TX), 2LC-Dennis McFarlin (NV). October 24-27, 2019; Springfield, Massachusetts INTERMEDIATE (81+29 rebuys): 1-Aaron Foust (NV), 2-Ted Baehman (NV), 3/4-Kristi Christman (WA) HOPE ‘N OPEN (36): 1-Ed O’Laughlin (VA), 2-Robert Caldwell (Canada), 3/4-Ben Friesen (MI) / Gary / Lynn Ehrlich (NY); 1C-Brad Rosenberg (AZ), 2C-Keiken Cho (Japan), 3C/4C-Larry Arnold (MN) / Kara Koscielny (FL); 1C-Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY), 2C-Frank Raposa (VA); 1LC-Emil Mortuk (MI). Schultz (CA); 1LC-Keith Ambrose (AZ), 2LC-Mona Mazza (CA).

ENTRANCED ADVANCED (30): 1-Daniel Bluestone (VA), 2-Daniel Adler (NY); 1C-Dan Minardi (CO), BEGINNER (6): 1-Gisell Lopez de Lara (Mexico), 2-Jim Neighbor (NV). 2C-Omar Shah (Canada); 1LC-Bill Porter (CT), 2LC-Gary Zelmanovics (NJ). SUPER JACKPOT (32): 1-Kit Woolsey (CA), 2-Gary Bauer (NJ), 3/4-Dana Nazarian (CA) / John Shakory NOVEL NOVICE (7): 1-Scout Jones (CT), 2-Anna Popp (CT), 3-Jordan McCollom (CT). (TX).

MASTERS (16): 1-Alan Grunwald (NJ), 2-Frank DiMaggio (NY). LIMITED JACKPOT (32): 1-Mehrdad Haman (TX), 2-David Taniguchi (CA), 3/4-Steven Blake (AZ) / Gus Contos (CA). OPEN JACKPOT (8): 1-Gary Koscielny (FL), 2-Leon Marini (NJ). SENIORS (128): 1-Geoff Hall (England), 2-Dan Minardi (CO). ADVANCED JACKPOT (8): 1-Ryan Rebelo (Canada), 2-Robert Loveless (Canada). DOUBLES (29 teams): 1-Cary Hoarty (OH) & Laura Hoarty (FL), 2-George Garami (FL) & Rick Wolf (FL), ELDERS JACKPOT (16): 1-Felix Goykhman (NJ), 2-Allen Tish (CA). 3/4-Jim Fleming (NV) & LEW Webber (MD), Drew Giovanis (NV) & Jeff Whitelaw (NV).

GRINCH SPEEDGAMMON (12): 1/3-split: Cary Hoarty (OH) / Dan Minardi (CO) / Gary Zelmanovics (NJ). BLITZ (120): 1-Ed O’Laughlin (VA), 2-Mark Danburg-Wyld (WA).

DOUBLES (24 teams): 1-Boris Dekhtyar (NY) & Felix Goykhman (NJ), 2-Daniel Bluestone (VA) & Bahman MINI-MATCH (128): 1-Farhad Forudi (OH), 2-David Klausa (CO). Zandi (MD), 3-Jay Karns (NY) & Donny Lomuto (NY). BEGINNERS FRIDAY JACKPOT (3): 1-Jim Neighbor (NV). BLITZ #1 (8): 1-Marty Storer (NH), 2-Jerry Shea (NY). BLITZ #2 (8): 1-Gary Koscielny (NY), 2-Al Theriault (CT). $100 SATURDAY JACKPOT (32): 1-Patrick Keene (CA), 2-Peter Raugust (Germany). BLITZ #3 (8): 1-Dan Adler (NY), 2-Louis Bedell (PA). AFTER TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT (31): 1-Gerry Tansey (MO), 2-Takayuki Hino (Japan). PRE-TOURNEY (16): 1-Jay Karns (NY), 2-Steve Douglas (MA). WARM-UP (8): 1-Andrew Liebenthal (NJ), 2-Felix Goykhman (NJ). 96 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Live ABT Tournament Results 2019 usbgf Local club awards By Karen Davis

State Club Name Club Director 2019 Player of the Year

December 2019 AK Anchorage Ed Sawyer Robert Stoller CA BGBB Ted Chee Ted Chee (Open); Ted Hwa (Int) CA Gammon Associates Patrick Gibson Ergin Bayrak ABT - CALIFORNIA STATE OPEN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP CA Orange County Mario Savan Maurice Mosseri December 5-8, 2019; Los Angeles, California CO Colorado Dan Minardi Tom Christner CO Fort Collins Edward Onny David Klausa CT Connecticut Ross Gordon Debra Solomon; Scout Jones OPEN (72+36 rebuys): 1-Ergin Bayrak (CA), 2-Ray Fogerlund (NV), 3-Efim Liberman (IL), 4/5-Roberto CT Brass City Al Cantito Al Cantito Litzenberger (VA) / Ian Macfarlane (Brazil); 1C-Paul Mangone (CA), 2C-Dennis McFarlin (NV), 3C/4C-Cary DC DC Metro Vinson Blanton Larry Brown Hoarty (OH) / Guido Weidner (Germany). FL Miami Leo Bueno Alec Izzo FL South Florida Karen Davis Rick Wolf GA Atlanta Northside Jeff Proctor Carl Sorg ADVANCED (49+25 rebuys): 1-Eitan Peleg (CA), 2-Tara Mendicino (TX), 3-Abby Biss (New Zealand), 4/5- IL Bloomington Michael Flohr Michael Flohr Bud Lavassani (CA) / Jacques Stambouli (CA); 1C-Daniel Bluestone (VA), 2C-Theodore Hwa (CA). IL Chicago Bar Point Amy Trudeau Tak Morioka IL Pub Club Tim Mabee Don Marek INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED NOVICE (25):1-Farid Faryab (CA), 2-Ali Shamsian (AZ); 1C-David Vakil IL Sangamon Valley Randy Armstrong Jena Jennings (CA), 2C-Lili Iravani (DC). IL Winnetka Bill Chibnik Craig Anderson IN Hoosier IN Sean Garber Kevin Heacox KS Kansas City Eric Barr Eric Barr MASTERS JACKPOT (29): 1-Joe Russell (CA), 2-Dmitriy Obukhov (MI), 3/4-Jonah Seewald (CO) / Pavel LA Gammon Underground Brian Lonergan Brian Lonergan and Eli Karp Zaoral (Czech Republic). MA New England Albert Steg Marty Storer PAUL DINGWELL AMATEUR JACKPOT (40): 1-Patrick Keene (CA), 2-Elli Nache (CA), 3/4-Jack Cohen (NV) MI Flint Carol Joy Cole Jim Slomkoski / Mario Savan (CA). MI Traverse City Michael Gellings Dan Wittkopp MN Minnesota April Kennedy Jack Edelson MN Twin Cities David Minikus Jeff Nitschke DOUBLES I (8 teams): 1-Ray Fogerlund (NV) & Jim Wark (CA), 2-Alfred Mamlet (MD) & Dana Nazarian MO St. Louis Gateway Gerry Tansey Joel Levy (CA). NC Charlotte Jeb Horton Jeb Horton DOUBLES II (8 teams): 1-April Kennedy (MN) & Michael Mesich (MN), 2-Roberto Gaui (Brazil) & Ian NM Sante Fe Barbara McIntyre Ethan Nissani Macfarlane (Brazil). NV Las Vegas Tony Anton Al Hodis DOUBLES III (8 teams): 1-Max Crosner (AZ) & Todd Crosner (AZ), 2-Josh Racko (CA) & Michael Showkati NY Long Island John Barrett Bill Lonergan OH Columbus OH Chris Yep Chris Yep (CA). OH Ohio State Joe Miller Mike Vitale OK Tulsa Joanna Mabee Lein Vinton Knarr SENIORS I (32): 1-Abby Biss (New Zealand), 2-John Rockwell (CA), 3/4-Dennis McFarlin (NV) / Ray Zamani SC Hilton Head George Kops George Kops (MD). TN Nashville Rollow Mickle Rollow Mickle SENIORS II (32): 1-David Taniguchi (CA), 2-Efim Liberman (IL), 3/4-Blake Fleetwood (NY) / Dennis TX Austin David Kettler, Scott Butki Robert Urquhart McFarlin (NV). TX Dallas Tom Wheeler Rich Weaver TX Houston Bill Riles Gonzalo Molina UT Salt Lake Barry Gittleman Barry Gittleman and Brad VanSkyhawk BLITZ (80): 1-Patrick Keene (CA), 2-Jazz Mishima (Japan). VA Northern Virginia Frank Raposa Frank Raposa JUNIORS (32): 1-Patrick Keene (CA), 2-Tom Cerny (CO), 3/4-Ted Chee (CA) / Brian Draper (CA). VA Beltway Larry Brown John Klein DMP-USBGF PRIME TOURNAMENT (64): 1-Ted Chee (CA), 2-Ed O’Laughlin (VA). WA Puget Sound Kristina Vig Pete Anderson ARDA SPEEDGAMMON CHALLENGE (24): 1-Victor Ashkenazi (NJ), 2-Bob Wachtel (CA). WI Madison Keene Marin Stan Livingston WI Milwaukee Peter Abbott Peter Abbott WONDER WOMEN’S JACKPOT (8): 1-Lynda Clay (CO), 2-Irina Litzenberger (VA). 98 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 99 2019 Local Club Players of the Year 2019 Local Club Players of the Year 01 05 09 13 17 21

02 06 10 14 18 22

03 07 11 15 19 23

04 08 12 16 20 24

01 Robert Stoller, Anchorage 05 Maurice Mosseri, Orange 09 Scout Jones, Connecticut 13 Rick Wolf, South Florida Back- 17 Don Marek, Pub Club 21 Eric Barr, Kansas City Backgammon Club Player of the Year. County BG Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Best Newcomer. gammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year.

02 Ted Chee, Backgammon by the 06 Tom Christner, Colorado Back- 10 Debra Solomon, Connecticut 14 Carl Sorg, Atlanta Backgammon 18 Jena Jennings, Sangamon Valley 22 Brian Longergan, Gammon Bay Open Division Player of the Year. gammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Underground Champion of the Year.

03 Ted Hwa, Backgammon by the 07 David Klausa, Fort Collins 11 Larry Brown, DC Metro Back- 15 Michael Flohr, Bloomington 19 Craig Anderson, Winnetka 23 Eli Karp, Gammon Underground Bay Intermediate Div. Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. gammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year.

04 Ergin Bayrak, Gammon 08 Al Cantito, Brass City 12 Alec Izzo, Miami Backgammon 16 Tak Morioka, Chicago Bar Point 20 Kevin Heacox/Sean Garber, 24 Marty Storer, New England Associates Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Hoosier Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. 100 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 101 2019 Local Club Players of the Year 2019 Local Club Players of the Year 25 29 33 37 41 45

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28 32 36 40 44 48

25 Dan Wittkopp, Traverse City 29 Ethan Nissani, Sante Fe 33 Mike Vitale, Ohio State 37 Gonzalo Molina, Houston 41 Frank Raposa, Northern Virginia 45 Jim Slomkoski, Flint Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year.

26 Jack Edelson, Twin Cities 30 Al Hodis, Las Vegas 34 George Kops, Hilton Head 38 Barry Gittleman, Salt Lake Back- 42 Pete Anderson, Puget Sound 46 Joel Levy, St. Louis Gateway Mondays BG Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. gammon Club Player of the Year (tie). Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year.

27 Jeff Nitschke, Twin Cities Thurs- 31 Bill Lonergan, Long Island 35 Robert Urquhart, Austin 39 Brad Van Skyhawk, Salt Lake BG 43 Stan Livingston, Madison 47 Rollow Mickle, Nashville days BG Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Club Player of the Year (tie). Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year.

28 Jeb Horton, Charlotte 32 Chris Yep, Columbus 36 Richard Weaver (r), Dallas 40 John Klein, Beltway 44 Peter Abbott, Milwaukee 48 Kevin Heacox, Hoosier Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. Backgammon Club Player of the Year. 102 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 103 Qualifying Prime Clubs

NEW ENGLAND BACKGAMMON CLUB USBGF Director: Albert Steg and Alex Zamanian Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts qualifying prime clubs Phone: (617) 417-6743 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: nebackgammon.org Details: The New England Backgammon Club has 39 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the New Local Affiliated Clubs List England Backgammon Club, please email Albert at [email protected]. NYC BACKGAMMON MEETUP he U.S. Backgammon Federation provides added money designated as Qualifying Prime Clubs, to help promote the growth Director: Richard Munitz Location: New York, New York of $5 per USBGF member for an annual tournament held of backgammon in their communities. For more information, Phone: N/A E-Mail: [email protected] Website: nycbg.com by local affiliated clubs with ten or more USBGF members contact Ray Bills at [email protected]. Details: The New York Backgammon Meetup has 39 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information on NYC T Backgammon, please visit nycbg.com.

SOUTH FLORIDA BACKGAMMON CLUB ORANGE COUNTY BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Karen Davis Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Director: Mario Savan/Paul Mangone Location: Santa Diego, California Phone: (917) 488-5364 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Sunny Florida BG Phone: (949) 433-20146 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Orange County BG Club Details: The South Florida Backgammon Club has 63 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Details: The Orange County Backgammon Club has 35 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information, visit their South Florida Backgammon Club, email Karen at [email protected]. website or email Mario at [email protected].

CHICAGO BAR POINT CLUB GAMMON ASSOCIATES Director: Amy Trudeau Location: Niles, Illinois Director: Patrick Gibson Location: Los Angeles, California Phone: (773) 583-6464 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: chicagopoint.com Phone: (818) 901-0464 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: GammonAssociates.com Details: The Chicago Bar Point Club has 41 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Chicago Bar Details: The first club to reach the goal of USBGF Local Club status is Gammon Associates. As of October 1, 2019, it has 33 USBGF Point Club, please visit chicagopoint.com/bpc.html. members. For more information about Gammon Associates, please visit gammonassociates.com.

BACKGAMMON BY THE BAY TWIN CITIES BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Ted Chee Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California Director: David Minikus/April Kenney Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Phone: (831) 261-4583 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: bgbythebay.com Phone: (612) 703-3211 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Twin Cities BG Club Details: Backgammon By the Bay has 40 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about Backgammon By Details: The Twin Cities Backgammon Club has 33 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information, email David the Bay, email Ted at [email protected]. Minikus (Thursday Director) at [email protected] or April Kennedy (Monday Director) at [email protected].

BELTWAY BACKGAMMON NORTHERN VIRGINIA BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Larry Brown Location: Arlington, Virginia Director: Frank Raposa Location: Arlington, Virginia Phone: (571) 214-8298 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: beltwaybg.org Phone: (978) 400-6385 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: NOVA BG Club Details: Beltway Backgammon has 40 USBGF members as of December 1, 2018. For more information about the Beltway Backgam- Details: The Northern Virginia Backgammon Club has 26 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about mon club, please visit beltwaybg.org. the Northern Virginia Backgammon Club, email Frank Raposa at [email protected]. 104 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 105 Qualifying Prime Clubs Qualifying Prime Clubs

LAS VEGAS BACKGAMMON CLUB ATLANTA NORTHSIDE BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Tony Anton Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Director: Jeff Proctor Location: Atlanta, Georgia Phone: (702) 458-0926 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: vegasbg.com Phone: N/A E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Atlanta Northside BG Club Details: The Las Vegas Backgammon Club has 25 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Las Details: The Atlanta Northside Backgammon Club has 17 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Vegas Backgammon Club, email Tony at [email protected]. Atlanta Northside Backgammon Club, email Jeff at [email protected].

CONNECTICUT BACKGAMMON CLUB AUSTIN BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Ross Gordon Location: Milford, Connecticut Director: Scott Butki Location: Austin, Texas Phone: (203) 521-7866 E-Mail: Ross Gordon Website: Connecticut BG Club Phone: (240) 675-7142 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Austin Backgammon Club Details: The Connecticut Backgammon Club has 24 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Con- Details: The Austin Backgammon Club has 15 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Austin necticut Backgammon Club, email Ross at [email protected]. Backgammon Club, please email Scott at [email protected].

FLINT AREA BACKGAMMON CLUB LONG ISLAND BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Carol Joy Cole Location: Flint, Michigan Director: John Barnett Location: Mineola, New York Phone: (810) 232-9731 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: flintbg.com Phone: (516) 741-1428 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Long Island Backgammon Club Details: The Flint Area Backgammon Club has 23 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Flint Details: The Long Island Backgammon Club has 15 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Long Area Backgammon Club, email Carol Joy Cole at [email protected]. Island Backgammon Club, email John at [email protected].

DC-METRO BACKGAMMON CLUB CHARLOTTE BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Vinson Blanton Location: Washington, D.C. Director: Jeb Horton Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Phone: (571) 766-8395 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: DC-Metro BG Club Phone: (704) 651-2949 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: N/A Details: The DC-Metro Backgammon Club has 23 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the DC- Details: The Charlotte Backgammon Club has 13 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Charlotte Metro Backgammon Club, email Vinson at [email protected]. Backgammon Club, please email Jeb at [email protected].

COLORADO BACKGAMMON CLUB HOUSTON BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Dan Minardi Location: Denver, Colorado Director: Bill Riles Location: Houston, Texas Phone: (303) 356-3679 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: coloradobackgammon.com Phone: (281) 703-9304 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: N/A Details: The Colorado Backgammon Club has 19 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Colorado Details: The Houston Backgammon Club has 13 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Houston Backgammon Club, email Dan at [email protected]. Backgammon Club, email Bill Riles at [email protected].

PUB CLUB OHIO STATE BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Tim Mabee Location: Chicago, Illinois Director: Joe Miller Location: Akron, Ohio Phone: (630) 606-2388 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: pubclubchicago.com Phone: (330) 268-4610 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Ohio State Backgammon Details: The Pub Club Backgammon Club has 18 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Pub Details: The Ohio State Backgammon Club has 13 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Ohio Club, email Tim at [email protected]. State Backgammon Club, email Joe Miller at [email protected], or visit Ohio State Backgammon. 106 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 107 Qualifying Prime Clubs Qualifying Prime Clubs

COLUMBUS BACKGAMMON CLUB BALTIMORE BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Chris Yep Location: Columbus, Ohio Director: Paul Laubner Location: Baltimore, Maryland Phone: (614) 208-3816 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: columbusbg.org Phone: (410) 530-2237 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Baltimore Backgammon Club Details: The Columbus Backgammon Club has 12 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Colum- Details: The Baltimore Backgammon Club has 10 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Baltimore bus Backgammon Club, email Chris at [email protected]. Backgammon Club, email Jeff at [email protected].

DALLAS BACKGAMMON LEAGUE ST. LOUIS GATEWAY BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Tom Wheeler Location: Dallas, Texas Director: Jim Feher or Gerry Tansey Location: St. Louis, Missouri Phone: (972) 484-3038 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Dallas Backgammon League Phone: (636) 686-0338 Jim Feher E-Mail: [email protected] Website: N/A Details: The Dallas Backgammon League has 12 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Dallas Details: The Baltimore Backgammon Club has 8 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Baltimore Backgammon League, email Tom Wheeler at [email protected] or see their website Dallas Backgammon League. Backgammon Club, please email Gerry at [email protected].

KANSAS CITY BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Eric Barr Location: Kansas City, Kansas Phone: (816) 237-8089 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: kcbackgammon.com Details: The Kansas City Backgammon Club has 12 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Kansas City Backgammon Club, email Eric at [email protected] or see their website kcbackgammon.com.

PALM BEACH CHAPTER Director: Jason Briggs Location: Palm Beach, Florida Phone: (917) 834-7637 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: N/A Details: The Palm Beach Chapter has 11 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Palm Beach Chapter, call Jason Briggs (917) 834-7637.

BRASS CITY BACKGAMMON CLUB Director: Jim Sisti or Al Cantito Location: Waterbury, Connecticut Phone: (203) 592-6125 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Brass City Backgammon Details: The Brass City Backgammon Club has 11 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Brass City Backgammon Club, email Jim Sisi at [email protected] or see their website Brass City Backgammon. SOUTH FLORIDA BG CLUB The South Florida Backgammon Club has climbed to the largest Prime HOOSIER BACKGAMMON CLUB Club in the USBGF with 63 members. Director: Sean Garber Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Director Karen Davis awards the 2019 Phone: (317) 241-0605 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: Hoosier Backgammon Club Regional South Florida Championship Details: The Hoosier Backgammon Club has 10 USBGF members as of October 1, 2019. For more information about the Hoosier trophy to Efim Liberman. Backgammon Club, please email Sean Garber at [email protected]. 108 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 109 american backgammon tour usbgf master point leaders By Bill Riles - ABT Standings Editor Updated: 12/21/2019 By Rich Munitz Updated: 12/31/2019 Final 2019 ABT Standings Top 60 Final 2019 National Master Points Top 10

# Name Points # Name Points # Name Master Pts Match Pts Rank Pts Win - Loss Win % Rating Events 1st Pl. 1. Frank Raposa 41.94 31. Mary Hickey 13.16 1. Allen Tish 72.58 63.93 8.64 58 – 37 61.05% 1667.98 20 1 2. Joe Feldman 36.83 32. Bahman Zandi 12.72 2. Ed O’Laughlin 61.44 56.64 4.80 50 – 43 53.76% 1652.19 21 0 3. Cary Hoarty 36.23 33. Jack Edelson 12.31 3. John O’Hagan 59.85 50.50 9.34 44 – 42 51.16% 1574.32 23 1 4. Ed O’Laughlin 35.10 34. David Rockwell 12.21 4. Cary Hoarty 58.91 51.63 7.28 50 – 46 52.08% 1577.39 22 1 5. Jonah Seewald 32.50 35. Aaron Foust 12.00 5. Ray Fogerlund 53.51 48.62 4.90 42 – 39 51.85% 1629.75 17 1 6. Carol Joy Cole 32.11 36. Paul Mangone 12.00 6. Neil Kazaross 47.13 41.44 5.68 38 – 22 63.33% 1692.36 10 1 7. Allen Tish 29.85 37. Tim Flateman 12.00 7. Sean Garber 45.13 38.09 7.05 35 – 21 62.50% 1616.44 12 1 8. Sean Garber 29.00 38. David Klausa 11.88 8. Dan Minardi 43.38 38.05 5.33 57 – 39 59.38% 1599.23 20 1 9. Kimon Papachristopoulos 28.44 39. Al Hodis 11.33 9. Jonah Seewald 43.18 37.93 5.25 38 – 27 58.46% 1625.26 14 1 10. Simon Kennedy-Rose 27.83 40. Roland Leutert 10.75 10. Gary Koscielny 42.08 35.26 6.82 32 – 22 59.26% 1628.93 12 1 11. Alexandra Knupfer 27.26 41. Takayuki Hino 10.67 12. John O’Hagan 24.66 42. Tara Mendicino 10.45 13. Ergin Bayrak 24.00 43. Rick Wolf 10.20 Final 2019 Online Master Points Top 10 14. Bob Glass 22.67 44. Randi Sachar 10.07 15. Leyla Zaloutskaya 21.61 45. Kevin Jones 10.01 # Name Master Pts Match Pts Rank Pts Win - Loss Win % Rating Events 1st Pl. 16. Neil Kazaross 21.47 46. Stewart Pemberton 9.92 1. William Lonergan 46.21 37.65 8.56 77-52 59.69% 1817.40 58 4 17. Michael Neagu 18.78 47. Tigran Avanesian 9.91 2. Michael Neagu 45.32 36.43 8.89 64-36 64.00% 1872.44 37 4 18. Jeb Horton 17.82 48. Marty Storer 9.30 3. Eva Zizkova 45.10 37.94 7.16 67-42 61.47% 1803.42 43 1 19. Phil Simborg 17.12 49. Chris Knapp 9.15 4. Karen Davis 41.40 34.92 6.48 65-40 61.90% 1809.51 46 4 20. Daniel Bluestone 16.51 50. Irina Litzenberger 9.15 5. Art Benjamin 40.52 32.05 8.47 53-26 67.09% 1839.57 27 3 21. Linda Rockwell 15.62 51. Gary Koscielny 9.10 6. Ted Chee 40.05 31.79 8.26 50-32 60.98% 1831.64 36 4 22. Dmitriy Obukhov 15.51 52. Frank Costello III 9.09 7. Kevin Jones 37.44 30.78 6.66 55-34 61.80% 1747.41 33 3 23. Victor Ashkenazi 15.27 53. Eitan Peleg 8.91 8. Ray Bills 32.44 27.28 5.16 46-35 56.79% 1766.67 35 0 24. Kent Goulding 14.22 54. Nick Blasier 8.91 9. Rich Sweetman 32.34 26.52 5.82 48-36 57.14% 1758.07 37 1 25. Volker Sonnabend 14.22 55. Marcy Kossar 8.90 10. David Kettler 32.09 28.46 3.63 48-25 65.75% 1847.41 21 0 26. Ray Fogerlund 14.05 56. Dennis McFarlin 8.67 27. Dana Nazarian 13.94 57. Ben Friesen 8.56 28. Dan Minardi 13.79 58. Ted Baehman 8.52 29. Manuel Perito 13.64 59. Bill Riles 8.18 30. William Lonergan 13.25 60. Clement McNally 8.00

1st through 20th receive trophies. 110 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 111 usbgf online leaderboard usbgf online circuit winners By Tara Mendicino Updated: 12/31/2019 By Tara Mendicino Updated: 12/31/2019 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. Alfred Mamlet amamlet 1922.95 199 – 94 68% 10 1959.64 Nov 27, 2019 Completed Membership Blitz #101 Gary Fox 2. Chris Trencher einsteinny 1910.66 61 – 34 64% 3 1924.42 Nov 27, 2019 Completed USBGF Womens Monthly for November Cynthia Belonogoff 3. Brian Lonergan Vengeance526 1901.02 41 – 19 68% 3 1923.51 Nov 27, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for September Playoff William Lonergan 4. Bill Finneran Finnerab 1897.94 14 – 7 67% 0 1918.88 Nov 01, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for November Qualifier 5 PJ Macali 5. Michael Neagu FoolishBear 1872.44 128 – 71 64% 8 1875.83 Nov 01, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for November Qualifier 4 Dan Whitney 6. Steve Hills Hillsralive 1848.63 41 – 24 63% 1 1909.2 Nov 01, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for November Qualifier 1 Bruce Newberg 7. David Kettler SuperDavek 1847.41 203 – 128 61% 8 1920.8 Nov 01, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for August Playoff David Rennie 8. Jeb Horton TarHeelFan 1847.04 97 – 67 59% 4 1858.34 Oct 22, 2019 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional LXX Curt Wilhelmsen 9. Art Benjamin mathemagics 1839.57 100 – 59 63% 6 1923.18 Oct 22, 2019 Completed Membership Blitz #99 David Gillett 10. Ted Chee tedc 1831.64 311 – 192 62% 13 1900.58 Oct 22, 2019 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XCVIII Michael Neagu Oct 22, 2019 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional LXXVII Kara Schultz Up-to-date ratings may be found at: usbgf.org/trny/leaderboard/ Oct 16, 2019 Completed Membership Blitz #98 Curt Wilhelmsen Qualifications for inclusion in USBGF Online Circuit Events Oct 16, 2019 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional LXIX Karl Sours Oct 16, 2019 Completed USBGF Womens Monthly for October Karen Davis The numbers following the player names show their Elo ratings, cumulative since September 2012 in the USBGF Online Tournament Circuit. To be listed, a player must be a current or past member of the USBGF. Oct 07, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for October Qualifier 5 Steve Hills Oct 07, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for October Qualifier 4 David Kettler Oct 07, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for October Qualifier 3 Wolfgang Herfet Oct 07, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for October Qualifier 2 Lynda Clay Upcoming Online Circuit Tournaments Oct 07, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for October Qualifier 1 Ergin Bayrak Circuit Monthly for February Sep 29, 2019 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional LXVIII Ira Gardner Start Date: February 1, 2020 Sep 28, 2019 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional LXXVI Martin Stemberka Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=684 Sep 28, 2019 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XCVII Kevin Jones Sep 28, 2019 Completed USBGF Womens Monthly for September Eva Zizkova Divisional Tournaments Sep 28, 2019 Completed Circuit Monthly for July Playoff Adam Prager Masters Divisional CII Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=690 Advanced Divisional LXXXI Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=691 Intermediate Divisional LXXIV Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=692 2020 USBGF Online Circuit Membership Blitz Tournaments Tournament of Champions Membership Blitz #104 Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=689 All 2019 Online Circuit tournament winners will be invited to participate in the 2020 Jackpot Tournaments USBGF Online Circuit Tournament of Champions. This exclusive event will start in mid- Gammon Guys Intermediate JP #2 Reg. Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=682 April 2020. Don’t miss it! 112 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 113 Upcoming Tournaments

upcoming tournaments ABT: 2nd SACRAMENTO MAR CHAMPIONSHIPS Upcoming ABT Tournaments and Dates: March 6 - 8, 2020 USBGF Sponsored Live & Online Events Place: Four Points, Sacramento, CA Details: Website Be sure to mark your calendar and attend these exciting ABT tournaments & Phone: 916/706-9064 USBGF events. For complete tournament listings, see usbgf.org/calendar.

ABT: 13TH NEW YORK JAN ABT: 26th OHIO STATE MAR METROPOLITAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS Dates: January 9 - 12, 2020 Dates: March 19 - 22, 2020 Place: Hyatt Regency, Jersey City, NJ Place: Marriott, Cleveland, OH Details: Website Details: Website Phone: 408/529-6769 Phone: 330/268-4610

ABT: 8th TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS JAN ABT: 2020 U.S. OPEN APR & 2020 USBGF AWARDS Dates: April 1 - 5, 2020 Dates: January 30 - February 2, 2020 Place: Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, NV Place: Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, TX Details: Website Details: Website Phone: 702/218-8238 Phone: 281/703-9304

ABT: 4th BOSTON OPEN FEB ABT: ATLANTA SPRING CLASSIC APR Dates: February 13 - 16, 2020 Dates: April 23 - 26, 2020 Place: Hyatt Regency, Boston, MA Place: Crowne Plaza, Atlanta, GA Details: Website Details: Website Phone: 203/521-7866 Phone: 404/590-2021 114 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Upcoming Tournaments

ABT: 4th CHERRY BLOSSOM APR CHAMPIONSHIP Dates: April 30 - May 3, 2020 Place: Hyatt Regency, Herndon, VA Details: Website Phone: 917/488-5364 • Boards

ABT: 40th CHICAGO OPEN MAY • Checkers Dates: May 20 - 25, 2020 Place: Sheraton Hotel, Rosemont, IL Details: Website • Doubling Cubes Phone: 617/699-9100 • Precision Dice

ABT: LOS ANGELES OPEN JUN Dates: June 4 - 7, 2020 Place: Hilton LAX, Los Angeles, CA Details: Email Phone: 310/422-1646 What’s your point?

ABT: NIAGARA INVITATIONAL JUN Dates: June 11 - 14, 2020 Place: Buffalo Marriott, Amherst, NY Details: Website Phone: 203/521-7866 LIVE STREAM ARCHIVE Watch championship backgammon & learn from the Giants! View over 1000 recorded matches of the world’s leading backgammon players filmed at American Backgammon Tour events across the nation. ANDREAS HUMKE; BILL RILES BILL HUMKE; ANDREAS

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