Stick! the Game's Foremost Technician Takes the Masters at Ohio

PRIMETIME BACKGAMMON OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF SUMMER 2017 sTICK! The game's foremost technician takes the Masters at Ohio

cherry blossom Neil championship Final Kazaross Joe Russell battles Germany's Bob Stoller interviews the Tobias Hellwag for the title ABT's all-time point leader U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org New 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. Official 42nd World Championship Live Streaming Sponsor We are excited to announce that live match streaming for the 42nd Backgammon World Championship is sponsored by the U.S. Backgammon Federation. Streaming pages are already set up and may be viewed at Live Stream 1 and Live Stream 2. 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 Prime Tournaments The new enhanced streaming capability will also be made available to select USBGF Prime Tournaments on an on-going basis.

LIVE STREAMING ON TWITCH Live Streaming Sponsor 4 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 5 PrimeTime Backgammon Summer Issue

Karen also outlines an exciting new USBGF Local Club Initiative that will provide added money based on USBGF membership to PRIMETIME an annual club tournament, with winners BACKGAMMON Summer Issue eligible for an inter-club champion online OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF SUMMER 2017 competition leading to award of an ABT sTICK! PrimeTime Backgammon tournament entry fee of the winner’s choice. The game's foremost By Marty Storer, Deputy Managing Editor technician takes the You’ll also find in this issue a summary of Masters at Ohio hree new American Backgammon Tour (ABT) tourna- Interviews by Karen Davis introduce us to two relatively unknown the great benefits offered by the USBGF, ments kicked off in the first half of 2017: (1) the Boston top players who showed their expertise at the Chicago Open in with tips on how to ensure you get the Open in February; (2) the Viking Classic in Bloomington, May: Grant Hoffman and Gerry Tansey. Grant has directed the most out of your membership. Check out TMinnesota in March; and (3) the Cherry Blossom Championship New Zealand Backgammon Championship and has won several the latest statistics and upcoming events, in Dulles, Virginia (Washington, D.C. area) in April. The Boston Australian and New Zealand championships. Gerry, from the and work on moving up in the rankings Open was directed by Ross Gordon of the Connecticut Backgam- “Show-Me” state of Missouri, won the Backgammon Olympiad list in 2017.  mon Club and sponsored by the New England Backgammon in Chicago as well as Mochy’s 7th Backgammon Proficiency Test. Club. The Viking Classic was co-directed by April Kennedy and His score of 37 topped the field in Chicago as well as those who “Get Into the Game — Become a Member”” Michael Mesich. The Cherry Blossom Championship was directed took the test at the Japan Open. by Bill Riles and organized by Karen Davis. These events provided Marty Storer stunning venues, stirring themes, and innovations that attracted Several articles in this issue contain suggestions for fine-tuning players from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. your game. Ed Rosenblum shares his system of producing flash- cherry blossom Neil cards tailored to his own errors. I offer shortcuts for calculating championship Final Kazaross This issue is replete with reports on these and other U.S. events. the best gammon-saving play as you bear the last checker in. In Joe Russell battles Germany's Bob Stoller interviews the Tobias Hellwag for the title ABT's all-time point leader Paul Weaver treats us to an analysis of difficult cube decisions in addition, Art Benjamin and Patrick Gibson explain a mathemati- U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org the final of the Cherry Blossom Championship, while Steve Sax cal system for equitably compensating players in events with two hits the high notes of the tournament and his path to winning the starting times where only the second group is eligible for byes. Cherry Blossom Jackpot. Blake Fleetwood, former journalist for The New York Times, captures the Nordic lore on display at the Joe Russell, Chairman of the USBGF Board of Directors, brings Viking Classic in prose and photos — and Stick, host of the popular us up to date on the draft revised USBGF Tournament Rules and BGonline forum and one of backgammon’s leading theoreticians, invites suggestions during a 30-day public comment period before Featuring expert analysis regales us with tales of multiple triumph in his home-state tour- seeking ratification of the Rules by a vote of the membership. nament, the Ohio State Championships in March. Stick won the Masters Jackpot and the Open Consolation. Karen Davis, in her President’s Column, reminds us of some of the MARTY STORER by Stick, Paul Weaver, USBGF’s accomplishments this year, particularly in its programs Marty Storer is a member of For this quarter’s history lesson, USBGF historian Robert Stoller designed to attract newcomers to tournament play. Almost 200 the USBGF Board of Directors and Marty Storer. shares his research on the 40-year history of the U.S. Open. This Novices entered ABT events in 2016, and the numbers for 2017 and Deputy Managing Editor of issue also features Bob’s interview of Neil Kazaross, all-time Ameri- are trending even higher, with five of the ten ABT tournaments PrimeTime Backgammon magazine. can Backgammon Tour point leader, and American Backgammon held through the end of May having double-digit Novice entrants. Hall of Fame honoree. 6 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 7

In This Issue Summer 2017

FEATURED 24 ABRIDGED INTERVIEW WITH NEIL KAZAROSS The all-time American Backgammon Tour leader and Backgammon Hall of Famer is interviewed. 24 BY ROBERT STOLLER 36 2017 OHIO STATE INTERVIEW WITH NEIL KAZAROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS For four decades, Grandmaster and all-time ABT point leader Neil Kazaross has been a The host of the popular BGonline forum recaps the leading analyst and outstanding player. 36 action at the 2017 Ohio State Championships. BY STICK STICK TAKES THE MASTERS 44 CUBE ACTION IN THE Stick's Ohio stomping ground CHERRY BLOSSOM FINAL showcased his skill — proving that he is definitely 'awesome sauce'. A big swing in the Cherry Blossom Championship final between Joe Russell and Tobias Hellwag provides excitement and cube decision insights. IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS BY PAUL WEAVER Correct your engrained errors using 44 72 personalized flash cards. 58 SAVING THE GAMMON ON THE LAST ROLL CHERRY BLOSSOM CUBE ACTION Learn tips and tricks to make counting gammon- Timely cube action was key to winning saving numbers much easier. the Cherry Blossom Championship. BY MARTY STORER 66 FORTY-YEAR MILESTONE FOR THE U.S. OPEN Our USBGF historian presents a fascinating recap of VIKINGS LOVE PRIMETIME! forty years of the U.S. Open Championship. A Nordic theme made for terrific trophies BY ROBERT STOLLER and great fun at the Viking Classic. 72 HOUSE OF CARDS Questions or comments about PrimeTime Personalized flash cards focus study on the Backgammon? We want to hear from you! weaknesses in your game.

Contact us via e-mail at [email protected]. 100 ROSENBLUM MENDICINO; T. AUER; DORIS LEFT: FROM KENNEDY APRIL MENDICINO; TARA TOP: FROM BY ED ROSENBLUM 8 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 9 In This Issue In This Issue Summer PRIMETIME 2017 BACKGAMMON OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF SUMMER 2017 TOURNAMENT NEWS sTICK! 78 2017 CHERRY BLOSSOM The game's foremost CHAMPIONSHIP technician takes the Masters at Ohio ON THE COVER The winner of the Cherry Blossom Mega Jackpot Insight into the intricacies of the game reports the highlights from D.C. contributed to Stick's win in Ohio Masters and BY STEVE SAX stature in the field. Photo by Tara Mendicino. 100 CONQUERING BACKGAMMON: LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE! VIKING STYLE! Yuji Ogura came from Japan to tie for The debut of the Viking Classic sets a new 2nd in the Swiss-style Chicago Open, and standard in Minnesota. won the After Tourney Overflow. BY BLAKE FLEETWOOD 106 HOW TO COMPENSATE PLAYERS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BYES How to determine equity for non-byes in events cherry blossom Neil with double start times. championship Final Kazaross Joe Russell battles Germany's Bob Stoller interviews the BY ART BENJAMIN AND PATRICK GIBSON Tobias Hellwag for the title ABT's all-time point leader U.s. Backgammon federation visit us at usbgf.org PLAYER PROFILES 14 PRESIDENT'S COLUMN 92 GRANT HOFFMAN TOURNAMENT RESULTS USBGF NATIONAL & ONLINE STATS USBGF President and Executive Director discusses The talented New Zealander reveals his zeal for 110 LIVE TOURNAMENT RESULTS new ideas and plans to grow the game. 119 MASTER POINT LEADERS backgames in Chicago. See all the results from ABT tournaments BY KAREN DAVIS Check out the top-ten players in both the USBGF BY KAREN DAVIS held in Ohio, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, National and Online Master Points races for 2017. Atlanta, Chicago, and Michigan. 16 YOUR USBGF MEMBERSHIP 96 GERRY TANSEY Learn all about getting the most out of your new Midwestener leaps to new heights in the 118 2017 ABT STANDINGS TOP 60 120 ONLINE LEADERBOARD USBGF membership. challenging Backgammon Olympiad. Follow all the top players in the American See the latest leaders from USBGF online tourna- BY KAREN DAVIS Backgammon Tour points race. 22 FOUNDING SPONSORS ments, plus wins, losses, and tournaments won. BY TARA MENDICINO Thanks to our newest Diamond, Platinum, PRIMETIME EXCLUSIVE USBGF NEWS Gold, Silver, and Bronze Founding Sponsors 121 ONLINE CIRCUIT WINNERS for generously supporting our Federation! 108 PHOTOGRAPHY 12 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE View the list of USBGF members who have won We are thrilled to showcase the wonderful still Complete details on the revised proposed rules. recent Online Circuit tournaments and congratulate backgammon photos shot by Doris Auer. BY JOSEPH RUSSELL your friends. TARA MENDICINO TARA 10 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 11

publisher Bill Riles editor USBGF Board PRIMETIME Bob Wachtel BACKGAMMON Founding Editor Matt Cohn-Geier of Directors Managing Editor Board Chairman; Chair, Chair, Ratings and Stats Staff & Karen Davis Executive Committee Committee; Governance deputy Managing Editor Joseph Russell and Nominating Marty Storer Committee Volunteers Production Editor President; Richard Munitz Tara Mendicino Executive Director Associate Editor Karen Davis Chair, ABT Integration Mark Antranikian Committee; Chair, Hall MARK ANTRANIKIAN Vice-chairman; of Fame Committee USBGF Photographers Bill Riles Mark Antranikian, Associate Bill Riles, Karen Davis, secretary Dorn Bishop Editor, was a member of the Tara Mendicino, Steve Sax USBGF Team Championships Social Media Director; Rankings Editor winning team, Scared Hitless. Education Committee Governance and Barry Silliman Art Benjamin Nominating Committee Editorial Advisory Board Michelle Steinberg Karen Davis (Chair), Chuck Bower, Tournament Directors Matt Cohn-Geier, Carol Joy Cole, Liaison; ABT Integration Technology Committee Bill Riles, Marty Storer, Committeee Marty Storer Bob Wachtel, Kit Woolsey Dennis Culpepper information Chair, Education TARA MENDICINO Committee PrimeTime Backgammon is the Chair, Membership and Frank Talbot Tara Mendicino, Production Editor, official magazine of the U.S. Marketing Committee Vice President and member of Backgammon Federation. Julius High Special Adviser to Board the USBGF Board of Directors, BOB WACHTEL contact us and co-director of the Texas Rules and Ethics of Directors E-Mail: [email protected] Backgammon Championships. Bob Wachtel, Editor of PrimeTime Committee; Hall of Carol Joy Cole Website: usbgf.org Backgammon, is a renowned Fame Committee author ranked #12 on the 2015 Volume 8, Issue 3 Neil Kazaross Accounting Manager Giants of Backgammon. © 2017 U.S. Backgammon Linda Donaldson Federation vice president; ABT Integration Committee Tara Mendicino

from the editor Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individuals and do not KAREN DAVIS KAREN necessarily reflect official positions of the U.S. Backgammon Federation. SAX STEVE MENDICINO; TARA 12 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 13 Chairman's Message

Chairman's Message Revised Proposed Rules By Joseph Russell, Chairman “As the worldwide bout two dozen countries now October 2016. The rules were developed Jeb Horton (chair), Ken Bame, Ted Chee, backgammon have backgammon federations to over a two-year period by the USBGF Carol Joy Cole, Patrick Gibson, April Ken- ommended Legal Moves rule by announcing the revision. We also thank tournament promote the growth and enjoy- Rules and Ethics Committee chaired by nedy, Troy Longman, and Kathy Weiner. We movement has an alternative in advance. (see Rules Options directors and players who tested the 2016 Ament of the game. Recognizing the success Dorn Bishop and included distinguished are extremely heartened that the Commit- at usbgf.org/docs/rules-options.pdf) USBGF Rules and provided us with the taken hold, Japan, particularly of the Danish Backgammon members of the backgammon commu- tee has unanimously supported the Draft benefit of their experience. Federation, the U.S. Backgammon Federa- nity Chuck Bower, Patrick Gibson, Neil Revised Rules as the initial proposal for a Australia, and 23 The USBGF Board has also taken into tion (USBGF) was formed in 2009 with Kazaross, and Kit Woolsey. final rules set slated for implementation European country account reports from directors and players Finally, we extend our appreciation to Rich- the mission of “advancing the awareness, in 2018. on their favorable experience at tourna- ard Munitz, Frank Talbot, and Neil Kazaross federations (led by participation, education, and enjoyment While considerable effort and expertise ments that tried the 2016 Rules, particularly on the 2017 USBGF Rules Committee, of the skill-based game of backgammon.” went into the development of the 2016 Major concerns were expressed by direc- the UK Backgammon with regard to the “dice landing on checker” who have led the work in synthesizing and The USBGF is governed by a 13-member Rules, the absence prior to their release tors and players about the rather excessive Federation and rule. The USBGF continues to recommend assessing the merits of the extensive com- Board of Directors elected by the mem- of an opportunity for public comment length of the rules set; and the new Revised this rule, but has indicated that tournament ments received from players and directors, bership. It has provided leadership in a and engagement of the many ABT tourna- Rules have been condensed to three pages. the European directors have the option of announcing that as well as preparing the draft Rules for number of areas — such as the creation of ment directors who sponsor tournaments They will be accompanied by a Guide to Backgammon legal rolls are restricted to those landing consideration by the USBGF Board and the American Backgammon Hall of Fame contributed to a negative reaction from the Rules that provides more details and flat on the board surface. membership. and institution of a master points system. a number of respected members of the rules covering situations that arise in rare Federation) have Beginning in 2017, it acquired the American community. This has caused a great deal of instances. adopted a common As indicated, these draft Revised Rules are A widely-adopted, uniform set of rules Backgammon Tour to integrate the activi- internal reflection within the USBGF Board being posted for public comment over a will help promote fairness and consistency, rules set that governs ties of the two organizations. and ultimately a new approach leading to The majority of tournaments on the Ameri- 30-day period. Once the public feedback reduce complexity and confusion, and a “rules reboot.” can Backgammon Tour follows a Legal play. has been reviewed and any final changes provide greater comparability of statistical As the worldwide backgammon move- Moves rule. Newer tournaments are, for incorporated, the final Rules will be sub- results across tournament experiences. We ment has taken hold, Japan, Australia, and A revised set of draft rules (may be viewed the most part, adopting Legal Moves, as is mitted to the membership for ratification. look forward to finalizing the Rules for use 23 European country federations (led by at usbgf.org/docs/rules-proposed.pdf) the case with rules used by the UK Back- in 2018. Longer term, we will be working the UK Backgammon Federation and the has now been posted for public comment gammon Federation, European Backgam- We would particularly like to thank Jeb with the international backgammon com- European Backgammon Federation) have over a 30-day period. This revision was mon Federation, Japan, and Australia. The Horton, chair of the USBGF Tournament munity to further the game we all love.  adopted a common rules set that governs developed in close collaboration with a USBGF rules set includes use of the Legal Directors Advisory Committee and its play. Building on these efforts, the USBGF newly-established USBGF Tournament Moves rule, but gives tournaments directors members, for ensuring that concerns of - JOSEPH RUSSELL

Board of Directors issued a set of rules in Directors Advisory Committee including the option of electing not to follow the rec- GAMES PARKER GEOFFREY tournament directors were addressed in 14 W ratification following any further revision. broughtand be will to membership the for Rules are now for posted public comment “dice landing on checkers” The draft rules. of choosing to apply Moves Legal and the 2018, give tournament directors option the the Rules, available be which will for in use Russell notes in his Chairman’s Message, user-friendly than its predecessor. As Joe that are considerably shorter and more nament Directors Advisory Committee supported by members the of Tour the of a set hasdraft been unanimouslyRules revision of Rules. USBGF the The result tee (chaired by Jeb Horton), the has been Tournament Directors Advisory Commit- incollaborationtaken with USBGF the directors. One of our major goals, under provide much-needed support for ABT tournamentthe of experience players and gration of resources thatenrich both will has achieved an USBGF 2016, the inte- USBGF PrimeTime Magazine Backgammon Tour (ABT) at end the of American Backgammon ith acquisition the of the - - By KarenDavis,PresidentandExecutiveDirector Growing theGame President's column ment loaned to that be major will tourna- available, has acquired USBGF the equip- To make quality streaming more widely streaming key matches. tournament size, and expanded support for at amore limited $250-$500depending on moneyadded for members, USBGF albeit initiative for 2018that continues to provide has endorsed Prime anew Tournament Boardupswing. The USBGF of Directors responsiblesurely partially been for this members attending ABT tournaments—has money over last the three years to USBGF tors, has provided almost $50,000inadded generousthe support of- Prime Benefac Tournament initiative—which, through firsttime. The USBGF’s three-yearPrime year 2000attendance level in2015for the and rebounded 2012-2017,exceeding the tournaments 2000-2012 declinedbetween entrants at American Backgammon Tour than of a decade decline. The number of at ABT tournaments after on rise the more It attendance to gratifying see been has also We are rolling out benefits new for novice tournaments. membership) to winnerthe of regional membership (or one-year extension of among clubs by providing Premium afree are promoting also regional competitions an ABT tournament of choice. their We an online tournament for to entry afree ners compete of events also these will in with 10or more members. USBGF Win - tournament held Prime by Clubs local member) to USBGF an($5 per annual that providing be it will money added game. to is The USBGF announcepleased clubs areLocal essential to growing the ([email protected]). Backgammon Foundation PayPal account this effortthrough donations theto U.S. about games. We solicit your support of 45 million viewers whowatch and chat platform with more than an estimated on Twitch, the world’s leading live video ments to provide state-of-the-art viewing

TARA MENDICINO Our onlineOur tournament circuit, launched in autumnthe of 2012, for launch inSeptember. for Novice USBGF the Backgammon Study Group. It is scheduled play. We plan to keep helping novices to improve! Keep posted to media attractby of players use new the social to competitive Viking Blossom, and U.S. Classic, Cherry We’re Open. encouraged double-digitthe range first inthe half of 2017:NY Metro, Texas, Novice entrants in2016. Five tournaments had novice entrants in Novice division exciting, particularly has been with almost 200 mon for Winners, to ABT novice entrants. Growth ABT inthe membershipsmentary and Robertie’s Bill classic Backgam- book, members, as well as continuing to provide introductory compli- to makethemfeel at homeat majorABT events. attention afforded newandinexperienced players at theChicagoOpen,really enjoyed theextra winneroftheNovice Miloucheva, Division Galia CHICAGO OPEN NOVICE WINNER “Get Into a Member” —Become theGame awareness game of of skill-based backgammon. the  our shared of goal enhancing public’s the participation inand to contribute and volunteer insome way. Together we can achieve members, volunteers, directors, and sponsors. We urge of all you We deeply appreciate the many ideas and support we receive from Notices ofare videos new on Facebook posted USBGF the site. regularly. It’s a quick and enjoyable way to improve your game. on posted teaching website videos withthe USBGF new videos, GammonSite, and SafeHarborGames. We offer also over 200 from around world the using backgammon GridGammon, servers Tournament Circuit offers many opportunities to play top players Mostthe out of Your Membership.” USBGF Online The USBGF no increase indues. Checkout issue articleinthis the on “Getting is continuingThe USBGF to enrich its offerings to members with and international. local both tionally, you findcalendar a will of other attractive tournaments, as ABT well as points all-time and ABT the event calendar. Addi - include sortable ABT statistics for current the and last five years, checkPlease out ABT the resources on website. USBGF the They Champions. Checkout drawsheets. the won events in2016are competing 2017Tournament inthe of attracts players from around world.the players Thirty-nine who USBGF PrimeTime Magazine Backgammon President's Column 15 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 17 Getting the Most Out of Your New USBGF Membership

rate for USBGF members at gammonsite.com. Applications reviews members’ decisions after their vote is finalized, and are processed immediately. Neil comments on his own checker/cube decisions. To participate, go to usbgf.org/category/olm or check the What’s New »» SafeHarborGames.net provides free accounts, also processed section on the home page for the most recent post. Getting the most immediately. Everyone, but especially novices, should take advantage of the USBGF Playroom. »» When you enter, be sure to sign up for emails notifying you Out of Your New when new positions are posted. USBGF Membership »» Once you have a GridGammon, GammonSite, or SafeHar- borGames account, register for USBGF tournaments at USBGF Teaching Videos he U.S. Backgammon Federation offers a rich array of benefits usbgf.org/trny. Monthly Circuit tournaments are open to the »» Short teaching videos, most between 5–20 minutes in length, GET INTOGET THE GAME! to members. Basic and Novice members can view short teaching first 128 players to register. In addition, divisional tournaments are available at usbgf.org/category/bg-problems/video. Over videos, play in online tournaments, match their wits against the are available for players at comparable skill levels: Masters 200 teaching videos have been posted. These videos are a Ttop all-time American Backgammon Tour player Neil Kazaross, and much (Elo of 1650+); Advanced (Elo of 1501–1649); Intermediate great resource not only for novices, but for all students of the more. Premium members get all that plus electronic access to the quarterly (Elo 1500 or below). Most players start at 1500 Elo, but you game! New teaching videos are available each month. Follow PrimeTime Backgammon magazine and discounts from backgammon ven- may request a higher level if you have an established rating facebook.com/USBGF for notices. dors. Founding Sponsors receive personalized backgammon cubes. Join and through online or live play. take full advantage of all the resources available to members at every level. »» Beginners may also enjoy the Backgammon Beginners Video »» You will receive email notices when new tournaments are Series on YouTube. Benefits Available to All Members open for registration. Enter [email protected] into your contact list to avoid having notices go into a spam filter. »» There are also resources for Novices in the Learn>Novices section Online Tournaments of the USBGF website at usbgf.org/learn-backgammon/novice. »» To play in the USBGF Online Circuit, you will need an account on the »» Once you are registered for a tournament, the USBGF Online GridGammon, GammonSite, or SafeHarborGames.net backgammon server. Tournament System will automatically notify you when Live Backgammon Tournaments drawsheets are available. You will also receive the name and »» Want to play in-person with other backgammon enthu- »» To apply for a free GridGammon account, simply login to the usbgf.org nickname of your opponent, and will be provided with a system siasts? For a complete listing of U.S. local club events, see website with your username and password (or ask that your password for communicating with him or her to arrange a convenient usbgf.org/clubs/us-affiliate-backgammon-clubs. You may be emailed to you in upper right of the USBGF home page) and go time to play your match on GridGammon, GammonSite, or also want to check out Meetup.com in your local area to find to usbgf.org/trny/gg-acct. Fill out all the required fields, including a another mutually agreed backgammon server. You typically backgammon playing opportunities. preferred nickname, and click the “submit” button. GridGammon is a will have two weeks to play your match. You will also report separate organization that has its own policies for granting accounts. results of your match using the USBGF Online Tournament »» Ready to step up to big-time competition? Check out the Processing can take some time – typically a couple of weeks. They will System. USBGF Calendar at usbgf.org/calendar. It includes notices email you a password. Be sure to add [email protected] to your of national tournaments on the American Backgammon contact directory to avoid having email from GridGammon go into a Online Match Series Tour (ABT), as well as major local and international events. spam filter. Contact [email protected] if you have questions »» Members can take advantage of the rare opportunity to play about the status of your account. Once you have an account and password, an online match against American Backgammon Tour #1 »» Results of the ABT tournaments are reported promptly after you can download the software at gridgammon.com. player and USBGF Board member Neil Kazaross. This event each event at usbgf.org/category/events. is democracy in action: members discuss and eventually vote »» Because of the delays and uncertainties in obtaining free GridGammon on checker plays and cube decisions, with majority rule! Jason accounts, many members prefer to take advantage of the $14 special annual Lee serves as the Online Match Editor. Author Mary Hickey 18 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 19 Getting the Most Out of Your New USBGF Membership Getting the Most Out of Your New USBGF Membership

Learn from Experts Playing PrimeTime Backgammon magazine, and more for sale at Discounts USBGF Sponsored Tournaments »» The USBGF supports streaming matches of top players from usbgf.org/shop; names and photos of online tournament win- Membership conveys discounts at several prominent backgammon »» All USBGF members receive a free first entry to the USBGF American Backgammon Tour tournaments. To receive stream- ners at usbgf.org/usbgf-tournament-of-stars; and resources organizations, including: National Championship West, held at the Texas Backgammon ing schedules, subscribe to youtube.com/user/USBGFbroadcast to manage your profile at usbgf.org/membership/my-profile. Championships in San Antonio. See texasbackgammon.com and check facebook.com/USBGF to see when tournaments »» 20% discount for eXtreme Gammon neural-network software for further information. are in progress. »» USBGF policy statements and additional documents may available at extremegammon.com/registeronline.aspx?usbgf=1 be found at usbgf.org/category/policies. Information on the »» All USBGF members receive a free first entry to the USBGF »» Another treasure trove of information is the archive of recorded recently revised USBGF Tournament Rules may be found at »» 30% discount on gammonsite.com backgammon server National Championship East, held at the Cherry Blossom matches from the USBGF Online Circuit. Go to Find Player usbgf.org/docs/rules-proposed.pdf membership Backgammon Championship in the Washington, D.C area. in the Online Circuit usbgf.org/trny/stats, scroll down the See cherryblossombackgammon.com for details. list of players to find someone whose matches you want to »» Information about the USBGF, including its Board, Commit- »» 10% discount on selected merchandise at the GammonVillage review, and click on Match File. Or go to the complete list of tees, by-laws, volunteers, financial statements, sponsors, and online store gammonvillage.com »» Founding Sponsors are eligible to participate in the invi- match files at usbgf.org/events/match-files. Download the more may be found at usbgf.org/about-us. tational USBGF Tournament of Stars doubles event, held match file to your computer and open it in eXtreme Gammon »» Delta Airlines: USBGF members are eligible for discounts rang- annually at the Cherry Blossom Backgammon Champion- to go through the XG analysis of the match. »» You’ll also find links to other backgammon websites and ing from 2–20% on flights to most ABT tournaments in 2017. ship: cherryblossombackgammon.com. Founding Sponsors resources on the right side of the home page. See usbgf.org/delta-airlines-discount-for-tournament-travel select partners from a list of Giants and experts, in the order Check Out Your Ratings for details. of their level and date of sponsorship: usbgf.org/about-us/ »» Want to know who the top players are? What to know if »» The website is under continuous development, with more and sponsors-and-benefactors/founding-sponsors. your performance over the board is getting better? Want to more information added every day, so check it out regularly, know who your nemesis is? Want to see the drawsheets from starting with What’s New (at the top-center of the home page) your last American Backgammon Tour tournament? All that and the News section. USBGF.ORG information and lots more is on the website. For ABT ratings and statistics information, go to usbgf.org/ratings and get ABT Additional Benefits for Premium point leaders, USBGF national master-point leaders, USBGF Members and Founding Sponsors Elo ratings, win-loss records, and more. Under the Elo Ratings heading, you’ll find tournament drawsheets, your Nemesis PrimeTime Backgammon Report, and your playing history at usbgf.org/ratings/elo. »» Electronic access to the highly acclaimed PrimeTime Backgam- mon quarterly magazine, including current and back issues dat- »» If you play in the USBGF Online Circuit, you’ll want to keep ing back to September–October 2010, is available to Premium track of your progress by checking out the Leaderboard at and Founding Sponsor members usbgf.org/download-ptbg. usbgf.org/trny/leaderboard. You’ll find your current USBGF Issues are typically released at the beginning of each quarter. online master points, Elo rating, win-loss record, and tourna- You will receive an email notice, and posts will be made on ments won. Strive for a personal goal. facebook.com/USBGF, when a new issue is released. This 120+ page magazine is chock-full of interesting feature articles to General Information help you improve your game, tournament news, player pro- »» The usbgf.org website has lots of information – please files, ratings leaders, notices about upcoming tournaments, explore it. You will find the American Backgammon Hall and much more. You may also sign up to receive print issues of Fame usbgf.org/awards/hof; backgammon books, equip- at $20 a copy (plus shipping) using PayPal or a major credit ment, and merchandise, subscriptions to print copies of card at usbgf.org/shop 42nd Backgammon World Championship Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monaco

Sa ve the Dates! July 29th - August 6th, 2017 Warm-Up & MCBA Event 7th Monte Carlo Open july 29th - 30th, 2017 july 30th - 31st, 2017 42nd World Championship august 1st - 6th, 2017 €20,000 Added Prize Money! 4 DIVISIONAL CATEGORIES: Championship, NEW Advanced, Intermediate, & NOVICE Pre-Register Online at www.bwcmc.com Book early! Discounted Fairmont Monte Carlo room rates are in high demand! Rates start at €339 and reservations must be made by June 22nd to secure this discount. Make your reservations online at www.bwcmc.com or contact Antoinette-Marie Williams at 212.222.7177. Like us on Facebook! Presented by the IPATT Group | Patti Donner-Rubin | E-Mail: [email protected] facebook.com/usbgf 22 T Outstanding SupportersofourOrganization & Primebenefactors usbgf foundingsponsors of Membership. and recognition on our website inperpetuity appreciated for years to come, and includes Sponsors and be Prime Benefactors will Initiative. The support of our Founding contributed to Prime the Tournament Backgammon Federation and/or have capital for needed launch the of U.S. the contributed $211,000, providing seed the Sponsors and Prime Benefactors have Prime Benefactors. These 136 Founding tion by becoming Founding Sponsors and benefits not available to any other class USBGF PrimeTime Magazine Backgammon generously supported our Federa - andals organizations have who saluteshe USBGF individu the - us grow game the love! we all and welcome additional Founding Sponsors bydesigned Geoffrey Parker Games. We Prime Benefactors receive adoubling cube doubling noting cube level their of giving. Sponsors receive an attractive personalized successthe of organization. the Founding haveBenefactors who instrumental in been honoring Founding the Sponsors and Prime The Tournament of Stars — is held annually, Benefactors with Giants of Backgammon — event pairing Founding Sponsors and Prime In appreciation of support, this adoubles who wish to help to wish Prime Benefactors who

Prime Tournament Initiative becoming a Prime at Benefactor USBGF FoundingUSBGF Sponsor on and Benefits ing aFounding Sponsor may found be at More information on benefits the becom- of Ashkenazi, Ted Chee, and RayCifani. Founding Sponsors Koray Agirbas, Victor Founding Sponsor John Stryker, and Bronze Gold Founding Sponsor John Bird, Silver Sponsors Patrick Gibson and Julius High, Sponsor Stoller, Robert Platinum Founding Thanks to our newest Diamond Founding .

DORIS AUER Arkadiy Tsinis Jack Edelson Dan Dabney Kevin Finch Josh Racko Michihito Kageyama Frank Talbot Jamie Rosen Erin Michael Louis Rosen Lee Jason David Leibowitz Jim Pasko Natanzon Falafel Masayuki Mochizuki Jeffrey Acierno Richard Munitz Edward B. Bennett MamletAlfred TaylorLarry Gartner Perry Covlin Rod Myles Covlin Anna Covlin Carol Joy -Sustaining Cole PB Saba Bejanishvili -Sustaining PB Benjamin -SustainingArt PB John Bird - President’s PB gold Lloyd E.Webber (LEW) -President’s PB Patrick and Carla Gibson -Sustaining PB Joseph Russell NewbergBruce Gillis Harvey Morten Holm Julius High -Contributing PB platinum Mike Svobodny Hugh Sconyers Alan and Joan Grunwald Malcolm Davis StollerRobert -Chairman’s PB Thomas Buckner Karen Davis -Chairman’s PB Diamond P-40 Geoffrey Parker Games corporate 136 Founding Sponsors Founding Within each level, names are presented order inthe of becoming Founding Sponsors. James E.Roland Drew Giovanis Andrew Martinez Hasson Rochelle Gordon Mark James G.Allen Greg Cottle Judy Field Play65 Backgammon Cearley Sean Preston Guidry Michael Weinberger WoolseyKit Neil Kazaross Pat McCormick Victor Ashkenazi -Contributing PB bronze John Stryker Oleson Gary Sands Russell Blanchard Steve Steve Sax Glass Bob Kathy McGrath Weiner Kelland Scott Stepan Nuniyants PascarRory Williams Sean CulpepperDennis Knapp Geoffroy Patty Kristina Vig Jake Jacobs Mario Savan FinneranBill Chuck Bower StegAlbert Dion Hogan Gus Contos Jim Stutz Friesen Ben Liebster Larry GerdingAlex Chiva Tafazzoli Lynn Ehrlich Dorn Bishop -Contributing PB -Sustaining Riles Bill PB silver István Éger youth Eric PetersenEric Koray Agirbas Ted Chee Ray Cifani Docevski Boris Kirby Domingue RosenblumEd Shay Asraff Eliot Tawil Ashoo Karam Michael Valliere LitzenbergerRoberto Matthias Vohwinkel Shiller Larry Scott Ward Lloyd Sorenson John Barnett Stephen Deep Mike Costello Edj Analytics Jason Pack Domeshek Stuart Vladimir Gudgenov Anton Anthony John Hamlin Tariq Siddiqi Michelle Steinberg Jerry Godsey Twain Pigott SawyerEd Phil Simborg Alan Pruce David Rennie Baysal Secil Cloyd LaPorte Horton Jeb Michael Flohr David Kettler Gibson Carla Joe Potts French Powhatan Arthur Stein Justin and Rynell Nunez Jeff Burdsall John Calcott Steve Schreiber USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 25 AMERICAN BACKGAMMON Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross

HallNeil Kazaross of Fame Abridged Interview by Robert Stoller ASTOUNDING RECORD obert Stoller: My name is Neil Kazaross: It’s my pleasure to be analyst, and a fine author. Inaugural year inductee to the American Bob Stoller. I am a Found- here, Robert. Backgammon Hall of Fame and perpetual Giant ing Sponsor and historian Tell us a little about Wal- Robert Stoller: of Backgammon, Neil Kazaross is widely regarded of the U.S. Backgammon Robert Stoller: Your record is just abso- ter’s backgammon tournament career. as one of the game’s greatest players, foremost RFederation. It is Friday evening, January lutely astounding. Of the 13 inductees, six theoreticians, and most brilliant strategists. 30, 2015. We are here in the Mary Moody of you have been in every one of the top Neil Kazaross: Okay, he won six ABT Northen suite at the historic Menger Hotel 32 of the Giants list for every single Giants tournaments over a span of 15 years. [Actu- in downtown San Antonio, Texas. list; but only you have been in the top ten of ally a bit quicker, between 1993 and 2004, Robert Stoller: Could you explain what Neil Kazaross: Multiply that average Whatever that pip count is in reality, you’re the top 32 ten out of 11 times [now 11 of 12 plus he also won the Las Vegas Open in the effective pip count is? number of pips, 8.167, times the average going to take more than the expected num- For much of the United States this is Super top tens – Ed.], a truly astounding record. 2004 before it became part of the ABT – Ed.] number of rolls to get off, and you have ber of rolls to bear that off, unless you’re Bowl weekend. But for the backgammon Nobody knew who he was when he came Neil Kazaross: Sure. You look at a racing the effective pip count. very lucky, because you’re probably going community, this is a very special weekend Neil Kazaross: Thank you. on the scene, but we quickly found out. position and you determine, via computer— to throw several 4s. Every one of those 4s totally unrelated to the Super Bowl. This hand calculation would be beyond most Robert Stoller: Why does a tournament is wasted. You have to play from 5 to 1 or is the weekend of the Texas Backgam- Robert Stoller: We have some folks who Robert Stoller: He was a theoretician of us—how many average rolls it takes to or a match or a chouette player even care 6 to 2. So that gap is going to cost you. You mon Championships. Particularly for this have been inducted who, however, have as well. bear off. So let’s say we look at a bear-off about that? How does that help you? want to know by how much, to determine interview right here, this is the evening passed away, and I wanted to start this and we have 3.84 average rolls to bear off. your winning chances. that the very first class of inductees to the conversation with some remembrances Neil Kazaross: Yes, he was. Neil Kazaross: Well, you just can’t count U.S. Backgammon Hall of Fame has been you might have of one of them, and that Now, the average number of pips you roll pips when you’re in a race, because you Also, let’s say you have a bunch of checkers announced. was Walter Trice. So his great book was Robert Stoller: He developed, among per roll—you know the average roll of have checkers on lower points sometimes, stacked on the low points. Would you rather Backgammon Boot Camp. And what I other things, the concept of the effective dice is seven. However, in backgammon, or you have gaps sometimes. Who wants have four pips when all four checkers are I am delighted to have Neil Kazaross sitting wanted to ask you is: you knew Walter; can pip count. doubles count twice. So I believe the average to be bearing off and have 15 checkers, on the ace point, or would you rather have here on the other side of the table, one of you say a few words about him? number of pips per roll in backgammon is and seven of them are on the 5 and the 6 six pips but one checker on the 6 point? that first class. So thank you very much Neil Kazaross: Yes. 8.167, eight and a sixth. points, and the other eight are on the 1, 2, for joining us. Neil Kazaross: Sure. He was a fine gentle- and 3 points? Robert Stoller: You need to know the

man, great player, feared opponent, a great MENDICINO TARA Robert Stoller: Right. effective pip count to make a determina- 26 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 27 Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross

ment experience I believe I was 18. I’ve Man, all the horrible checker plays they Neil Kazaross: The next week, I won. whom you were clearly better than and been playing the game since I was about were making! And then I went home, and you might beat this person 90 times out of 15. I was home from school, I think it was I thought, “This was fun. I like this.” And I Robert Stoller: Then what? a hundred, a few games would be draws, spring break. Or maybe I was in school, said, “Huh. But I know nothing about the and a few games he would beat you, he’d in high school, when it was spring break. doubling cube. Maybe I can find a book Neil Kazaross: Then I went back to school. play a really good game, you’d make some I was 17 or 18. The local newspaper in on backgammon.” kind of horrific mistake, and he wouldn’t Rhode Island said so-and-so won the weekly Robert Stoller: Were you hooked on manage to blow the game back to you. But backgammon tournament at such-and- So I went to the library. What did I find backgammon at that point? to play a hundred chess games with some- such a place. I’m like, “Ooh, backgammon back then? Jacoby and Crawford’s book [The body might take a year. To play a hundred tournament.” Backgammon Book (1970)]. I don’t think Neil Kazaross: Yeah. I was hooked on backgammon games with somebody was Magriel’s book [Backgammon (1976)] was tournaments then. an evening. So I went there the next week, still not out yet. If it was out, it wasn’t widespread, having school. I met a player today who and it wasn’t in the library, but the Jacoby Robert Stoller: Now, you had played chess. Robert Stoller: Faster, more exciting. I’m still friendly with, Bob Glass. Bob is and Crawford book was. from Rhode Island as well. I won the first Neil Kazaross: Yes. Neil Kazaross: If you were better, and match, and then I had to play Bob. At the Sure enough, that book had a chapter on the because of the doubling cube amplifying time, the book Backgammon for Blood! by doubling cube. Oh, you can accept when Robert Stoller: I have here a Chess Life things, you knew who won at the end of Bruce Becker [published in 1974–Ed.] was you have one chance in four of winning. & Review rating list from December 1974, the night. in vogue, which recommended very aggres- That made sense to me mathematically. and on page 827, I see the entry for Neil sive openings, like pulling two checkers Kazaross, 1589. Robert Stoller: So where do I want to INAUGURAL CLASS OF THE HALL OF FAME down with 6-4, slotting the bar and the 9. Then, you know, it had information about go here? There was a book review that The top American Backgammon Tour player of all time in total points, number of Bob did that against me. the gammon. Okay, if you’re going to get Neil Kazaross: Okay. you did—this is Chicago Point 125, Janu- #1 annual rankings, and number of overall tour victories, Neil Kazaross was a clear gammoned a lot, you need to have more ary–February 2000. A book had recently selection for the inaugural induction class of the American Backgammon Hall of Fame. I had no idea about the doubling cube then. winning chances than 25 percent to accept. Robert Stoller: So what did you like come out: Jerry Grandell: His Most Important I’d never seen it before, you know. Being of about chess, and what did you like about Matches, coauthored by Antonio Ortega tion as to whether to double or take a Robert Stoller: The first story is about the Middle Eastern descent, we did not use the It told you that you have value owning the backgammon, and what did you like better and Danny Kleinman, and you did a review double or…. Chicago Open. It is titled “Markowitz wins doubling cube. I had no experience with cube, too. about backgammon than chess, if I may of this book. his own tournament.” I’m going to read the it, but when Bob made that opening move assume that you did? Neil Kazaross: Right. Again, four on the first sentence: “Chicago director Howard I said to myself, “I don’t like that move; I So I took that book, worked out what was Neil Kazaross: Okay. ace versus one on the 6 is extreme. That’s Markowitz steamrolled Neil Kazaross of double.” And so I doubled. going on with the doubling cube, worked Neil Kazaross: What I like better about common sense, but you can see how great San Diego 17-8 to win his own tourna- a bunch of mathematical formulas myself, backgammon than chess? I became a much Robert Stoller: How did that happen? the effect is. ment at the ninth annual Chicago Open.” Robert Stoller: I would say that was a and I was ready for the next week. better chess player than that. I made it over Why I care about that is I think we’re going premature double. 2000. But I did like backgammon more. Neil Kazaross: I knew Danny from LA. Robert Stoller: Exactly right. So now to hear more about Neil Kazaross in the Robert Stoller: So tell us about the next Okay, two things. It was faster. Chess was Cavendish West. My first job after I left focusing on your career: What I have here is future. So tell us about your first tourna- Neil Kazaross: I think so. We had a tough week. long-term fun. Backgammon was immedi- the east coast, I moved to California in Volume 1, Number 1, of the Chicago Point ment experience. match. I lost. Then I won one match in the ate fun. In backgammon you could win a ‘81. So what did I want to do when I wasn’t newsletter, June 1988. consolation, and then I lost another match. Neil Kazaross: I won. lot. In backgammon, if you were good, you working? I was a young man, so I wanted Neil Kazaross: Well, I was playing tourna- Then I hung around a little bit watching won a lot of games. In chess if you were to be on the beach. The fact is, they talk

Neil Kazaross: That goes back a long time. ments long before then. My first tourna- people play. AMADOR ROBERT Robert Stoller: Then what? good, you might sit down with somebody about the water in California being cold, 28 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 29 Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross especially in the winter? Coming from the But there wasn’t any JellyFish or eXtreme while I was playing. you did with Chicago Point back in Sep- one probability of winning hopefully to a Neil Kazaross: It’s fun, but it’s frustrat- east coast, swimming in a 60-degree ocean Gammon back then. I also suggest that tember of 1994. higher probability of winning. It’s true with ingly fun. is not cold. Snowie come out with a rollout and a Robert Stoller: Exactly right. Your my decisions on the trading floor, and it’s match score feature. The fact that bots acknowledgement of mistakes, and I would Neil Kazaross: Okay. true with my decisions in life. Life, like Robert Stoller: Talk more to dealing with So I went to the beach, I worked out, and have that feature continues to teach us so observe that mistakes are an inherent part backgammon, is constant decision making the frustration part. I played backgammon. That’s what I did much about this game and that so much of the game even at the highest level. Robert Stoller: I wanted to ask you about under uncertainty.” when I wasn’t working. about what was written about the game in a few of them, because they touch on exactly Neil Kazaross: Well, as some people the past was in error. Neil Kazaross: Yes. what we’ve been talking about. The para- Neil Kazaross: That is true. know, I’m basically on a break from the Robert Stoller: So you meet Danny graph from the Kleinman/Ortega book game right now. I’m not playing almost Kleinman. Robert Stoller: Now, after the Grandell Robert Stoller: Having a tolerance that reads as follows. Robert Stoller: I’d say that is absolutely every tournament like I used to. I exhausted book comes out, lo and behold, I have you are going to make a mistake and not the essence of backgammon, and I’d say myself traveling to tournaments all over Neil Kazaross: So I was at the backgam- Backgammon With the Giants: Neil Kazaross going on tilt if you do is an important skill “I cannot control the dice, but I can maneu- that must be what the fundamental appeal the place. mon club for probably three nights a week, [published in 2001–Ed.]. in serious competitive play. ver my pieces and the doubling cube to try of the game is about. two to three nights a week on average. I to increase my probability of winning. But Every few years, at least every five or so met Danny there. Neil Kazaross: Okay. Neil Kazaross: That is what helped me. I know that that’s all I’m doing in backgam- Neil Kazaross: Plus it’s fun. along the way, I take a break. I know there What helped me in backgammon so much mon. When I play chess, I know that if I do was one year I won no ABT points. I won Robert Stoller: Danny and Mr. Ortega Robert Stoller: The authors are Antonio was when I first got on the trading floor, something, for sure I will win the game. In Robert Stoller: Now, maybe… no ABT points last year. I only played a do the book on Jerry Grandell. How does Ortega, Danny Kleinman, and I’m surmis- okay, I realized that in snap of the fingers, backgammon, all I’m doing is going from few tournaments, and I wasn’t fortunate that get into your hands? ing a major contribution by Neil Kazaross. like that, you could make a mistake that enough to place in any of them. But again cost you more money than winning an this year, I probably will not play all that Neil Kazaross: Well, I believe probably Neil Kazaross: Yes. You see in this book, average tournament… seriously. You have many tournaments. And it’s simply that I Bill [Davis] asked me to review it. not everything is perfectly accurate. Not to bounce back. You have to forget it. It does want the break for my sanity and to think everything has held up to today’s bots. not affect the rest of your day. Apply the about other things. Robert Stoller: So you give that book an Most of it has. But, again, you get to see same approach in backgammon. A, and you have some suggestions toward my thoughts. What’s difficult is the constant stress. Yes, the end of your review as to how it might Robert Stoller: The most important play it’s decision making under uncertainty. become an A+. Robert Stoller: Exactly right. you’re going to make is the next play. But still, you know, you cannot control the dice. When you’re running bad, okay, Neil Kazaross: I will have to read those. Neil Kazaross: I put my thoughts in, and Neil Kazaross: Correct. at this game, and I’m running very, very there’s a horrible space-out I made once, bad right now. Robert Stoller: Bottom right. one play where I leave a whole bunch of Robert Stoller: Put the past out of your blots. And there’s other times when I made mind. Neil Kazaross: (reads) Okay. some other blunder, but I also made some great plays. I also made a couple of plays in Neil Kazaross: Yes. HIGHEST HONOR Robert Stoller: And, now, the Grandell here that they thought were wrong that I Neil Kazaross receives his American book comes out. proved were right, with today’s bots play- Robert Stoller: So there are a number of Backgammon Hall of Fame plaque from then USBGF President and Executive ing the score. But the point is, the value of precepts in the introduction here. “Neil’s Director Bill Riles (l) and USBGF Board Neil Kazaross: Gee, I said they should this book is not just the analysis and the thoughts about backgammon.” Many of of Director member and Hall of Fame

have been done using bots for rollouts. matches; it’s my comments on my thoughts these were derived from an interview that AMADOR ROBERT Committee Chairman Patrick Gibson (r). 30 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 31 Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross

Now, I know that’s going to end, because I Robert Stoller: How do you keep yourself So I went from having a great game to And maybe that’s part of what appeals So let’s say we start off, we roll high dice. recall two years ago when I was running hot from going on tilt when the streak is run- quickly being an underdog. What is 36 to me more than chess. I mean, I’ve seen I roll a 66. I get the box. You rolled a 9, and I won the first of two ABTs in a row, ning bad against you? times 9? Okay, that’s 324, so a 323-to-1 emotion in chess, and I’ve seen the guys everyone else rolls smaller; you’re captain. that I came out of one tournament, and in shot, or slightly more than three-tenths pound the clock and stuff like that, but I’m playing against you, and the rest of the the finals I danced on a four-point board. Neil Kazaross: Well, it’s very difficult, and of a percent shot. I paid off to that, and it you’re not supposed to do that. people are called the crew. They’re on your That was the first time during that entire it’s hard to control it emotionally. I’ll admit happened. side. So it might be you and the rest of the tournament of six matches that I danced I lost it today, okay? Speed gammon is an Robert Stoller: So in backgammon there room, so I’m up against five people. on a four-point board when it mattered. event I love, okay? I’d like to see more of You know, we play with dice cups and a is casual play. it. I’d like to see… I’d like to see an entire clock at speed gammon, so thankfully it Depending on the rules, you five can discuss I’m not talking about dancing on a four- side event run like speed gammon; not five- was my clock. If I’d broken it when I hit it, it Neil Kazaross: Right. the plays against me. You five can decide point board when you’re playing a back point matches, but the same time controls wouldn’t have been a problem. But, I mean, when to cube me or not. You five can decide game: you want to dance. I’m talking about in 21-point matches. Run a masters event I pounded that clock like I was driving in Robert Stoller: There’s tournament play. whether to take or pass individually when dancing when you have to come in or lose that way. a railroad spike with a sledgehammer. But There’s chouette play, which I’m going to I double you. the game. So, understand how lucky that is? these GameTime II clocks are pretty tough. have you describe in a minute. Anyhow, I got to double match point; my I recommend it to the players. And, no, I Robert Stoller: That means the leverage Robert Stoller: Well, I think so, but what opponent was virtually finished. He has have no interest in the company. Neil Kazaross: Okay. is much more extreme in terms of— I want you to do now is break that down for nothing, horrible position. the folks who are not familiar with back- Robert Stoller: Well, we tend to remem- Robert Stoller: There may be other forms. Neil Kazaross: Much more extreme. I’m gammon terminology. “Dance” means... I made a play that if he dances on my four- ber the really painful experiences probably Tell us a little bit about chouette play and playing for five times the stake. Let’s say I point board, I’m certain to hit a second because they’re seared into our hide so your experience with that and compare get hot in the box, okay? Oops, things are Neil Kazaross: “Dance” means you are checker and have all kinds of builders, and deeply, but every now and again you get a chouette play with tournament play. good. Some of my worst stories gambling are hit and you don’t enter. he’s almost guaranteed to be closed out. good experience. in chouettes when things have gone wrong. “Closed out” meaning I’m going to make Neil Kazaross: I used to play a ton, and Robert Stoller: If you have two open spots all six points while he’s up on the bar. Neil Kazaross: Well, I had a good experi- now I don’t play very much. I don’t want One of them was just a nightmare. I’m on a four-point board, you have odds in ence that game. He missed my second blot, to sound rude to my opponents, but in playing a very high-stakes chouette. And your favor of coming on? The only risk from my play was double 5s, which he had two shots at. Later he made general the stakes aren’t enough to keep it wasn’t going all that well for me. I was the only major risk, because I had the 5 a 5 prime, but because he owned his ace me interested. I just want to play for points slightly behind. I held three 8 cubes, and my Neil Kazaross: Five out of nine, 55 percent. open and the 1 open. Even double 1 would point, those two men were not part of his 5 and master points and prizes. And I don’t opponents had a closed board, and I had a 55 percent is a little better than flipping a not hurt me. prime. He rolled a poor double 4, and had want to stay up to all hours of the night; crashed board. And we each had a blot in coin. Now, you want to go flip a coin and to break his 5 prime, and I was still up in the I don’t have nearly the energy I did 20 or the outfield 11 pips away from each other. call 20 heads in a row, I want to take you I gave him double 5. I had a great position race because I was way, way ahead earlier. 30 years ago. to Las Vegas. In fact, I want to buy that anyway, but I’m trying—but again, it’s deci- I might even be able to redouble because coin from you so I can make money with sion making under uncertainty. I threw a 2-6 to hop over the four prime, Robert Stoller: For the nontechnical of my racing lead if I don’t get hit. But they it myself. then I won the race and the match any- people, what is a chouette? How does are on roll. They rolled a 17-to-1 11 shot, I think my best chance to win that game way, [chuckling] then I felt bad about my that work? hit me, which is going to win the game, Robert Stoller: So streaks come and is to take a slight chance to crush him. He outburst and apologized. [laughing] But, of course. So my one man is closed out streaks go? rolled a 35-to-1 shot double 5. That made again, that’s backgammon. And the day Neil Kazaross: In a chouette we’re playing on the bar. I rolled bad enough to lose a a two-point board, and then I danced. I you can’t show any emotion playing this for money, and we have a captain and the backgammon. Neil Kazaross: Yes. have eight chances out of nine to enter! game is the day I quit. box. The box is playing against everybody. 32 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 33 Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross Backgammon Hall of Fame: Neil Kazaross

Robert Stoller: Very expensive. aces in a row with a couple of them being 4-ace, okay, to miss with the 4 as well, while Neil Kazaross: Yes. I believe your odds “I proceeded to keep I rolled several doubles coming around. of getting backgammoned with one man the box till past closed out are about 3,000-to-1. So not At the end, they’re on roll, their sixth roll. only did they roll the 17-to-1 11, they seven o’clock in the They have three guys on their 3 point, and backgammoned me with one man closed morning. When I lost, I’ve four pieces left on my low points, no out. You’ve played backgammon a long chance to miss. I said, “Good night, time. Have you ever been backgammoned THE VERY BEST with one man closed out? They roll 2-1 to miss, to only take one everybody.” And of Continuing a playing career in excess course, they’re like, piece off, leaving two men on the 3 point. of thirty years, Neil Kazaross remains Robert Stoller: No. Now, it’s good to know the odds. If they’re one of the very best players in the “You’re going to bed on roll with two men on the 3 point, they game and is among the most intense, competitive, and intimidating oppo- Neil Kazaross: Point made. So what did I have 19 chances to lose, 17 chances to win. now?” I said, “I was nents. He is a generous mentor, do at that time? I pulled out my checkbook It’s a last-roll situation. trying to go to bed two teacher, and friend willing to discuss and went to bed, because I knew there’s no strategy, positions, and decisions with way I was going to mentally recover from hours ago.” Plus I’m on roll, and I might roll a double all who seek his advice and wisdom. that. There’s no way. I knew better, okay? and win right away, and they don’t even get I knew that was too much strain on me. my luck is gone and I have been frittering their 17 chances. So of course I redouble I was not going to recover. I didn’t care away points. them all to 4. if I had an advantage in the game or not. You know, if I was playing three idiots, I And I’ve got one checker remaining on their I roll, and they rolled their seventh ace in About Robert would have kept playing. But I wasn’t. So I 4 point. The other 14 are in my board. I have a row out of seven rolls to lose a game that obert Stoller is the USBGF historian, a post he has simply paid off and went to bed. Tomorrow a choice of breaking my board and waiting had to have been thousands to one against. Rearned through his prodigious knowledge of the is another day. for a miracle shot, which wasn’t even going history of backgammon. A graduate of Harvard Law to come till two rolls later, which means I proceeded to keep the box till past seven School, he served as Assistant Attorney General for the state of Alaska. He is an enthusiastic and generous Robert Stoller: There was a time when I’m risking getting gammoned. And they o’clock in the morning. When I lost, I said, supporter of the USBGF with a passion for ensuring that you were playing in a chouette and thought already had five checkers off. “Good night, everybody.” And of course, video interviews of inductees in the American Hall of you might go to bed because things were they’re like, “You’re going to bed now?” I Fame are recorded for posterity. He has overseen video going badly and somehow or other you So I just decided, rather than waiting for said, “I was trying to go to bed two hours productions of the American Backgammon Hall of Fame chose not to and turned it around. the shot, I’m just going to run and save the a g o.” [laughing] induction ceremonies in 2015 and 2016, and interviewed on videotape many of the inductees, using skills honed gammon, and I’m going to go to bed even. in his illustrious legal career. Neil Kazaross: Yes, this chouette had I ran out in their outer board. Robert Stoller: Neil Kazaross, all-time gone on all afternoon at a tournament, leader on the American Backgammon Tour, He is a USBGF Diamond Founding Sponsor and Prime and we’d ordered pizza and stuff like that, Mind you, I’ve got 14 guys in my board thank you very much for visiting with us. Benefactor. He is a co-founder of the Anchorage Backgammon Club, and has recruited fellow members and we’d kept playing. And now it’s five and one checker in their outer board, and of his Alaska backgammon club to become USBGF TARA MENDICINO; ROBERT AMADOR ROBERT MENDICINO; TARA o’clock in the morning, and I’m tired. It’s they’ve got only ten pieces left, and they’ve Neil Kazaross: My pleasure.  members. bedtime. I’m up a few points from being up got a gap on the 4. And they had a couple

about maybe 25 at the most. But gradually of guys on their ace point. They rolled five - ROBERT STOLLER TOP: FROM ADVERTISE IN PRIMETIME F P ½ P geoffreyparker.com We are pleased to announce that Geoffrey Parker Games is the newest USBGF Corporate Prime Benefactor.

PrimeTime in Print Subscribe for $100 annually, not including shipping. Simply the World's finest Backgammon, since 1961 4 issues for $25 each. E-mail [email protected] for details. Now available at the USBGFBGSHOP 36 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 37 2017 Ohio State Championships

So I leave Friday early afternoon to beat any Friday traffic. Luckily point because the events don’t start until 7pm that night and it’s Ohio is being cooperative this year and it’s not winter at the end like 3pm but Phil is there and we decide to play some Paskogam- of March. The roads are clear and in the blink of an eye I’m there. mon. For those of you who forget, here’s the starting position. Check in, register, and hardly anyone is in the playing room at this 2017 ohio state Paskogammon Starting Position 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 204 championships Player 2 Unlimited Game By Stick

t has been a while since I’ve written a recap of a tournament, only because it’s cost efficient, but I like having all my stuff with mainly because I haven’t been to too many, and it’s always easier me. Lugging a backgammon board and possibly tennis rackets Unlimited Game to have motivation to write one when you do well, rather than and laptops and loads of clothes and money through security is Player 1 Ilose three matches and spend the rest of the weekend at the bar. a hassle I can do without. It also saves money in the sense that Pip: 167 for most tournaments I arrive a day early and stay a day later. I’d 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 I usually make it up to Cleveland because for me it’s only a 1h 45m rather arrive early and get acclimated and leave a day later so that I drive. It’s a straight shot on the highway which is right around don’t have to rush the last day of the tournament when I still have The side on roll is set up like normal backgammon and the other session, it took me many games to even win a game. I was down 8 the corner from my house. I prefer driving to a tournament not a bunch of matches to play because I’m awesome sauce. side is as appears above. The Jacoby rule is in effect and it’s played points I think before I got on the scoreboard, so maybe 5, 6, even out normally, just like money games. You alternate sides each game 7 games?? The most points I was down was 16 before I made my to keep it fair. Up until this tournament, I’d only ever played it comeback. I still ended up losing but not so much that the kids one day or two at home on my computer. This being my first live can’t eat this month. GREAT RESULTS Stick has put in some of his best performances at Ohio tournaments — taking the 2017 Ohio Masters Jackpot and Open Consolation. In 2012, he won the Open Championship.

THE TRIFECTA

DORIS AUER; KAREN DAVIS KAREN AUER; DORIS Karen Davis faced Stick three times in Ohio — the Main, Consolation final, and Masters Jackpot final —

FROM TOP: FROM with Stick the winner in each. is Victor

score: 1 pip: 110

11 point match

pip: 149 score: 2

38 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon is Stick Magazine 39 XGID=---aBBBBB---bB---b-fBb-Ab-:0:0:1:52:2:1:0:11:10 2017 Ohio State Championships to play 52 2017 Ohio State Championships

1 The Masters was to start at 7pm and per a speculative 4 cube and it backfired. As Victor and I had a tough, tough match. 1. Rollout 23/16 eq: +0.4079 Player: 62.32% (G:12.10% B:0.48%) Conf.: ±0.0064 (+0.4015...+0.4142) - [100.0%] usual with it seems every tournament in the we’ve spoken about in other threads here Overall his decisions were tougher than Opponent: 37.68% (G:8.89% B:0.14%) Duration: 16 minutes 01 second U.S., it didn’t start until 7:30. I don’t know [on BGonline] recently, the weaker player mine, and being unclocked it lasted quite a 2. Rollout1 8/6 8/3* eq: +0.2873 (-0.1205) what it is but it’s always that way. Why? I should gamble a bit when playing someone while. I input the match, and in the begin- Player: 59.08% (G:16.79% B:0.75%) Conf.: ±0.0078 (+0.2795...+0.2952) - [0.0%] Opponent: 40.92% (G:15.89% B:0.32%) Duration: 12 minutes 42 seconds don’t care if it starts at 7:30 — just list it as stronger. I don’t know Julius’ average PR ning Victor was playing a stellar 1–1.5 3. Rollout1 23/18 20/18 eq: +0.2331 (-0.1748) 7:30! I might have better things to do than but pushing a 4 cube early certainly is a PR, while I had already blown a couple/ Player: 59.04% (G:12.32% B:0.50%) Conf.: ±0.0069 (+0.2261...+0.2400) - [0.0%] sit around for half an hour waiting for a reasonable play. In general I don’t like to few decisions and was floating in the 4–5 Opponent: 40.96% (G:13.49% B:0.17%) Duration: 17 minutes 13 seconds 1 draw. Again, this isn’t a gripe aimed solely see 4 cubes, especially in matches that are PR range. Over the course of the match 4. Rollout 13/11 13/8 eq: +0.2253 (-0.1825) Player: 57.01% (G:13.76% B:0.60%) Conf.: ±0.0064 (+0.2189...+0.2317) - [0.0%] at the Ohio State tournament: from my somewhat short (11 points). However, though, we kept getting closer, and closer, Opponent: 42.99% (G:11.30% B:0.17%) Duration: 13 minutes 28 seconds experience, this is nearly across the country. this one even I didn’t mind seeing. It was and closer until nearly the end where we 5. Rollout1 13/6 eq: +0.1315 (-0.2763) overdoing it quite a bit. converged for a 3.3 each. Given that Victor’s Player: 55.19% (G:14.10% B:0.67%) Conf.: ±0.0066 (+0.1249...+0.1382) - [0.0%] Opponent: 44.81% (G:14.48% B:0.26%) Duration: 12 minutes 41 seconds The draw comes out and I play Bahman decisions were tougher than mine on the Zandi: someone I had never heard of, which With that being over so quickly, like a Sex whole I think he played better than I did. 1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller is almost always a good sign. A fairly normal Pistols song or sex for the first time, I had However, the dice don’t care who played eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 match, I won, had Julius in the next round. to wait quite a while for the winner of the it better and they allowed me through to Blunder #2 Had to wait around a bit as Julius’ match Farhad/Ashkenazi match. Unfortunately the finals. It was only a 16-player field. against Sam Ahmed took longer than mine. Victor won, as I’d think I’d have better Here are a couple of my blunders. See if 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 152 My match with Julius fired up and it was chances against Farhad. You should always you can do better. Victor Ashkenazi over about 3 minutes later. Julius gave me fear the opponent whose name ends in ‘nazi’. 8-Away is Victor

Blunder #1 score: 3 pip: 152 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 110 6 Victor Ashkenazi 10-Away 11 point match

2-Awaypip: 178 score: 9 Stick Pip: 178 is Stick 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=-a--aaE-C---bDa--c-bb-Ab-B:1:1:1:44:9:3:0:11:10 Black (Stick) on to roll play to 44 play 44

9-Away 1. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 22/14* eq: -0.2294 Stick file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/16/2017Player: 46.76% (G:11.96% B:1.22%) 11:07:42Conf.: AM] ±0.0032 (-0.2326...-0.2263) - [100.0%] Pip: 149 Opponent: 53.24% (G:12.22% B:0.32%) Duration: 15 minutes 58 seconds 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 13/9(2) eq: -0.3113 (-0.0819) Black (Stick) on roll to play 52 Player: 43.22% (G:10.14% B:1.04%) Conf.: ±0.0030 (-0.3144...-0.3083) - [0.0%] Opponent: 56.78% (G:12.97% B:0.40%) Duration: 14 minutes 34 seconds 3. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 8/4*(2) eq: -0.3327 (-0.1033) Player: 43.51% (G:12.05% B:1.69%) Conf.: ±0.0032 (-0.3359...-0.3295) - [0.0%] Opponent: 56.49% (G:15.02% B:0.43%) Duration: 14 minutes 13 seconds 4. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 6/2(2) eq: -0.3597 (-0.1303) Player: 40.66% (G:9.45% B:1.00%) Conf.: ±0.0030 (-0.3627...-0.3568) - [0.0%] Opponent: 59.34% (G:12.84% B:0.34%) Duration: 13 minutes 18 seconds 5. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 13/5* eq: -0.4318 (-0.2023) Player: 40.65% (G:9.93% B:1.36%) Conf.: ±0.0036 (-0.4353...-0.4282) - [0.0%] Opponent: 59.35% (G:18.09% B:0.54%) Duration: 16 minutes 47 seconds

1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/16/2017 11:25:05 AM] is Victor

score: 3 pip: 152

11 point match

pip: 178 score: 9

is Stick XGID=-a--aaE-C---bDa--c-bb-Ab-B:1:1:1:44:9:3:0:11:10 to play 44

1. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 22/14* eq: -0.2294 Player: 46.76% (G:11.96% B:1.22%) Conf.: ±0.0032 (-0.2326...-0.2263) - [100.0%] Opponent: 53.24% (G:12.22% B:0.32%) Duration: 15 minutes 58 seconds 2. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 13/9(2) eq: -0.3113 (-0.0819) Player: 43.22% (G:10.14% B:1.04%) Conf.: ±0.0030 (-0.3144...-0.3083) - [0.0%] 40 USBGF PrimeTimeOpponent: Backgammon56.78% (G:12.97% Magazine B:0.40%) Duration: 14 minutes 34 seconds USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 41 3. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 8/4*(2) eq: -0.3327 (-0.1033) 2017 OhioPlayer: State43.51% Championships (G:12.05% B:1.69%) Conf.: ±0.0032 (-0.3359...-0.3295) - [0.0%] 2017 Ohio State Championships Opponent: 56.49% (G:15.02% B:0.43%) Duration: 14 minutes 13 seconds 4. 1 Bar/21(2) 6/2(2) eq: -0.3597 (-0.1303) Rollout The Main was to 11 points, and in the me) forgot to hit the record button on his is a double elimination event so even if I Player: 40.66% (G:9.45% B:1.00%) Conf.: ±0.0030 (-0.3627...-0.3568) - [0.0%] Opponent: 59.34% (G:12.84% B:0.34%) Duration: 13 minutes 18 seconds first round I had a name I knew this time: recorder before we started the match. After lose once I can still win, I go to play Marty 5. Rollout1 Bar/21(2) 13/5* eq: -0.4318 (-0.2023) Frank Raposa. Then the second round that I played Nick Mourtos, whom I didn’t Storer. I started out hot, getting up 3-0, but Player: 40.65% (G:9.93% B:1.36%) Conf.: ±0.0036 (-0.4353...-0.4282) - [0.0%] Roberto, a match that should have been know going in. He played decently in our really never recovered after being properly Opponent: 59.35% (G:18.09% B:0.54%) Duration: 16 minutes 47 seconds recorded but someone (cough, cough, not match. Making some progress, and this recubed here and not pulling it out. 1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 12 eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 Stick is Stick Karen Davis had bested Mary Hickey in By the time I finished my match with Vic- I have since watched the lecture above on 8-Away

the semifinals on the other side of the tor it was late, 1-2am(?), so needless to say YouTube, and from the answers given by score: 3 bracket and she wasn’t in the side pool so it was straight to Snoozeville. I woke up the people in attendance it would seem pip: 12 I was already a happy camper. early on Saturday, early enough to attend to be a lesson many people should view. Phil Simborg and Art Benjamin’s lecture if One more thing of note: I don’t know I wanted, and I did want, but not enough I did get back in time for the Calcutta. 11 point match what happened to allow this, but there of a priority to override the other things I rarely buy anyone in the Calcutta. The was a single bye in this event. Karen got I wanted to do...like eat breakfast (yay main reason I go is for the humor and to that bye. A bye in a Masters event to me Denny’s) and properly get ready to own put names with faces again. It’s always a is unacceptable. First, I believe they had people all day long. struggle for me to remember who everyone 11-Awaypip: 23 score: 0 enough people to fill out the bracket and is, so the Calcutta makes for a nice cheat Marty Storer a hiccup happened. Even if they didn’t, it The thing with lectures is it’s a rarity I would sheet. During the Calcutta, I was inputting Pip: 23 is Marty 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 would be better in my opinion to allow get anything out of it. I’d like to go to be sup- my match with Victor with Victor. (I really XGID=-A-ABAA------eb-:1:1:1:00:0:3:0:11:10 on roll, cube action? someone to rebuy instead of to chunk off portive and I like to think someone thinks just wanted to end a sentence like that and Black (Marty) on roll. Cube action? so much equity to one person. it’s more interesting if I’m there to give my have it be correct.) Analyzed in Rollout No redouble Redouble/Take two cents' worth, but I have to prioritize. Player Winning Chances: 67.731% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) 67.728% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) Opponent Winning Chances: 32.269% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) 32.272% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) Cubeless Equities +0.3546 +0.7719 Cubeful Equities file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/16/2017 11:25:05 AM] No redouble: +0.6413 (-0.0825) ±0.0011 (+0.6402..+0.6423) Redouble/Take: +0.7238 ±0.0012 (+0.7226..+0.7250) Redouble/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.2762)

Best Cube action: Redouble / Take Rollout details These are5184 the Gameskinds of rolledthings with that Variancecan make Reduction.once again late already, so tomorrow morn- French things like frog legs, foie gras, veal, I or breakMoves: a match. 3-ply, If I cubeget that decisions: I’m up 7-0 XG Rollering we’d start again. don’t know what else. Phil had them, loves

and whileDouble that’s Decision certainly confidence: not gin gin, the 100.0%them. I had a decent steak, and Phil and opp’s spiritTake is Decisionbroken and confidence: it’s virtual gin. I For dinner I joined up with a bunch of100.0% Victor played a quick DMP match to see A CLASSIC BATTLE! Duration: 1.1 seconds had my three attempts to roll a set but it people who were going to Phil’s favorite which one of them would buy the other’s Co-authors Marty Storer and Mary eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 didn’t happen. Marty advances and I get place, a place I went to last time with him dinner. They do this a lot and from the tally Hickey drew each other in the first round of the Ohio Masters, with Mary kicked down to the one-loss crowd. Enough whatever year that was, called Johnny’s. I heard, Phil has never won. We had Victor,

advancing to play Dmitriy Obukhov. DAVIS KAREN backgammon had been played and it was It is said they have some delicious fancy Alia, Dmitriy, Roberto, O’Hagan, Julius,

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/16/2017 11:37:20 AM] file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/16/2017 11:47:26AM] 42 think itthink was clothes the without aslogan on Mabee doesn’t who evenrecognize me. I only to one need win match against Tim I get kicked into deep consolation the and is drawsheet the . Before you know it Karen a theme for tournament this it Here seems. Sunday morning. I have to play Karen Davis, Itsalads. was like we planned it. of people,got seven all meat. The table, other remember right now. table, Our composed Karen, and ahandful of others there Ican’t 2017 OhioStateChampionships USBGF PrimeTime Magazine Backgammon Black (Sean) onroll.Black (Sean) Cube action? Duration: 9 minutes 59 seconds 59 minutes 9 Duration: confidence: Decision Take confidence: Decision Double Roller XG decisions: cube 3-ply, Moves: Reduction. Variance with rolled Games 5184 +0.6687 details Rollout Take / Redouble action: Cube Best Redouble/Pass: Redouble/Take: redouble: No Equities Cubeful Rollout in Analyzed Player Winning Chances: Winning Player Opponent Winning Chances: 33.959% (G:17.547% B:0.258%) 33.566% (G:17.436% B:0.278%) (G:17.436% 33.566% B:0.258%) (G:17.547% 33.959% Chances: Winning Opponent Cubeless Equities Cubeless 21 0987654321 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 XGID=--a-BBCBB----BA---abbdbc-A:2:1:1:00:1:1:0:9:10 on roll, cube action? cube roll, on eXtreme Gammon eXtreme On to finals the against — oh wait,that’s It was afive-point match and I rolled well. having some hair on my thathead did it. orthem well maybebeing rested or perhaps on losing the that end. Isenta4cube Sean minutes, but unfortunately Iwas time this My match of lasted all 5 also with Sean finals. inthe to be that match and won Garber to faceSean nine, not eleven. Isteamrolled rest the of is up 6-0!We match the learned then is to No redouble No +0.6320 (-0.0367) ±0.0035 (+0.6285..+0.6355) ±0.0035 (+0.3313) +1.0000 (-0.0367) +0.6320 66.041% (G:8.066% B:0.422%) 66.434% (G:7.602% B:0.375%) (G:7.602% 66.434% B:0.422%) (G:8.066% 66.041% +0.2227 Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 Kazaross MET: 2.19.211.pre-release, Version: Redouble/Take 100.0% 100.0% ±0.0040 (+0.6647..+0.6726) ±0.0040 +0.6687 both againstboth Karen —having already played atSo point this Ihad two matches left— right, Karen Davis. match. the to lose to andtake againthen rolled like a donk arrived at position this where Iwas forced though. Then I rolled my worst and we score might scare him.He properly took gammonish andvery 4cube Ihoped the I was honestly hoping he’d pass. It was a Pip: 131 Garber Sean 8-Away 8-Away Stick Pip: 80 score: 1 score: 131 pip: match point 9 80 pip: 1 score: is Stick is is Sean is

KAREN DAVIS brilliant result for thisincredibly talented European player! eventually winthe2017OhioState Championships. A Jacek Wojciechowski cameallthe way from Poland to Garber in the finals before finals Garber inthe clinching it butsomeone havewill else over competition the easily. he lost one Ithink match to Sean In main the event, our own Jacek Wojciechowski (niuniuch) 'roided Koscielny.name was Gary it any better unless I came from Poland to play, or ifperhaps my entered two events. Great weekend for me. hardly Could script wonpool, Consolation, the won Consolation the only sidepool, out at Crawford. 6-2 post Won Masters, the won Masters the side tion points to seven and Iwas on fire, getting up 6-0 and closing it played Masters the first and I won. the Then finals the of - consola her once and luckily coming back from a6-0deficit to nine. We JACEK TAKESCHAMPIONSHIP THE 2017 OhioStateChampionships - STICK PLO but it would have regardless. fun been  Feldman). They only have a$1-$3NLgame sometimesandsome go one night and check out poker the room (myself, and Joe Ben, I was busy too with Charlie Sheen’s winning. We had planned to I never made it to Jack, the casino, local the as Ihad hoped, because anyway.to doso Nick (who played a 3.3), there wasn’t much opportunity probably the other matches. Given my three opponents, Victor, Marty, and adjustments Imade during match. the for Ididn'tdothis any of A Only four of my matches were recorded. My PRs were: dropped since he playing started bgand it taking more seriously. did well at tournament. this He told me how much his PR has lessons,taken and has obviously improved not just he because improvements to his game. He has spent alot of time with it, Seriously though, over past has the few years made great Gary had to figurethey outwhere from. he was changed it to Koscielny he everwent incase got senile, lost, and hethat real name I think odd??! is probably Kosciel Gary and he Hetrust. lives inNYand his last name reminds you of that. Isn’t Jackpot and won also Advanced. the Again, another guy you can’t As for Koscielny, Gary he took second place in the Amateur but jump to Samir Na... Whenever along Isee last name Ican’t pronounce, Ican’t help Davis, or maybeIhad amatch against Karen Davis at that time. that.to verify Iwas busy playing Karen Davis, or playing Karen » » » » s Iexplained forum, on one the BGonline the includes inbold » » » » 3.5 3.3 2.5 2.3 (3.5) USBGF PrimeTime Magazine Backgammon 43 44 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 45 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final

his issue of PrimeTime Backgammon includes a companion Grand Finale of the German Masters Series asked match-probability guru John O’Hagan In Position 1 below, Toby loses his market report by Steve Sax on the inaugural Cherry Blossom in Prague in November 2016. for his help with this challenge. He kindly by an enormous amount (1.3 on average) on cube action Backgammon Championship. As reported there, the and quickly sent me a few paragraphs of his 15 gammonish hitters. His large gain in Tfinal match between two Giants of Backgammon, Joe Russell The match featured a very exciting turn- his oustanding analysis. Thank you very doubling before the 15 hits far more than Cherry Blossom Final (CA) and Tobias Hellwag (Germany) was an exciting finale to the around. Trailing 1–6 to 11 points, Joe won much, John, for helping me understand this compensates him for the much smaller Championship event and to the Cherry Blossom’s entry into the an 8-point game. A key position from that position. I hope you can be persuaded to losses he incurs by doubling before his 9 By Paul Weaver American Backgammon Tour. Kent Goulding and Kit Woolsey game, Position 7, is difficult to analyze. I contribute your own articles to PrimeTime! fans and 12 miss-entries. provided live commentary. A video of the match with commentary Position 1 is available for viewing. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pip: 105 The doubling decisions proved pivotal, with the score flipping from Tobias Hellwag 1-6 down for Joe to 9-6 ahead in an 8-cube match. Paul Weaver, 11-Away is Tobias Hellwag #17 Giant of Backgammon, analyzes cube action in the final match score: 0 with an assist from Giant #22 John O’Hagan. pip: 105

he Cherry Blossom Championship final came down to a battle between two top-rated Giants of Backgammon, 11 point match Joe Russell (Giant #25) and Tobias Hellwag (Giant #20). TJoe Russell is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Backgammon Federation, and has been a member of the Board since the organization was founded in 2009. He won the World pip:11-Away 99 Backgammon Championship in Monte Carlo in 1989 and was score: 0 Joe Russell finalist in the 2016 World Championship. He was inducted into Pip: is 99 Joe Russell 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the American Backgammon Hall of Fame in 2017, with the citation XGID=a-DA-BCB--A-b----bBbbbb-b-:0:0:-1:00:0:0:0:11:10 noting: “For over thirty years, Joe Russell has been an outstanding Game 1, Move on 14: roll, White cube action? (Tobias) on roll. Cube action? player, an international ambassador of the game, and a significant Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take contributor and promoter of backgammon through his work Player Winning Chances: 63.345% (G:27.840% B:0.583%) 63.472% (G:27.394% B:0.573%) with the U.S. Backgammon Federation. Well recognized for his Opponent Winning Chances: 36.655% (G:5.772% B:0.109%) 36.528% (G:5.618% B:0.113%) mathematic and strategic acumen as a player, Joe Russell is also Cubeless Equities +0.4964 +1.0120 Cubeful Equities noted for his respectful, personable, low-key demeanor and his No double: +0.4959 (-0.2269) ±0.0040 (+0.4919..+0.5000) thoughtful, intelligent perspective in all endeavors. He was voted Double/Take: +0.7228 ±0.0062 (+0.7166..+0.7290) to the 32 Giants of Backgammon list seven times and has won Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.2772) over 25 regional, national, and international tournament events.” Best Cube action: Double / Take Rollout details Tobias Hellwag ranks #20 on the Giants of Backgammon list. If he doubles, Toby’s equity is 2.3 (on aver- .32 (on average) on the 12 miss-entries by hitting is a huge 2.7. With 28% gammon 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. He recently won the 2017 Liberty Cup Masters at the New York age) on theDice 15 Seed:hitters; 101 but after not doubling, doubling. chances, he must double now to experi- Metropolitan Open, and in 2016 he won the Mario Sequeira the hitsMoves: are worth 3-ply, only cube 1.3. decisions:He therefore XG Roller ence the exhilarating rush of winning a

Memorial Open in Portugal. He also won the World Backgammon gains roughlyDouble 1.0 Decision by doubling confidence: on the 15 This position has sky-high volatility; Toby’s100.0% four-point game. Toby’s no-double was, Take Decision confidence: 100.0% Association German Masters Berlin in 2016 and qualified for the AUER DORIS hits, but he loses only .37 on the 9 fans and swing in equity between hitting and not for him, a rare double whopper. Duration: 12 minutes 57 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 9:23:39 AM] 46 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 47 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Position 2 Position 2-A

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 156 Pip: 156 Tobias Hellwag Tobias Hellwag 10-Away is Tobias Hellwag 10-Away is Tobias Hellwag

score: 1 score: 1 pip: 156 pip: 156

11 point match 11 point match

pip:11-Away 150 pip:11-Away 150 score: 0 score: 0 Joe Russell Joe Russell Pip: is 150 Joe Russell Pip: is 150 Joe Russell 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=-a---CCaCA--dC---d-e-A--A-:0:0:1:00:0:1:0:11:10 XGID=-a---CCaCA--dC---d-e-A--A-:0:0:1:53:0:1:0:11:10 Game 2, Move on 4: roll, Black cube (Joe)action? on roll. Cube action? Game 2, Move to 4:play Black 53 (Joe) on roll to play 53

Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take 1. Rollout1 9/1* eq: +0.4204 Player Winning Chances: 65.390% (G:26.754% B:0.857%) 65.522% (G:27.529% B:0.845%) Player: 57.59% (G:23.02% B:0.58%) Conf.: ±0.0144 (+0.4060...+0.4347) - [99.9%] Opponent Winning Chances: 34.610% (G:7.575% B:0.373%) 34.478% (G:7.839% B:0.424%) Opponent: 42.41% (G:9.36% B:0.52%) Duration: 8 minutes 38 seconds Cubeless Equities +0.5072 +1.0573 2. 1 8/3 6/3 eq: +0.3882 (-0.0321) Cubeful Equities Rollout Player: 57.50% (G:21.49% B:0.71%) Conf.: ±0.0141 (+0.3741...+0.4024) - [0.1%] No double: +0.7301 (-0.0778) ±0.0059 (+0.7242..+0.7360) Opponent: 42.50% (G:9.58% B:0.47%) Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds Double/Take: +0.8079 ±0.0092 (+0.7987..+0.8171) 3. Rollout1 24/21 9/4 eq: +0.3775 (-0.0429) Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.1921) Player: 57.91% (G:16.39% B:0.42%) Conf.: ±0.0135 (+0.3640...+0.3910) - [0.0%] Opponent: 42.09% (G:6.96% B:0.25%) Duration: 9 minutes 16 seconds Best Cube action: Double / Take 4. Rollout1 24/21 13/8 eq: +0.3543 (-0.0661) Rollout details Player: 57.71% (G:15.49% B:0.40%) Conf.: ±0.0146 (+0.3397...+0.3689) - [0.0%] 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Opponent: 42.29% (G:6.73% B:0.24%) Duration: 8 minutes 14 seconds Dice Seed: 101 5. Rollout1 13/8 9/6 eq: +0.3368 (-0.0835) Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Player: 56.82% (G:19.07% B:0.62%) Conf.: ±0.0140 (+0.3228...+0.3508) - [0.0%] Opponent: 43.18% (G:9.51% B:0.39%) Duration: 8 minutes 30 seconds Double Decision confidence: 100.0% 6. Rollout1 24/21 6/1* eq: +0.3320 (-0.0883) Take Decision confidence: 100.0% Joe gets style points for both distribution and diversification. One If we move Joe’s 21 point blot back to the 24 point, we have a Player: 56.31% (G:19.41% B:0.49%) Conf.: ±0.0144 (+0.3177...+0.3464) - [0.0%] Duration: 48 minutes 28 seconds spare on each of his four points gives him a pretty distribution valuable money reference position. With Joe anchored on the 24 Opponent: 43.69% (G:8.80% B:0.40%) Duration: 8 minutes 57 seconds eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 1 with both priming and attacking potential. Well diversified, Joe point, he would have a borderline double/no double for money. 7. Rollout 21/16 9/6 eq: +0.3292 (-0.0911) Player: 57.08% (G:17.21% B:0.58%) Conf.: ±0.0131 (+0.3162...+0.3423) - [0.0%] hits on his 7 point with 1s 2s 6s, anchors with 3s, and can hit on Trailing 0–1 with his checkers split, as shown above, Joe has a Opponent: 42.92% (G:9.20% B:0.40%) Duration: 9 minutes 00 second his ace point with 4s and 5s. solid double, but he missed it. 1 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. With the 53 he rolled, Joe’s 24/21 9/4 sportingly invites Toby to Joe’s blitzing chances. This play also gives Toby 9 bad 6s (62 63 64 Dice Seed: 101 hit with 3sMoves: — and 3-ply, anchor cube with decisions: 6s. Better XG by Roller.04 is smacking with 65 66) and a bad 55. 9/1*, which gives Toby fewer point-makingeXtreme rolls whileGammon increasing Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 9:44:24 AM] file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 9:45:42 AM] 48 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 49 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Position 3 Position 4

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pip: 166 Pip: 138 Tobias Hellwag Tobias Hellwag 10-Away is Tobias Hellwag 8-Away is Tobias Hellwag

score: 1 score: 3 pip: 166 pip: 138

11 point match 11 point match

pip:10-Away 141 pip:10-Away 167 score: 1 score: 1 Joe Russell Joe Russell Pip: is 141 Joe Russell Pip: is 167 Joe Russell 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 XGID=a---BbCACB--cB--Ad-e----A-:0:0:1:00:1:1:0:11:10 XGID=---BaCC---A-bBbb-b-cc-B-B-:0:0:-1:00:1:3:0:11:10 Game 3, Move on 6: roll, Black cube (Joe)action? on roll. Cube action? Game 4, Move on 6: roll, White cube action?(Tobias) on roll. Cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Player Winning Chances: 67.355% (G:12.977% B:0.450%) 67.437% (G:13.141% B:0.475%) Player Winning Chances: 67.824% (G:21.698% B:1.717%) 67.800% (G:21.811% B:1.872%) Opponent Winning Chances: 32.645% (G:5.714% B:0.194%) 32.563% (G:5.750% B:0.206%) Opponent Winning Chances: 32.176% (G:7.206% B:0.282%) 32.200% (G:7.340% B:0.305%) Cubeless Equities +0.4272 +0.8875 Cubeless Equities +0.5365 +1.1040 Cubeful Equities Cubeful Equities No double: +0.6770 ±0.0072 (+0.6698..+0.6841) No double: +0.7796 ±0.0085 (+0.7711..+0.7881) Double/Take: +0.6307 (-0.0463) ±0.0086 (+0.6220..+0.6393) Double/Take: +0.7551 (-0.0245) ±0.0120 (+0.7431..+0.7670) Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.3230) Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.2204)

Best Cube action: No double / Take Best Cube action: No double / Take Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 12.5% Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 10.0% Rollout details Rollout details 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 101 Dice Seed: 101 Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller

Joe leadsDouble by 25 pips Decision and has confidence: two new points, Winning 67% with almost 13% gammons,100.0% By how much would Joe have to trail in OwningDouble two points Decision in Toby’s confidence: home board, Short of a double by .02, Toby did not99.9% If Toby hits on his way out with 62 Take Decision confidence: 100.0% Take Decision confidence: 100.0% while TobyDuration: has “nothing” 1 hour except00 minute an anchor Joe is a big favorite, but he is still .04 short the match to have a double in Position 3? Joe trailsDuration: by “only” 44 29 minutespips. He 25would seconds need double. If Toby’s 21 point blot were on (21/15*/13) and Joe responds with a 61

and a checker on the roof. However, JoeeXtreme of Gammona double. Version: Any 2.19.211.pre-release,one of the following MET: three Kazaross XG2Trailing 1–4 to 11 points, Joe has a close to trail by 90 or 100 pips in order to properlyeXtreme the Gammon midpoint, Version: Joe 2.19.211.pre-release, would have a bigMET: pass, Kazaross XG2(played B/18), Toby has a double by .03 still has five tasks to complete: he needs improvements in Joe’s position would be no-double by .01, but trailing 1–5 to 11 time a 1-3 back game. Joe, however, still worth 1.08. Toby’s escape work may appear and Joe has an easy take, worth .89. After to safety his two outfield blots, escape his enough to give him a legitimate double: points, the double is correct by .01. Trailing has chances to win going forward because negligible, but he has only 8 numbers (65 Toby hits with 62, it is better for Joe to roll back checker, clear his outfield points, clear (1) moving 8/7, (2) moving 16/13 or (3) 7–9 to 11 points, the double is right by .07 Toby has neither escaped his back checker 64 55 53 44) that cleanly escape without 61 than to fan. After Toby’s 62 and Joe’s fan, his 6 point and then win the race. moving 24/21. and Toby still has a take, worth .93. nor made a 3-prime. assisting Joe’s timing by hitting. he has a close take, worth .98.

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 10:12:43 AM] file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 10:25:30 AM] 50 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 51 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Position 5 Position 6

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pip: 126 Pip: 107 Tobias Hellwag Tobias Hellwag 8-Away is Tobias Hellwag 7-Away is Tobias Hellwag

score: 3 score: 4 pip: 126 pip: 107

11 point match 11 point match

pip:10-Away 107 pip:10-Away 140 score: 1 score: 1 Joe Russell Joe Russell Pip: is 107 Joe Russell Pip: is 140 Joe Russell 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 XGID=-aDBBBB------bcc-cbCa---:0:0:-1:00:1:3:0:11:10 XGID=---BBCB-----cC--ac-cCbc---:0:0:-1:00:1:4:0:11:10 Game 4, Move on 15: roll, White cube action? (Tobias) on roll. Cube action? Game 5, Move on 8: roll, White cube action?(Tobias) on roll. Cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Player Winning Chances: 70.082% (G:10.447% B:0.300%) 69.823% (G:10.215% B:0.368%) Player Winning Chances: 76.397% (G:4.318% B:0.066%) 76.548% (G:4.220% B:0.065%) Opponent Winning Chances: 29.918% (G:3.886% B:0.037%) 30.177% (G:3.989% B:0.048%) Opponent Winning Chances: 23.603% (G:2.122% B:0.060%) 23.452% (G:2.168% B:0.063%) Cubeless Equities +0.4794 +0.9898 Cubeless Equities +0.5508 +1.1151 Cubeful Equities Cubeful Equities No double: +0.7650 ±0.0092 (+0.7558..+0.7742) No double: +0.8855 (-0.0691) ±0.0048 (+0.8808..+0.8903) Double/Take: +0.7438 (-0.0212) ±0.0156 (+0.7282..+0.7594) Double/Take: +0.9547 ±0.0052 (+0.9494..+0.9599) Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.2350) Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.0453)

Best Cube action: No double / Take Best Cube action: Double / Take Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 8.3% Rollout details Rollout details 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 101 Dice Seed: 101 Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Double Decision confidence: 100.0% Joe leadsDouble by 19 pips, Decision but he confidence: is in imminent In fact, Joe can sometimes take even after98.9% Although Toby would have a double by .02 Joe’s previousTake Decision play, 24/20 confidence: with a 31, was Ahead 4–1, Toby leads by 33 pips in a simple100.0% It would be better for Joe if he had the Take Decision confidence: 100.0% Duration: 31 minutes 45 seconds danger of crashing his board. Unless Toby his 6 point is gone. For example, after if he trailed 1–3, when leading 3–1 he has a whopper. After the best 13/9, Toby is (20 point/midpoint) holding game. The same count but only two checkers on his Duration: 4 minutes 51 seconds eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 has to weaken his blockade with a 44 or 55,eXtreme Toby’s Gammon 61 Version: (24/17) 2.19.211.pre-release, and Joe’s 52 (6/4 MET: 6/1), Kazaross XG2a no double by .01. Toby correctly did not forced to leave a shot next roll with a 61 double needs no justification, but the take/ 20 point, because he may not be able to more than half of Joe’s numbers force him to the position is a double by .05 and a close double. In the continuation of the game, (and several other rolls play awkwardly); pass decision is relatively close. Although safely release his 20 point spare. If we move break his 6 point. Even then, he would still take, worth .97. However, after Toby’s 54 Toby rolled 54 (9/5 8/3) and Joe rolled 52 if missed, he will still be at risk of leaving Joe’s racing equity and shot-hitting chances Joe’s 20 point spare to the 10 point and the retain significant 21 point racing chances (8/3 9/5) and Joe’s 32 (21/18 6/4), he has a (6/4 6/1*). Toby doubled and Joe correctly shots on subsequent rolls. Joe’s increased are both small, together they add up to two checkers on his 3 point back to the 8 and also a bit of shot equity. close pass, worth 1.01. passed (1.06). wins with 13/9 compensate him for losing 23.5%, giving him a take, worth .95. point, the count is the same, but the take a few extra gammons. is easier, worth .89.

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 11:00:48 AM] file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 11:21:17 AM] 52 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 53 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Position 7 Position 7-A

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pip: 54 Pip: 54 Tobias Hellwag Player 2 5-Away is Tobias Hellwag 5-Away is Player 2

score: 6 score: 6 pip: 54 pip: 54

11 point match 11 point match

pip:10-Away 76 10-Awaypip: 109 score: 1 score: 1 Joe Russell Player 1 Pip: is 76 Joe Russell Pip: 109 is Player 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 XGID=-BBBBCB--A------b-bAaddb-:1:-1:-1:00:1:6:0:11:10 XGID=----BCCBBB------b-bAaddb-:0:0:-1:00:1:6:0:11:10 Game 6, Move on 18: roll, White cube action? (Tobias) on roll. Cube action? White on roll. White on roll, wins cube 13% action? after double/take.

Analyzed in Rollout No redouble Redouble/Take Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take Player Winning Chances: 80.641% (G:0.190% B:0.001%) 80.750% (G:0.156% B:0.001%) Player Winning Chances: 85.942% (G:2.602% B:0.003%) 86.836% (G:2.830% B:0.016%) Opponent Winning Chances: 19.359% (G:0.342% B:0.007%) 19.250% (G:0.326% B:0.010%) Opponent Winning Chances: 14.058% (G:0.878% B:0.029%) 13.164% (G:0.964% B:0.034%) Cubeless Equities +0.6105 +1.1248 Cubeless Equities +0.7347 +1.4580 Cubeful Equities Cubeful Equities No redouble: +0.7489 ±0.0009 (+0.7480..+0.7497) No double: +0.8590 (-0.1410) ±0.0004 (+0.8585..+0.8594) Redouble/Take: +0.6695 (-0.0794) ±0.0023 (+0.6671..+0.6718) Double/Take: +1.3971 (+0.3971) ±0.0020 (+1.3951..+1.3990) Redouble/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.2511) Double/Pass: +1.0000

Best Cube action: No redouble / Take Best Cube action: Double / Pass Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 24.0% Rollout details Rollout details 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Dice Seed: 101 Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Double Decision confidence: 100.0% Take Decision confidence: 100.0% TrailingDouble 1–6 to 11Decision points, confidence:Joe needs about Toby’s wastage in Position 7-B is 6 pips100.0% Needing 15% to 16% to take and winning Duration: 4 minutes 15 seconds Take Decision confidence: 100.0% eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 15% or 16%Duration: (according 1 minute to John 04 seconds O’Hagan) greater than Joe’s. Although Joe trails by 19.3%, Joe has an easy take. Holding a

to take a redouble to 4. Position 7-A (seeeXtreme 22 Gammon pips in Version:Position 2.19.211.pre-release, 7, Toby’s wastage MET: makes Kazaross XG22-cube with a large lead in the match, Toby the next diagram) helps us estimate Joe’s the difference in EPC (effective pip count) needs to be closer to Joe’s marginal-take/ Precision Dice at a Great Price! usbgf.org/shop chance of winning by hitting in Position less than 16 pips. Joe wins a few races and pass point before redoubling, unless the Looking for precision dice? The USBGF BG Shop carries 3 sizes of ball-cornered precision dice in 9 different colors. Precision Dice: $15 per pair, plus shipping. 7. With miniscule racing chances in 7-A, hits quite a few shots; his winning chances position is more volatile. Toby’s redouble Joe still wins 13%, the vast majority from add up to 19.4%. to 4 was a blunder, wrong by .079. hitting a shot. USBGFBGSHOP

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 11:26:28 AM] file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 1:26:12 PM] 54 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 55 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Position 7-B Tobias gets hit more often than you might point. Secondly, there are 8 other “neutral” 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 38 EPC: 54.23 think in this position. He does have 20 numbers that don’t clear the 8 point but also Player 2 numbers that clear his 8 point (counting don’t leave a shot. They do however leave 5-Away is Player 2 the pick and pass 31 roll) while 8 leave Tobias with more blotting numbers since an immediate shot. Some players might he will have cleared his 6 point with half of score: 6 pip: 38 therefore conclude that they should pass these 8 numbers (53 or 43). Without the 6 this cube since they will only hit about a point to land on, Tobias will only have 11 third of these 8 numbers which is way below ways to clear the 8 point while 16 numbers their 15% or so takepoint. But there’s more will force him to leave a direct shot. Third, 11 point match to consider than just these 8 immediate there’s the race to consider. Tobias is ahead blotting numbers. First of all, if Tobias by 22 pips but he has a lot more wastage does clear the 8 point safely, he will still than Joe. I would estimate that Joe’s racing get hit ~4% when he can’t safely clear the 6 chances are in the 9% – 10% range. 10-Awaypip: 47 score: 1 Player 1 Pip: 47 is EPC: Player 57.02 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=-BBBBCB------b-addb-:0:0:1:00:1:6:0:11:10 on roll, cube action? Black (Player 2) on roll. Cube action? “A more realistic Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take approach to estimating Player Winning Chances: 55.456% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) 55.456% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) Opponent Winning Chances: 44.544% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) 44.544% (G:0.000% B:0.000%) Joe’s true takepoint Cubeless Equities +0.1091 +0.2230 Cubeful Equities is to assume 70% to No double: +0.1795 ±0.0021 (+0.1775..+0.1816) Double/Take: +0.0660 (-0.1135) ±0.0020 (+0.0640..+0.0680) 80% efficiency on his Double/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.8205) recube to 8. Best Cube action: No double / Take Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 12.2% Rollout details 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller

Double Decision confidence: 100.0% Here isTake a paraphrase Decision confidence:of the response I his 4 cube takepoint is just 13.16%. These are100.0% Should Tobias redouble? He’s 3% to 4% Duration: 39.1 seconds received from John O’Hagan when I asked the two extremes and both are unrealistic. away from Joe’s true takepoint, which is eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 for his help with Position 7: If Joe just takes A more realistic approach to estimating close enough to redouble at most scores. the 4 cube and never redoubles, he needs Joe’s true takepoint is to assume 70% to If it was a more volatile position, recub- 22.56% chances to take (according to the 80% efficiency on his recube to 8. This ing when you’re 3% to 4% away from the Rockwell-Kazaross MET). If he takes and makes his true takepoint to be around 70% opponent’s true takepoint could be correct always redoubles when Tobias has a mar- to 80% of the way from 22.56% to 13.16%. at this score as well. But it’s no redouble in GIANTS OF BACKGAMMON ginal take/pass (when Tobias has 41.56% 70% efficiency gives a true takepoint of this position. Two Giants of Backgammon put on an exciting show in the final of the Cherry

winning chances per the R-K MET), then 15.98% versus 15.04% for 80% efficiency. IRAVANI LILI Blossom Championship in a match streamed to a world-wide audience.

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/20/2017 1:30:59 PM] 56 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 57 Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Cube Action: Cherry Blossom Final Position 8

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 48 Tobias Hellwag About Paul 5-Away is Tobias Hellwag aul Weaver lives in Hoover, score: 6 PAlabama. He began playing pip: 48 backgammon in 1978. He has won tournaments and given lessons on five continents.

Paul is one of only seven who have 11 point match been on all twelve biennial Giants lists since they began in 1993. He is currently ranked #17 but believes he is way overrated. pip:10-Away 76 score: 1 He has been awarded Grandmaster Joe Russell Class 3 status by the Backgammon Pip: is 76 Joe Russell 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Masters Awarding Body. XGID=-BBBBCB--A------abAaedb-:2:1:1:00:1:6:0:11:10 Game 6, Move on 18: roll, Black cube action? (Joe) on roll. Cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout No redouble Redouble/Take Player Winning Chances: 36.482% (G:1.949% B:0.062%) 38.767% (G:0.967% B:0.018%) Opponent Winning Chances: 63.518% (G:0.038% B:0.000%) 61.233% (G:0.022% B:0.000%) Cubeless Equities -0.2389 +0.2726 Professional Cubeful Equities Backgammon Scoreboard No redouble: -0.0917 (-0.3643) ±0.0014 (-0.0930..-0.0903) Imported from Finland Redouble/Take: +0.2726 ±0.0006 (+0.2720..+0.2732) This top-of-the-line professional Redouble/Pass: +1.0000 (+0.7274) backgammon scoreboard is a must-have item for any Best Cube action: Redouble / Take tournament or chouette player! Rollout details Extra-heavy coated cardboard 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. construction ensures enhanced Dice Seed: 101 stability and long-term durability. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller Match scores from 0 to 25 points are visible from either side, and Joe winsDouble only 36.5%Decision of confidence:the games, but his MWP is 9% (on average); but if he does100.0% leave this shot, Joe immediately redoubled are easy to read from a distance. he gainsTake enormously Decision confidence:by redoubling. If not redouble and misses, his MWP is 11%100.0% to 8 and Toby correctly took; Joe hit and Duration: 47.1 seconds This is the finest and highest he redoubles to 8 before his 11 hitters, (on average). After Joe redoubles to 8, his won the huge eight-point game. Joe then eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2 quality backgammon scoreboard his match-winning probability (MWP) huge MWP gain of 31% on the 11 hitters proceeded to win an undoubled gammon available for purchase. Imported from Finland. Includes USBGF logo is 74%, but if he holds the cube on 4 and dwarfs his tiny 2% (11%–9%) loss in MWP in the next game to win the match and in the center. hits, his MWP is only 43%. He gains 31% on the 25 misses. the tournament. Congratulations to both $39.00 each plus shipping. (74%–43%) MWP by redoubling to 8 on Joe and Toby for their success in the first his 11 hits. If Joe holds the cube on 4, his MWP is 22%, Cherry Blossom!  usbgf.org/shop Professional Scoreboard USBGF BG SHOP but after redoubling to 8, his MWP is 29.5%. If Joe redoubles to 8 and misses the shot, Over the board, when Toby rolled a 51 to - PAUL WEAVER

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and error-prone. Short of memorizing last-roll gammon-saving from a gap in your inner board. In this problem, 16/8 does just Saving the Gammon positions, are there any counting shortcuts available? that, so it violates the Rule. Jeff Ward published one of his tricks in the magazine Backgam- The Rule of Sevens is okay as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go very on the last roll mon Times in 1982. He calls it the “Rule of Sevens.” It says that in far. Here’s an exception (an equivalent position was given by Ward general you should not put your outside checker seven pips away in a 1982 follow-up to his original article). By Marty Storer Position 2

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Position 1 Pip: 4 Player 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 is Player 2 Pip: 4 Unlimited Game Player 2 score: 0 Unlimited is Player Game 2 pip: 4

score: 0 pip: 4

Unlimited Game Jacoby Beaver

Unlimitedpip: 79 Game score: 0 Player 1 pip: 78 Pip: 78 is Player 1 Unlimited Game 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 score: 0 XGID=--CB-ED------A----ab-:1:1:1:61:0:0:3:0:10 Player 1 to play 61 Pip: 79 is Player 1 Black (Player 1) on roll to play 61 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=--BBBDD------A------ab-:1:1:1:62:0:0:3:0:10 1 18/11 eq: -1.6759 Black (Player 1) toon play roll 62 to play 62 1. Rollout Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6759...-1.6759) - [100.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:67.59% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 1. Rollout1 16/10 3/1 eq: -1.3287 2. Rollout1 18/12 2/1 eq: -1.6991 (-0.0231) Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.3287...-1.3287) - [100.0%] Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6991...-1.6991) - [0.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:32.87% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second Opponent: 100.00% (G:69.91% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 2. Rollout1 16/8 eq: -1.3981 (-0.0694) 3. Rollout1 18/12 5/4 eq: -1.6991 (-0.0231) Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.3981...-1.3981) - [0.0%] Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6991...-1.6991) - [0.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:39.81% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second Opponent: 100.00% (G:69.91% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 1he 5184 6 is 16/10.Games Many rolled players with Variancewould automatically Reduction. keep the After 16/8, Black misses with any 1 except double 1: ten rolls total. 1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller outside checker going, but Black should at least consider But after 16/10 3/1, only five aces miss: 31 21 11. The only other The 6 is Moves:18/12; then 3-ply, 12/11 cube violates decisions: the Rule XG Rollernext turn. The gap-filling plays give only Either way it looks easy to make a mistake. eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release stopping on the 10 point and filling the gap on his 1. He missing number is 32. The total is seven misses after 16/10 3/1, of Sevens. But should Black fill the higher 13 gammon-savingeXtreme Gammon Version: numbers 2.19.211.pre-release each. Tmust maximize gammon-saving rolls for his next turn, should making that the best play by far. gap with 5/4, or the lower gap with 2/1? Here’s another position where the Rule of there be one, and it won’t take too long to count the misses after The Rule is silent on that point. It turns This counting exercise is much more dif- Sevens makes no clear prediction. each play. Note that it’s much easier to count misses than to count All right, that counting exercise is not too difficult. The answer out that the Rule-violating 18/11 is best ficult than Black’s task in our first position.

gammon-savers: far fewer rolls miss than save. is not remotely astounding. But counting can be tedious, boring, AUER DORIS in this position, giving 14 ways to bear off Do we count misses or gammon-savers?

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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 4 Counting Trick Player 2 Unlimited is Player Game 2 Points 1 2 3 4 5 6 This counting trick is most useful for what I call standard gammon- saving positions. For a gammon-saving position to be standard, score: 0 1 36 36 34 29 23 15 pip: 4 you must have fourteen checkers inside and one in your outfield. 2 36 26 25 23 19 13 Also, you need to have either no inner-board gaps, or else one or 3 34 25 17 17 14 10 more consecutive gaps starting with the 1 point. 4 29 23 17 11 10 8 Unlimited Game 5 23 19 14 10 6 6 Jacoby Beaver Position 1, with Black to play 62, is an example of a standard 6 15 13 10 8 6 4 gammon-saving position: Black moves to his outfield with the 6, but can’t bear in with the 2. And he has a gap on his 1 point. Select the points occupied by the last two checkers using the Unlimitedpip: 78 Game score: 0 numbers in the first row and the first column (Points). Suppose What does this problem have to do with the table? Everything. Player 1 your last two checkers are on the 3 and 2 points. Select row 3, Pip: 78 is Player 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=-B-C-DE------A-----ab-:1:1:1:61:0:0:3:0:10 column 2 (or row 2, column 3 if you want): the number in that Consider two numbers: the minimum number needed to bear Black (Player 1) toon play roll 61 to play 61 table cell is 25, which is the number of rolls that bear off the last the last checker in, and the minimum needed to bear off once two checkers if they’re on the 3 and 2 points. If both checkers the last checker is in. In this example there are two such number- 1 1. Rollout 17/10 eq: -1.5139 are on the 6 point, go to the [6,6] table cell and read 4: that’s how pairs to look at: the first is [4,1] (the minimum to bear in and the Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.5139...-1.5139) - [100.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:51.39% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second many numbers bear off the last two checkers if they’re both on minimum to bear off, respectively, after Black plays 16/10 3/1), 2. Rollout1 17/11 3/2 eq: -1.5833 (-0.0694) the 6 point (you need double 3s, 4s, 5s, or 6s). and the second is [2,2] (minimum bearin and bearoff numbers Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.5833...-1.5833) - [0.0%] after Black’s 16/8). Opponent: 100.00% (G:58.33% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second Note that you only have to memorize a bit more than half of the 3. Rollout1 17/11 5/4 eq: -1.5833 (-0.0694) Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.5833...-1.5833) - [0.0%] table, because there are duplicated entries: for example, the num- Use those two pairs of numbers to index the table. The entry for the Opponent: 100.00% (G:58.33% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second ber in the [3,2] cell is the same as the one in the [2,3], because [4,1] table cell is 29, and the entry for [2,2] is 26. This tells us that the information in one of those cells means the same thing as after 16/10 3/1, Black has 29 ways to save the gammon on the next 1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. After 17/11,Moves: should 3-ply, Black cube play decisions: 11/10, 5/4, XG orRoller 3/2? Using only the better rules of thumb than Ward’s? the information in the other. Therefore there are only 21 distinct turn. After 16/8, he has only 26. So 16/10 3/1 is Black’s best play. Rule of Sevens, Black must choose between 5/4 andeXtreme 11/10. Gammon The Version: 2.19.211.pre-release entries to memorize (the unshaded ones), not 36. only way to find out which is best is to count. And since we know There is an extremely useful counting trick, which I discovered Why does this trick work? I’ll tell you. In a two-checker bearoff, the Rule has at least one exception, we might as well count for all in 1982 after reading Ward’s articles, and which I’ll share now. To Once you’ve memorized the table, you can put your knowledge two numbers are key: the minimum to bear off one checker, and three alternatives. What a pain! use this trick takes a little up-front work: you have to memorize to work for a whole class of last-roll gammon-saving problems. the minimum to bear off the other. In a standard gammon-saving the one-sided two-checker bearoffs. That is, you have to know You can also use the knowledge in a similar kind of gammon- problem, a pair of minimum crossover numbers is again critical, It turns out that 17/10 is best, giving 21 gammon-savers, versus how many rolls bear off the last two checkers in the inner board, saving position. except that one of them is the minimum number to bear in. It’s 18 after either gap-filling play. But wouldn’t it be nice if we had no matter what points they occupy. just that simple.

Position 4 is another example of a standard gammon-saving problem.

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/26/2017 9:51:46 AM] 62 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 63 Saving the Gammon on the Last Roll Saving the Gammon on the Last Roll Position 4 Position 4-A

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 4 Pip: 4 Player 2 Player 2 Unlimited is Player Game 2 Unlimited is Player Game 2

score: 0 score: 0 pip: 4 pip: 4

Unlimited Game Unlimited Game Jacoby Beaver Jacoby Beaver

Unlimitedpip: 81 Game Unlimitedpip: 81 Game score: 0 score: 0 Player 1 Player 1 Pip: 81 is Player 1 Pip: 81 is Player 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=---CCDD------A------ab-:1:1:1:51:0:0:3:0:10 XGID=---CCDD------A------ab-:1:1:1:52:0:0:3:0:10 Black (Player 1) toon play roll 51 to play 51 Black (Player 1) toon play roll 52 to play 52

1. Rollout1 16/11 3/2 eq: -1.5602 1. Rollout1 16/11 4/2 eq: -1.5602 Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.5602...-1.5602) - [100.0%] Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.5602...-1.5602) - [100.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:56.02% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second Opponent: 100.00% (G:56.02% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 2. Rollout1 16/10 eq: -1.6065 (-0.0463) 2. Rollout1 16/11 3/1 eq: -1.5833 (-0.0231) Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6065...-1.6065) - [0.0%] Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.5833...-1.5833) - [0.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:60.65% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second Opponent: 100.00% (G:58.33% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 3. Rollout1 16/15 6/1 eq: -1.9074 (-0.3472) 3. Rollout1 16/9 eq: -1.6065 (-0.0463) Obviously, BlackPlayer: plays 16/11 0.00%with the (G:0.00% 5, and nowB:0.00%) we have a AfterConf.: 3/2, ±0.0000 the minimum (-1.9074...-1.9074) bearin number - [0.0%] is 5 and the minimum Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6065...-1.6065) - [0.0%] standard gammon-savingOpponent: problem:100.00% Black (G:90.74% has one checker B:0.00%) in his toDuration: bear off is 0.0 2. secondAfter 11/10, those numbers are 4 and 3. So, index Opponent: 100.00% (G:60.65% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 4. Rollout1 16/14 6/1 eq: -1.9074 (-0.3472) outer board,1 and consecutive inner-board gaps starting with his the table accordingly: the [5,2] value is 19, and the [4,3] value is Consider the same position, but this time How do we handle non-standard gammon- Now, look at your inner-board gaps: here, 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.9074...-1.9074) - [0.0%] ace point.Moves: He has 3-ply, a 1 to cubeplay anddecisions: must decide XG Roller between 11/10 and 17. Therefore Black plays 16/11 3/2, for 19 ways to bear off, versus with Black to playOpponent: 52. Now there100.00% are three (G:90.74% saving B:0.00%)positions, i.e., thoseDuration: having one0.0 secondor Black’s only gap is on the 2 point. The only 3/2. Note that the Rule of Sevens is no help here. eXtreme Gammon Version:16/10 2.19.211.pre-release giving only 17 ways to save the gammon. choices to consider: 16/11 4/2 giving [5,2]; more inner-board gaps that do not start extra misses, over and above the misses in 1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. 16/9 giving [3,3]; and 16/11 3/1 giving— with the 1 point or are not consecutive? a standard [5,1] gammon-saving position, Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller

what? eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release will be with numbers corresponding to the The general method isn’t too hard. First, gap. The gap is on the 2 point, so the only Since Black reaches a standard gammon- pretend that you do have a standard gam- extra missing numbers will include a 2. saving position with 16/11 4/2 or with 16/9, mon-saving position, and index your table we can look up the corresponding numbers accordingly. Take the minimum bearin If Black did not have a gap on his 2 point, in the table: [5,2] is 19 and [3,3] is 17, so we number, and also the number of the low- he would have a standard [5,1] position, know that 16/11 4/2 beats 16/9. But what est point in your inner board: here, you and rolls of 62, 52, and 22 would bear off about 16/11 3/1? After that play Black has get [5,1], and the corresponding table a checker. But because of the interior gap, one gap, but it’s not on the ace point, so the entry is 23. those rolls (five numbers out of 36) do not

DORIS AUER DORIS gammon-saving position is non-standard. bear off. So, subtract 5 from 23, and you

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have the number of rolls to save the gammon after 16/11 3/1: 18 We’ve already determined that 16/11 4/2 gives us 19 gammon-savers dice combinations, for a total of 13 ways This process becomes rather easy with total. (Note that 42, 32, and 12 do not bear off in the standard and 16/9 gives 17. Since 16/11 3/1 gives 18, we choose 16/11 4/2. to save the gammon. Since 18/11 gives us practice. I have been using it since 1982 [5,1] position, so you don’t subtract those.) 13 saving rolls and 18/12 5/4 gives only and my last-roll gammon-saving technique 12, we choose either 18/11 or 18/12 3/2. has been virtually error-free since then. I Position 5 I would play 18/11 in order to thumb my never make mistakes in standard gammon- 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pip: 4 nose at the Rule of Sevens. saving positions, and I doubt I’ll goof up Player 2 a non-standard problem more than once Unlimited is Player Game 2 A useful exercise is to try to solve Position every year or two.  3 using my method. Feel free to use the score: 0 pip: 4 table if you haven’t already memorized it. - MARTY STORER

Unlimited Game Jacoby Beaver

Unlimitedpip: 79 Game score: 0 Player 1 Pip: 79 is Player 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 XGID=-B-C-DE------A----ab-:1:1:1:61:0:0:3:0:10 Black (Player 1) toon play roll 61 to play 61

1. Rollout1 18/11 eq: -1.6991 Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6991...-1.6991) - [100.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:69.91% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 2. Rollout1 18/12 3/2 eq: -1.6991 Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.6991...-1.6991) - [0.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:69.91% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second 3. Rollout1 18/12 5/4 eq: -1.7222 (-0.0231) About Marty Player: 0.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%) Conf.: ±0.0000 (-1.7222...-1.7222) - [0.0%] Opponent: 100.00% (G:72.22% B:0.00%) Duration: 0.0 second arty Storer is the USBGF Feature Editor for Annotated MMatches and the 2015 Michigan Summer champion, as well 1 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. as the 2013 New England Backgammon Club champion. Let’s considerMoves: another 3-ply, non-standard cube decisions: posi XG- RollerAfter 12/11, our standard number-pair is After 5/4, our standard number-pair is [6,1] tion as shown above. [5,1]eXtreme giving Gammon 23 gammon-savers. Version: 2.19.211.pre-release Black has giving 15 ways to save the gammon. From Marty has been awarded the designation of Grandmaster gaps on his 4 and 2 point, so we subtract 15 we subtract 62 and 22: three numbers, Class 2 by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body.

After 18/12, Black can play 12/11, 5/4, numbers including 4 or 2 that miss in the for a result of 12 gammon-savers. His two-volume Backgammon Praxis was released in 2005 to rave or 3/2. None of the resulting positions is non-standard position but do not miss in reviews. With the intrepid co-author, two-time U.S. Open Champion standard; for each of them we start with a the standard. Those missing numbers are After 3/2, we again have a standard num- Mary Hickey, he has contributed to another book, What's Your number-pair for a standard position and 64, 54, 44, 62, 52, and 22: ten total, which ber-pair of [6,1] for 15 gammon-savers. Game Plan? Backgammon Strategy in the Middle Game.

then subtract numbers corresponding to subtracted from 23 gives us 13 ways to save We subtract 64 (but not 44 because that Marty lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife, three Black’s interior gaps. the gammon. number bears off from the 12 point): two children, three pet mammals, and several pet bots.

file:///C|/Users/Tara%20Mendicino/Documents/Position/position.htm[6/26/2017 10:05:30 AM] 66 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 67 A Forty-Year Milestone for the U.S. Open

“Between 1977 and 1984,” Bill Davis wrote, “Les & Sue Boyd in Consolation — Jay Whitehead; Second Consolation — Toni conjunction with their International Backgammon Association Delacorte. [IBA] held eight US Opens in various locations throughout the United States.” (For a bit more about the special role played by 6. IBA U.S. Open, April 30–May 2, 1982. Palm Bay Club, Miami, Les & Sue Boyd during the infancy of tournament backgammon FL. First Place — Gary Kay; Second Place — Joel Harwood; in the United States, see Part One of my January 2015 interview First Consolation — J. P. McGirr; Second Consolation — A Forty-Year Milestone for the with Kent Goulding and Mike Senkiewicz, which appears in the Steve Keats. January–February 2016 edition of PrimeTime Backgammon, at page 32.) Drawing upon the history catalogued in his compre- 7. IBA U.S. Open, February 19–20, 1983. Hotel Monteleone, hensive collection of back issues of the IBA’s Backgammon Guide New Orleans, LA. First Place — James Love; Second Place — magazine, Bill produced the following compilation of U.S. Open Neil Kazaross; First Consolation — Aileen Magriel; Second results during the Les & Sue Boyd era. Consolation — Ed O’Laughlin. [Editorial note: We will see US OPEN much more of Ed O in future U.S. Open events!] BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. IBA U.S. Open, April 7–10, 1977. Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, By Robert Stoller, USBGF Historian NV. First Place — Sam Wilson; Second Place — Sandy Lubet- 8. IBA U.S. Open, November 10–11, 1984. Hotel Monteleone, kin; First Consolation — Katie Wright; Second Consolation New Orleans, LA. First place — Peter Slenecko (Australia); — Malcolm Davis; First Last Chance — Avi Samanon and Second Place — Michael Maxakuli; First Consolation — D. Part One: The Les & Sue Boyd Era (1977–1984) Kit Woolsey. I. Long.

pril 2017 marked the 40th year, to the very month, since 2. IBA U.S. Open, March 23–26, 1978. Hyatt Regency, New The 1984 event marked the end of the Les & Sue Boyd era. For the tournament backgammon community crowned its Orleans, LA. First Place — Gus Michalopoulos; Second Place reasons I have not yet been able to determine, no U.S. Open first U.S. Open Champion. The U.S. Open has had several — Bill Gause; First Consolation — Bob Ciaffone; Second Backgammon Tournaments were held in 1985, 1986 or 1987. Between 1977 and “ Aindependent directors who have taken the initiative to mount the Consolation — Ellen Jacoby; First Last Chance — Median 1984, Bill Davis wrote, event over its history, but it hasn’t been offered under the auspices Anderson. Part Two: From 1985 until the End of the 20th Century Les & Sue Boyd in of a national backgammon federation with a formal set of rules. Nor have there been forty consecutive U.S. Open Backgammon 3. IBA U.S. Open, March 8–11, 1979. Hyatt Lake Tahoe, NV. In 1988, The Northern Nevada Backgammon Association (NNBA) conjunction with Championships. To the contrary, as of this writing, there have been First Place — Jeff Mervis; Second Place — Craig Chellstorp; reactivated the U.S. Open Championship and moved it to Reno. their International only 22 such Championships. Yet, it is a prestigious event that has First Consolation — Wilson Fields; Second Consolation — attracted top players, and the champions deserve special recognition Kal Robinson; First Last Chance — John Reese. 9. NNBA U.S. Open, June 16–19 1988. Nugget Hotel, Reno, NV. Backgammon for their accomplishments. In this review, I will document to the First Place — Malcolm Davis; Second Place — Kit Woolsey; Association [IBA] best of my ability the episodic history of this special tournament. 4. IBA U.S. Open, January 6–9, 1980. MGM Grand Hotel, Reno, Third/Fourth Places — Neil Kazaross and Chuck Giallanza; held eight US Opens NV. First Place — Badei Khoury; Second Place — Joe Monro; First Consolation — Joe Russell; Second Consolation — Hal Following Carol Joy Cole’s victory over Joe Russell in the 2009 First Consolation — Ken DuChamp; Second Consolation — Heinrich. Source document: Chicago Point newsletter, Vol. in various locations U.S. Open Championship, tournament co-director Bill Davis Todd VanderPluym; First Last Chance — Lee Genud 1, No. 2, July 1988, page 1 (report by Hal Heinrich). Ironi- throughout the United penned a comprehensive report and historical retrospective of the cally, when Bill Davis penned his retrospective report on the U.S. Open Backgammon Championship for the GammonVillage 5. IBA U.S. Open, April 11–12, 1981. MGM Grand Hotel, Reno, U.S. Open in his 25 June 2009 article for GammonVillage, he States. [online] Magazine. See “Carol Joy Cole Joins List of US Open NV. First Place — Badei Khoury. [Editorial note: Mr. Khoury omitted reference to the 1988 event, even though it had been Backgammon Winners,” 25 June 2009 (U.S. Open List updated was thus the first back-to-back winner of the U.S. Open a front page story in his Chicago Point newsletter. July 13, 2009), archived at gammonvillage.com. Championship title.] Second Place — Aram Kouleyan; First 68 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 69 A Forty-Year Milestone for the U.S. Open A Forty-Year Milestone for the U.S. Open

10. NNBA U.S. Open, June 21–25, 1989. Nugget Hotel, Reno, 13. World Cup V U.S. Open, August 11–18, 1996. Harvey’s NV. 96 players. First Place — Craig Chellstorp; Second Place Addison Hotel, Addison, TX. 73 players. First Place — Jake — Jay Kurzet; First Consolation — Jack Kissane; Second Jacobs; Second Place — David Montgomery; First Consola- Consolation — Howard Markowitz; First Last Chance — Kit tion —David Simpson; Second Consolation — Tom Wheeler. Woolsey. Source document: Chicago Point newsletter, Vol. Source document: Chicago Point newsletter Number 93, Sep/ 2, No. 7, July 1989, page 1. [This is the first U.S. Open for Oct 1996; pages 1, 6, 7, and 8. which I have found information on the number of players. Bill Davis’ 25 June 2009 GammonVillage retrospective gives 14. World Cup VI U.S. Open, August 1–9, 1998. Crown Plaza KIT WOOLSEY 92 players. – Ed.] Addison, Dallas, TX. 73 players. First Place — Jerry Grandell (Sweden); Second Place — Neil Kazaross; First Consolation American Backgammon Hall of Famer Kit Woolsey won the U.S. Open in 2016, after placing According to a front-page report in Chicago Point newsletter — Karen Davis; Second Consolation — Danny [sic] May- 2nd in 1988, and 1st in Last Chance in 1977, Number 36, Northern Nevada Backgammon Association co- field. Source document: Chicago Point newsletter Number 1989, 2010, and 2015 — giving him the most director David Heffner died of a heart attack on May 29, 1990. He 112, September 1998, pages 1 and 7. place wins in the U.S. Open 40-year history. was only 56. Perhaps as a consequence of Mr. Heffner’s untimely death, the NNBA did not convene any further U.S. Open events. The 1998 event was the last U.S. Open Backgammon Champion- ship of the 20th century. The year 1998 also marked the last of the 15. WBA/ABT U.S. Open, June 4–7, 2009. Doubletree Hotel, monVillage [online] Magazine, “2010 U.S. Open Report” by The next formally-designated U.S. Open took place in 1992, under four bi-annual World Cup tournaments organized and directed Arlington, VA. 25 players. First Place — Carol Joy Cole; Mary Hickey, 20 May 2010. Mary’s triumph was especially the auspices of Kent Goulding’s and Bill Robertie’s bi-annual World by Kent Goulding and Bill Robertie in the 1990s. Second Place — Joe Russell; First Consolation — Brian B. remarkable inasmuch as she had not even planned to attend Cup tournaments. Smith; Second Consolation — Kent Goulding; First Last the event. But two weeks prior to its commencement, she More than a decade would pass before Chiva Tafazzoli’s World Chance — Richard Munitz. Source documents: Chicago had won an online qualifier on the Play65 website that gave 11. World Cup III U.S. Open, August 3–9, 1992. Harvey’s Bristol Backgammon Association would combine with Bill Davis’ Ameri- Point newsletter Number 212, Jul/Aug 2009, pages 1 and 8; her a free Open entry and hotel room! Suites, Dallas, TX. 76 players. First Place — Ed O’Laughlin; can Backgammon Tour to promote the “First U.S. Backgammon GammonVillage [online] Magazine, “Carol Joy Cole Joins List Second Place — Rafael Lopez de Lara; First Consolation Open” of the 21st century in 2009. of U.S. Open Backgammon Winners” by Bill Davis, 25 June 17. WBA/ABT U.S. Open, January 14–17, 2011. Marriott North, — Eric Seidel; Second Consolation — Gary Kay. Source 2009. According to Bill Davis’ write-up for the GammonVil- Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 32 players. First Place — Mary Hickey; document: Chicago Point newsletter Number 50, September Part Three: Into the 21st Century lage Magazine, “Last year, World Backgammon Association Second Place — Mike Corbett; First Last Chance — Lee 1992, pages 1 and 7. director Chiva Tafazzoli thought it would be a good idea for Genud. Source document: Chicago Point newsletter Number Early in 2009, advertisements began to appear in the Chicago the United States to have a US Open Backgammon titleholder. 227, March 2011, page 8. [Mary Hickey thus became the third 12. World Cup IV U.S. Open, September 5–11, 1994. Harvey’s Point newsletter promoting the “First U.S. Backgammon Open”. Bill Davis agreed to co-direct and the event was resurrected. person in the history of the event to have won back-to-back Addison Hotel, Addison, TX. 76 players. First Place — Ed Inasmuch as eleven years had passed since Jerry Grandell’s victory Chiva was very happy with his first American event and will U.S. Open championships. – Ed.] O’Laughlin [Editorial note: Ed O thereby became the second in the 1998 World Cup VI U.S. Open, it is not surprising that the continue the US Open, moving it around the United States. player in U.S. Open history to win back-to-back events. memory of past U.S. Open championships had faded. Neverthe- Look for next year’s event to be held in California with a 18. WBA/ABT U.S. Open, January 13–16, 2012. Embassy Suites More than a decade had passed since Badei Khoury had first less, it would have been more accurate had the event been billed huge attendance increase.” Airport, South San Francisco, CA. 39 players. First Place — achieved that milestone in the 1981 and 1982 U.S. Opens.] as the “First U.S. Backgammon Open of the 21st Century.” The Ted Chee; Second Place — Patrick Gibson; Third/Fourth Second Place — Paul Magriel; First Consolation — Howard event convened in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Alexandria, 16. WBA/ABT U.S. Open, May 13–16, 2010. Embassy Suites Places — Odis Chenault and Matvey “Falafel” Natanzon; Markowitz; Second Consolation — Wilcox Snellings. Source Virginia. It was directed by World Backgammon Association Presi- Airport, South San Francisco, CA. 44 players. First Place — First Last Chance — Jeremy Bagai. Source documents: document: Chicago Point newsletter Number 73, October dent Chiva Tafazzoli and co-directed by American Backgammon Mary Hickey; Second Place — Ken Bame; First Consolation GammonVillage [online] Magazine, “Tournament Report 1994, pages 1 and 6. Tour founder Bill Davis. — Sasan Taher; Second Consolation — Neil Kazaross; First — 2012 ABT U.S. Open Backgammon Championships” by Last Chance — Kit Woolsey. Source documents: Chicago Mary Hickey, 24 January 2012; see also chicagopoint.com/

TARA MENDICINO TARA Point newsletter Number 220, June 2010, pages 1 and 4; Gam- results2012.html. 70 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 71 A Forty-Year Milestone for the U.S. Open A Forty-Year Milestone for the U.S. Open

Conclusion pions were crowned in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Reflecting the growing number The U.S. Open celebrated its 40th anniver- of leading women players, the first three sary where it began – in Las Vegas. Along U.S. Open Champions of the 21st century the way, it had a number of locations and were: Carol Joy Cole in 2009, followed by directors. The entry fee for the Open divi- Mary Hickey in both 2010 and 2011. Chiva’s sion was $150 in 1977 – in 2017 it was last U.S. Open was held in 2012, the win- $450. Players enjoyed a special room rate ner being Ted Chee with Patrick Gibson as of $39 at the Riviera in 1977; in 2017 the finalist. There was no U.S. Open event in Rio offered players rooms for $109 ($89 2013. Most recently, with Troy Longman plus a $20 resort fee). as Tournament Director, Howard Mar- kowitz has been the organizer responsible HOWARD MARKOWITZ The “official” U.S. Open Backgammon for the last four U.S. Opens — 2014 (Ray Inducted in the American Backgammon Championship has had a surprisingly dis- Fogerlund); 2015 (Joe Russell); 2016 (Kit Hall of Fame in 2016, Howard Markowitz has continuous history. There were consecutive, Woolsey); and 2017 (Matt Cohn-Geier). organized the U.S. Open annually since 2014. annual events from 1977 through 1984 under the Les & Sue Boyd regime. Then Organizers and winners included a number no U.S. Open events in 1985, 1986 or 1987. of individuals who went on to be inducted As the source documents report, Chiva Tafazzoli’s hope of achieving May–June 2015, “Tournament Results” at page 99. See also The “U.S. Open” designation was revived into the American Backgammon Hall of huge attendance increases in the events following his 2009 debut chicagopoint.com/results2015.html. [A photograph of Joe in 1988 and 1989 under the auspices of the Fame. With respect to the original U.S. failed to materialize. In any event, he did not convene a U.S. Open Russell posed with the Geoffrey Parker Games specially- Northern Nevada Backgammon Associa- Open Advisory Board, Kent Goulding was Backgammon Championship in 2013. designed First Place Prize board appears as the cover image tion, but then lapsed. After 1989, the next a member; Barclay Cooke and Malcolm of the July–August 2015 edition of PrimeTime Backgam- “U.S. Open” was convened in 1992 as a Davis were members of the Tournament In 2014, Howard Markowitz re-energized the U.S. Open, and mon. – Ed.] parallel event with Kent Goulding’s and Bill Committee; the “Board of Champions and returned it to its birthplace in Las Vegas, where it continues to thrive. Robertie’s bi-annual World Cup events. So Rules Committee” included Oswald Jacoby 21. 2016 U.S. Open, April 13–17, 2016. Flamingo Hotel, Las there were U.S. Open Champions crowned and Paul Magriel, as well as Lynn Goldsmith. 19. 2014 U.S. Open, April 23–27, 2014. Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. 74 players. First Place — Kit Woolsey; Sec- in 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1998, but not in Kent Goulding and Bill Robertie directed Vegas, NV. 47 players. First Place — Ray Fogerlund; Second ond Place — Gary Bauer; First Consolation — Ken Bame; 1993, 1995 or 1997. The 1998 event was the the U.S. Open from 1988-1998; Howard Place — Ethan Nissani; First Consolation — Dorn Bishop; Second Consolation — Tom Wheeler; First Last Chance last U.S. Open of the 20th century, and the Markowitz has organized it annually since Second Consolation — Steve Sax; First Last Chance —Ted — Joe Russell. Source document: PrimeTime Backgammon, winner was Jerry Grandell. 2014. Other Hall of Famers appearing in the Chee. Source document: PrimeTime Backgammon, May– March–June 2016, “Tournament Results” at page 121. See U.S. Open winners’ circle include: Carol Joy June 2014, “Tournament Results” at page 111. See also also chicagopoint.com/results2016.html. More than a decade passed before there was Cole, Ray Fogerlund, Patrick Gibson, Neil chicagopoint.com/results2014.html. another “U.S. Open.” In 2009, Chiva Tafaz- Kazaross, Joe Russell, and Kit Woolsey.  22. 22. 2017 U.S. Open, April 26-30, 2017. Rio Hotel, Las Vegas, zoli re-energized the U.S. Open franchise, 20. 2015 U.S. Open, April 15–19, 2015. Flamingo Hotel, Las NV, 64 players. First Place – Matt Cohn-Geier; Second Place and under his direction, U.S. Open cham- - ROBERT STOLLER Vegas, NV. 66 players. First Place — Joe Russell; Second – Alex Toth; First Consolation —Tom Wheeler; Second Con- Place — Stacy Turner; First Consolation — Ray Fogerlund; solation – Ed O’Laughlin; First Last Chance — Scott Ward. Second Consolation Place — Tom Wheeler; First Last Chance Source document: PrimeTime Backgammon, Summer 2017,

— Kit Woolsey. Source document: PrimeTime Backgammon, “Tournament Results”. See also chicagopoint.com/results.html. MENDICINO TARA 72 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 73 House of Cards

Personalized Instruction from You to You Needed Materials It is great to go over problems in articles, books, and videos. They are all helpful. However, reviewing our own errors and understanding how »» Printer to reduce them is even more critical. Many of us take pictures or record House of cards »» Paper Cutter videos of our games. Then we go to eXtreme Gammon (XG) and study Use Flash Cards to Improve Your »» 5” × 8” Index Card Stock what we had done wrong or pat ourselves on the back for doing it right. Yes, this is very helpful and we are all grateful for an analytical tool such »» Index Card Tabbed Dividers Analytical Skills and Memory as XG. Yet, the odds are that when you encounter the same or a similar »» 3” × 5” Card Storage Box situation to the one you got wrong, you will get it wrong again. That is the By Ed Rosenblum persistence of unsound theory and “intuition.” Repeated errors seem to XG Print Settings result from our failure to adjust our beliefs to actual results. To overcome that persistence, we must repeat the lesson over and over again until we »» Print as: Publication break down those preconceived notions. »» Show Analyze

»» Include Comments Flash cards are a wonderful tool to help with this for many reasons:

»» Player on roll always at the bottom (optional) »» They are personalized from your plays and errors

»» Bottom player has black checkers (optional) »» They are portable and can keep you company on the airplane, in bed, while exercising, or on the potty »» Set as default

»» Moves to display: Top 6 moves »» They are “note-able”. You can write analysis notes on each card

don’t have a very good memory. Never had. Never will. But, backgammon is about recognizing positions and situations that require »» Board Position: Above »» They are trackable. You can indicate what choice you made and whether you got a play right or wrong certain actions. One must learn when to play aggressively or conservatively, when to double, take, or pass. With all that in mind, »» Board Size: Medium I have developed a method to improve my information recall and now I would like to share it with you. »» They allow repeated presentations to weed out incorrect choices and I XG Navigation solidify correct ones One key factor in correctly making playing decisions is statistical knowledge. We need to know the equity and percentage differ- »» Next Error: Ctrl+PgDn ences between plays. Secondly, we need to know why one play is superior to another. That requires an understanding of fundamental »» They are quick and easy to produce and fairly inexpensive backgammon strategies and tactics, and a proper analysis of threat, race, position, and score. A third key is repeatability. The mind »» Quick Print: Shift+Ctrl+Alt+P is a powerful and stubborn thing. Our memories are resistant to change. We need to reinforce our memory by repeated exposure to So prepare to enter the house of cards. The first two sections of this article difficult positions. So fill your house with flash cards. Dedicate some time every day to conquering your false presumptions and learn Printer Output describe the mechanical tools and skills you will need to produce flash to correctly analyze some of the 74 billion billion possible backgammon positions. cards. The section titled Studying With Flash Cards describes how to use »» Letter size (8½” × 11”) your flash cards effectively to lower your Performance Rating (PR).

Paper Cutter Settings

»» Guide at 7¼”

»» Mark at 6” DORIS AUER DORIS 74 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 75 House of Cards House of Cards

Set Up Your Printer Generate a Match-Worth of Flash Cards Study Your Flash Cards I had tried to get the flash cards to print on index cards; but sadly, Open up a match on your computer. Go to the first game, first I’ve been using my cards for two years now. My PR has come there is no mechanism for two-sided index card printing in XG move. You can use the red arrows to move from error to error, but down dramatically especially this past year as my study methods (are you listening, Xavier?). Therefore, you will have to generate this is very tedious. The method I use allows me to print errors of evolved. I recommend that you work with at least a few hundred your cards using XG’s standard print commands in the File menu. an entire match in 1 to 2 minutes. cards (a fully loaded index card box holds about 700 folded cards). Choose a problem that you want to print with at least 6 move You will want to rotate through them over a period of time. The choices, select Print Position, and use the XG print settings shown goal for me is not to memorize positions and their solutions but on the previous page. Then print. You should see a 5” × 6” printout. Fold Your Flash Cards to understand the factors behind those solutions. Other players The position and table should be centered at the top of an 8½” × Align and place the cards upside down with the short edge against may lean towards a more visual analysis and that is fine. We are 11” page. If your printout is not 5” × 6” (usually larger), go to the a counter wall. Bend the cards in half so the top edge is also pressed all somewhere along the analysis/visualization continuum. The Printer Adjustments section at the end of this article now, follow against the wall. Be careful to align all sides. Press a crease into flash cards will serve all of us just as well. the recommendations, and then return to the next paragraph. the cards. You don’t have to press too hard. Press Ctrl+PgDn to go to your first error. Now press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+P Load the 5 x 8 Index Card Stock to print your first card. Now repeat this process and in no time You can, as I initially did, use a paper cutter to print out and slice you will have moved through all your errors. Most printers today have sufficient buffering to handle many cards. If you had any comments on a play (whether or not it was an error), they will be printed as well. So when you go through your matches, write a comment (a single letter will do) by pressing the speech bubble icon and typing your comment. I frequently do that for plays I up a bunch of positions into a pile of 5” × 6” paper cards and struggled with but eventually got right. I want them in my stack. So Now drop the tent of cards on a counter. Gently lift up the top then fold each in half to create your flash cards. This works, but now you have nice stack of 5” × 8” cards. Off we go to the trimmer. card with your left hand and put it into your right hand (lefties I found that heavier card stock holds up to repeated use and you should reverse). Then stack the second card against the first, and can more easily enter notes on the card. So head out to your local Trim Your Flash Cards so on until you have a batch of untented cards in your in your office supply store (e.g., Staples) and buy some 5” × 8” blank index You may be able to trim about seven hand. Align them and slide your fingers over the crease to create cards and pick up a 3” × 5” index card box and a pack of dividers. cards at a time, depending on the a tighter card. quality of your trimmer. Exceeding Place the 5” × 8” card stock in your printer and push the guides the maximum creates annoying in to center it in the middle of the tray. Leave the output paper rough edges. Lock your trimmer guide at the 7¼” mark; posi- size set to letter (8½” × 11”). Test print some cards to ensure that tion your cards with the bottom against the guide and slice off they print properly and are centered. If everything looks okay, the top. Next flip the cards around 180°, align the new top of the Divide your index card box into three sections using the tabbed let’s go and print out a match. Some printers may not be able to card (above the backgammon board image) at the 6” mark and dividers. Initially, put all your flash cards in the Active (middle) print correctly. If so, you may be stuck with printing out your slice off the bottom excess. Voilà, you have your first stack of flash section. The other two sections will be fed from this Active sec- cards on paper, and you will have to adjust your trimming (next cards. Now, let’s fold them. tion. The Blundered (front) section is reserved for your worst section) accordingly. Finally, lay your stack down and use a tool such as a measuring cup mistakes. The Conquered (back) section is for solved problems. If to pressure the crease one last time. Continue folding stacks until you wish, add a fourth section containing fully sequenced matches you have completed all the cards in your match. With practice, and comments. This requires careful attention to scores and pip this whole process goes quite quickly. count when sorting out your cards. 76 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 77 House of Cards House of Cards

Now take out a card from the front of your Active section. Evaluate must receive  to be moved from the Blundered section to the problem, taking into account the match score, cube position, the Conquered section. I recommend that you cruise through race, and yours and your opponent’s checker positions, and commit your Blundered section weekly. to your solution. Never write anything on the front of the card. So there you have it. You now know a process to reform your positional analysis and most importantly, one that is repeatable and tracks your progress over time. What will become apparent after a little while is that some positions continuously fool us. I have many cards with 15 or 20 combinations of s and s but no two (or three) s in a row. I still get frustrated with these “favorites” but now I realize that they are the ones that are most resistant to change and are the greatest impediment to reducing my PR. Pay a lot of attention to the choices you have made (marked with a ). Repeatedly making the same error is not unusual. So there you have You will find that there is a tendency to choose the same wrong “ Flip the card over. If you got the right solution, put a  in the answer time after time. Those cards require a deep dive and should it. You now know a area above the equity table. If not, put an  there and also put a be entered into XG and manipulated as indicated earlier. Evalu- process to reform your  next to the choice you made. Study your answer and determine ate your tendencies towards fear, aggression, passivity, etc. Learn positional analysis and why you got it right or wrong. If it is an interesting position, enter from your mistakes and revise your incorrect preconceptions to it into XG and play with alternate scores, cube positions, and eliminate them in the future. most importantly, one checker placement. Note those outcomes on the inside of the that is repeatable and card. For doubling situations, I will usually note the outcomes at Printer Adjustments different scores. Unfortunately, not all printers, drivers & operating systems func- tracks your progress »» Next, increase the size of the board. necessary, move things around slightly tion similarly. Last month, I got so tired of buying expensive ink over time. What will In XG, again go to: File/Print Position. to get a snug fit. Return the tray to the cartridges that I bought a new Epson ET-3600 with refillable ink become apparent From the dropdown for Board Size, printer and print your first card. Adjust tanks good for 2+ years. Loaded up the software and it works like choose Large. Now choose Print to as necessary. a charm with no adjustments necessary. If you are in the market, after a little while is print a position. It should be correctly » I recommend it despite the fact it only has one 150 page paper sized at about 5” wide x 6” long. It » Once you are satisfied with your result, that some positions will also be off center to the left. If return to “Generate a Match-Worth of drawer. If not, here are two remedies that may work for you: continuously fool us. your image did not come out this Flash Cards”. way, you may have to make your own Windows PC: If your printout came out too large, you will have to adjustments. Macintosh Running

The inside of the card is quite useful for notes. reduce it to 84%, enlarge the board size, and jury-rig the output Bootcamp/Windows »» Now lets configure the output tray to tray to center the printout. In its favor, folding and cutting is a »» You may find that the equity table print 5 x 8 cards. I don’t know of any output wraps incorrectly causing addi- Now place the card in the back of the Active section, pick up your little easier requiring only one cut. So here we go: print drivers that will allow you to tional lines of text. You will have to limit next card from the front and continue the process. Rotate through »» In XG, go to: File/Print Position/Change Printer/Printer center the image so we have to fool your output to the top 3 moves to get your cards in this manner until you come up with a correct solution Properties/More Options. Check “Reduce/Enlarge Document” the output tray by setting the guides the proper sizing for the cards. Doable twice in a row (). Move that card to the Conquered section. and enter 84%. (If you cannot find a reduce/enlarge capability to 6 3/8” apart and inserting a 1 3/8” but if at all possible, I recommend that supplemental guide inside the tray as  Eligibility for the Blundered section is limited to those great big on your print driver, you will have to be content with paper you print from a true Windows PC. copies rather than flash cards. Skip the rest of this section and shown (I used a reading eyeglasses blunders that you’ve missed twice and for smaller blunders or return to “Generate a Match-Worth of Flash Cards”.) case). Add your 5 x 8 cards and if near blunders that you have missed many times. Those devils - ED ROSENBLUM USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 79 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

Fast forward to 2017 and the D.C. area, to be seen anywhere blooms around this Mochy, Victor Ashkenazi, John O’Hagan, when Dulles, Virginia, played host to the time of year in our nation’s capital. Ray Fogerlund, Kit Woolsey, Saba Bejanish- inaugural “Cherry Blossom Backgammon vili, me, and the inimitable Kent Goulding. Championship” held under the guidance Competition began on Thursday, April 6th of Karen Davis and Bill Riles. with the BMAB tournament. Steve Brown And wouldn’t you know it, Kent and I from Minnesota eventually split top honors were paired together in the first round. I was looking forward to this event not only with Vladi Gudgenov. John Klein won the The format was best two out of three nine- to play against some of the best players from PR (Performance Rating) element of the point matches. around the world, but also because April is tournament with a solid 3.77 average. a wonderful time to visit northern Virginia In the first match, with the score tied 6-6 and D.C. The weather is usually great and Later that day, the “Cherry Blossom Mega to 9, I held a two cube and redoubled Kent the event isn’t titled “Cherry Blossom” by Jackpot” began, with a field of only eight from the bar in the position below. 2017 cherry Blossom accident. Some of the most beautiful foliage players. But what an eight! They included

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Championship Pip: 95 Kent Goulding By Steve Sax 3-Away is Kent Goulding

score: 6 pip: 95

he Washington, D.C., area has been host to many great backgammon tournaments over the years. I 9 point match remember going to one of the first master’s tourna- Tments (won by Mike Corbett) in the early 80s.

I played Nack Ballard heads up for 10 dollars a point before pip:3-Away 132 the tournament started and we played 23 games in one hour. score:Steve 6 Sax I lost, of course, but I enjoyed paying for those lessons. Pip: 132 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 is Steve Sax XGID=---bBCCBB------aBbbbcabA:1:1:1:00:6:6:0:9:10 About twenty-five years later, in June 2009, I played in a Match 1, Game on roll,10, cubeMove action? 16: Black (Steve Sax) on roll. Cube action? revived U.S. Open backgammon tournament in D.C. Carol Analyzed in Rollout No redouble Redouble/Take Joy Cole won that tournament, besting Joe Russell in a very Player Winning Chances: 64.43% (G:13.84% B:1.17%) 64.83% (G:12.43% B:0.69%) exciting final. Opponent Winning Chances: 35.57% (G:17.40% B:0.09%) 35.17% (G:16.78% B:0.06%) Cubeless Equities +0.253 +0.591 Cubeful Equities Nack wasn’t around for me to give him my money this time, No redouble: +0.531 (-0.061) ±0.003 (+0.527..+0.534) but I did get a chance to play backgammon legend and all- Redouble/Take: +0.591 ±0.004 (+0.587..+0.595) around games raconteur Kent Goulding twice during the Redouble/Pass: +1.000 (+0.409) tournament. We split those matches. Kent eventually came Best Cube action: Redouble / Take in second in the consolation. Cherry' dodo by D.C. 'Washington https://www.flickr.com/photos/48774798@N04/26198807172/. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. Licence at Rollout details 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller

Double Decision confidence: 100.0% Take Decision confidence: 100.0% Duration: 13 minutes 23 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

file:///C|/Users/Tara/Documents/Position.html[6/13/2017 10:16:07 AM] 80 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 81 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

TOUGH LOSS Hall of Famer Kent Goulding lost a tough one to Steve Sax in the Cherry Blossom Jackpot.

I figured that if I stayed out and he jumped That put me in a corner needing to win the In the third match, Kent once again scored Kent, along with John Klein and Bill a second/third split on the senior side, while over my five-prime, there was a decent next two matches or be eliminated from the first three points, but I launched a Finneran, were the “Sugar Daddies” (of Rory had a monopoly on youth, reaching RORY WINS POLITICOS! chance he would gammon me for the match. the tournament. counterattack that saw me take an 8-3 Maryland), and were to face off in the the finals from both sides of that bracket. Chicago Open director Rory And since he held the 22-point anchor, Crawford lead to 9. finals against “The Wizards of Odds” (from Pascar won the Young Politicos even if I came in and hit him, I wouldn’t In match #2, Kent won an undoubled event for players under 60. California): Joe Russell, Jim Pasko, and Rumor has it that Rory (top-half bracket likely win a gammon. backgammon to take a 0-3 lead to 9, but I was just over 90% to win the match during Paul Baraz. However, due to some of the winner) re-doubled Rory (bottom-half his dice failed him after that. I rattled off that game, but Kent managed to not only competitors going deep into main events, bracket winner) to 16 at 0-0 to seven in the XG’s analysis confirms my logic. I almost nine unanswered points in the next three win the Crawford game, but to gammon (6-6), and then nickels again to go from the finalists agreed to an amicable split. Young Politicos finals and Rory dropped. win as many gammons as he does, but the games to force a winner-take-all third me in the first post-Crawford game to knot 39% to gin. I’m happy to report that Maryland and Kind of a surprising decision, but I guess reason it is a re-double is that his position match in this first round. this decider up at 8-8. California have signed an interstate back- it makes sense as he probably wanted to is about to bust. If that happens, I will likely Kent was a gentleman as usual and went gammon treaty and until next year will preserve his energy to play Kent in the have lost my market and have to fight to This event featured a unique prize structure: It would all be down to this one game to see about his business, eventually splitting be considered co-champions of the event. finals. But that tactic was to no avail: KG win a gammon for the match. 15% of the prize money would go to the who would face off against the super-strong 1st/2nd in the “Hall of States/Embassy triumphed and claimed the title for the player after round one with the best overall Victor Ashkenazi in the semifinals. I had Row Team Challenge,” where three-player Kent wasn’t finished there. He faced Rory senior side. Redoubling takes the pressure off of hav- PR in their two or three matches. It should Kent all but primed in, but he rolled a 6-1 teams from the same country or same state Pascar in the finals of the “Senior Senators ing to try to win a gammon. Simply win- come as no surprise that Mochy had the to escape my board — and after I missed (or D.C.) competed against one another. vs. Young Politicos” tournament. In this One of the final two events of the first day ning the game will secure the match. So, lowest PR at 2.945, followed by Victor at the single direct shot, it came down to a There were “A,” “B,” and “C” seeds on each event, players aged 60 and over were in of the tournament was the start of the I redoubled and Kent correctly took. The 3.45. I had a respectable 3.53 against Kent, straight race. team. Each competitor would play against one bracket, and those younger than 60 “George Washington Masters Jackpot,” game eventually evolved to a race where which was good for the virtual bronze the corresponding seed, with the team were in the other bracket. which fielded 32 of the best players around. Kent came from behind, rolling two doubles medal but no cash. Unfortunately for Kent, in a five-shake winning two (or three) matches moving By the time the dust had settled on Sunday,

in the last three rolls to edge me by a shake. span I fired nickels (5-5), fours (4-4), boxes IRAVANI LILI on to the next round. Peggy Neubig and Chen-Fu Yu rounded out April 9th, Californian Ken Bame had bested 82 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 83 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

CHERRY BLOSSOM JACKPOT FINAL Steve Sax won the Cherry Blossom Jackpot in an ROBERTO AND PATTY WIN! exciting final with Hall of Famer Kit Woolsey. Roberto Litzenberger and Patty Knapp won the USBGF Tournament of Stars. Victor took care of me handily in the first at one match apiece. match 9-2 and not only rolled well enough Tom Rebelo. Semifinalists of the event reached the final by defeating Patty’s hus- to win, but played a sterling 2.16 to my In the third match, I played 2.51 PR but GREAT 2ND PLACE FINISH were Ghazi Al-Kinani of Virginia and Phil band Chris Knapp and Stuart Domeshek substandard 5.85. I would really have to Victor was even better at 2.32. However, Lerman from D.C. in the first round, team Klein/Pruce in the get it together if I was going to advance in for better or worse, backgammon is played Jamie Rosen teamed up with Phil second round, and Munitz/Kelland in the this prestigious event. with dice and I had the better dice in the Simborg in the USBGF Tournament of Stars, capturing 2nd place. On Friday, the “USBGF Tournament of semifinals. deciding match. I won 9-4 and advanced Stars” began. The event is a doubles tourna- But in our next match, it was business as to the final to play backgammon Hall of ment where founding sponsors and sup- In the final match, Litzenberger/Knapp usual for Victor as he jumped out to an Famer Kit Woolsey. More of this event later. Nevadan Ray Fogerlund in this prestigious porters of the USBGF select a “star” to be outlasted Simborg/Rosen to take home 8-2 Crawford lead to 9. If I were playing Continued on page 86 event. Sean Garber of Indiana and Chris their doubles partner. Sixteen teams entered. the top prize. A good time was had by all an equal player my chances of winning this Trencher of New York were semifinalists. Phil Simborg and his partner Jamie Rosen in this annual event. match and then the next one would be about reached the final, having run the gauntlet 4.5%; but Victor is a very special player so The last event to start on the first day was of teams Mochy/Gillis, Goulding/Webber, Meanwhile, back in the “Cherry Blossom they were certainly lower than that. the “Abraham Lincoln Limited Jackpot,” and O’Laughlin/Finneran. Mega Jackpot,” Saba and Kit faced off in VICTOR ASHKENAZI which also had 32 competitors. By the one semifinal. Kit won and would play However, backgammon is a funny game Victor Ashkenazi ponders a play in week’s end, Virginia local Bob Hathaway On the other side of the draw, Roberto the winner of the match between me and and I did manage to win the rest of the the “streaming/recording” room of

secured top honors by defeating Canada’s Litzenberger and partner Patty Knapp Victor Ashkenazi. IRAVANI LILI games of that second match to tie the series the Cherry Blossom Championship. 84 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 85 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

01 03 07 01 A charity auction raised over $2300 for the U.S. Backgammon Foundation’s educational activities; a hand painted rocking chair donated by Paul Weaver was a big hit.

02 Air hockey star Michael Rosen was finalist in the Novice division.

02 03 Steve Kenney, former NFL guard for the Philadelphia Eagles has become a backgammon enthusiast.

04 Sabin Bokus won 2nd consolation in the Novice division, shown with Mustafya Sayid, winner of the Tavla event.

05 Tournament director staff Barry Silliman and Jason Lee work on the random draw. 04

06 Kent Goulding and Frank Talbot 05 06 reflect on an interesting match.

07 Philippe Salnave receives his #17 place ABT silver coin from USBGF President/Executive Director Karen Davis.

08 John O’Hagan won the USBGF Blitz; playing Cherry Blossom promoter Ed O’Laughlin. 08 LILI IRAVANI LILI 86 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 87 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

Continued from page 83 ABT points race by defeating Mochy in This brings us to Saturday, April 8th, the finals of the consolation. Steve Brown KEN INDART AND PAUL MAGRIEL with ABT competitions in champion- (MN) and Brent Cohen (PA) reached the Ken Indart has the thrill of playing Paul Magriel whose ship, advanced, and novice divisions. The consolation semifinals. book is considered the "Bible of Backgammon." championship and advanced divisions were double-elimination format with a That brings us to the finals match between progressive consolation bracket. the champion of the winner’s bracket, Tobias Hellwag, and the victor of the second chance The championship division had 64 players bracket, Joe Russell. and included international backgammon stars — Mochy, Akiko Yazawa, Tobias Both players are no stranger to the winner’s Hellwag — as well as many great American circle in recent times, as Joe won the U.S. Many times you go players, too numerous to name here. Open in Las Vegas in April 2015 as well “ as becoming “Vice-World Champion” in to a tournament and Hellwag, the German expert, moved surely Monte Carlo in 2016. Tobias meanwhile there might be only through the field. He defeated ABT points won the Liberty Cup Masters in Jersey leader and Texas State champion Antoinette City in January of this year, and in 2016 he 4 or 6 novices. We Marie Williams (“AMW”) in the first round won the Mario Sequeira Memorial Open need fresh blood to and eventual GW Masters champion Ken in Portugal. Virginia, in early April, that was the case as to new players and about his introduction grow the fun and Bame in the second. In the third round, CHAMPIONSHIP FINALIST 23 novice players competed in their division. to the game and his rise to become one of “Tobi” prevailed over backgammon legend In the 11-point match, Joe won an exciting challenging game of Tournament director Bill Riles presents And as the sun set over the rolling Virginia the top players in the world. Paul “X-22” Magriel. While Paul didn’t eight cube to flip the score from 1-6 down backgammon — and the Championship finalist trophy hills on Sunday, April 9th, 2017, local player score in this tournament, it was great to to 9-6 ahead. One game later he became the to Tobias Hellwag of Germany. Chris Chapin earned top honors, defeating One of the highlights for me that week see him on the circuit again. 2017 “Cherry Blossom” champion. in Dulles, Virginia, in New York’s Michael Rosen. was playing an exhibition match with 2014 early April, that was world champion Akiko Yazawa. Originally, In the quarterfinal, Hellwag defeated Blake If it weren’t for AMW’s tenacity, he would advanced consolation, defeating Gary Two other locals faced off in the consola- Victor Ashkenazi and Marty Storer were Fleetwood, and then in succession back- be in first place in the ABT. There are many the case as 23 novice Koscielny (NY). Steve Kenney (NC) finished tion final, with Vinson Blanton of Virginia supposed to play, but Victor was advancing gammon giants John O’Hagan and Victor tournaments left and many months of play players competed in 3rd/4th along with Tom Rebelo (Canada). defeating D.C.’s Sabin Bokus. far into the tournament, and Marty had a Ashkenazi. This would place him in the final still to come, but it will be interesting to see scheduling conflict which precluded his their division. where he would face off in a match with the who wears the ABT crown at year’s end. Before we honor the winners in the novice There was more novice action as Vinson attendance. last one standing from the second chance. division, I want to congratulate Karen Davis doubled his pleasure in winning a sec- In the advanced division, there was a healthy and the rest of the organizing committee ond event, the “Novice Jackpot,” where Akiko and I had about 45 minutes to get in That player would be 1989 world champion field of 50 players. In the end, Liam Henry for encouraging so many new players to he defeated Jamie Rosen of New York in as much of the five-point match as possible. Joe Russell, who defeated Antoinette, Frank (Canada) defeated Scotty Kelland (Con- compete in that tournament. the finals. We discussed moves and concepts for the Raposa, John O’Hagan, and finally Bahman necticut). Marcy Kossar from Maryland 20 or so spectators in attendance as well Zandi. Zandi earned 3rd place honors. came in 3rd with Judy Field (MI) and Jay Many times you go to a tournament and Karen also organized a dinner with Mochy, as others watching the stream. Victor and O’Hagan scored 4th/5th cashes. Karns (NY) sharing 4th/5th. there might be only 4 or 6 novices. We need where he spoke to beginners and interme- fresh blood to grow the fun and challenging diates about a variety of different subjects, When I was ahead 2-0 to five, I decided

Antoinette would secure her lead in the Omar Shah, also of Canada, won the DAVIS KAREN game of backgammon — and in Dulles, such as how he tries to promote the game Continued on page 90 88 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 89 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER Hall of Famer and USBGF Chairman Joe Russell with his Cherry Blossom Championship P-40 board.

ARTS AND CULTURE Antoinette Williams picked up a sweatshirt at the National Museum of African American History and Culture; coveted timed passes were arranged for early arrivers; shown with USBGF Board member Julius High and Steven Saad, finalist in the Tavla event.

TIPS FROM MOCHY STEVE SAX VERSUS AKIKO Vinson Blanton, winner of the A teaching match between Steve Sax and World Novice Jackpot, Chen Fu Yu, Champion Akiko Yazawa was an early Sunday morning Blake Fleetwood, Ilean Hill, and treat for attendees and a world-wide streaming audience. Richard Bruns concentrate on tips from Mochy over dinner. LILI IRAVANI; KAREN DAVIS KAREN IRAVANI; LILI 90 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 2017 Cherry Blossom Championship

Continued from page 87 pepper, and in the “Tavla” tournament Finally, let’s look at the final of the “Cherry to cash instead of play for the gammon. Mustafa Sayid of Virginia defeated Steve Blossom Mega Jackpot,” where Kit Woolsey Karen let us know the tournament would Saad from North Carolina. and I faced off for first place. be resuming shortly so Akiko graciously turned the match length on my flip score- Larry Brown, Stuart Domeshek, and Herb In match #1, I jumped out to a 7-0 lead to board from 5 to 3 and dropped my cube Roman each won a jackpot blitz, while Dan nine, and won fairly easily by a score of 9-2. with a smile. Renzi (PA) defeated Sabin Bokus (DC) in the finals of the “Alfred Mamlet Newcom- In match #2, when I was leading 6-5 to In more side event results, John O’Hagan ers Freeroll.” Steve Shindler (NY) and Joe nine, Kit doubled me in the position below. won the “USBGF Blitz” over Dennis Cul- Urso (VA) came in 3rd/4th place. NOVICE DINNER WITH MOCHY Dinner with #1 ranked Giant of Backgammon Mochy Mochizuki was a high point for the 23 Novice Cherry Blossom players. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pip: 126 Kit Woolsey 4-Away is Kit Woolsey It was a great double, as a gammon would I took and he immediately rolled boxes, He never recovered from that, and I even- earn him exactly four points and the match. closing me out. He would eventually escape tually closed one of his checkers out and score: 5 pip: 126 I still had plenty of time on my clock and one of his back checkers and get the other breezed to victory. was pretty sure it was a take but invested a one to the edge. few minutes just to make sure I was think- It was a very surprising tournament victory ing about it correctly. He had exactly one roll to escape and for me since at one point in time I was about 9 point match probably gammon me for the match, but a 50/1 underdog to win the tournament. We both have five-primes, but he has a instead busted down to a four-point board. five-point board to my three-point board. I Many thanks go to the tournament coor- have four blots in jeopardy and he has fair I then rolled 5-5 from the bar, entering dinators and staff: Karen Davis, Bill Riles, 3-Awaypip: 126 Stevescore: Sax6 diversification of his numbers as he can hit the two checkers from the bar to his five Ed O’Laughlin, Barry Silliman, Jeb and Pip: 126 me with an ace or a four and move a back point and pointing on his back checker Robin Horton, Jason Lee, and Larry Brown. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 is Steve Sax XGID=-aa-CBBBBA--cA--A--bbbbbA-:0:0:-1:00:6:5:0:9:10 checker up with a two. (8-3 twice). Match 2, Game on 6, roll, Move cube 6:action? White (Kit Woolsey) on roll. Cube action? Thanks also go to tournament sponsors P-40 Even numbers like 3-3, 4-4 or 5-5, which After that super joker I doubled him out Backgammon, Alfred Mamlet, Jason Lee, Analyzed in Rollout No double Double/Take hurt his timing, might give him enough and took an 8-5 Crawford lead to nine. I Bill Finneran, John Klein, and Karen Davis. Player Winning Chances: 50.04% (G:30.54% B:3.77%) 50.40% (G:31.62% B:5.98%) Opponent Winning Chances: 49.96% (G:12.88% B:1.45%) 49.60% (G:13.64% B:1.92%) tempo to pick up one or two more blots was one game from the title, but Kit isn’t Cubeless Equities +0.174 +0.947 and sneak his back checkers out of my the kind of player to lay down easily. I don’t know where I’ll be next April, but Cubeful Equities No double: +0.398 (-0.206) ±0.010 (+0.389..+0.408) home before I come in. I hope it is by the banks of the Potomac as Double/Take: +0.604 ±0.014 (+0.590..+0.618) In the last game, Kit had me blocked in cherry blossoms gently fall from branches Double/Pass: +1.000 (+0.396) But even if he hits me, he has multiple on his three point behind a broken five- and I celebrate another victory, or simply tasks to execute on many fronts, as he prime. That’s when he rolled a disastrous celebrate good times with good friends.  Best Cube action: Double / Take must attempt to contain my back checkers 5-5 which forced him to give up one of his Rollout details while simultaneously extricating his back blocking points. - STEVE SAX 5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.

Moves: 3-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller DAVIS KAREN checkers.

Double Decision confidence: 100.0% Take Decision confidence: 100.0% Duration: 19 minutes 00 second

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.19.211.pre-release, MET: Kazaross XG2

file:///C|/Users/Tara/Documents/Position.html[6/13/2017 1:36:58 PM] 92 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 93 Grant Hoffman

Grant Hoffman STUDIES 3RD ROLL POSITIONS Kiwi Ties for Second at Top New Zealand player Grant Hoffman has fine- tuned his game through systematic study, including the 2017 Chicago Open in-depth study of backgames and 3rd roll positions. Interview by Karen Davis I’ve taken lessons from the Backgammon Learning Center. I also participated in Julius High’s Backgammon Study Group. I really loved it, only missed one session when my wife said I needed to rant Hoffman traveled from New her, and I played non-stop for the next 24 attend our niece’s wedding. Had to get up at 5:00 am to partici- Zealand to take part in the 37th hours. I was immediately addicted. I was pate. If you want it badly enough, you do it. It is so valuable. I Chicago Open. His son, who a chess player, and found backgammon far was surprised more people wouldn’t do this. It’s almost criminal. Grecently became a U.S. citizen, lives in San more exciting than chess. Amazing it would be available free of charge. Francisco, so it was a rare chance to combine business and pleasure. He enjoyed consider- But I realized that if I kept playing I wouldn’t Matches are not streamed or recorded in Australia and New Zea- able success in his first foray in the American graduate from university. So I focused on land tournaments. If software were available to automatically enter Backgammon Tour, tying for second with my studies, then married my wife Jackie. videos of matches into eXtreme Gammon, I would definitely buy it. five other players in the Swiss format with Three years later we were in Australia, and a win-loss record of 8-3, winning the After I worked with a guy who finished second Do you play in live tournaments as well as online? Tournament of 16 players, and receiving in the Australian Open. He recommended I definitely prefer playing live. I keep a running pip count and that’s the Tsuyoshi Minakami Memorial Travel books which I bought and read. My wife quite an advantage. I see so many mistakes that even top players Award. He kindly consented to an interview and I traveled around Europe, spent time make because they don’t know the pip count, such as failing to run. for PrimeTime Backgammon. in London, would play occasionally. I was surprised when I won. I began to travel with How else have you tried to improve your game? It’s also easier to judge your opponent psychologically when playing When and why did you start a backgammon board and starting read- In general, I spend about 70% of my time on backgammon study- live. I recall being in the 15-point finals of a tournament where I playing backgammon? ing all the backgammon books including ing, and 30% playing. My wife asked: if I couldn’t play, would I still “stole” 8 points. My opponent underestimated me and thought he When my cousin turned 21, I bought her a Magriel, Robertie, and most books written study? She knew the answer was yes! I find the game fascinating. was going to win. He didn’t want to look foolish. I tried to create backgammon board to replace the one she since the 1980s. Most recently I’ve been volatile situations. He got scared, and the more scared he got, the had worn out. I opened it up, got a friend reading Marc Olsen’s Pure Strategy. I’m a In the two months leading up to the Chicago Open, I only played more I kept on pushing the cube even though I was ahead. You to teach me to play so that I could teach reader so I like learning that way. four matches. Instead I’ve been studying 3rd roll positions. For can’t do that online. about two years, I recorded the opening roll and my win-loss record in unlimited games. Then I started with the opening rolls I do play online with another New Zealand player, Richard, who is where my record was weakest. I programmed an electronic flash the current New Zealand champion. But we discuss the match as MOUNT NGAURUHOE, NEW ZEALAND card tool, saved the XG images of positions I got wrong so that I we go, and tell each other when we think they’ve made a mistake. Mount Ngauruhoe is an active volcano in New Zealand. You can click through them and record if I got a position right. I might We’re pretty evenly matched. There are also about a half dozen might recognize it as 'Mount Doom' in The Lord of the Rings. develop that as a commercial product someday, but right now I’m backgammon players in my home town of Nelson on South Island, TARA MENDICINO TARA 'Mount Ngauruhoe Landscape' by Jeff P Jeff Landscape' by Ngauruhoe 'Mount https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffpang/5153249055/. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0. Licence at inundated with work. so they are good competition. 94 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Grant Hoffman 2017 Colorado What have been your most not relevant.” children that need respite care or have memorable experiences been abused. At the end of the day, if you State Championships playing live, online? My most memorable online tournament make less money but feel some pride in I won the New Zealand Championship was the Nation’s Cup. I played an Italian guy what you’ve done, it’s worth it. September 22 - 24, 2017 PRIME TOURNAMENT with 18 entrants in 2008, then won it again who was in the top 64 Giants. My captain Holiday Inn Express Denver East in 2013. I’ve finished second more times told me, just do your best, even though he We live in paradise on the South Island of 12140 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO than I’ve won it. expected me to lose. We got into backgames New Zealand. We moved there 30 years the last three games. He didn’t play them ago. We could have made more money in Come Play With Altitude! I won the Australian Open with about 100 well. I was trying to create complex situ- a big city, but we wanted to bring our kids entrants in 2009. I won it back to back in ations; he was trying to keep it simple. I up near their grandparents. • $500 added for USBGF members! 2015 and 2016. basically don’t care who my opponent is. • 12 minutes from downtown Denver If I lose, I’m going to go down fighting. My only regret is that the quality backgam- • 45 minutes to Colorado gambling towns (Blackhawk & Central City) But in New Zealand, it’s considered poor mon tournaments are so far away. I ran • Come early / stay late and enjoy a Colorado high form to talk about accomplishments – the In fact, in the final match in the Chicago tournaments for seven years, and resur- For hotel reservations, call 303.371.9498 and mention Colorado Backgammon “tall poppy” out in the field gets cut down Open, I got into a lot of backgames. I had rected the New Zealand championships. Contact Lynda Clay at [email protected] or call 303.916.5170 to size! So we tend to be more modest. made a silly mistake in 2010 in a backgame, I have total admiration for tournament Visit coloradobackgammon.com for tournament brochure and entry form Besides, it’s bad for getting players to play and I was determined not to repeat it. I directors. Be nice to these people! in chouettes with me! I don’t even want don’t deliberately steer to a backgame, but to display my trophies but Jackie wanted I’m not afraid of it. Bring it on. I’m quite My wife Jackie has been so supportive. She’s them on display. comfortable playing it. I’ve read Mochy’s really given me the time to do things like lectures on backgames. I’ve had group les- this. If she needs me to focus on some- eXtreme Gammon is now available on your Android device, iPhone and iPad I was interviewed by my hometown newspa- sons on backgames. I’ve tried variations. I thing else, she will tell me, but she’s very per, Nelson in South Island, New Zealand, remember playing the final of the Australian understanding. with a population of about 50,000. I was Open in 2016, a guy tried getting into a walking the dog when I came across a backgame with me. I was leading 3-away What suggestions would you have iOS group of old men walking, and they said, 8-away and scooped up my opponent’s blots. for USBGF to enhance playing “Hey, you’re the backgammon guy!” It was Spectators were shaking their heads, but opportunities for members? really weird. I got a backgammon and won the match. The USBGF does a fantastic job. The teach- Mobile The power of eXtreme Gammon in the palm of your hands The cube was never turned. ing videos that Phil does are fantastic. I  Play with instant feedback using the Tutor Mode I was also interviewed on national radio. I watch them while I’m lifting weights. My  Setup a position and analyze it using the same engine than XG desktop (up to 3-ply) really didn’t want to do it and had all kinds Tell us a little about your life life can get quite busy, but I find time every  Games are saved and can be emailed for a full analyze in XG of excuses. My friend who goes to back- outside backgammon? day to study and to exercise which I also  2 player mode: use XG Mobile as a portable board gammon tournaments with me doesn’t go My wife and I own a small computer busi- love. It’s made a big difference!   High Quality Graphics in for flowery talk. He said: “Shut up and ness with mostly commercial clients. But  Track your Progress, results and dice statistics do it. It’s for the good of backgammon. we also look after the computer systems - KAREN DAVIS www.xg-mobile.com It’s nice you have these feelings but that’s of a nonprofit organization dealing with 96 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 97 Gerry Tansey

Then I saw the book that would eventually this helped my game immensely. It’s like What have been your most alter the course of my life: Bill Robertie’s putting yourself in a Skinner box. You get memorable experiences Backgammon for Serious Players. First of a question wrong - BZZZ - electric shock playing live, online? all, what a genius title! It says, “There’s for you! Correct play? Have a food pellet. My most memorable live experiences are some great information in this book, but Instant feedback. Eventually I started to winning the 2013 Illinois State Masters in I’m not sure it’s for you. It’s only for serious recognize when the bot would hate my Peoria and of course the 2017 Backgammon Gerry Tansey players.” I saw that book and got defensive. play. I could tell that I was learning. Olympiad in Chicago. I like to joke that I “I’m totally a serious player,” I thought, as I had to beat four Giants to win in 2013: Neil Winner of the 2017 Chicago Olympiad bought the book. Robertie opened my eyes I also committed to memory the correct Kazaross, Petko, Ed O’Laughlin, and Ben By Karen Davis to a world of complexity and imagination first and second roll moves using Stick’s Friesen (sorry Ben – though I think Ben that I had no idea existed in backgammon. I website. I cannot emphasize enough how could very well be a Giant one day). In the didn’t play much for a few years after college, important this is. First of all, these deci- final Olympiad match against Michi, I felt but the seeds were planted. I was teaching sions happen in every game! You might as more focused than I had ever felt before. erry Tansey’s result in the 37th Chicago Open, directed a summer math course for high school well be making the right plays. In addition, The dice were certainly on my side that by Rory Pascar and held May 25-29, 2017 in Rosemont, students at Emory University in Atlanta knowing how the second roll plays really day, but I also felt like I delivered a great Illinois, was a fantastic achievement. He won the Back- in the early 2000s, and I was looking for does help you make the correct play in performance when it truly mattered, against Ggammon Olympiad in a field of 10 all-stars. This multi-featured activities when I revisited backgammon. other situations later. By the way, every one of the very best players on the planet. event was designed to put player backgammon skills to one of the I decided to see whether anyone played backgammon article Stick writes is like Of course, Michi also won the Masters event most exacting tests yet devised. In stage 1, competitors played four the game in real life, and I found the club gold. I read a Stick article, and I feel that later that weekend, on top of administering variations of backgammon: DMP, SpeedGammon, score-based in Atlanta. combination of admiration and envy. A little and grading the proficiency test. His ability scenarios, and standard 7-point matches. Stage 1 concluded with like Salieri vis-a-vis Mozart. No one writes to maintain such a high level of play over a challenging backgammon quiz. The top players then advanced How have you tried to about backgammon with more clarity and a long period of time, while on the road to an eight-player playoff bracket. The bracket was seeded, based improve your game? insight than Stick. far from home, amazes me. on points accumulated from Stage 1. Players advanced by win- It took me a year before I won a club tour- ning the best two out of three 7-point matches. Michi Kageyama nament in Atlanta. Even though I read Do you play in live tournaments Which do you prefer and why? finished second. everything I could get my hands on, I as well as online? These days I play more live than online, just wasn’t very good. I watched the local Anyway, I (vanilladice) played a lot online, which generally means I’m not playing Gerry also won Mochy’s 7th Backgammon Proficiency Test, admin- chouette (I was too poor – both in money both on GamesGrid/GridGammon and as much as I’d like. Jana Bohrer and Jim istered by Michi, with a score of 37. Chuck Bower and Dennis and in skill – to play). I really admired the on TrueMoneyGames, religiously subject- Painter started up the St. Louis Backgam- Culpepper tied for second at 34. Gerry’s score was not only the play of Stuart Thomson: his demeanor, his ing my play to bot analysis, every match. mon Club a few years ago, and every week highest of the 35 Chicago entrants, but also the highest to date composure, his skill. He always seemed to The most memorable online experience we get 10-16 players for our tournament. including participants in the Japan Open in early May. do the right thing over the board, and he I had was when I played in a big Danish We’re trying to convince a few players to had a great sense of when his opponent tournament on TMG. There were 17-point venture outside the area once in a while SUPERB WIN When and why did you start playing backgammon? would pass a marginal cube. Nothing ever matches, and I played against Karsten Bre- to play. Sadly, I think work/life get in the I first learned the rules of backgammon back at Rhodes College fazed him. I wanted to play just like that. dahl, Christian Munk-Christensen, Henrik way. Watch out for Cliff Smith. He’s about Gerry Tansey from the "Show-Me" state of Missouri showed his backgammon skill by winning the in 1997. Someone (I still don’t know who) installed a backgam- Bang (2017 Nordic Open Champion), and 30 years old, very bright, and very hungry 2017 Chicago Olympiad and racking up the top mon program on the computers in the physics lab. The computer However, my game didn’t really improve others. That experience showed me that I for knowledge about the game. I think he score on the 7th Backgammon Proficiency Test. was good enough that it was beating all of us. We all thought it until I started working with the bots. Ini- wasn’t out of place playing against great could be a superstar eventually.

was cheating. MENDICINO TARA tially, I played GNU in Tutor Mode, and players. 98 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Gerry Tansey

“Match play backgammon is a fantastic game even if there is no money involved. I know this.

I tend to prefer online play most of the time, What suggestions would you have simply because it is faster. Illegal moves are for USBGF to enhance playing impossible. However, nothing beats the opportunities for members? excitement of playing an important match One issue that I think is underemphasized live. I would love it if we actually could in terms of getting people to play backgam- assemble for live tournaments, but then mon is the cost. Most Americans simply play our matches on computers. You still don’t have the hundreds or thousands of sit across from your opponent, so you can dollars to go to a big tournament. Heck, Exquisite Craftsmanship look at him/her, but you play on laptops, or even a $10 entry fee for a weekly tourna- on a tablet board. No illegal moves, no dice ment is a burden for far more people than For 20 years German craftsman Fazil Terlemez has hand-built elite tournament back- hurled off the table, matches are instantly we care to admit. I understand the desire gammon boards. Every detail is discerned for aesthetics, durability and playability. recorded. But everyone I talk to seems to to try to make backgammon seem like an FTH’s Marino wool playing surface is the very best for checker movement and lively dice rolls. Every set comes with 1.75 inch or 2 inch marbleized hate this idea. Oh well. exclusive activity, to try to appeal to the checkers, 1 or 2 pairs of trip lip dice cups, a distinctive 40mm wealthy. However, I think this shuts a lot handmade doubling cube, and two pairs of precision dice. How did you find your of people out of the game who would love Custom playing field colors, board cover materials and colors, experience participating in it. Match play backgammon is a fantastic board sizes, and logos are available upon request. the USBGF Online Circuit? game even if there is no money involved. I I haven’t played much of the USBGF online know this. I got hooked on the game even Visit our website or our Facebook page to see our selection of circuit, but I think it is a great program. It before I knew people played for money. FTH boards, dice cups, and doubling cubes, and our selection of precision dice that are available in 3 sizes and 10 colors. allows people to play high quality backgammon for free. What would I do to enhance playing opportunities for members? I’m not sure. It might Tell us a little about your life be interesting to have an online PR tourna- outside backgammon? ment like the Dual-Duel. I would also find Outside of backgammon, I’m pretty boring. out what Japan is doing to develop young I work for the U.S. Department of the Trea- players and steal that method from them. www.gammonstuff.com sury, mostly taking phone calls. My other Perhaps more Giant-nonGiant interaction. www.facebook.com/gammonstuff hobbies are crossword puzzles and trivia. Like small knockout tournaments, where I have a mother, father, brother, sister, and the winner gets to play a match with a two nieces. I cannot for the life of me get Giant, and the Giant records his thoughts any of them to play backgammon. on video while he is playing. 

- KAREN DAVIS USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 101 conquering Conquering Backgammon Viking Style! Backgammon Viking Style! By Blake Fleetwood

band of sword-wielding Vikings, accompanied by a Harvey Gillis (AZ) won the Grand Crystal Beaver XVIII — but smaller band of shield maidens, was on hand to greet the disappearance of the beautiful Swarovski crystal beaver trophy the players at the start of the 2017 Viking Classic in the wee hours of a snowy March morning was the big mystery Aheld March 9-12 in Bloomington, Minnesota, co-directed by of the weekend. The organizers had gone to considerable effort April Kennedy and Michael Mesich. The costumed Vikings to resurrect and continue the traditions of the popular masters also staged a backgammon game with weapons drawn. jackpot event, previously held annually at Bill Davis’ Central States Invitational (née Midwest Backgammon Championships) since The tournament featured Nordic-themed events including the Odin 1999, ending with the final CSI tournament in 2015. Kennedy Open, Thor Advanced, Viking Novice, Longship Jackpot, Friday Frigga, said, “It was historic; we felt that we could keep it going.” Past Viking Conquests, Quick Raids, Viking Funeral, and Valhalla Open and winners included such greats as Malcolm Davis, Ray Fogerlund, Advanced, with glorious trophies galore. In Viking mythology, a Valkyrie Kent Goulding, Howard Markowitz, Steve Sax, and Kit Woolsey. leads those slain in combat to Valhalla to take part in the afterlife, which is The ballroom doors were locked Saturday night after play finished, what happened to players who were eliminated on Saturday: they were but in the morning the doors were open and the Beaver was gone. eligible to enter the Valhalla and win a Valkyrie trophy, in lieu of the Perhaps a Viking raid took place during the night? The organizers more traditional Last Chance. gallantly replaced the prized GCB trophy and shipped it to Harvey.

Steve Brown, a top local player, won the Odin But otherwise the Viking Classic was quite a success. Some of Open, with Ed O’Laughlin (VA) as finalist. Mike the highlights: Blankenau came from Nebraska to capture the Thor »» 83 players attended, the most ever recorded for a Minnesota Advanced, while local player Mark Sigel took home backgammon event. In 2007, a low point, there were only 25 the Viking Novice trophy, besting a field of 11 players. attendees for the Minnesota Open. Ray Fogerlund (NV) won the Longship Jackpot, while »» Full online registration with no paper forms, and credit cards Julius High (KS) emerged victorious in the Friday Frigga. The accepted: something of a rarity in the backgammon world! Rainbow Bridge doubles was taken by Blake Fleetwood (NY) and Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY). »» 43 places paid out of 83 attendees. Great odds for most players to win money!

»» Six places paid out in the Open and Advanced ABT instead of the usual five, meaning more chances to win a cash prize ODIN OPEN TROPHY and more chances to win ABT points. MICHAEL MESICH AND APRIL KENNEDY In Norse mythology, the war-god Odin is chief amongst Viking Class directors Michael and April Gods. In true warrior fashion, players battled over the Continued on page 104 were grateful for the large turnout and board to vie for a chance to take home the Odin trophy. support for their maiden tournament. 102 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 103 Conquering Backgammon Viking Style! Conquering Backgammon Viking Style!

VIKING NOVICE TROPHY Mark Sigel, local Minnesota player, 01 04 07 won the novice division.

All of the trophies were Viking- or Norse God-themed.

02 05 08

RAY FOGERLUND Ray, top player from Nevada, won the Viking Longship trophy for besting a field of eight in the Super Jackpot event. The trophy is a detailed replica of an ancient Viking Longship. 03 06 09

01 Ed O'Laughlin (VA) came in 2nd 04 Mike Blankenau (NE) was able to 07 Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY) and in the Odin Open, and tied for first in secure a spot in the full Thor Advanced Blake Fleetwood (NY) taking home both the Viking Conquests (blitzes) and bracket because a player had to with- beautiful trophies for their Rainbow the Quick Raids (quickies). draw. He ended up taking first place. Doubles win. 02 Lorina Quarterone (MN) took 1st 05 Jeff Spencer (MN) brought 08 Michael Neagu (Canada) took place in the Viking Funeral (for players home the Gammon Stuff sponsored home a Valkyrie trophy for his Valhalla losing their first two matches in the luxury sized board. He also took 2nd Open (last chance) win. STEVE BROWN Advanced ABT event). place in the Friday Frigga. Steve, a respected Minnesota Julius High (KS) won the Friday Ancient Viking reinactors Roberto Caprio (FL) conquered player, conquered the Open 03 06 09 division to take home the warm up tournament, bringing home showed how dangerous chouette can the Odin Open consolation bracket imposing Odin Open trophy. the lovely goddess Frigga trophy. be. taking home a majestic Odin trophy. 104 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 105 Conquering Backgammon Viking Style! Conquering Backgammon Viking Style!

“A SurveyMonkey poll of the attendees showed that 84% rated the tournament “excellent” or “very good,” and 87% rated the location and venue “excellent” or “very good.” Most of the participants were elated with THE VIKINGS READ PRIMETIME the theme-appropriate Ancient Vikings played kvatrutafl, the Old Norse name for trophies. Tables (the medieval forerunner of backgammon). Today A RECORD BREAKING YEAR they read PrimeTime magazine to keep up-to-date. The first Viking Classic was the highest attended tournament in recorded Minnesota history.

Continued from page 101 supports its very own counterterrorism good.” Most of the participants were elated The tournament location was the Radisson unit for protection. with the theme-appropriate trophies. About Blake Blu, which is located in the Mall of America, lake Fleetwood has returned to the a quintessential, must-see American phe- There was obvious enthusiasm and pride April and Michael have taken all the sug- Bbackgammon scene after 35 years. He was formerly on the staff of The New nomenon on par with the Golden Gate for the new-old tournament among the gestions for next year to heart. They are York Times. He has written for The New Bridge or Mount Rushmore. It boasts 520 locals, as the Twin Cities Backgammon making arrangements for a hotel with a York Times Magazine, New York Maga- stores (no sales tax) and an entire indoor Club put up $2,500 in added money; the larger playing room so that they don’t have zine, The New York Daily News, the Wall amusement park (complete with a full- USBGF donated $500 as well. to close registrations. Be sure to keep up to Street Journal, USA Today, the Village Voice, Atlantic, and the Washington sized roller coaster and a Ferris wheel), date with their plans for 2018 by visiting Monthly on a number of issues. which is extremely useful to families with A SurveyMonkey poll of the attendees vikingbackgammonclassic.com.  young children on those cold Minnesota showed that 84% rated the tournament Read more at: winter weekends. The Mall is such a tourist “excellent” or “very good,” and 87% rated - BLAKE FLEETWOOD huffingtonpost.com/blake-fleetwood attraction — and terrorist target — that it the location and venue “excellent” or “very 106 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 107 Director's Corner

that includes some byes. From the TE S dollars, where S = (80 – 72) × $300/3 = $800. The main prize Director's corner dollars, we put S of those dollars into a side pool would have (36 × $300) – $800 = $10,000 to be distributed pool for the full bracket, and use the remaining among the final 5 players. How To Compensate Players TE − S dollars for the main pool, where: S = ( 32 − T ) E. The same arguments can be used to derive formulas for other situ- Who Are Not Eligible For Byes ations. For example, if the total number of players T is between By Art Benjamin and Patrick Gibson For example, with T = 29 players, paying an entry fee of E = 40 and 48, with 16 players in the early bracket, then after three $400, the amount that goes to the side pool is (32 − 29) × $400 = rounds of play, an early player has an expected value of: $1200, as previously shown. 1/8 ( S/2 ) + 1/8 ( TE − S ) / 6 = ( 2S + TE ) / 48. his is the first column in our Directors’ Corner — a place sions on all sorts of tournament issues, including rules, disputes, Setting this equal to E gives us S = ( 48 − T ) E / 2. for tournament directors and players to raise issues that advantages of various tournament formats, and scheduling — send Let’s see how this equation was derived. A random player in the would improve the tournament experience. The Directors’ to [email protected]. bracket of 16 has a 1/8 chance of cashing in the side pool, which If the tournament has T between 17 and 24 players, where the early TCorner welcomes comments on this column as well as submis- has an expected value of S / 2 dollars. That player also has 1/8 bracket has only 8 players, then the winner of the early bracket chance of being in the final 4 of the tournament, which is worth should get the entire side pool, worth: very year, the Los Angeles Open offers a Super-32 Jackpot event, but it rarely gets exactly 32 players. In a recent tournament, ( TE − S ) / 4 dollars. Hence the expected value is: S = ( 24 − T ) E / 2 there were 29 players, 16 of whom agreed to play at the 2 PM start time, while 13 started at 6:30 PM. As a result, some of S / 16 + ( TE − S ) / 32 = ( TE + S ) / 32. the players in the late bracket would receive byes in their first round, which would increase their chances of cashing in the For the side pool to be fair, the expected value for all players must On the other hand, if there are between 24 and 32 players, with Etournament. But since none of the players in the early bracket would be eligible for byes, they would be at an equity disadvantage. The be equal to the entry fee E. Setting the above expression to equal only 8 in the early bracket, then that early bracket winner should challenge was to find a fair and equitable way not to penalize the early players for playing in a full bracket. In this article, we provide E gives us: 32 E = TE + S, and therefore S = (32 − T)E, get a side pool of S = ( 32 − T ) E / 3. our solution to this problem and variations on it that can be applied in similar circumstances. as predicted. We have had the opportunity to apply all of these formulas in Our solution was to use a portion of all the entry fees to create a small side pool for the finalists of the early bracket. The entry fee (after Let’s change the situation and derive the appropriate formula. Sup- recent tournaments, and everyone is satisfied that the results are the director’s cut was deducted) was $400 per player, resulting in 29 x $400 = $11,600 available in prize money. Out of that sum, we pose the Super-32 event is expanded to allow somewhere between reasonable and fair. would reserve $1200 for the early-bracket finalists’ side pool. The remaining $10,400 would be split (in some fashion) among the final 33 and 40 players, where the early bracket has 16 players. The late 4 players in the tournament (2 from the early bracket and 2 from the late bracket). bracket will be played as 24-player tournament where some of the Finally, let’s consider a situation where both the early bracket and

players will get byes. After three rounds of play, the two finalists late bracket are incomplete. Say the early group has T1 players and

Let’s verify that this is equitable for an early-bracket player. Such a player would have a 1/8 chance of cashing in the side pool, worth of the early bracket will compete somehow with the final three the late group has T2 players, where 8 < T1 < T2 < 16. Reason- $600, and a 1/8 chance of cashing in the main pool, where the expected value is $2600. Consequently, that player’s overall expected value players of the late tournament. How much should the side pool ing as before, it can be shown that a side pool S should be shared is 1/8($600) + 1/8($2600) = $75 + $325 = $400, as is appropriate. be in this event? As before, we have T players paying an entry fee by the two finalists of the late bracket, where

By symmetry, no matter how the byes are structured in the late of E dollars into the prize pool, with S dollars going to the early S = ( T 2 − T 1 ) E. bracket, the expected value of a late player must also be $400. bracket side pool. Here, an early player has a 1/8 chance of getting (To verify this directly, a late player has a 2/13 chance of getting an equity of S / 2 dollars, and a 1/8 chance of getting an equity If the tournament has a single start time, then there is always the an expected value of $2600, so their overall expected value is of ( TE − S ) / 5 dollars. Hence the overall expected value of an question of how to handle byes in a fair way. This is often done 2/13($2600) = $400 too.) early player is S/16 + ( TE − S ) /40 = ( 3S + 2TE ) / 80 . by random draw, but it would be interesting to hear how other Setting this equal to E gives us 3S = ( 80 − 2T ) E, and there- directors handle this common situation. Do you compensate the Here is the general formula for the situation when you have a total fore S = ( 80 − 2T ) E / 3. For example, with T = 36 players, non-bye players or do you hold an auction for the bye?  of T players who each contribute an entry fee of E dollars to the with 16 playing in the early bracket, paying an entry fee of $300, prize pool, where 16 players are in a full bracket of 16 (no byes) the two finalists of the early bracket should split a side pool of - ART BENJAMIN AND PATRICK GIBSON and the remaining T − 16 players are playing in a bracket of 16 PrimeTime Photography By Doris Auer

oris Auer was born in 1968 and lives in Southern of the boards, trying to communicate the radiance of those gems. Germany. She started photographing because of her love of dragonflies (mystical creatures in her eyes) Her philosophy is to take photos in the primeval sense of pho- Dand other flying insects. She continues to specialize in nature tography: “photos,” the Greek word for light, and “graphein,” the photography to this day. word for painting or drawing. To be a painter with light, that's what she wants to be—no knick-knacks, no cheap showmanship. Her husband Alexander Auer, an enthusiastic German player, brought backgammon home to her, and from the very begin- “Taking photos of a backgammon board is a bit like the game itself,” ning she was fascinated by the unique geometry of backgammon she says. "Look for simplicity and purity, keep it simple (like Phil boards. She started to take photos of the apparently simple details Simborg said), and your board will look pretty."

THANK YOU TO DORIS & ALEXANDER! We're privileged to showcase the stunning still backgammon photos of Doris Auer. Her husband Alexander, a backgammon enthusiast, introduced her to the art and beauty of backgammon.

Contact Doris Auer [email protected] DORIS AUER DORIS 110 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 111 live abt tournament results Live ABT Tournament Results From March 24 - July 3, 2017 (Japan), 3C/4C-Steve Brown (MN) / Brent Cohen (PA). ADVANCED (50): 1-Liam Henry (Canada), 2-Scotty Kelland (CT), 3-Marcy Kossar (MD), 4/5-Judy Field March 2017 (MI) / Jay Karns (NY); 1C-Omar Shah (Canada), 2C-Gary Koscielny (NY), 3C/4C-Steve Kenney (NC) / Tom Rebelo (Canada).

ABT - 23rd ANNUAL OHIO STATE BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS NOVICE (23): 1-Chris Chapin (DC), 2-Michael Rosen (NY); 1C-Vinson Blanton (VA), 2C-Sabin Bokus (DC). March 24-26, 2017; Cleveland, Ohio CHERRY BLOSSOM MEGA JACKPOT (8): 1-Steve Sax (CA), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA), 3/4-Saba Benjanishvili (GA) OPEN (32): 1-Jacek Wojciechowski (Poland), 2-Sean Garber (IN); 1C-Jacob "Stick" Rice (OH), 2C-Karen / Victor Ashkenazi (NJ). PR winner: Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan). Davis (DC). GEORGE WASHINGTON MASTERS JACKPOT (32): 1-Ken Bame (CA), 2-Ray Fogerlund (NV), 3/4-Sean ADVANCED (45): 1-Gary Koscielny (NY), 2-Mike Clapsadle (MI); 1C-Mike Vasilatos (OH), 2C-Ben Elliott Garber (IN) / Chris Trencher (NY). (NC); 1LC-Ricky Griggs (MI). ABRAHAM LINCOLN LIMITED JACKPOT (32): 1-Bob Hathaway (VA), 2-Tom Rebelo (Canada), 3/4-Ghazi NOVICE (6): 1-Jeff Hoelzel (IL), 2-Christa Solovey (MI). Al-Kinani (VA) / Phil Lerman (DC).

OHIO MASTERS (15): 1-Jacob "Stick" Rice (OH), 2-Karen Davis (DC). NOVICE JACKPOT (8): 1-Vinson Blanton (VA), 2-Jamie Rosen (NY).

AMATEUR JACKPOT (16): 1-Ben Elliott (NC), 2-Gary Koscielny (NY). SENIOR SENATORS / YOUNG POLITICOS (48+32): Playoffs: 1-Kent Goulding (MD), 2-Rory Pascar (IL). Senior Senators (60-up): 1-Kent Goulding (MD), 2/3-Peggy Neubig (NJ) / Chen-Fu Yu (MD); Young Politicos DOUBLES (12 teams): 1-Mike Vasilatos (OH) & Bill Versaw (PA), 2-Doug & Wanda Roberts (MA). (under 60): 1/2-Rory Pascar (IL).

MICRO BLITZ (32): 1-Bonnie Rogoff (OH), 2-Carol Joy Cole (MI). USBGF BLITZ (80): 1-John O'Hagan (IN), 2-Dennis Culpepper (VA).

QUICKIES (32): 1-Bonnie Rogoff (OH), 2-Phil Simborg (IL). USBGF TOURNAMENT OF STARS (16 teams): 1-Patty Knapp (MA) & Roberto Litzenberger (VA), 2-Jamie Rosen (NY) & Phil Simborg (IL). P-40 BOARD TOURNAMENT (4): 1-Dion Hogan (MI). HALL OF STATES / EMBASSY ROW TEAM CHALLENGE (11 teams): 1/2 split - Sugar Daddies (MD): Kent THURSDAY WARM-UP (13): 1-Ben Elliott (NC), 2-Joe Miller (OH). Goulding, John Klein & Bill Finneran / Wizards of Odds (CA): Joe Russell, Jim Pasko & Paul Baraz.

April 2017 TAVLA TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Mustafa Sayid (VA), 2-Steve Saad (NC).

ALFRED MAMLET NEWCOMERS' FREE ROLL (13): 1-Dan Renzi (PA), 2-Sabin Bokus (DC), 3/4-Steve ABT - CHERRY BLOSSOM BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP Shindler (NY) / Joe Urso (VA). April 6-9, 2017; Dulles, Virginia BMAB (USA) #5 (10): 1/2 tie - Steve Brown (MN) / Vladi Gudgenov (NC). PR winner: John Klein (MD) - CHAMPIONSHIP (64): 1-Joe Russell (CA), 2-Tobias Hellwag (Germany), 3-Bahman Zandi (MD), 4/5-John 3.77. O'Hagan (IN) / Victor Ashkenazi (NJ); 1C-Antoinette-Marie Williams (NY), 2C-Masayuki Mochizuki 112 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 113 Live ABT Tournament Results Live ABT Tournament Results

$50 JACKPOT #1 (8): 1-Larry Brown (VA). May 2017 $50 JACKPOT #2 (8): 1-Stuart Domeshek (GA). $50 JACKPOT #3 (8): 1-Herb Roman (IL). ABT - 9th ATLANTA SPRING BACKGAMMON CLASSIC ABT - US OPEN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP May 18-21, 2017; Atlanta, Georgia April 26-30, 2017; Las Vegas, Nevada CHAMPIONSHIP (25): 1-Brian Lonergan (LA), 2-Stacy Turner (FL); 1C-Dennis Culpepper (VA), 2C-Mary CHAMPIONSHIP (64+26 rebuys): 1-Matt Cohn-Geier (CA), 2-Alex Toth (WA), 3/4-Doug Mayfield (CA) / Hickey (OH); 1LC-Carol Joy Cole (MI). Norm Wiggins (CA); 1C-Tom Wheeler (TX), 2C-Ed O'Laughlin (VA), 3C/4C-Mark Antranikian (CA) / Jon Vietor (CA); 1LC-Scott Ward (TX), 2LC-Ted Chee (CA). INTERMEDIATE (23): 1-Kate Elmore (GA), 2-David Stein (IL); 1C-Alan Epstein (GA), 2C-Scott Redfern (GA); 1LC-Mark Cohen (GA). INTERMEDIATE (60+28 rebuys): 1-Rick Voeller (WA), 2-Patrick Fusco (TN), 3/4-Lynda Clay (CO) / Elli Nache (CA); 1C-Tom Magne (MN), 2C-Jeff Whitelaw (NV), 3C/4C-Amorim de Lattuffe (Brazil) / Lorne NOVICE (4): 1-Jeremy Coppels (GA), 2-Jan Lister (GA). Rusnell (Canada); 1LC-Paul Franks (NV), 2LC-Ken Johnson (CA). ROBERT WILENSKY MEMORIAL MASTERS (8): 1-Stacy Turner (FL), 2-Julius High (KS). BEGINNERS (13): 1-Frank Benneyam (CA), 2-Kevin Davidson (CA). ATLANTA CUP AMATEUR JACKPOT (8): 1-Stuart Domeshek (GA), 2-Adrian Costa (GA). SUPER JACKPOT (28): 1-Drew Giovanis (NV), 2-Jacob "Stick" Rice (OH), 3/4-Matt Cohn-Geier (CA) / Steve Sax (CA). DOUBLES (16 teams): 1-Jerry Godsey (GA) & Roland Leutert (FL), 2-Carol Joy Cole (MI) & Carter Mattig (IL). LIMITED JACKPOT (30): 1-Josh Racko (CA), 2-Michael Neagu (Canada), 3/4-Paul Baraz (MD) / Allen Tish (CA). MINI-MATCH (64): 1-Forrest Faulk (GA), 2-Adrian Costa (GA).

BEGINNERS JACKPOT (10): 1-Regan Lambeth (CA), 2-Kevin Davidson (CA). SENIORS TOURNAMENT (32): 1-Mary Hickey (OH), 2-Stacy Turner (FL).

SENIORS TOURNAMENT (64): 1-Stepan Nuniyants (WA), 2-Ed Rosenblum (NM). THURSDAY WARM-UP (21): 1-Ray Fogerlund (NV), 2-Phil Simborg (IL); 1C-Adrian Costa (GA).

DOUBLES TOURNAMENT (18 teams): 1-Patrick Fusco (TN) & Joe Russell (CA), 2-Kristi Christman (WA) & P-40 BOARD TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Koray Agirbas (GA), 2-Rick Gardner (GA). Chris Innes. $50 JACKPOT #1 (8): 1-Sam Ahmed (CA). BLITZ (16x8): 1-Brian Hoeft (NV), 2-Patrick Gibson (CA). $50 JACKPOT #2 (8): 1-Aaron Foust (NV).

MINI-MATCH (64): 1-Ted Chee (CA), 2-Armin Soltani (Canada). AFTER TOURNAMENT (16): 1-Mary Hickey (OH), 2-Adrian Costa (GA).

$100 SATURDAY JACKPOT (30): 1-Carol Joy Cole (MI), 2-Steve Diano (NV). ABT - 37th CHICAGO OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT May 25-29, 2017; Rosemont, Illinois AFTER TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT (29): 1-Scott Ward (TX), 2-Ken Bame (CA). BACKGAMMON OLYMPIAD (10): 1-Gerry Tansey (MO), 2-Michihito Kageyama (Japan). 114 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 115 Live ABT Tournament Results Live ABT Tournament Results

OLYMPIAD QUIZ (10): 1-Michihito Kageyama (Japan), 2-John O'Hagan (IN), 3-Gerry Tansey (MO). TSUYOSHI MINAKAMI MEMORIAL TRAVEL AWARD: Grant Hoffman (New Zealand).

CHAMPIONSHIP (52): 1-Alfred Mamlet (MD), 2/7-Daniel Dabney (IN) / Yuji Ogura (Japan) / Boris Dekhtyar June 2017 (NY) / Grant Hoffman (New Zealand) / Lynn Lusk (CO) / Larry Shiller (CT).

INTERMEDIATE (50) 1-Ray Bills (MN), 2/6-Kevin McDonough (AZ) / Kathleen Davis (KS) / Patrick Domico ABT - 42nd MICHIGAN SUMMER BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS (IN) / Simon Kennedy Rose (IL) / Jeff Spencer (MN). June 30-July 3, 2017; Novi, Michigan

OPEN UNLUCKY DICE LAST CHANCE (8): 1-David Winn (TX). OPEN (85): 1-Paul Farah (MI), 2-Carter Mattig (IL), 3-Tak Morioka (IL), 4/6-John Klein (MD) / David Smith (0H) / Bahman Zandi (MD); 1C-Michael Neagu (Canada), 2C-Dmitriy Obukhov (MI), 3C/4C-Sead INTERMEDIATE UNLUCKY DICE LAST CHANCE (8): 1-Patty Knapp (MA). Kurjakovic (Bosnia) / Roberto Litzenberger (VA).

NOVICE (5): 1-Galia Miloucheva (IL), 2-Chelsea Bussey (LA). INTERMEDIATE (76): 1-Patty Knapp (MA), 2-Christopher Shanava (IL), 3-Scott Douglas (Canada), 4/6-Abby Biss (New Zealand) / Robert Caldwell (Canada) / Robert Lessard (Canada); 1C-Joe Feldman (MI), 2-Reggie MARKOWITZ MASTERS (16): 1-Michihito Kageyama (Japan), 2-Mark Ferrin (OR). Harvel (MI), 3C/4C-Duane Salinas (MI) / Brian Vance (MI).

FASTER MASTERS (12): 1-Steve Blanchard (IL), 2-Alfred Mamlet (MD), 3-Ray Fogerlund (NV). NOVICE (18): 1-Laura Grigorian (MI), 2-Christa Solovey (MI); 1C-Mike Montalvo (MI); 1LC-Fran Miller (OH). LIMITED JACKPOT (48): 1-Michael Mesich (MN), 2-Ken Tyszko (IL), 3-Steve Hairgrove (IL), 4/6-Frank Dama (FL) / Kevin McDonough (AZ) / Larry Whittenburg (IL). MICHIGAN MASTERS (32): 1-Victor Ashkenazi (NJ), 2-Alfred Mamlet (MD), 3/4-Allen Jones (Canada) / Jim Pasko (NV). SENIORS TOURNAMENT (32): 1-John Pirner (MN), 2-Frank Dama (FL). SANDY KAPLAN'S SENIOR SPECIAL (64): 1-Chen-Fu Yu (MD), 2-David Todd (MO), 3/4-Sean Garber (IN) / 1-POINT QUICKIE / USBGF PRIME (128): 1-Steve Brown (MN), 2-Craig Anderson (IL), 3/4-Aaron Foust Joe Miller (OH). (NV) / Josh Racko (CA). PRINCE BARLOW'S JUNIOR JACKPOT (32): 1-Michael Kurtz (MI), 2-Patrick Domico (IN), 3/4-Di Di (GA) / 1-POINT QUICKIE OVERFLOW (32): 1-Steve Hairgrove (IL). Rickey Griggs (MI).

DOUBLES TOURNAMENT (16 teams): 1-Frank & Monica Talbot (MI), 2-Steve Brown (MN) & Carol Joy Cole MICHIGAN CHARITY BLITZ (128): 1-Carl Sorg (GA), 2-David Zakrajsek (IN). $300 was raised for the Flint (MI). Water Fund of the United Way.

TAKI BOARD TOURNAMENT (16): 1-Steve Brown (MN), 2-April Kennedy (MN). USBGF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - EAST (128): 1-Faddoul Khoury (IL), 2-John Klein (MD). $100 Side Pool: 1/3-John Klein (MD) / Roberto Litzenberger (VA) / Leyla Zaloutskaya (NY). $50 Side Pool: Kathy MICHY'S 7th PROFICIENCY TEST (35): 1-Gerry Tansey (MO), 2/3-Chuck Bower (IN) / Dennis Culpepper Weiner (NV). (VA). USBGF GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (2): 1-West Champion Ray Fogerlund (NV), 2-East Champion AFTER TOURNEY TOURNEY (16): 1-Grant Hoffman (New Zealand), 2-John O'Hagan (IN). Faddoul Khoury (IL).

AFTER TOURNEY OVERFLOW (4): 1-Yuji Ogura (Japan). 116 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Live ABT Tournament Results

OPEN DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Stephen Collins (OH) & Karen Davis (DC), 2-Bill Davis (IL) & Tak Morioka (IL), 3/4-Joe Feldman (MI) & Steve Sax (CA) / Mike Montalvo (MI) & Dmitriy Obkhov (MI).

LIMITED DOUBLES (14 teams): 1-Lynn Ehrlich (NY) & Marcy Kossar (DC), 2-Vicki Ondis (FL) & Stewart Pemberton (FL).

FRANK TALBOT'S NEWCOMER FREEROLL (28): 1-Paul Mangone (CA), 2-Mike Mammo (MI).

FIRECRACKER OPEN JACKPOT (16): 1-Phil Simborg (IL), 2-Jim Slomkoski (MI).

FIRECRACKER LIMITED JACKPOT (16): 1-Ray Bills (MN), 2-Kathy Weiner (NV).

BACKGAMMON ELEGANCE OPEN JACKPOT (16): 1-Steve Brown (MN), 2-John Drexel (MI).

BACKGAMMON ELEGANCE LIMITED JACKPOT (16): 1-Peggy Neubig (NJ), 2-Peter Swartwout (PA).

$20 DETROIT QUICKIE (64): 1-Philippe Salnave (FL), 2-Phil Simborg (IL).

$10 DETROIT QUICKIE (16): 1-Ross Gordon (CT).

BACKGAMMON MASTER SERIES (USA) #6 (16): Top 4-1 match records: 1/3-Steve Brown (MN) / Karen Davis (DC) / Roberto Litzenberger (VA). Top PR scores pending.

P-40 BOARD JACKPOT (8): 1-John Stryker (IL).

$50 JACKPOT (8): 1-Di Di (GA), 2-Eric Hiner (MN).

$50 THURSDAY WARM-UP (32): 1-Patrick Gibson (CA), 2-Bill Calton (MI), 3/4-Michael Neagu (Canada) / FrankTalbot (MI).

$30 THURSDAY WARM-UP (32): 1-Carl Sorg (GA), 2-Robert Caldwell (Canada), 3/4-Gary Fritzsche (MI) / Richard Hunt (MI).

$20 THURSDAY WARM-UP (10): 1-Dick Nelson (MI), 2/3-Brenda Cohen (PA) / Shawn Lavetter (MI).

$50 AFTER TOURNAMENT (24): 1-Jim Pasko (NV), 2-Jeb Horton (NC), 3/4-Ray Fogerlund (NV) / Philippe Salnave (FL).

$20 AFTER TOURNAMENT (16): 1-Butch Meese (IN), 2/3-Mike Clapsadle (MI) / Ricky Griggs (MI). 118 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 119 american backgammon tour usbgf master point leaders By Bill Riles - ABT Standings Editor Updated: 7/06/2017 By Rich Munitz Updated: 7/06/2017 2017 ABT Standings Top 60 2017 National Master Points Top 10

# Name Points # Name Points # Name Master Pts Match Pts Rank Pts Win - Loss Win % Rating Events 1st Pl. 1. Ray Fogerlund 50.75 40.25 10.49 35 – 32 52.20% 1571.32 18 2 1. Antoinette Williams 32.00 31. Stacy Turner 8.50 2. Victor Ashkenazi 45.04 38.37 6.68 34 – 21 61.80% 1689.48 12 1 2. Alfred Mamlet 28.76 32. Larry Shiller 8.28 3. Alfred Mamlet 38.64 28.38 10.26 26 – 8 76.50% 1642.47 6 1 3. Paul Farah 27.20 33. Michael Blankenau 8.00 4. Ed O’Laughlin 35.55 32.89 2.66 30 – 28 51.70% 1650.02 11 0 4. Joe Russell 21.33 34. Elena Evans 7.64 5. Albert Steg 34.20 25.82 8.39 26 – 13 66.70% 1662.50 8 0 5. Jeff Acierno 21.04 35. Doug Mayfield 7.41 6. Karen Davis 32.47 27.29 5.18 26 – 26 50.00% 1565.50 13 0 6. Matt Cohn-Geier 18.96 36. Simon Kennedy-Rose 7.16 7. Michael Neagu 32.21 28.74 3.47 32 – 28 53.30% 1591.32 12 1 7. Michael Neagu 18.86 37. Sean Garber 7.11 8. Antoinette Williams 30.41 24.55 5.86 25 – 17 59.50% 1623.65 8 1 8. Frank Raposa 17.60 38. Stick Rice 7.11 9. Boris Dekhtyar 29.61 24.26 5.35 23 – 15 60.50% 1564.78 10 1 9. Steve Brown 15.47 39. Bob Carpenter 7.00 10. Frank Raposa 29.38 26.10 3.28 25 – 19 56.80% 1615.57 8 1 10. Boris Dekhtyar 14.45 40. Dmitriy Obukhov 6.80 11. Jacek Wojciechowski 14.22 41. Tak Morioka 6.80 12. Karen Davis 14.08 42. Adam Rosen 6.40 13. Liam Henry 13.66 43. Roberto Caprio 6.40 2017 Online Master Points Top 10 14. Carter Mattig 13.60 44. Christopher Shanava 6.08 15. Leyla Zaloutskaya 13.30 45. Joe Feldman 6.08 # Name Master Pts Match Pts Rank Pts Win - Loss Win % Rating Events 1st Pl. 16. Carol Joy Cole 13.02 46. Dan Dabney 5.65 1. Igor Erovenko 25.71 20.47 5.24 186 – 95 66% 1860.22 28 2 17. Victor Ashkenazi 12.40 47. Grant Hoffman 5.65 2. Edward Bauder 23.06 19.72 3.35 123 – 102 55% 1793.70 26 0 18. Patty Geoffroy Knapp 12.16 48. Lynn Lusk 5.65 3. Martin Filipi 21.89 16.85 5.04 49 – 24 67% 1701.05 26 2 19. Ed O’Laughlin 11.14 49. Yuji Ogura 5.65 4. Jeb Horton 20.95 12.57 8.38 47 – 30 61% 1836.63 16 2 20. Gary Koscielny 11.08 50. Tom Magne 5.44 5. Jalil Khalili 20.73 16.37 4.36 54 – 35 61% 1831.21 27 1 21. Samuel Wang 10.67 51. Gus Contos 5.33 6. Ray Bills 20.44 18.49 1.95 30 – 13 70% 1797.01 16 0 22. Tobias Hellwag 10.67 52. Masayuki Mochizuki 5.33 7. John Graas 20.20 16.83 3.37 114 – 107 52% 1759.44 20 0 23. Brian Lonergan 10.00 53. Monty Haskins 5.33 8. Karen Davis 19.93 16.12 3.81 185 – 126 59% 1828.97 26 1 24. Alex Toth 9.48 54. Neil Kazaross 5.33 9. Olga Ivanova 19.57 15.75 3.82 36 – 30 55% 1757.86 28 1 25. Tom Wheeler 9.48 55. Richard Munitz 5.33 10. Martin Zizka 19.16 16.25 2.91 84 – 63 57% 1775.62 27 0 26. Ray Bills 9.20 56. Nick Blasier 5.30 27. Rick Voeller 8.89 57. Omar Shah 5.30 28. Albert Steg 8.80 58. Falafel Natanzon 5.26 29. Bahman Zandi 8.73 59. Raj Jansari 5.26 30. John Klein 8.66 60. Dennis Culpepper 5.00

The top three finishers win trophies. 1st through 20th earn solid silver dollar mementos. 120 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 121 usbgf online leaderboard usbgf online circuit winners By Tara Mendicino Updated: 7/06/2017 By Tara Mendicino Updated: 7/06/2017 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. Art Benjamin mathemagics 1913.72 27 – 14 66% 2 1923.18 May 21, 2017 Completed Membership Blitz #51 Andrew Selby 2. Steve Sax STEAMSAX 1905.84 18 – 10 64% 1 1918.56 May 09, 2017 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional XXVII Joel Montgomery 3. Sanford Lubetkin heartman 1900.00 0 – 0 0% 0 1900.00 May 09, 2017 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional XXXV Martin Filipi 4. Mislav Kovačić Mislav 1888.94 78 – 35 69% 4 1918.35 May 09, 2017 Completed Membership Blitz #50 Ronald Loero 5. Alfred Mamlet amamlet 1883.43 139 – 72 66% 6 1959.64 May 09, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLVIII Ted Chee 6. Brian Lonergan Vengeance526 1872.04 15 – 10 60% 0 1923.51 Apr 21, 2017 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional XXXIV James Allen 7. Faris Gabbara DoubleFaris 1866.59 12 – 3 80% 1 1866.59 Apr 21, 2017 Completed Membership Blitz #49 Mario Savan 8. Joseph Russell JRUS 1866.57 112 – 67 63% 8 1943.95 Apr 21, 2017 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional XXVI Oscar Quiroz 9. Doug Amenda thephoenix2 1860.66 77 – 45 63% 5 1936.19 Apr 19, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLVII Art Benjamin 10. Igor Erovenko Sharikov 1860.22 186 – 95 66% 5 1949.31 Mar 30, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLVI Kamil Karaali Mar 19, 2017 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional XXXIII Mary Morse Up-to-date ratings may be found at: usbgf.org/trny/leaderboard/ Mar 19, 2017 Completed Membership Blitz #48 Kamil Karaali Qualifications for inclusion in USBGF Online Circuit Events Mar 19, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLV Jeb Horton Mar 07, 2017 Completed 3rd Director’s Cup Ken Bame 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. Mar 03, 2017 Completed Circuit Monthly for March William Lonergan Feb 25, 2017 Completed Membership Blitz #47 Andrew Selby Feb 25, 2017 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional XXXII Carl Blumenstein Upcoming Online Circuit Feb 21, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLIV Richard Munitz Feb 09, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLIII Karen Davis Tournaments Feb 09, 2017 Completed Membership Blitz #46 Kamil Karaali Circuit Monthly for August Feb 09, 2017 Completed USBGF Advanced Divisional XXXI Don Marek Start Date: August 1, 2017 Feb 08, 2017 Completed Circuit Monthly for February Adam Prager Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=380 Jan 25, 2017 Completed USBGF Masters Divisional XLII Bill Riles Divisional Tournaments Jan 25, 2017 Completed USBGF Intermediate Divisional XXV James Schothorst Masters Divisional LIII Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=383 Advanced Divisional XXXIX Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=382 2018 USBGF Online Circuit Intermediate Divisional XXXI Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=381 Membership Blitz Tournaments Tournament of Champions Membership Blitz #54 Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=384 All 2017 Online Circuit tournament winners will be invited to participate in the 2018 USBGF Online Circuit Tournament of Champions. This exclusive event will start in mid- April 2018. Don't miss it! 122 USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine 123 Upcoming Tournaments

upcoming tournaments ABT: 1st MONTREAL OPEN SEP Dates: September 14 - 17, 2017 Upcoming ABT Tournaments and Place: Marriott, Montreal, Canada USBGF Sponsored Live & Online Events Details: Website Phone: 514/497-9913 Be sure to mark your calendar and attend these exciting ABT tournaments &

USBGF events. For complete tournament listings, see usbgf.org/calendar. PRIME TOURNAMENT

ABT: 15th WISCONSIN JUL ABT: COLORADO STATE SEP CHAMPIONSHIPS CHAMPIONSHIPS Dates: July 21 - 23, 2017 Dates: September 22 - 24, 2017 Place: Radisson, Madison, WI Place: Holiday Inn-East, Denver, CO Details: Website Details: Website Phone: 608/215-4597 Phone: 303/916-5170

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7th MONTE CARLO OPEN & JUL ABT: FLORIDA STATE OCT 42nd WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIPS Dates: July 29 - August 6, 2017 Dates: October 5 - 8, 2017 Place: Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monaco Place: Westin, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Details: Website Details: Website Phone: 212/222-7177 Phone: 941/374-3952

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ABT: 2nd SILICON VALLEY OPEN SEP ABT: 5th CONNECTICUT OCT Dates: September 1 - 4, 2017 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Place: Courtyard, San Jose, CA Dates: October 19 - 22, 2017 Details: Website Place: Windsor Locks, CT Phone: 510/402-8068 Details: Brochure Phone: 203/521-7866

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ABT: LAS VEGAS OPEN NOV Dates: November 15 - 19, 2017 Place: Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV Details: Website Phone: 702/218-8238

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ABT: CALIFORNIA STATE DEC CHAMPIONSHIPS Dates: December 1 - 3, 2017 Place: Hilton LAX, Los Angeles, CA Details: Email Phone: 310/422-1646

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ABT: 11TH NEW YORK JAN METROPOLITAN OPEN Dates: January 17 - 21, 2018 Place: Hyatt, Jersey City, NJ Details: Email Phone: 408/529-6769

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ABT: 6th TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS FEB & 2018 USBGF AWARDS Dates: February 1 - 4, 2018 Place: Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TX Details: Website Phone: 281/703-9304

PRIME TOURNAMENT 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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