Volume VIII No.II
U.S. SI.SO Grt. Brin. 1£ Greece 40 Dr. 6 Fr.
0) <:t' 0 ,mmon's 1gazine
IN OUR Year IMPOATEOBLACK&Yt'HfTEeBtENOEOSCOTC>i'NHISKV 868PAOOF ~l980HEU8lEIN INC HAAlfORO CONN
1. Painter Jean Sobieskiarrived well-equippedwith surprise offensive The Newli'aditionalists tactics ...and displayedquite a knack for back game maneuvers.2. This happy group celebrated apres tennis finals with their host Black & gatherat Turnberry_lsleWhite Scotch. (From left), Mal Meister,Brenda Thener, Stanley Multin, Bert Kaufman, Donna Multin, ReneeLemelin. 3. Best combo of all, forBlack~ White Poolsidebackgammon and Black& Wh;te.Just ask Law Student Susan Teicher(center) and friends. 4. The I" f the festivities was Black& Championship White Scotch,which mixes well wit~ any activity! 5. English Model carol Lorenz won several backgam·non matches ...not bad-for a Backgammon beginner! 6. Investor ThomasH. J rvis 111bears off while opponent (right) RickHilton'S man is on the bar. Beyond is Vladimir Dobrich,whose chancesof a gammon decreasewhen his opponent rolls a _doublesix.
Black~White Scotch. The Newli'adition. BACKGAMMONAMERICA
ALASKA ILLINOIS Glassboro Anchorage Carbondale Glassboro State College Backgammon Assn. . •.. George Reinfeld •Southern Illinois University Bade.gammon Club . . . . . Jim GeYas Backgammon Aun. of Alaska ...... • . . . . • Errol Simmons Livingston Chicago Essu: County Backgammon Center ..••.•.••. Eileen Brenner ARIZONA Backgammon Club of Chicago . • ...... • . . Valerie Valentine Glendale Gammon's of Chicago •...... Howard Markowitz Spring Lake •Studio 44 Backgammon Club .•...... •..•. Avi Yeshua The Nort;h Club .•...... •...... •• Bill Doroshow Doers & Movers Backgammon Club . • . . . • . . . Robert Murray Phoenix •Tuley Park Backgammon Club ....•...... J. A. Miller West Panerson •Phoenix Backgammon Club ....••...... Backgammon Mike Downers Grove New Jersey Backgammon Assn...... • . • . . . • . Oan Caverly Ground Round Rflt ...... •...•.•••... Jeff Henry CALIFORNIA NEW MEXICO Campbell INOIANA Taos •campbelj Bridge & Backgammon Studio ••...••. Martin Miller Indianapolis •New Mexico Backgammon Club ...... •..• Steve Spellerberg Cardiff By the SH Hoosier Backgammon Club ...... •.• Ralph Roberts Southern Californla Badcgammon Club . • • . • . . Drew Tanrman Indiana Backgammon Assn...... • . . . . . • John Smith NEW YORK Buffalo Encino Festival Bedcgammon Club ...... •....• Jerry Nathan Pickwicks Pub ....•...... Pat Gibson IOWA Floral Park Tiffany's ...... •....•...... •.••..... Pat Gibson Cadar Rapkb Long Island Backgammon Club .....•...... Steve Kunban l Whiskey Creek •...... ••.....•..•.. Pat Gibson •1owa Backgammon Assn ....•..•..••..•.•. Tom Owens Fresno New Vortc. KENTUCKY Amateur Backgammon Championship ..•.... Louise Goldsmith Fresno Backgammon Club •••••••••••.•.•••. Bob Gage Frankfort HoHday Inn Lounge Club •.....••.•...... James Milner Bar Point House of Backgammon . • ...... • Kevin Brandt • Frankfort; Backgammon Club ....•..•... Michael S. Goddard Knight Errant Backgammon & Cribbage Club ...• Russell Kolish Los Angeles Louisville Mayfair Club ....•.....••.. , ...... Al Roth Candy Store ...... •.•..•..•... Rudy Schneider •Louisville Backgammon Club ...... • . . . . . Larry Str1sberg Park 65 Backgammon Club ....•...... Tim Holland Cavendish West ...• , .•..•.•.•...... •. Bobbi Layne World Backgammon Ctub, Inc ...•..•...... Joe Pasternack Chippendale's •...•...•....•..•..... Randy Cornfine Prospect Players· Assn. . . . . • . . . . . • . • • . . • . . . . . • . Sid J1ckson Prospect Brtdge & Backgammon Club .•..•.... Charles Klayer Riverdale Empire State Backgammon Club ...•...... Charles Jacob,on Montebello LOUISIANA Armenian Descent Club . . . • . • . • • • • • . . . Boris Kir1kissi1n Rochester New Orie.ans •Backgammon Board of Rochester ...... Renee Ro11nbloom N_ewP!'~ Buch •New Orleans Backgammon Club ...... •.... Peter Ippolito P1cass10 s . • • . • • • . . • . • . • . . . • . • . . . . . Pet• Peterson Shreveport OHIO Pacific Grove •Shreveport/Bossier Backgammon Assn. . • . • • . . . . . Ed Brister Cincinnati Badcgammon Central . • ...... • . . . . Leland Bellet Cincinnati Backgammon Club • ...... • • . Mary Kelley Sacramento MARYLANO New Waterford •River City Backgammon Assn ...... •...... Jim Stern Baltimore •Ohio Backgammon Assn. . • . . . . . • . • • . . . Donald Eagleton SanOI- Backgammon Club of Baltimore ...... • ...... Alan Potter Toledo San Diego Backgammon . • . • ...... Roy Springer • Federal Hill Backgammon Club ..•...•..... Michael Maguire Toledo Backgammon Assn ...... ••.•.•....•. Mike Julius San Francisco MASSACHUSETTES OKLAHOMA Gambit .•...... •.•.•. , . . . . Hank Gabriel Amherst Pacific Backgammon Aun. . ...•...•..•.•.. Nick Matteo Tulsa • Amherst Backgammon Club .....•...... Scott Mitchell Tulsa Backgammon Society • . . . • ...... • . W.W. MichNls Solana Buch Brookline Bridge & Pips .....•..•...••.•...... Bob Jacobs Cavendish Club of Boston .•.•..•...•...... Sam Hanna OREGON WestWood Landsdown •Pipmasters Tournament Backgammon Club ..... R. S. Kolemaine Monty's •...... ••.•..•.....•... Ralph Kemper Delaware County Chess & Backgammon Club ..... Louis Gnapp West Coast Backgammon Institute . • . . • . • Moufar Behrooznia CANAOA Cambridge Alberta New England Backgammon Club ...... Francesca Parkinson PENNSYLVANIA •Calgary Backgammon Club ...... • ...... Wayne Roberts Fall River Philadelphia •Cavendish of Philadelphia ...... •.•... Mae & Cherie Bk>ck Brantford •Newport Backg,ammon Club .•.•••...•.. Robert Howayedc •Brantford Backgammon Club . . . • . . • . . . • . . . . . Al Cooper Falmouth Pittsbu,vh Pittsburgh Backgammon Assn. • . . • . . . . . • . . George Stamets Ontario Cape Cod Backgammon Club • • . • . . . • . . . • Jacqueline Flynn •H1milton Squash Club ...... •.•.... Ernie Geissel Thunder Bay MEXICO SOUTH OAKOTA Backgammon Club Royal .....•....•... Eduardo Mendoza •Thund.,- Bay Backgammon Assn. • ..•...•.•. Rita Zand•«• Belle Fourche Club Atul y Banco .....•..•...... •.. Jaime Abadi •Black Hills Backgammon Club •..•...•..•.• Rod Woodruff COLORAOO MICHIGAN Siou,c Falls Awen Ann Arbor •Sioux Backgammon Assn. • . . . . • • . . . • . . . Gerald Mortimer Andre's Club . • • . . . • . • ...... Andre Ulrych Boards & Billiards ...... ••.••.•.... Ruth Minshull Boulder flint TENNESSEE Rocky Mount1ln Blckgammon Club ..•...•.•.. Peggy Lloyd •flint Backgammon Club .•..•....•..••...•• Carol Cole Chattanooga •Chattanooga Backg.ammon Club •....•....•.. David Harris Jackson CONNECTICUT Jackson Backgammon Assn...... •.... Dave Cardwell W1terbury Plymouth TEXAS •Connecticut Backgammon Society ...... ••..•... Rob Roy • American Backpmmon Club . • . . . • ...... Michael Kloian Dallas Dallas Backgammon Club .....•...... • Taffie Norris FLORIOA Southfield Cantu's Corner •...... •.••.•.•...... Ray Williams Boca Aiton •Cavendish North . . . • • . . . • ...... • . . Bob Ciaffone Overlake Sellringer • . • ...... • • . • . . . Jack. McKenzie Boca Raton Badco,mmon Club . . . . • ...... Charles McSwain Warren •Gammon East of Michigan ...... • • • • • . . . Barbara McCoy Houston CINrwlter Elan ...... •...... •.....•. Lon Breedlove American Backgammon Assn. . ...••••.•.... Orrill Manin Texas Backgammon Assn .....••..•....•.•.. Jim Howe MINESOTA Ft. Laudetd1fe Duluth VERMONT International Backgammon Assn. . ...••.•...... Les Boyd •Duluth Backgammon Club •...... •...•... Ray Boisjoli Lauderdale Backgammon Club .•••....•.... Alyda Trayner Manchester Center St. Paul Vermont Backg.ammon Club ..•..•..•...... Guy Thomu Jadc.sc,nvill• Backgammon Club of St. Paul & Minneapolis ..... Lee Silverstein •Jadc.sc,rwille Backgammon Club . . • • • . • • . . • . Linda George Waitsfield Green Mountain Backgammon Club . . . . • . . • . David Milstone Miami MISSOURI Aventura Country Club •....•....••.... Anhur Dickm1n Florissant VIRGIN ISLANOS Florida Backgammon Assn .•.••••••.•••••• Larry Schiller •St. Louis Backgammon Club Phil Dunlop St. Thomas Orlando Kansas City •st. Thomas Backgammon Club • . . . . . • . . . . . • . Vernon Ball Gammoneer's Club .•...... ••.•.•... W. E. Graham Backgammon Club of Kins.as City ...... •.•. Hal Magariel VIRGINIA GEORGIA Normandy Albany •Beginner's Backgammon Assn. . • ...... Frank Petty Jr. Richmond Sheraton Inn •...... •. Gary Freeman •Richmond Backgammon Club . . • . . . • . • . . . Richard Murad NEBRASKA Atlanta WASHINGTON • Atlanta/Georgia Backgammon Assn...... • . . . . Craig Tyndall Omaha •om1he Backgammon Club •..•.••...... Carolyn Canglia Seattle Squire Inn . • . . . . . • . . . . . • . . • . • . • . . . . Craig Tyndall •Pacific Northwest Backgammon Assn •....••..•... Ted Barr Augusta NEVAOA D. W. Frys ..•....•...... •...... Debi Fry WASHINGTON. D. C. Studio 7 • . . • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . . • . • • • Dan Barnett Las Vegas •LAS VEGAS BACKGAMMON CLUB, INC .... Michael Mu1kuli Backgammon Club of Washington ...... •..•..•. Bob Paris Macon DuPont Circle Club, Inc...... • . . . . • . . . • . . . Red Bell Shtrat·on Inn ..•..••..•.•••••...•.•. Gary Freeman Reno Yesterdays...... • • . • • . . . • . . . •• . . . • . . John Bailey •Northern Nevada Back.gammon Assn. . . • ...... Bill O'Brian WISCONSIN Milwaukee Savannah NEW HAMPSHIRE Craig's ..•..•••• , ••.•.•.....•... Bill Forehand, Jr. Beer City Backgammon Club ...... ••....• William Daley Dublin •Dueling Oaks ...... •..•••••...... Merrill Schrager Granite State Backgammon Club ...... •..... Stephen Avery HAWAII WYOMING Honolulu NEW JERSEY •Hawaii Backgammon Players' Assn. . •...... Bernard Bergstein Jackson Charry Hill Jackson Hole Badtgammon Club ...•...... •. John Sherman Honolulu Backgammon Club ...... ••...... Greg Blotsky Woodcrest C. C. Blckoammon Assn ....•.. Fraderick Thompson
*Associate Clubs Tournament days and location, art not hsted becau~ of constant change. To receive up-to-date 1nformat1on, call the Backgammon Hot•L1ne (702) 361-3910. If your club IS NOT LISTED. please contact the Las Vegas Backgammon Club and we'll see that 11 rS!
LVBM 3 THE THIRD DEGREE
What are some of the new backgam the victim of one or has not lbeen mon variations that are being played? guilty of one. The legendary Gravita, so they We a~ume that you mean dice say, was a backgammon player from modification games rather than the London. Gravita was playing in a vast array of known backgammon chouette against eight good players variations like Acey Deucey, Gioul, and because of bad doubling, wound and Greek Backgammon. up losing more than $100,000. He Duo-Gammon is one of these never paid. After the last game, he games that everyone has been talking smiled and walked away from the about since it was featured in Back game never to be heard from gammon Guide. ln this game one PUBLISHER again. His name, though, ltves on. Michael Maxakuli player rolls twice and the other calls Anytime anybody in London takes a his number, except for doubles. EDITOR bad double, it's called "A Gravita At the Mayfair in New York, they Linda Kruegel Take." amuse themselves with a three dice ASSISTANT EDITOR variation. Each player rolls three dice Donna Pavalon instead of two. Triples count triple, What is Gilbert's law? of course, and you would be sur CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Mike Van Dusen prised how often you hit. Don't know where it originated, The most interesting innovation is but we are told that it preaches "that ADVERTISING the small number first game. The one should not double without at Joe Chiodo catch here is that you must take the least one point in his home." ENTERTAINMENT small number before you take the Mark Tan large number of your roll. lt's a deceptive game. Making the one and Wasn't there some activity a few GAMING two point takes on new meaning. years back in team challenf?es Dick Odessky The bear-off becomes a nightmare. between clubs? CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Try it, you'll like it. Now that you nientioned it we Bob Ciaffone remember one club would challenge Dave Thompson another and they'd travel back and Steve Herman What is a self-service tournament? forth to play. There usually was a ART DIRECTOR It's an inside joke description of trophy and a lot of fan hoopla. We Paul Yohnka some of the new style, streamlined don't know of any current rivalry, but we did get the following letter. CORRESPONDENTS tournaments. The directors do little Dr. Clyde Stroup (Chicago) more than collect the entry fees and Any interested club can pick up the Gary Rand (New York) dodge the participants for the rest of challenge. Steve Lehman (Reno) the event. Alberto Da Pra {Europe) The DALLAS BACKGAMMON Contestants learn how to solve Todd Vander Pluym {Los Angeles) their own problems, usually by ASSN. would like to issue a chal appealing to someone that they lenge: PHOTOGRAPHER Andrea Waller mutually respect. They find their We feel that we have the best own matches and post their own players, the most winners, and the PROBLEM PAGE results. The information desk is non most consistent winning players any Tim Wisecarver existent and equipment is scarce. We where in the country. We will chal lenge our 8-person team against your TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS figure the next step is tournaments Harold Hanson by mail. You send your entry and area 8-person team. Call after 6p.m. (214)286-5149 to Ronda Stoltz registration fee to a P. 0. box Marti Si ka number and they tell you who won. set up the ground rules and we will prove once again that TEXANS TYPOGRAPHY HAVE IT ALL!!! Robin Schwarz What is a Gravita Take? Sincerely, DISTRIBUTED BY Taffie Norris, Director Las Vegas News Agency, Inc. We didn't think there was anyone who didn't know this take. Now that PRINTED BY we've thought about it, there prob Executive-Publishing & Printing Co. ably isn't anyone who hasn't been
LVBM 4 L JUNE19B □
,~10,uc Al"CA,t·$ casiNOdo'Hiris An International Publication HOLIDAY
( O\'l·R: Jl I· \\'II Kl1 SO i, an ,ll"lre,, \\ilh lllall} daim, Ill lain,·. h,· i, a ,1ar ul 111uvk, :111d lekvi,ion. An a,·,·0111pli,hed THE WILD WORLD OF pnl11rn1n. ,h,· ha, headlined in La, ,·!!a, and i, a,Tbi111ed fur hn ,1ac,· rnk,. Current!> marrkd 10 a fa111ou, I· L quarter BUR1iSQCle ha,·k. ~1i" Wilkin,un du,·, 111n,1ly liw theatre. h,· i, a,·kno\\• IL-u!!,·d 10 b,· Olll' of the 111ml ta111ou, pin up, of all time. Known fVW,..,,,,.,_WWW lo /'/11rhu1· reader, the \\11rlcJowr a, .. The Bu,0111...
Photo by Linda Kruegel
RTICLES 15 THE CUBE - Tournament s. Money Play ...... Barclay Cooke 2 BOOKRE IEW ...... Frank Petty Jr. -HACIENDA 34 A OBJECTIVEVIEWPOI T ...... Gaby Horowitz & Dr. Bruce Roman 37 BACKG MMO ...... Paul Magriel 37 BACKGAMMO BACK PREVE TIVE APPROACH ..... Or. Julian Raintree ~ 42 TE TIPS O WI I G ...... Robert Howayeck - FE TURES 7 EDITORIAL - REGIO L TOUR AME TS: Something Affordable 9 PROFILE - Paul Magriel/Lord Rennell 12 PUBLISH OR PERISH 22 ELDORADO CL SSIC 31 ROBERTIE 1ASTER POI T SYSTEM 41 BACKG MMO ETIQUETTE t
3 BACKG 1MO AMERICA 4 THE THIRD DEGREE 10 AMER! A ASSO IATIO OF BACKG MMO CLUBS 13 EW SSOCIATES 14 EWPRODUCTS 16 BACKGA1MO BITS 18 CAPTAI CUBE 20 SUMMERTOUR ME TS 25 BACKGAMMO ACROSS AMERICA 30 LYTOUR ME T RESULTS LAS VEGA S THAT PLAY- Steve Herman LETTERSFROM READERS
L EGAS BACK(;A~1MO 1 ~I (;AZI I· i, publi,h,·d bi-111
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PREFERRED BY GAMBLERS IN THE KNOW H1(J/~L/J 'S 1/JGHEST LJJIITS* • HOLD 'EM • LOW BALL • SEVEN CARD STUD • BACKGAMMON • ALL CARD GAMES Editorial REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS: Something Affordable
It starts with a phone call to the front expenses play havoc with a Las Vegas Backgammon Club hotline: participant's equity. "Is this Las Vegas? Can you give It is especially difficult on the COMMENTARY me stuff on a really big backgammon player who is spending hard dollars. tournament?" It is true that some players have soft STAYING ALIVE "Sure we can. There are some very dollar expenses because of the rela "Please patronize the bar and their fine regional tournaments coming up tionship that they enjoy with a par snack menu to help keep us as a in your area soon." ticular promoter, who subsidizes valued guest." "No, no, I mean a really big tour them to make an appearance. This sentence was buried deep in nament, you know, uh, a world open What, then, is the answer? It is the a paragraph announcing a new loca ... an intergalactic championship." regional tournament. Regional tour tion for one of the weekly Long We give the information - Monte naments have been drawing as many Island Backgammon Club Tourna Carlo, Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, participants as the far away extrava ments. Miami. ganzas. Texas has been doing it for a It was the first time that this situa It's just another backgammon long time. The Louisville Bluegrass tion had been publicly acknowledged. enthusiast who has beaten everyone Regional drew nearly 300 people. Steve Kurzban is the very success in his neighborhood and now is going They did it in Atlanta, San Francisco, ful director of the Long Island Club. to hit the big time circuit. Great Lakes Region and San Diego. If he is like other backgammon dir But, can he afford it? Not for very They're about to do it in Indianapo ectors, he is overworked, underpaid long. Not unless he keeps a summer lis, CincinQati, Los Angeles and Bos but devoted to the game. He faces home in Nice, gets comped to Puerto ton. daily battles with ever changing mail Rico or plays Henry when he gets to The invitations are not so fancy. ing lists, ever increasing printing Las Vegas. No celebrities are promised. There costs for his newsletter, membership The disappointing fact of life is are no five-figure adds. But, regional drives, equipment and other hidden that backgammon tournaments have tournaments are just as much a com expenses. Finally, he runs the tour become damn expensive. petition as any of the self-proclaimed nament. The golden age of the low over "world championships." All this out of the way, the tour head, plus-equity tournament is The money you save is your nament director faces, the task of probably over. Air fares have gone equity. Say no to Monte Carlo and dealing with the tavern owner, hotel through the roof. Lodging is most yes to your regional tournament and manager or club director that hosted always expensive. Quite often the you are already a winner. Choose a the tournament. What he hears is promoter builds his profit into the hotel within your budget. Drive your that backgammon players don't room rate structure and charges a own car. Eat where you can afford drink, don't eat, don't spend. penalty if a player chooses a non - to eat or even pack your own lunch. In many cases, it's true. Players approved hotel. Add to this an entry Pack the family too, if you want. forget that someone is subsidizing and registration fee, cab rides ($40 You are always welcome at a regional nearly every tournament. The host from the airport in Monte Carlo), tournament. provides space, ·energy, and service food and drinks, money exchange The promoter in your area is will in exchange for patronage. The host deductions, souvenirs, towel fees, ing to put on as many tournaments business has to ring the cash register tips, etc. If you bring your wife or a year as you will support: to justify supporting the tourna girlfriend, what will their boredom The prize money versus expenses ment. cost you? And don't forget extra looks pretty good for the regional Backgammon players have proven money for the Calcutta auction. The tournaments and there are no W2's. to be poor spenders. The tournament expense list is endless. One soon The smart player;s that have put a director, not wanting to offend any realizes that he can't afford too pencil to it tell us that tt.e regional one, agonizes privately. He knows many super-duper tournaments. tournament is the way to go in the that he has to face a dissappointed Even though many of these so future. club owner and convince him that a called international affairs offer They also tell us that winning is Continued on pg.·29 money added, travel and other up- just as sweet. LVBM 7 How to Make A Friend A Winner!!
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,VBM~------~------· 8 PROFILE PAGE THE RT.HON. LORD RENNELL OFRODD by John Adrain Tremayne Rodd Internationally famed as one of Great Britain's more colorful and talented players, Lord Rennell has won the two most prestigious back gammon tournaments in England: The Clermont Club and White's Competitions. He is a World Cham pion calibre player. Lord Rennell has also played rugby for Scotland. He is a past winner of the famed White's Golf Competition and Middleweight Box ing Champion of the Royal Navy's Home Fleet and Far East Fleet. His PAUL MAGRIEL hobbies are golf, tennis, breeding horses, rugby, boxing and backgam Paul Magriel, 32, i the 1978-79 World Backgammon Champion. A resi mon. dent of the city of New York, Magriel serves as backgammon editor of one of Since 1968 Lord Rennell has been New York's leading daily newspapers. Company Director of Marks of Dis An enthusiastic competitor, Magriel has won countless major international tinction, a London -based business backgammon tournaments including: The World Backgammon Championship, promotion and sports trophy firm. Nassau, the Bahamas, January, 1978; The U. S. A. - Europe Challenge Cup, Lord Rennell is a member of Lewis Athens, Greece, October, 1977 (a 63-point match). Magriel represented the Deyong Club. United States, a isted by Roger Low; and The Children's Cancer Fund Tour nament, two years in a row. Sites of other important tournaments won by Magriel include: The Eldorado Backgammon Classic, Reno, Nevada, March 1980, Los Angeles, Palm Beach, Vermont, Westhampton, Beverly Hills, Palm Springs, and the St. Regis, Princeton Club and El Morroco in New York. Mr. Magriel attended Exeter, was a National Science Foundation Fellow at Princeton University, and a Professor of Mathematics. As a mathematician and former New York State Junior Chess Champion, Magriel is, and always has been, fascinated by games and game theory. BACKGAMMON, Magriel's definitive book on the game, was published by Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co. in December, 1976. A Book of the Month Club selection, Backgammon is now in its third printing. Magriel is presently working on a nine-book series on the advanced stages of backgam mon in a more specialized - more specific form. TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS Professional Experienced Tournament Directors Available ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • Charity Tournaments • Planning a Tournament? • • • Regional Tournaments Hire the Professionals! • • • Major Tournaments • • Auctioneers Call the Las Vegas Backgammon Club • • Public Relations and Technical Assistance • • Long list of credits and successes (702) 361-3910 • ················!······················ LVBM 9 ••
1. LAS VEGAS BACKGAMMON CLUB 6. UNION STATION 11. HAWAII BACKGAMMON PLAYERS ASSN. Las Vegas, Nevada Cedar Rapids, Iowa Honolulu, Hawaii Michael Maxakuli Tom Owens Bernard Bergstein (702) 361-3910 (319) 364-9236 (808) 533-2227
2. CALGARY BACKGAMMON CLUB 7. NEW ORLEANS BACKGAMMON CLUB 12. LOUISVILLE BACKGAMMON CLUB Calgary, Alberta New Orleans, Louisiana Louisville, Kentucky Wayne Roberts Peter Ippolito Larry Strasberg (403) 265 -9400 (504) 282-9486 (502) 451-3950
3. ST. LOUIS BACKGAMMON CLUB 8. NORTHERN NEVADA BACKGAMMON ASSN. 13. CAMPBELL BRIDGE & BACKGAMMON Florissant, Missouri Reno, Nevada Campbell, California Phil Dunlop Bill O'Brien artin Miller (314) 839-2365 (702) 825-3280 (4(18) 378-3711
4. OMAHA BACKGAMMON CLUB 9. NEWPORT BACKGAMMON CLUB 14. DiJELING OAKS PUB Omaha, Nebraska Fall River, Massachusetts Milwaukee, Wisconsin Carolyn Caniglia Robert Howayeck lerrill Schrager (402) 330-3333 (617) 674-4905 (414) 271-0493
5. BLACK HILLS BACKGAMMON CLUB 10. CAVENDISH NORTH 15. FLINT BACKGAMMON CLUB Belle Fourche, South Dakota Southfield, Michigan Flint, Michigan Rod Woodruff Robert Ciaffone Carol Cole (605) 892-4978 (313) 642-9616 (313) 732-8594 LVBM 10 •••a••••••
16. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY 27. FEDERAL HILL BACKGAMMON CLUB 34. STUDIO 44 BACKGAMMON CLUB BACKGAMMON CLUB ·&••·Baltimore, Maryland Glendale, Arizona Carbondale, Illinois Michael Maguire Avi Yeshua Jim Gevas (301) 727-3990 (602) 9-31-7491 (618) 549-5555 28. AMERICAN BACKGAMMON CLUB 35. CONNECTICUT BACKGAMMON SOCIETY 17. CAVENDISH OF PHILADELPHIA Plymouth, Michigan Waterbury, Connecticut Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Michael Kloian Rob Roy Mae Block (313) 459-5776 (203) 755-9749 (215) 878-5777 29. BEGINNER'S BACKGAMMON ASSN. 36. TULEY PARK BACKGAMMON CLUB 18. PACIFIC N.W. BACKGAMMON ASSN. Normandy, Missouri Chicago, Illinois Seattle, Washington Frank Petty Jr. J. A. Miller Ted Barr (314) 521-8544 (312) 928-7119 (206) 285-6768 30. NEW MEXICO BACKGAMMO CLUB 37. BRANTFORD BACKGAMMON CLUB 19. ST. THOMAS BACKGAMMON CLUB Taos, New Mexico Brantford, Ontario St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Steve Spellerberg Al Cooper Vernon Ball (505) 776-2282 (519) 756-6760 (809) 774-1829 31. PHOENIX BACKGAMMON CLUB 38. OHIO BACKGAMMON ASSN. 20. THUNDER BAY BACKGAMMON ASSN. Phoenix, Arizona New Waterford, Ohio Thunder Bay, Ontaric Backgammon Mike Donald Eagleton Rita Zandette (602) 264-2386 (216) 457-7134 (807) 622-3045 32. SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER 39. SIOUX BACKGAMMON ASSN. 21. DULUTH BACKGAMMON CLUB BACKGAMMON ASSN. Sioux Falls, South Dakota Duluth, Minnesota Shreveport, Louisiana Gerald Mortimer Ray Boisjoli Ed Brister (605) 332-4593 (218) 724-2435 (318) 861-1601 40. FRANKFORT BACKGAMMON CLUB 22. HAMILTON SQUASH CLUB 33. BACKGAMMON BOARD OF ROCHESTER Frankfort, Kentucky Hamilton, Ontario Rochester, New York Michael S. Goddard Ernie Geisel Renee Rosenbloom (no phone at this time) (416) 527-1010 (212) 473-8343 41. AMHERST BACKGAMMON CLUB 23. CHATTANOOGA BACKGAMMON CLUB Amherst, Massachusetts Chattanooga, Tennessee Scott Mitchell David Harris (413) 253-5757 (615) 267-6418 42. PIPMASTERS BACKGAMMON CLUB 24. RICHMOND BACKGAMMON CLUB Portland, Oregon Richmond, Virginia R. S. Kolemaine Richard Murad (503) 289-1496 (804) 740-4182 43. GAMMON EAST OF MICHIGAN 25. JACKSO VILLE BACKGAMMON CLUB Warren, Michigan Jacksonville, Florida Barbara McCoy Linda George (313) 756-3293 (904) 733-2217 44. RIVER CITY BACKGAMMON ASSN. 26. ATLANTA/GEORGIA BACKGAMMON ASSN. Sacramento, California Atlanta, Georgia Jim Stern Craig Tyndall (916) 392-1396 (404) 266-8957
The American Association of Backgammon Clubs is a group of grass roots backgammon clubs devoted to the love and promotion of backgammon. The cost of belonging to this group is $25 per year. For this small fee the associates have access to the club hotline, receive hospitality benefits for their members visiting Las Vegas, receive aid in setting up and operating their club and/or tournaments, receive free space to publish their ideas and schedules in the Backgaihmon Magazine (Cir. 20,000 worldwide), receive 25% discount off rate card if they wish to advertise in the magazine, receive complimentary copies of the Backgammon Magazine for club use, and have access to the most complete files on backgammon players, current information and backgammon history. The Associates are bound together by the need to protect themselves from those looking to take advantage of the small clubs. Strength is derived from mutual support and free exchange of information. The Associates agree· to adhere ,to the Official Las Vegas Tournament Rules and the Common Rules of Etiquette. All in all, the Associate members enjoy many shared benefits which a union of organizations can provide, including reciprocal visiting rights between clubs in the AABC. For details on the AABC write the Las Vegas Backgammon Club or call (702) 361-3910. LVBM 11 PUBLISHOR PERISH The Backgammon Magazine staff works hard on every issue. We know that there are others working unselfishly to get magazines and newsletters to their members. We'd like to acknowledge them here. *If we have missed your publication, please let us know (702) 361-3910.
I MAGAZiNE EDITOR OR PUBLISHER PUBLISHED IN Backgammon Guide - Les Boyd Ft. Lauderdale, FL quarterly ( on time) El Mundo del Backgammon - Walter Coratella Mexico - monthly (on time) Gammon- Buddy Berke Los Angeles, CA quarterly (2 issues in 2 years) International Backgammon News - Lewis Deyong England quarterly (last issue Nov. '79) Japan Backgammon News - Yo Wasama Tokyo, Japan monthly Prime - Nick Maffeo San Francisco, CA no set interval WBC News Prince Obolensky New York, NY defunct
NEWSLETTER EDITOR OR PUBLISHER PUBLISHED IN ABA Newsletter Orrill Martin Clearwater, FL Atlanta Backgammon Society Craig Tyndall Atlanta, GA Backgammon Beat Wayne Roberts Alberta, Canada Backgammon Board Renee Rosenbloom Rochester, NY Baltimore Backgammon News Alan Potter Baltimore, MD CBS Bulletin Rob Roy Waterbury, CT Duluth Backgammon Newsletter Ray Boisjoli Duluth,MN Festival Backgammon News Jerry Nathan Buffalo, NY Flint Backgammon News Carol Cole Flint, MI Gambit George Stamets Pittsburgh, PA Gammon & Games Bernard Bergstein Honolulu, HI Granite State Backgammon News Stephen Avery Dublin, NH Have Board Will Travel Jim Stern Sacramento, CA Long Island Backgammon News Steve Kurzban Floral Park, NY New England Backgammon Newsletter Francesca Parkinson North Falmouth, MA New Jersey Backgammon Assn. Dan Caverly West Paterson, NJ Omaha Backgammon News Carolyn Caniglia Omaha, NE Points and Blots Greg Blotsky Honolulu, HI Richmond Backgammon Society News Richard Murad Richmond, VA Texas Backgammon News Jim Howe Houston, TX The Anchor Jeff Ward San Diego, CA The Doublet Bill O'Brien Reno,NV Washington Backgammon Newsletter Bob Paris Washington, D.C.
LVBM 12 GAMMON EAST (DETROIT) RIVER CITY BACKGAMMON ASSOCIATION (SACRAMENTO) Barbara McCoy and Jim Byers have opened a club on the east side Jim and Sondra Stern have been of Detroit called Gammon East. promoting local backgammon events They meet every Sunday at four in the Sacramento area for over a o'clock at the Holiday Inn-Troy year now, ranging from a 38 hour (1-75 and Rochester Ct.). Director marathon to raise money on last McCoy is new to this, but is planning year's Easter Seal Telethon, to teach to have the biggest and best club on ing classes for the local park districts, the block. We're glad you're with us. to their 12 page monthly newsletter called "Have Board, Will Travel". PIPMASTERS TOURNAMENT The RCBA holds two weekly BACKGAMMON CLUB tournaments - on Tuesday night at (PORTLAND) STEAK & ALE, 7218 Franklin Blvd, FRANKFORT BACKGAMMON and on Wednesday night at the CAS CLUB (KENTUCKY) Pipmasters is Russ Kolemaine's PIAN LOUNGE, 2377 Arden Way. baby. His club has outlasted all Major local attractions include an Michael S. Goddard is the ener others in the Portland area because annual charity classic, the Sacra getic president of the Frankfort of hard work and devotion to back mento City Championships, and the Club. gammon. Russ has produced some of River City Invitational. In its first year of existence, the the finest newsletters that we have FBC drafted and submitted to Con seen. The graphics are amusing and gress a bill to permit backgammon in the format is well thought out. drinking establishments. Although it The last thing we received was a was defeated, treasurer Drew Davis ten page play-by-play description of has arranged a hearing with the the Salishar Amateur finals. It is Attorney General to continue the something worth getting your hands fight. Any clubs having similar exper on. Mr. Kolemaine is a former adver iences, please contact the FBC .. The tising man from Los Angeles, and his club holds weekly tournaments on ideas for promoting backgammon Mondays at East Frankfort Park have been very useful to us. He is Clubhouse. The club is small but was always glad to give any fledging club strongly represented in the Blue helpful promotional ideas. Call him Grass Tournament. Welcome. at (503) 289-1496.
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Jeeves, do tell Sir Charles that his double has been beavered. LVBM 13 new pRonacLs
BACKGAMMO GAME PACK - offers portability and quality. Snap up easily and compactly, and dice tuck into velcro pouch. Full-sized canvas board can be dry cleaned. Complete in truction includ ed. Great gift item for friend BACKGAMMO ROLL - natural 2 foot and yourself! square rawhide playing "board" lies per .... Mellow Mail $21 .95 fectly on any uneven surface from a sandy beach to a bed. Rolls into a 2" diameter self-contained unit needing little storage pace. Rawhide cups, wooden di cs, dice THE BOARD GAME BOOK - authored by Robert C. Bell, and rawhide carrying strip included. is a beautiful art book. More then sixty pictures of boards ...... Leather Backgammon $70.00 are provided, many proportioned for comfortable play right on the page of the book. The cover jacket, is a complete backgammon board that can be used for play. Bell per onally has one of the finest and mo t extensive board game collec tions known in private owner hip .... Knapp Press, $35.00
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IVRM 14 THECUBE: TOURNAMENTVS. MONEYPLAY
My mathematically-inclined friends your double here you have actually say the odds are astronomical, some given up your lead before you roll! thing approaching 40- l. This figure This match is now tied. How is this seems to me too high, so let's cut it possible? Because unless he is an in half and make B a 20-1 favorite. idiot, your opponent, having Now determine what A's chances accepted to 2, will promptly turn the for winning were had he accepted cube to 4, whatever you roll. He has that "untakeable" double to 8. For all to gain and nothing to lose by him to win, his opponent would have doing so. This game is therefore for to roll a non-double and he would the match, and your lead has van have to produce a double. The odds ished. against his parlay are only 6.2-1, but This could never happen in a most importantly if A brings it off money game. Two points can't dis he wins the match! Why? Because if appear by themselves. Your oppon B fails to roll a double, A of course ent might win a gammon at 4 but turns the cube to 16 and is only a you would be credited with those double away from winning the two points you already have on match 19-11. Isn't it better to be paper and be minus six rather than approximately a 6-1 underdog than a minus eight. In a money game each by Barclay Cooke 20-1 one or more? Of course it is. So point has the same value; not so in Comparatively unknown backgam all of a sudden this mandatory tournaments. Sometimes a single mon experts are cropping up every money drop becomes a mandatory point is vital, as when the score is where these days. But while they tournament take. The only reason to 14-14 in a match to 15; in other become more and more proficient in drop would be to hang in there a circumstances it can mean virtually moving their men, many still don't little longer, but that would be small nothing - for example, when you take time to study the vastly differ compensation for not grabbing your lead 14-12 in a 15-point match with ent tactics that should be used in best shot to win the match. I know the Crawford Rule game coming up. tournaments as opposed to money it's irrelevant but I can't help noting If you lose this game, a gammon games, especially in the use of the that every big league baseball man against you is hardly worse than a doubler. ager, if he played backgammon, single game. But don't lose a back Suppose you have eleven men off would fold here. All they think gammon! and four men remaining on your one about is the crisis at hand. "Just get The two examples I've cited point. Your opponent has the identi me by this inning" is their philoso merely scratch the surface in show cal position; it is his roll and he turns phy. They are simply unable to see ing the subtleties of the doubler in the cube. Should you take? The the whole picture and as a result lose tournaments. Remember that in any chances are that every knowledgable countless games they might have match your only goal is to win it; player would answer, "Of course won. the amount by which this is accom not. You shouldn't consider accept Another situation: you are in a plished is unimportant. Try to use ing; you're too much of an under match to seventeen points and lead, the cube with this in mind. Be wary dog." 15-13. The nextgameis complicated, of doubling, and especially of Now say that A enters a tourna and gradually you forge ahead. It is redoubling if you have a substantial ment. The match is t'o nineteen and your tum to roll; you look over the lead in the match, as B did in the he falls far behind, 11-3, to B. The position, like your chances and first example, regardless of how far next game turns into a slugging realize that if you double and he ahead you are in the current game. match, and with B owning the cube takes, you can win the match in this You don't want to supply leverage at 4 the above position is reached. It game. You double, and he decides to for your opponent which he could, is B's roll, he doubles to 8, which accept. use against you. would win the match, and of course Now something dramatic has The more one studies the doubler, induces a drop, making the score occurred even before you toss the especially in tournaments, the more 15-3 in his favor. ls anything wrong dice. No man has been touched, but complex it becomes. It remains the here (aside from the fact that A is do you see what has happened? single most challenging aspect of the way behind)? Yes, plenty. What are Remember that you are ahead by game, and so far nobody has suc A's chances of winnipg a nineteen two big points late in the match. ceeded in mastering all its ramifica fl'>int match from ~ing down 15-3? However, by his having accepted tions. ** LVBM 15 _BACKGAMMON BIT S------i Rumors, the home of the LVBC is now officially a Wes tern disco. It is called the Country Club and features live music. The urban cowboy thing has really caught on in Las Vegas and some nights it's impossible to find a free board. D D D Chippendales in Los Angeles, once famous as backgammon J action spot, now an all nude male stripper club. Has your wife shown sudden interest in backgammon? D D D DIRTY •SALLY'S Redondo, LEE GENUD, only woman cancelled Sunday night tour champion, still seen regularly What ever happened to tour naments due to sinking of the on the circuit and in the nament director JOAN AUIT? club. Backgammon tables money ... Gammons, a new Where does PRINCE OBLEN now under eight feet of lounge in the Los Angeles, SKY hang out? .. In town, water. Marriott Hotel. Gammons of RON BLEIER, London Back D D D Atlanta, out of business. The backgammon tournament gammon Club; BILL BOYD, Georgia Backgammon Assn. Computer scientist !Berliner has become an extended San Francisco; DAVID weekly tournaments now at has pulled out of Aristotle family. Players from all over LEIBOWITZ; and YO WAS Easy Street Pub in Buckhead. project. Scottie, formerly the the world see each other AMA director of the Japanese Miamian, ED GREEN back in Merit Robot, alias Gamman several times a year. For Backgammon Assn. and an Las Vegas. Absent without oid gave poor performance at many, that's more often than accomplished magician ... leave MOZAF AR BEHROOZ Turnberry Isle tournament. they see members of their Speaking of the supernatural, NIA. Great moments in back The grapevine has it that at own family. ..FRANK CITRO, magic LOUISE GOLDSMITH gammon - the Pacific Back the heart was the $39.95 man of the hour during apart in town to finalize Dunes gammon Assn. makes good Omar. ment complex fire; directed tournament deal, broke the on Rascal's Bar rip-off. The □ D D evacuation and provided com bank. Rascal's tournament scandal JIM STERN, Sacramento fort. Fortunately, he was able D D D never materialized because backgammon star, married in to protect his record collec the PBA used its own funds April to SONDRA CURRAN. tion from damage. It would Additional backgammon tour to meet Rascal obligations. NETTA ODER off to South have been a pity to lose it. It naments at the LV Sporting An unselfish grand gesture ... is one of the most extensive House on Wednesdays 9:00 Africa. DARRELL MARCUS, VALERIE VALENTINE'S and clean collections in the p.m. Regular tournaments MARTY D'ALEXANDER Backgammon Club of Chi country. Frank himself is a still at the Country Club on return to Chicago - glad you cago moves its Tue day and noted expert on fifties music. Sundays 8:30 p.m. were here. Thursday sessions to Zorine's D D D D D D □ D D from Maxim's. ,
LVBM 16 AND FACES Howto increasethe fruitsof nur labor. When you take Apple on as a tage of discounts and varying bu iness partner, your profits take net1em1s. an w1deniablctum for the belier. And since the Controller is Because the low-pricedApple II designed for fail-safeoperation businesssy tern comes with our com and produces everything from plete Controller•• software pack back-updata files and hard age. It extensively monitors copy audit trails to checks Account Receivable. and mailinglabels. Accounts Payable and clerical time and book General Ledger to keeping errors are providethe improved drastically reduced. infom1ationnow. What'smore. Apple's cash control and comprehensive management manual make it Married on leap year day, D D D a sistance you easy lo start opera need to give tion right away. And BILLY INCAROONA and business a real if you e\'er require SHAW ... Gammon magazine boost. service, you can get it The Controller' the same day you need finally on the news tands. account aging fea it at the same store you When they said quarterly, ture quicklyidenti bought your Apple. fies slow-pa}~ng If you'd like to increase they meant four times a TOP JO customers. Its your profits wilhout in\'esl~ decade ... CHIP REESE winner ability to automati ing in a high-pricedsystem LAS VEGAS PLAYERS cally track accounts that eats them right of several poker events at the payable by due date up again, find out let you take advan- more about Apple. Amarillo Slim Poker Cham CLARINE The time is ripe. pionships in Reno. Big winner, KAREN WOLFSO . GABE KAPLAN . . . PUGGY CRAIG CHELLSTORP PEARSON has opened his CHRIS CAMPBELL • i l · = pppk!"computC?r own poker room at Vegas HAROLD SEIF World Hotel...Scrabble tour APPLE II plus 16-K ...... S 995.00 TONY MANCARI plus 48-K ...... 1,139.95 nament in New York drew DAVID HERSHLEDER Super Invader Cassette or Disk .... 19.95 HOMECOMPUTERS. 1400 participants. Why not Mlcrogammon ...... 14.95 1775E. Tropicana. #2. MIKE VAN DUSEN Micro Memo Note Pad Disk ...... 39.95 LasVegas. Nevada 89109 backgammon? Isolator 150-1 Flllered ...... 59.95 (702)796-1022 D D D VARTAN SARKISSIAN Chess 2.0 ...... 24.95 TIM WISECARVER Current cop-out; "I don't want to play in any tourna ments because if I win, I'll be ineligible for the Amateur Championships. SURE HE'S AN AMATEUR D D D BUT HE TAKES STEROIDS
The American Backgammon Championships' definition of an 'AMATEUR' player, is one who follows the pursuit of backgammon as a pastime, without attaining enough proficiency to reach a professional status.
The definition of an 'AMATEUR' player in past tournaments was to say a player may not have ever won $ I 000.00 (less entry fees) in any given back gammon tournament. American Backgammon Championships, Inc., have always adhered to this rule! However, the eligibility committee feels there are players who have won more than the required amount in a given tournament, but still qualify as an 'AMATEUR' player. lf a player has won more than $1000.00 and still feels he is of the 'AMATEUR' standing, he may then write to the eligibility committee with all pertinent information regarding his tournament winnings. Any player who might try to by-pass these rules, and have not been given BACKGAMMON BEAUT)' is an 'AMATEUR' status by the eligibility committee, will be disqualified. CAROL GORDON, a native The eligibility committee includes: Barclay Cooke, Malcolm Davis, Billy Las Vegan. She enjoy winter skiing and summer sports. Eisenberg, Lyn Goldsmith, Oswald Jacoby, Roger Low, Paul Magriel, Lloyd Merrill, and Alvin Roth. ** LVBM 17 equity substantially and justify a confident first double. What of WHITE'S chances? Things are not as bleak as they may first appear. Indeed WHITE must now face the rather unplea ant pro pect of being gammoned on a number of occa ion , but the frequency with which he gets gammoned is not sufficient to warrant a pas even if BLACK roll a 2 or 4 (20 way), he does not neces arily gammon WHITE. For BLACK can (I) miss entirely - 4-1, 4-4, 4-6 (2) list, but fail to pick up a econd man (3) pick up 2 men and still fail to secure gammon. In this ca e BLACK'S gammon chances are not 100%. Depending on which men are hit, BLACK will have Dear Captain Cube, BLACK then proceeded to roll gammon chances ranging from say The following situation occurred 6-1 (typical of the way things had 40% to 95%. However, WHITE will in head to head competition between gone all evening long) and WHITE still win a small fraction of these two very good, evenly matched promptly recubed to 8 which games when he hits during the bear players. They were nearing the end BLACK in a small cloud of steam, off. Finally WHITE will win 100% of a five hour long evening session accepted. WHITE went on to win the of the remaining 16 games whereas with the standard 2:00 a.m. quitting game. BLACK fails to enter as WHITE will time perhaps twenty minutes away. I would like your analysis of this re-double and its's quite clear As player WHITE would probably position complete with comment on BLACK must pass. It goe without be the first to admit, he was rolling the double, the beaver, the absence saying that it would be folly for exceptionally well, while BLACK of a raccoon, the recube to 8 and WHITE to beaver inasmuch as was having dice rolls at the opposite its take, leverage, money manage BLACK is the favorite. Should end of the spectrum. BLACK had ment, psychology, and any other WHITE beaver, it follows neces arily been down between 15 and 20 thing you can think of. that BLACK should raccoon. points for at least the past couple of Yours Truly, With the cube in BLACK'S posses hours. Just after winning a 8 game Herb Roman sion, the analy is becomes more to reduce his loss to 13 points the complicated. Here everal points are following position occurred: Dear Herb, worth mentioning. First, BLACK, as Let me start by attempting to in the previous case, doesn't need to >& 23 22 21 2D 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 answer the following que tion: With turn the cube in order to gammon the cube out of play (e.g. match WHITE with the Jacoby Rule point in a tournament game), who i already in force. Second, by re the favorite? doubling, BLACK gives up all Let us assume, for the sake of chances of finishing any of the 16 implicity, that BLACK will win out games in which he fails to enter, right 15 of 36 games (any 2, 4-3, ince WHITE will now re-double and 4-5). Consequently, of the remaining BL CK must pass. 21 game BLACK need only win 3, Our task now is to compare the bringing his total to 18 of 36, to be number of points BLACK wins by even money. I estimate BLACK will retaining the cube with the number BLACK on the bar, doubled. win slightly more than 3, thus mak of point BLACK wins by re WHITE with a "what a horrible ing BLACK a very mode t favorite. doubling, determining if the differ double" expression plastered on his Let us now introduce a centered ence is enough to swing the decision face, retorted "I beaver." BLACK, cube with the Jacoby Rule applying. on way or the other. The enclosed stunned by this, but with much We can see these are a significant chart reflects those equities. Let us delight sarcastically applauded the number of rolls with which BLACK say the participant decide to settle wisdom of the beaver. WHITE did will gammon WHITE, but in order to the game (at a stake of S 10 a point) not let thi remark pas and the obtain the entire gammon points, before BLACK rolls. BLACK'S recriminations went back and forth BLACK must, under the Jacoby actual equity, if he re-doubled to 4 with both sides vehement that they Rule, double. The introduction of would be 28/36 x 10 or= $7.70;if were correct. these "new" points increase WHITE'S Continued on pg. 32 LVBM 18 TheOdds 5UB5CRJBCR5CRVICC
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LVBM 19 SIJ)l)ll~ll 'l,()IJllN1l)ll~N'l,S
SPONSOR or DATE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR LOCATION OPERATOR June 6 - 8 California Open Sid Jackson Los Angeles, CA ABPA {213) 822-2265 June 10 - 15 World Amateur Championship Louise Goldsmith Las Vegas, NV Kate Wattson (212) 486-1489 & Dunes Hotel June 13 - 15 7th Grand Prix of Divonne Roland B. Jakober France Casino Divonne 50-49-01-79 June 21 - 22 Texas Backgammon Tournament Frank Lichtenstein Houston, TX Jim Howe (713) 680-0646 July 1 - 5 Crock fords Henry McDowell London Coral Casinos 01-930 2721 July 3 - 6 Michigan Summer Championships Bob Ciaffone Bay Valley Inn, MI Cavendish North (313) 642-9616
July 7 - 13 Merit World Championship Lewis Deyong Monte Carlo Merit SBM (305) 833-7513
Attention tournament directors: Send extra invitations to the LVBC for distribution to players requesting tournament information.
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licorice At 1he entrance to La Promenade Ice Cream. snacks and all kinds Desertn Schlick of goodies 10 00 a m to 6·00 p m It is a special summer treat for you and yours al the ultimate in dining delicacies is found evenings in the Desert Inn The new restaurants have become the world famous Monte Carlo French Restaurant. talk of the town. Lunch in the Grill Room in the La Yes. dining is a true delight at the Desert Inn and Promenade has become business persons' favorite. Country Club. And at n,ght. in the popular Portofino. couples find food and fun while dining above the casino. The For reservations call: 733-4444. _.DE8ER,LINN and())untryClub
LVBM 20 BACKGAMMONINTHE PUBLIC EYE
TELEVISION: Real People feature in Las Vegas syndrome". People classes using file folders, paper towel on the hot tub craze showed a good magazine tells us that Henry Ford rollers and masking tape. Ms. Roths shot of floating b,g. game 'between and his lady, Kathleen DuRoss, idle even built a backgammon board for bathers. Tomorrow show feted the sweet days away playing backgam a blind student out of egg cartons. new line of Matel home television mon. Current issue of the North Michael Kloian should be congratu electronic games. Tom Snyder Shore magazine recounts Puerto lated on one of the finest public rela opened the show with the backgam Rico tournament trip by Chicagoans tions triumphs for backgammon. A mon . cassette and actually made Ida Weil and Marcia Feinstein. Ida 'wet behind the ears' reporter for the several moves, most of them badly. Weil is quoted as saying "I would Courier-Journal in Indiana ruined an rather play the best male players otherwise fine piece on Larry Stras FILM: Mission Argyle Productions at than a mediocre woman. Ladies are berg's 4th Annual Bluegrass Regional Turnberry Isle to film Black & White very emotional?' Tournament. The Louisville Back Scotch Tournament. Producer Ron gammon Club event was a huge Weed is planning some kind of series NEWSPAPERS: Roger Dionne strikes success. But, this reporter was hung · on championship gaming with special again with a beautifully written story up on the calcutta angle. He even interest on Bridge and Backgammon. about the Tum berry Isle tournament. went as far as to call the county pro Associate producer Bobbi Layne is The layout included a high society secutor for an opinion. No wonder the backgammon connection and photo of Mr. & Mrs. Alan Lorenz people rely on television for their Billy Eisenberg is rumored to be the with Anna Lee Grinda. There is now news. What did the Duke of Windsor narrator. someone called James Se\bert who is do to idle away the hours after he syndicated by the Copley News Ser gave up the throne of England to MAGAZINE'S: The Magriel legend vice. Is he really a backgammon marry Mrs. Simpson? Why, played got another boost in the April issue authority? Of course, the Times backgammon of course. A new book, of Esquire magazine. Laurence Mirror syndicate continues to syndi Windsor Story, by Bryan and Mur Shames, the writer, absolutely cap cate the Alfred Sheinwold backgam phy tells us so and presents a marve tures the essence of the man and the mon columns. Meanwhile, add to lous picture of the ex-king contem game. The accompanying art work is that list the regional newspaper plating his board. sensational. The final Matthew Gran columns: Robertie in Boston, Barr in ovetter documentation of his trials Seattle, Kloian in Michigan, Nathan BILLBOARDS & ADVERTISING: and tribulations during the Amateur in Buffalo, Martin in Florida and National Airlines backgammons Backgammon Championship ap Magriel in New York. Michigan news aboard. Kahlua sees backgammon as peared in Popular Bridge. The Gran papers made the most interesting a good prop for Black Russian. Don't ovetter characters (friends and reading. American Backgammon you love the Pacific Backgammon opponents) are so animated and Club member and remedial math Association bumper stickers? Back colorful that we suspect he was teacher, Eileen Roths is using back gammon lovers do it in a chouette. suffering from the well-known hallu gammon as an learning aide. The cination commonly called "first time boards were made by the science **
Fly_National toHoaston.
LVBM 21 @litt~rati@a±4~r The Gucci set gathered at the posh Eldorado Hotel in Reno for a social rite they call a backgammon tournament. They came by private jet and chauffeured half-block long limousines; they came with oodles of suede trimmed luggage and shiny new skis. It was a who's who orgy: the Lord Manny of Delis; the Marquee de Papazian, the Duke and Dutchess Springer,· his highness Magriel, 0. Martin Esquire, the Sultan Seif, Swami Anand, Senor Toros, Dr. K, texas oil tycoon Wheeler, champion of champions Leibowitz, Pedro Del Simone, Sir Boyd and that Pasha Ryan. The invitation was marked "special" and only those that fit the bill bothered to show up. It seemed that everywhere you looked you saw either a champion or the famous. The white tie and tails snack and auction affair was a glittery show. One could hardly hear the auctioneer above the caucophony of jangling Bulgari jewelry. Host Steve Lehman of the Princepidad de Sparks furnished special attention. Caviar was served for breakfast, of course. Tea and crumpets were partaken promptly each day at four. It was only allowed to snow after sundown. By noon all clouds had to disappear. at Ittlbnrnbn Saturday afternoon held special meaning for those lucky enough to be privately and especially invited to the fancy affair hosted by Paul Mason wines. Light headed and lilting, the beautiful people whirled into the night. A fleet of long black cars awaited the more adventurous revelers who wished to cap the night with a trip to the Mustang Mansion. There the gracious Madame Lulu greeted the late celebrants with midnight madness. The tournament complete, the tribe gathered to toast (Chateau Lafite) the champion. The star studded awards ceremony was filmed by no less than two networks. The winner was presented with an original sculpture by noted artist and space cadet, Donovan Middlearth. The abstract trophy depicts the undeniable relationship between pips, the cube and black holes in outer space. As an added treat, the champion squared off against adorable Carl the Gammorhoid robot. They played a few hands of pinochle and the machine went home with the money. · What a tournament! What a pleasure to be surrounded by people of our own ilk and have a smashing time! fhe parade of glamour left onlookers agog and aghast. Where to next, beautiful people? Monte Carlo? St. Moritz? Mykonos? ***Tournament results on page 25. backl!mnmon across a._._.---..-~-4A,
ELDORADO/RENO BACKGAMMON CLASSIC 'Fhe finals of the Eldorado tourna ment were a backgammon enthusi TOURNAMENT RESULTS INTERMEDIATE Zim Alyosha ast's dream come true. The number CHAMPIONSHIP one scientific player in the world, 1. Paul Magriel - (New York) BEGINNERS Paul Magriel, off against the greatest 2. Chuck Papazian - (San Fran) Pete Del Simone natural player, Chuck Papazian. The 3. Dennis Stone-(Los Angeles) DOUBLES three nine point matches could 3. Bill Arkin (Woodland Hills) hardly have been more exciting. The 1. Shimabokuro / Jones brawl came down to one match each CONSOLATION 2. Anand / Ballard and eight to eight in the last round. 1. Billy Eisenberg - (Los Angeles) SUPER CONSOLATION The technician won. 2. Tom Wheeler - (Dallas) Howard Markowitz - (Chicago) OvERLAKE BELLRINGER HosTs INVITATIONAL The Overlake Bellringer in Dallas, owned and operated by Ed Murph held its second Invitational Tourna ment with much success. Twenty five players entered, including the Jacobys-Oswald, Mary Zita, and Jim. The entry fee was $100.00 with all entry monies returned to the players in prizes. Final results after more than nine hours of play were: 1st - Dick Cather 2nd - Jim Farha 3rd - Vivian Levy 4th - Ron Talley The tournament was organized and conducted by Jack McKenzie, and the Bellringer plans to make it a regular event. An interesting event during the tournament was a "blind" game played by World Bridge Cham pion Bob Hammond. Bob beat Burviell Shaw without once looking at the board. The Bellringer hosts a weekly tournament every Sunday at 9525 Overlake (350-3988).
LVBM 24 B&WS/NEBC/BSO CHAMPIONSHIPS The Lewis Deyong - Black & round to make this event the quin twenty two year old girl that looks White tournament team likes to tessential tournament and it shows. like a model winning a tournament. point to the Boston Symphony Of course, many claim that the That's good advertising copy! Benefit backgammon affair with tournament is in fact the Mel The winners: 1st - Leslie Stone pride and joy. It is a tournament that Drapkin benefit because he has (NY), 2nd Mel Drapkin (BOST.), 3rd everyone clamors to enter and it placed in the money every year since - Todd Vander Pluym (LA) 3rd - receives oodles of publicity. The its inception. And every year it has Al Hodis (NY). sponsor looks good, the symphony been a huge success thanks to Mrs. Consolation: 1st - Bill Bartholo gets free money and the director gets Parkinson and the special attention mow (ATL.), 2nd - Mike Sankowitz to coast because the New England she gives to all. Black and White (NY), 3rd - Jim Michael (MINN.), Backgammon Club does all the work. should be proud and feel lucky. 3rd - Lee Genud (NY). Francesca Parkinson works year After all, how of ten do you get a
PLYMOUTH MICHIGAN BOOMING BACKGAMMON TOWN Plymouth is the home of the As an additional means of promoting to be a huge success. The top players American Backgammon Club direc the game, the club sponsors a weekly feted were Ralph Welb and Scottie ted by Micheal Kloian. The tourna column in The Observer Eccentric Flora. Club activities include round ment schedule is so full that it looks newspaper. The recent Grand Cham robin tournaments and continuing like a calendar of religious holidays. pionships and Awards Dinner proved Ladder Competition Play.
CONNECTICUT BACKGAMMON SOCIETY The CBS announces a new tourna zine ($4 a year) and runs the Swiss tournaments. Current leader in back ment site, Gene's Restaurant - 37 System tournaments. The CBS is gammon master points is Rene South Main, Naugatuck, CT. (729- part of the new Connecticut Chess Dupre with an expert rating. 8082). Director Rob Roy (203) and Backgammon g·roup. The organi 755-9749 publishes the CCB Maga- zation also holds semi-weekly chess
DALLAS BACKGAMMON ASSOCIATION GROWING Twenty-four hour backgammon held on Tuesday evenings and consist pub and backgammon establishment has happened in Dallas. The new of two divisions. replete with a backgammon bouti home of the DBA is Dusty's Ranch Association members also gather que. Taffie Norris is the DBA direc House - 7050 Greenville Avenue, at Cantu's Corner at 2817 Greenville tor and is working hard to swing Dallas (369-2137) and they are open Avenue, Dallas, for chouetting and backgammon back to the good old around the clock. Tournaments are open play. Cantu and Roy run a neat Pawn Shop glory days.
NEW ORLEANS BACKGAMMON ANNOUNCES CHANGES Peter Ippolito has taken the direc New Orleans, LA 70122 (504) 282- found that bar stool seating and tor's reins of the NOBC. Founder, 9486. Tournaments are held every across the bar play works well. It Jo Anne Ippolito has retired to an Wednesday; Friday is doubles night. creates a better integration between advisory position. The club has The New Orlean's club, at its the host club and the backgammon moved to new headquarters at former location, was the innovator players. Mr. Ippolito plans new inno Brother's - 6208 Elysian Fields, of bar height boards. They have vations in the future.
MGM RENO - WESTERN OPEN MGM RENO- tioneer was Gino Scalamandre. The 2nd - Wayne McClintock; Doubles A small but powerful group winners were: Open 1st - Alan Mar 1st - Monro/Vander Pluym, 2nd - gathered at the MGM for Les and tin, 2nd - David Leibowitz; Consola Ashley/Duchamp. Sue Boyd's Western Open. The auc- tion 1st - Todd Vander Pluym,
LVBM 25 FLINT HOLDS across amenca LOGO CONTEST 4TH ANNUAL BLUE GRASS REGIONAL Michelle Palmer swept the Flint Backgammon Club logo contest with Larry Strasberg's Louisville Back INTERMEDIATE her outstanding design. Twelve gammon Club has done it again. Wayne Smith - (Kentucky) designs were voted upon and 'the Nearly 300 participants enjoyed the BEGINNERS Palmer logo received 84% of the Blue Grass Backgammon weekend Mike Flaherty - (Louisville) votes. Here is a preliminary sketch. (March 7, 8, 9). These are the results: CONSOLATION CHAMPIONEVENT Orrill Martin - (Florida) 1. Jim Gibbs - (Chicago) LAST CHANCE 2. Bernie Pygon - (Chicago) Jerry Ungan - (Cincinnatti) .. . and Europe PERRY RECOVERING NICELY Robert Perry director of the Merit crease in the future. Meanwhile, his European Backgammon Champion restaurant in Monte Carlo is still the ship is back following some serious place to be in Monaco. Flashmans is work on his heart. Tournament back the name of the restaurant and you gammon under the direction of Perry can find nearly everyone there dur THEus VEGAS is continuing with a promising in- ing the Monte Carlo championship. SPORTIN(i MADRID RESULTS Merit European Championship of flight (total players 88). 1st place HOUSE Backgammon held in the Hotel Ritz. winner - C. Martin. Consolation 3025 INDUSTRIAL Director Lewis Deyong, associate winner - A. Ciboldi. Phone: director James Bailie'. Championship 733-8999 CRANS MONTANA RESULTS 4th Gran Prix of Backgammon flight (total players 60). 1st place held in the Hotel Golf. Director winner - Bigler. Consolation winner Roland B. Jakober. Championship - F. Narboni.
PARIS RESULTS Merit European Championship of Championship flight 'total players Backgammon held in the Hotel 122). 1st place winn · - Erdeniz. George V. Director Robert Perry. Consolation winner - i,_·. Baquiche.
ST. MORITZ RESULTS Backgammon Tournament held in flight (total players 32). 1st place the Palace Hotel. Director Robert winner - Ulug. Consolation winner Perry and James Bailie'. Champion lshaak.
MILAN RESULTS I know Daddy missed one little piggy Gran Prix of Backgammon in the players 36). 1st place winner - G. . .. but, tonight is backgammon night Brera Bridge Club. Director James Falcomer. Consolation winner - G at the club and Daddy is in a hurry to Bailie'. Championship flight (total Balsamo. huff and puff and blow the chouette down. LVBM 26 Blackjack Championships Championship Division Entry Fee: $500.00* June 10-15, 1980 ,-.-~.~-ENTRY------~----- FORM $250,000.00 in Cash Prizes Player______..
In the Championship Division, l:'ntrw!> arl:' AddrN1 _____ ---·--···-. l1m1ted to 4qo playns, and will be au l'ptl'd PRIZE STRUCTURE on first toml:', first served ba 1~. , ITY Registration closes at 1 P.M. Wed.,Jurw Championship Trlephonr ___ _ l l th. Pre-reg1 tered players will be n·pl,11 l·d L1m1ted to 490 Players Beginner Social Security• ______1f they don't complete registration in La~ Vegas by 1 P.M. $100,000.00 $21,000.00 D Hert ,s my che1k for$__ .payable lo 20,000.00 5,600.00 Am•ric
THOSE FABULOUS BOOKS I by Frank Petty I I feel it's important that beginning assured of profiting hundreds of backgammon players are not misled times over the cost of the book, only by a critical viewpoint of a backgam if you use the knowledge learned mon book which states this back from the backgammon book. gammon book is better than that Personally, I've never studied a backgammon book. Although this bad backgammon book. I study type of analysis is usually good for every word, phrase or concept in readers, it just doesn't apply to back detail for its hidden meaning, gammon books and its readers. because I know I'm going to make a First, it's much easier to criticize a thousand times the price I paid for book than to write one. the book. I see absolutely no differ !7k0eunont!.iooA This is the advice I give the mem ence in value between Mr. Becker's by David Dor-El, Winchester Press bers of the Beginners' Backgammon Backgammon for Blood and Mr. Association: there's no such thing Magriel's Backgammon; these are Beginners beware! as a bad backgammon book.- Back both excellent books with different Most beginners leafing through the gammon is a game for high achievers, insights. How many times has some first chapter, titled "Mathematical which has outlived generations, one tried to explain something to Information:' will immediately seek regardless of the complex considera you and you didn't get it and then a simpler game. tions required to win. It's very easy someone else tried and you said, Chess. to play backgammon, but it's very "Oh, that's easy, I should have Or Go. difficult to adjust one's style to play understood it the first time". Well, Tables, charts, and numbers against a beginner, intermediate, it's the same way with backgammon abound. Magriel would have whim accomplished or expert player. They because of its vastness. pered and taken up knitting instead all play differently and one must Everyone has a_ learning/under of backgammon. Cooke would never learn how to use different tactics standing level and not every author have left Yankee Stadium. This to win. Bad luck and high cubes can can guarantee that he will penetrate chapter would scare the socks off a destroy the "best". Backgammon is your learning/understanding level, so physicist. too vast for any one person to claim you must protect yourself and buy The problem is overkill in presen all and for any one author to put on every backgammon book available to tation. Generally, the book is solid paper; thus the best written get another honest opinion. Who and basic; the information that the approach should be sectional. You as says repetition is terrible - nonsense. beginner needs to start playing a a reader should know why you are Repetition is good for learning; you reasonable game is here. Unfortun attracted to backgammon and what need this type of training to advance ately, Dor-El complicates it. you expect to get from this most your skills. If you're in a bookstore For example, to figure entry odds prestigious game, then study and and you see five beginning books, for one man, he gives an algebraic play accordingly. don't be a sucker and buy one, buy formula. He does not stress the num The best approach to learn how to all five books for extra assuredness. bers 11, 20, 27, 32, and 35, and play well is to find and hire an All of my private and public students relate them to the rest of the game. expert instructor; it could save you must be prepared to buy $100.00 Those are important; the formula hundreds of dollars. The second best worth of books from the following merely distracts. The old forest for approach is to buy every book about areas: Self-Improvement, Psycho the trees trick. backgammon regardless how silly it logy, Gambling, Business, and Later, in the chapter on doubling, looks; sometimes a silly tactic is Games. Dor-El creates a full page flow chart just what you may need to win. I think critics are important, but for seven point matches. The head Never speed read a backgammon you as a reader of a critical view swims, the eyes cross. Cooke gave book - "study in detail" - and point must have the proper perspec the same information in a couple of extract the wisdom within and build tive for books and its values. To clear sentences, to wit, you don't on it; sometimes this wisdom is no1. date, I've read well over one hundred lose much letting your opponent go obvious, but if you think whilst you and fifty books from the above from odd to even if you drop a read, you'll find it. To pay less than areas, and I have learned something double. (With attendant qualifica- $100.00 for a backgammon book is positive and new from each. ** tions, of course.) Continued on pg.'30 a steal because you are almost LVBM 28 COMMENTARY -STAYING ALIVE Continued from pg. 7 tournament is in fact worth his 5YTMtftff'OM~~amf1(y~ while. The host can't be blamed. He has a business to run. Tournament par wishes to thank ticipants should realize this and be supportive. Plan to have dinner at the host club before the tournament. those who participated in the Buy a round of drinks for your friends. If you stop in during the week, mention to the manager that you were introduced to the club ~~ through the backgammon tourna ments. Don't forget to tip. The employees have a direct line to the BACKGAMMON CLASSIC boss and they weary quickly of the extra service backgammon players require. All in all, be a "valued Toll Free Number 800/648-5966 guest." Tournament directors should be Phone702n86-5700 firm and honest. They should tell club members that the host bar or hotel has an investment in the tour nament and it must be supported. The pressures of tournament play sometimes makes players unpleasant. Don't tolerate tantrums or rudeness towards the hosts' other guests and employees. Introduce your members to the owner or manager of the host establishment. This creates a friendly atmosphere that is ego. rewarding to the host and takes the pressure off of the cash register. Tell your mem bers flat out that if the establishment doesn't do welJ, it wiIJ not keep the tournament. In Las Vegas, the tournament director and the bar manager have a large bet placed on a particular back gammon member. This member has played in tourna ments for the last five years and has never been observed ordering any thing but water. He has never tipped. The bet is that in 1980 he will order at least one drink and/or tip the waitress. It might surprise you to know that the tournament director is the one, who is betting against the member ordering a drink. Who knows better? **
NOBODY HAS EVER SAID IT BETTER: I You now have seen a glimpse of what the Eldorado has to "To me the greatest thrill in life is offer. the uncompromising service. the friendliness. the excitement to play and win. The second greatest of Reno and the romance of New Orleans. is to play and lose. " Nick the Greek Come be our guests again. LVBM 29 naments a week in the San Francisco area. They are the be t organized and attended event in the country. Nick has pursued backgammon ever since he hung up hi rooks for the better prospect pips. former che smaster, he wa known to give simultaneous and blindfolded demonstrations. Nick Maffeo Shortly after g1vmg up ches , he Why do some communities go won the Cat Cay Cup in the Balrn crazy for backgammon and produce mas, the San Francisco Fairmont champion hip player while other Championship and the Mexico City remain backgammon voids? The key , Backgammon Open. to uccess usually is one untiring, Much of hi success on the board unselfish, enthusiastic promoter who comes from personal discipline that brings the joy of backgammon to he has acquired through his strong everyone he can. interest in yoga. He is also a tudent Nick Maffeo has been that kind of of metaphysic and philosophy. a promoter in San Franci co. Most of Currently, ick i hard at work a the fine players coming out of the editor of The Prime. the excellent bay area are products of his work. publication of the PBA. The PBA Maffeo is director of the Pacific is also planning a series of regional Backgammon Association. The PBA championships. If ick Maffeo i the operates and sanctions several tour- director, don't mis them! * * BOOK REVIEW by Richard M. Gerace 1Co111inuedfrom pg. 28 LasVegas The chapter on doubling is worth , the bread for the newcomer. Dor-El · gives many positions, with good TOURNAMENT RESULTS ; explanations. He clearly differenti- ates tournament tactics from money DATE OPEN CLASS INTERMEDIATE tactics. Many authors are muddy Jan. 31 (Doubles) Chris Campbell/Darrell Marcus Feb.3 Clarine Frank Aldridge here, to the beginner's confusion. Feb. 10 Karen Wolfson John Kleinman Dor-El's language plods a tad. ot Feb. 14 (Doubles) Dave Ashley/Kevin O'Sullivan a major fault. Sentences do not Feb. 17 Karen Wolfson Mariann Soulek sparkle and that stems from his Feb.20 Mike Sherman Verne Andrews desire to be thorough and clear. Now Feb. 24 Chris Campbell Bob Jackson and then he seems on the verge of Feb.27 Darrell Marcus Cliff King def ea ting himself. Feb. 28 (Doubles) Mike Van Dusen/Dr. K. On the whole, The Clermont Book Mar. 2 Clarine Carlo Kurajica of Backgammon is thorough and Mar. 5 Brian Carlson Verne Andrews basic. It is worth adding to a begin Mar. 9 David Levine Mike Benenati ner's library, but as a first book it Mar.13 Chris Campbell Diana Lanni Mar. 13 (Doubles) David Hershleder/Diana Lanni will intimidate most beginners. Also, Mar. 16 Ed Green Bob Gromek underlying theory tends to get lost in Mar. 19 Karen Wolfson Rogetonovan the welter of specifics, and that i a Mar. 23 Clarine Chris omero loss for a beginner. Cooke or Magriel Mar. 26 David Eig Tod Winkler would be nice complements to Dor Mar. 27 (Doubles) Vartan Sarkissian/David Levine EL , Mar. 30 Karen Wolfson Jim Cooper One final word on all the tables Apr. 2 Karen Wolfson Roger Donovan and charts in the first chapter. The Apr. 6 Munchkin John Kleinman chapter i handy and useful for two Apr. 9 Brian Carlson Dan Cameron reasons. First, all the numbers are in Apr. 10 (!)?u~!es) Clarine/Dave A hley one place for reference. Second, Apr. 13 Roger Donovan Gary Benge basic as the numbers are, Dor-El April 16 Dave Ashley Bob Larson April 20 Clarine Pat Flynn elaborates the living hell out of April 23 Mike Sherman Bob Gromek them. A little world almanac of backgammon's basic goodies. * * L\'BM 30 THEROBERTIE MASTERPOINT SYSTEM
Nearly every new club face the problem of keeping a fair master point y tern. It is an important function of the club to run such a rating system since most players are interested in their current tanding and future improvement. Unlike bridge, backgammon has no centralized records. Many club have devised their own systems. The more fo1tunate ones have managed to sneak onto someone's computer to facilitate record keeping. For those clubs that don't already have a system in use, we are printing the Robertie Ma ter Point System. Bill Robertie, the Boston analyst and backgammon columnist, developed this method for the New England Backgammon Club. It is sophisticated enough to take ability into con ideration, yet imple enough to be under tood. There are four point of explanation: (1) A player's total for each tournament is made up of two parts: point that he receives for winning each match (part I on the page) and bonus points for placing well in the final standings (part II). The system handles up to four different levels of ability (Advanced I through Beginners). (2) To see how this works, suppose you play in the Advanced I ection of a 64-player event. You win your first four matches (7, 7, 9, and 11 points), but lo e an I I -point match in the emi-finals. From part I, you receive 21 match point (5 each for the 7 and 9 point matches, and 6 for the 11 point match). You receive zero points for the 11 point match you lost. As a bonus, look at the chart for Elimination Tournament (33 - 64 players). On the Advanced I line, a defeated semi-finalist receives 20 bonus point . Your total for the tournament is 21 + 20 = 41 point . (3) A key point of our system is that it has a definite starting and ending time. We begin accumulating points with our first tournament in September and finish with the eason 's finale in May, at which point the "New England Champion" is declared. The following September, everyone starts again at zero. This prevents players who've been playing for two or three years to build up insurmountable leads over newcomers, as was the ca e with Obolen ky's system. ( 4) Since the points are scaled by levels of ability, there is no problem with players moving up or down a level in the middle of the season. They retain their old point and continue on.
I. POI TS FOR INDIVIDUAL MATCHES: MATCH LE GTH 5 or lcs 7-9 11 - 13 15 17 19 or more Advant"L"dI 4 5 6 7 8 Advam:c·dII 3 4 5 6 7 Intermediate 2 3 4 5 6 Br!!inncr 2 3 4 5
11. 80 US POI TS RO D ROBIN TOURNAME TS BACKGAMMON PENDANT $649 Pn:liminarics Finals To order: enclose check or I I st 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 0 Mastercharge O Visa I Adv:111<:cdI 8 4 32 28 24 20 16 12 8 4 Card # Advanc·cdII 6 3 24 21 18 15 12 9 6 3 I lntrrmcdiatc 4 2 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Expiration date I Beginner .2 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 . _.. I Candace Mayeron ~ I ELIMI ATION TOUR AME T 1 00 S. Doheny Drive 900118 (up to 32 players) Los Angeles, CA I I st 2nd S· SF IC 2C IL 2LC - - ,.._ ... .r .. •-. ~- #"- I I City __ State Zip Advanced I 25 15 10 10 15 10 10 5 I Sapphires or Xvellow Gold 14K or I Advanced 11 _o 12 6 12 6 6 3 6 I X Rubies • White Gold 14K I Intermediate 15 9 4 4 9 4 4 2 Beginner 10 6 3 3 6 3 3 Co11ri11uedon pg. 42 ------· LVBM 31 THE AMAZING CAPTAIN CUBE Continued from pg. 18 LAS VEGANS
he holds the cube at 2, 31/36 x $10 or = $8.60. BLACK should not, THAT PLAY therefore, re-double WHITE. This decision is very very close. As you can see varying the percentage estimates only slightly will affect STEVEHERMAN BLACK'S equity and, in turn, his "The night I took home a trophy, decision. It is suffice to say that a bottle of champagne, and 50 bucks BLACK will not go far wrong if at for winning the intermediate, I knew all, should he elect to re-double backgammon would be as much a WHITE. part of my life as girls with big smiles Finally it should be noted that the and fried zucchini," admits Steve percentage figures cited for gammon, Herman in talking about his latest regular wins, and losses are ESTI passion in life. MATES ONLY. Belonging as they do Steve is known to most people for to the subjective and somewhat his broadcasting and writing achieve ethereal realm of what is commonly ments. Backgammon is just one part termed "backgammon judgement", I of his multi-faceted endeavors. "I would venture to suggest that this hate not being busy; learning some problem if submitted to 100 of the thing new whether it be a strategy . leading experts in the backgammon session on cube play or learning how world, you would find among them to pull a airplane out of a stall, I can not a single instance of precise agree get the same level of intense pleasure ment with respect to these percen out of both'.' tage estimates. Nonetheless, I suspect Intense seems to be Steve's theme these figures are "in the ball park", in life - he is currently a producer so to speak and while estimates and reporter for Channel 10 televi might indeed vary, they would not sion of the Public Broadcasting vary so significantly as to turn the System. He's also a sports correspon basic conclusion upside down. If the dent for UPI Radio, a magazine went with such backgammon affici survey was done, my guess as to its writer/columnist, and a songwriter. endos as George Plimpton,LucilleBall conclusion would be as follows: Steve is in his tenth year as a Las and Paul Magriel. I kept asking them Vegas resident. He left UNLV when why successful people like them l. Black loses little, ...... 100% Agreement he was offered a lucrative radio job selves were wasting their time with if anything by re-doubling not as a disc jockey but as a news upside down chess boards!" 2. Black to double from center.100% Agreement man. "One of my very first assign By the next Dunes tournament, 3. White to always take ..... 100% Agreement ments for the network was covering Steve had found out and wanted to 4. White to never beaver ..... 100% Agreement the Dunes backgammon tournament. enter the tournament except for the 5. Black to always raccoon, ... 100% Agreement I didn't even have an inkling of how fact that he was sent to the tourney if white beavers the pieces mov.ed, so you can as a reporter again. "It was no longer 6. Black not to re-double .. 50-50% Agreement imagine how smoothly my interviews like being an atheist covering the religious beat," Steve recalls. Within the next few years, Steve BLACK REDOUBLES TO 4 BLACKHOLDSCUBEAT2 plans to temporarily leave Nevada to work overseas in a news bureau. "I Proba- % % % Proba- % % % Roll bility Gammons Wins Losses Points Roll bility Gammons Wins Losses Points don't care if it's Belgrade or Bots wane ... as long as there is white any 2 11 80 15 5 +74.8 any 2 11 80 15 5 +37.4 wine, sweet women and a chouette 4-3 2 60 35 5 +12.0 4-3 2 60 35 5 + 6.0 game," he says with a half serious 4-5 2 30 65 5 + 9.6 4-5 2 30 65 5 + 4.8 laugh. 4-4 l 0 45 55 - 0.4 4-4 1 0 57.5 42.5 + 3.0 I "But I'll be back;' he warns, "I 4-6 2 0 40 60 - 1.6 4-6 2 0 47 .5 52.5 - 0.2 want to be the top player in Las 4-1 2 0 35 65 - 2.4 4 - 1 2 0 40 60 - 0.8 Vegas. Considering the competition, fail fail to 16 0 0 100 -64.0 to 16 0 20 80 -19.2 I'm going to have to enter a lot of enter enter tournaments or wait until the entire open class dies off.' TOTAL POINTS+ 28 TOTAL POINTS +31 **
LVBM 32 LIM ET-Aladdin's Ne\N Blackjack Limet (lee-met) is an exciting new game Play is conducted with special Lirnet In the last few hands players jockey for which combines luck, skill, money manage chips. When a game is completed (after 21 position so that a large bet on one of the ment and intestinal fortitude. For the first hands have been dealt and played) the last two or three hands might ''win the time in a blackjack-type card game, players player with the most money at the Lirnet table," and the ante money. compete against the house and against table claims all the ante in addition to his To make the game fair for all players - other players at the same table. table winnings. regardless of their seat positions - elec Limet is a time limit game consisting A digital readout clearly visible to all tronically controlled lights rotate from of just 21 hands. You begin with a fixed players counts down the hands remaining player to player on each hand to indicate amount of money (the "buy-in") and as play progresses. Players must keep their which player begins the betting and · cannot introduce new money into the chips in plain sight throughout the game so receives the first card on each deal. game while it is in progress. You must play all competitors can easily determine the Up to seven players can compete in a with your original amount, which is why leading money winners. game of Limet. After they have taken their money management is so important. seats, cutting or drawing of cards will The object is to win more money than determine where the betting (and dealing) the other players at your table during the will start. The player who begins the required 21 hands. Naturally, you keep all betting and receives the first card ("First the money you win - and if you lead the Base") immediately becomes the last table you also win a sizeable bonus in the player to bet and receive cards (''Third form of ante money. Base") on the very next hand. HERE'S THE WAY THE GAME Players watch the chip piles of other WORKS: All Limet games are limited to players carefully as the game progresses, 21 hands. Before the cards are dealt, trying to position themselves for a run at players must "buy-in" with the posted the leader over the last few hands. Both amount (usually from $100 up) and then aggressive and conservative strategies can ante a posted amount (usually about 1/Sth be successful. of the buy-in). ------RULES OF LIMET·------I. Doubling down is limited to the fust two removed from the surface of the table. case money. Double Down bets must be equal ca1ds dealt and no more than your original 11. Limet chips a1e non-negotiable and must be amount unless case money. Split bets must be bet may be wagered. turned in to the dealer at the end of each an equal amount. 2. Any pair may be split. Should a player then game for regula1 casino chips. 17. After the 21st and final hand has been dealt draw another of the split cards, he may split 12. If a player volunta1ily withdraws, or leaves and bets paid, the dealer will count down them again. However, when aces a1e split, his seat and misses a hand during the course each player at the table to determine the only one ca1d may be drawn to each ace. of the game, or loses a1l his Limet chips, or winner. 3. The Dealer must stand on 17, ha1d or soft. if he cannot make the minimum bet he must 4. Insurance bets are limited to one-half of the drop out of the game, cash in any remaining 18. In case of ties: player's original bet. Limet chips, and forfeit his chance at the ante A. When two or more players a1e tied with no 5. Limet (ace plus 10-count Caid) pays 3 to 2. money. money remaining on the table, the house 6. All ties a1e a "push." 13. If a player is in violation of the rules, he is shall deal no-bet, "sudden death" hands 7. Each player must pa1ticipate, and bet a mini eliminated from play, forfeits his chance at to determine the winner. mum of $5 on each hand of play. The maxi the ante money and must leave the table. B. When two or more players tie with equal mum bet is equal to the posted table buy-in. 14. No communication, either oral or visual, will amounts of money remaining, three more 8. Pla¥ers may play only one hand at a time. be permitted between the players and the hands shaJl be dealt with the minimum 9. Customa1y hand signals will be used to spectators. betting limit reduced if necessary. If no decla1e intention to "hit" or "stay." 15. Dealers may pay bets in any denomination of winner is determined after three hands, 10.While the Limet game is in progress, all chips chips they deem appropriate. "sudden death" hands will be dealt. must be kept in sight and may not be 16~Insurance bets must be one-half of bet unless Question: NOBODY HAS EVER PUZZLE What the Backgammon Players SAID IT BEITER: II ANSWER: page 4 2 called tbeir new rock group? "The professional is interested in 'vigorish' - the certain edge, the (Unscramble the five words - then unscramble the letters in the blocks to get answer) mathematical advantage - and despi LOBEDU Q Q ses hunches, hopes, luck and all 'systems'. The only system he has AVENHE B faith in is the table of probabilities LOPPEE a Q and its ultimate triumph. " CEINSC Q Sydney Harris fl TICCIR -D -D -D tXXJXIXXJXXIIXIIIXXJ1 and the ______
LVBM 33 An Objective Viewpoint 'Wefl □ [n)[n)@[J® by Gaby Horowitz & Dr. Bruce Roman @[L@®@[J® The position illustrated in Diagram I leaves builders poised to either point on occurred in the early round of the Cham the blot on W2 or to pick and pas in an pionship flight of the 1979 American Back effort to move him forward in the inner A WINNER - re pect tho e who are gammon Champion hips in La Vegas. board. uperior to him and tries to learn something from them: 12 A LOSER re ents those who are superior to him. and tries to find chinks in their armor.
A WI ER - aves grace with the ability to laugh at himself without demeaning himself: A LOSER - Privately deprecates him elf and therefore cannot pub 3 4 S ti 3 4 , a e 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 licly afford to laugh at him elf. DIAGRAMI DIAGRAM3 Black to play 2-1 WI NER - isn't afraid of losing; After Gaby won the match we saw a A LOSER -- is secretly afraid of win Gaby wa ahead 9-6 in the 11 point group of Mayfair players studying a posi ning. match. Mike Senkiewicz, one of the top tion that Mr. Senkiewicz was howing players of the Mayfair, wa moving the them. Satisfying our curio ity we dis A WINNER - keeps hi equilibrium white pieces. covered that he was showing them the no matter which po ition he happens Having rolled a 2-1, it eemed correct to position illustrated in l)iagram 1. Charac to find himself in; reflexively make 84 (Diagram 2). Upon terizing the move of breaking the bar point further study, however, thi move can be as hopeles , he wa lamenting his "misfor A LOSER - becomes bitter when een to leave one in a most inflexible po i tune" of losing to a player, who would he' behind, and carele s when he's tion. make uch a terrible move. Perfectly ahead. willing to admit his error if the chosen 1 2 move was incorrect, the position was again A WIN ER - appreciate the irony studied. Further study, however, only of fate, and the fact that merit is not reinforced the observation that breaking always rewarded, without becoming the bar point i clearly the indicated play. cynical; When intermediate and weak advanced players have digested the available written A LOSER is cynical without material on backgammon and have a desire appreciating the irony of fate. to further develop their prowe s in the game they tum to the masters and experts A WINNER - believe that we make for guidance. Mr. Senkiewicz is an expert our fate by what we do, or fail to do; J 4 and hi opinion i highly regarded in the A LOSER - believe in fate". backgammon milieu. Thi i a clear DIAGRAM2 example, however, that not even experts can alway remain objective when they are A WINNER - has a healthy appreci The main con ideration in this position personally and/or emotionally involved in ation of his abilities, and a keen i afety - not speed nor the esthetics of a the position under discussion. awarenes of hi limitation ; prime. Black needs only to bring his men The lesson to be learned i that to A LOSER - i obliviou both of his in and bear off without any accidents to obtain valid information at least one of the true abilities and hi true limitations. win the match (he is substantially ahead in two following conditions must exist: the race). A) The ma ter or expert analyzing the A WINNER - hopes for a miracle Wouldn't you, a White, like to establish po ition is not personally involved in after everything el e has failed; an anchor on the opponent's 2 point from the position being discussed or, which to wait for hot ? Giving White a A LOSER - hopes for a miracle chance to establish that anchor is taking B) He exhibits no adverse emotional in before anything has been tried. unneces ary risks. Knowing Mr. Senkie volvement that might cloud his objecti wicz's ability to play the position correctly vity. A WI ER - make. a mistake. and and leave the man on 82 as long as pos says "I was wrong"; sible, the chosen move of breaking the bar This latter condition is as unique for point (Diagram 3) can be seen to be much the expert to posses as it is for the student A LOSER - makes a mistake, and a fer for the long run. Additionally, this to find. ©Copyright 1980 says, "It wa n't my fault." ** LYBM 34 WELCOME BIGGERBACKGAMMON NEW MEMBERS
ANTI , ABBOTT AUSTI , JEFFREY BE ENATI, MICHAEL BOYD, BILL BU~NS, OA BUR S JOH BYRNES, MICHAEL CA TAGALLO,RON CHAPPELL El L CHOLHAGIAN, JOH CR WFORD, DENICE DI CESARE, TOBY DO OVAN,ROGER ESHRAGH, MIKE FREDERICK, RICK FUREY, JOHN GI SBERG, PETE GREEN, GEORGE JACKSON, ROBERT Stuart Calle builds board games as large as you want them. His master JONES, FRANKIE piece is a 40' x 50' backgammon board that was laid out over a basketball KABOLI, STEVE court. The smallest board he sells is 3' x 4'. The pieces are three inches thick KISHNER, STEVE and the foam rubber dice are each a cubic foot. Giant requests should be sent KRIVA, TONY to: Pop Art Stable, 132 Round Hill Road, Greenwich, CT 06830. LARSON, BOB The famous backgammon board dance floor in Reno is up for grabs. The LLEWELLYN, KIM Magic Factory disco that featured the floor was doubled out of business. MALESKI, BOB A Newport Beach yachtsman has inlaid a backgammon board on the deck and runs a pips and dice flag up the mast to announce a game. Pieces are MOHAMMADALI, JAVID moved with a shuffle board stick. MOORE, PAULETTE In the offing, Wyoming will be turned into a giant board by famous ixties MURRAY, RICHARD pop artist. PHILIBOSIAN, PHILIP RAMLY, ALEX RAVAS,JA REICHELT, KEVIN BACKGAMMON ROSOVE, LEWIS This is not an advertisement. It HOW TO PLA VIN 1 HOUR SCHULZ, FRANK was inevitable that someone would STERN JIM (Lifetime) come up with this idea. It is an audio STONE, JAY cassette concept for teaching back gammon. The program is narrated by STONEY, SUSAN Bill Fox, a backgammon in tructor STOTT, DICK who at one time resided in Los STRATTON, RICHARD Angeles. He now owns and operates SWAIN, CAROL a bridge and backgammon studio in TAYLOR, ROBERT Colorado. We listened to the tape TAYLOR, LINDA and we found it to move at a com TERRY, KIM fortable pace and would probably be THOMAS, DE NIS an excellent tool for a new player, especially if he numbered the pips on his board. The price is 56.95 plus postage and handling. Order from Jim Weaver, Soundmark, 4950-Cl l.V.B.C. FULLnsten-&-learnCOURSENome, Denver, Colorado 80239. LVBM 35 WORDS OF WISDOM ADVERTISEMENT Colliers for July 20, 1935 Just for fun, we asked players at a tournament what philosophy gov erned their game. We wanted to know some secret adage or rule that kept them from going stark crazy during those inevitable backgammon moments when everything goes wrong. Mostly, we got stern looks and clenched teeth. The rest was just babbling and here it is. MAGRIEL: Double up to catch up. GRAND: When you fan on a 1 pt. board, smile or you may roll 6's again. PIPKIN: Always look ahead and never turn back; unless to pick Try Black & White by the drink, by up your backgammon board. the bottle, or from the handy half FEIGENBAUM: Beware of left size flask. handed rollers. You'll soon realize why Black & WHEELER: Optimism wins. White is one of the most widely THURMER: Negative thoughts lose. used and most thoroughly enjoyed McENTIRE: Never double a weaker whiskies in the world. or stronger opponent. JONES: Be strong, armed and friendly. GEDIGIAN: Play for fun and win; BLACK & WHITE play for money you lose. &I.ENDEDSCOTCH WHISKY ANAND: Wow oh gee golly gosh - double first. Oui trademcnk ISHAW J on every bottle DIXIE: Get that cube moving. THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF QUALITY EISENBERG: When in doubt - slug ' ALEX D. SHAW & CO., INC., 120 BROADWAY, NEW YORK it out. HUFFNER: Throw that cube. EPSTEIN: Backgammon is a scien ti COINOPERATED BACKGAMMON fie game (ha!). Through the use of a mini-compu able microprocessor does provide for KHOURY: Goo goo gaga. ter, the world's first automatic back an unerring game. SEIF: You can get more with the gammon game is now available. The The game board is displayed on cube and a gun than you can Gammonmaster, manufactured by the surface of a cocktail table and with the cube. Xedar Corp., Boulder, Colo., is the playing pieces are "moved" by RODERICK: After all, it is a dice capable· of playing against any Xedar touch switches which incor game. opponent from novice to master. porate no moving parts. The coin Because of the random "throw of mechanism and· electronics are SPRINGER: Go for the jugular. the dice," the opponent is quite separately enclosed. Playing time is VANDER PLUYM: A cube in. the capable of winning though the reli- optional, as selected by the operator. hand is just a cube in the hand. LVBM 36 Backgammon Back Lowly 1-PointCan Take On PREVENTIVE Backgammon: GreatImportance in Bear-Off MAINTENANCE By PAULMAGRIEL The Eldorado Back- 24 23 22 21 20 19 APPROACH gammon Classic was held r,;=~;;;:;:O:;::;:;;;Q;;:,=rO::==;::;;;Q;:;:':;=;~::;:;:;;;::::::;=:=,=:;==::;i □
by Dr. M. Julian Raintree ~J~::.s~I O I Low back pain can ruin the best ~"~{ ' ~; backgammon game and you do not Backgammon ...:::Club, 'ol have to be a chiropractic physician under the direction of Mi- ! to know it. chael Maxaculi, has be- I, myself, when playing backgam ::r !:ti::rg~~o~:i f: t ! ii. mon have watched many players 0 squirm, twist, get up to stretch and ~onRcke:sutlllmtse~m·:!nthte;!?c.haruzaam. p1·-- x.)( ,:,:;:•.·/:!/, I__ Xfi/1:,, other assortment of things to make ~:iip :::::.~~ Pa~~; L==::::'~X::::::.;X=.· ·='= :::::X:::!:::'O==·· •~-=X:::!:!::::~=X=-i:='· :::::::======:::::::::!..I the low back feel better. In every Stone in the finals; semi- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 sport, every player prepares his body finalists were Charles X to play 5- 2 physically for the game. Before each Papazian and Bill Arkin. --- game most athletes stretch to warm Bill Eisenberg overcame Tom Wheeler creates a prime. As a result, even if O in the consolation. manages to establish the 1-point, he up their muscles. By doing this, they Zlm Alyosha triumphed over Patrick will still be trapped. Nevertheless, as increase the blood supply to the Maxfield in the intermediate section, Stone recogniZed, making the !>-point and Del Simone won the beginners' sec wouldbe a serious mistake. muscles; so why not backgammon tion. players? Preventive maintenance is Stone correctly played 6/1• 3/1, • making the I-point. He realized that in the answer. Stone (X) demonstrated his skillful the final stages of a game, the relative If we build up the low back area technique in the diagrammed position value of the home board points is actu tak-en from his semifinal match against ally inverted. X's sole concern must be with corrective exercies, it diminishes Magriel (0). X has doubled and has an to prepare to bear off safely. Thus, the chance for pain in this area. When overwhelming advantage. TWo of O's blockading O no longer has any rele men have been hit and are on the bar. vance. sitting, a pressure of 300lbs. is exer In addition, 0 has two more men ex ted on the disc, but while lying down posed on the 5-and I-points. Thus, X • it is only 30 lbs. of pressure per has good prospects of closing O out by For a safe bear-off, it is essential ts> completing his home board. 0, with make the I-point in order to prevent 0 square inch. What we are doing with four men on the bar, would then almost fiym doing so. If 0 is allowed to make corrective exercises is strengthening certainly lose a gammon ( double the I-point, then O will have what is game) and possibly even a backgam called a "well-timed I-point game." the muscle and taking pressure off mon (triple game). X, however, must The bear-off will then be surprisingly the disc. be careful to avoid being hit during the dangerous. In fact, trial and error have The best exercises to do which will bear-off - 0, with a strong home shown that even with the best play, X board, could still win the game. wiH be forced to leave a shot almost 90 alleviate back pain while sitting are: With the roll of l>-2,X must continue percent of the time. ·his attack. He has the happy choice of 1) Lie flat on your back placing your · With the correct play, 0 is prevented either playing 6/1• 3/1, hitting 0 and from making the 1-point but may be hands under your buttocks (palms making the. I-point, or 7/5• 10/5, hit able to establish the $-point. X, how down). Lift your legs 6" high, toes ting O and making the 5-point. Many players would automatically choose to ever, has little to fear in this case. X pointed. Start making a figure eight make the 5-point because the higher shouldhave no troublebeanilg his men motion. Your legs must move later points in the home board are usually past the 5-point and off safely. Indeed, more valuable than the lower points. as happenedin the actual game, even if ally as far as possible. Do a series of Indeed, in the early stages of a game, 0 rolls a 5 immediately, 0 is quite un three for beginners, then rest. Even the 5-point is considered the most valu likely to ave~ a pmmon. tually build up to 1S. Remember, do able point to own, whereas making the Reprinted from New Yorl_cTimes. not ever exert yourself. Build up I-point early is often the mark of a EDITOR'S NOTE: Magriel did not play beginner. Dennis Stoned in the finals. He played slowly. Furthermore, by making the 5-point, Papazian. Stone was the semi-finalist with X builds his points in sequence and so Arkin. 2) While lying down flat on your back, take both hands wrapping them around your knee pulling back 3) Stand on your feet with your times to each side and build to 1S. to your chest as far as you can. Hold legs about three feet apart. Place These are preventive maintenance to the count of ten. Placing your leg your hands behind your head and exercises. They are there to help back on the floor, take a deep breath twist your right elbow towards your you. Next month's issue, I will give and proceed to do the same with the left side to the maximum and hold you more tips on neck and shoulder opposite leg. Repeat three times on to the count of ten. Repeat in the discomfort. each leg. opposite direction. Start with three ** LVBM37 ICLASSIFIED I cusroM· MADE Dear Editor, Imported African Wood Backgammon Table. I love your magazine. I wish it Used in the first World Amateur Backgammon Championsl:tips when a quarter million dollars ca,:ne out more often. My only com was won. Pearl inlaid with customized chips and plaint is that there. are too many doubling cube. (702) 734-1901. articles of a technical nature and not PROFESSIONALSERVICES enough human interest stuff Don't Can't win at backgammon? I have the an.swer. get carried away with figures. Proven new methods developed by me, Lucky Cynthia Rayburn Louie. I can help you hit it big. Just call Houston, Texas 555-1602 (It's a grocery store. They'll yell up to me). PERSONALIMPROVEMENT Dear Sirs, Backgammon Bonanza: "Senior citizen 'may' I am a compulsive backgammon merchandise an esoteric legacy; this concept incu• player. My friends are disgusted and · bated in the shadow of the apocalypse. Minimum fee a modest $100,000 residuals predicated vis-a won't talk to me anymore. I've lost vis on character interview; once negotiated, no my house and car, and my wife is exit ramp available. Offer terminates May 15, running off with a career sanitation 1980. State age, sex, phone location. An equal opportunity take a drop. Plus write to I. Beaver, Dear Max & Steve, man. I need advice. 47 Allen St. Brockton, Mass. 02401." In brief let me say "Shalom". W.G. *********************** Manhattan, New York EDITOR'S NOTE: TO ALL THOSE THAT Steve and you delivered a most fan WROTE AND CALLED THE BACKGAMMON tastic tournament! Since returning EDITOR'S NOTE: What's the pro MAGAZINE INQUIRING ABOUT THE ABOVE GIBBERISH - WE TRACKED IT DOWN. THE to Northern California I've done con blem? We can't help, if you can't be AD APPEARED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES siderable surveying of players. The specific. AND WALL STREET JOURNAL. HUNDREDS word is professionally done! In good OF SIMILAR FLYERS WERE SENT TO BACK GAMMON CLUBS AROUND THE COUNTRY. taste! Ran very well! Done with THE AUTHOR IS A BOSTON PLAYER THAT class! Dear Backgammon, CLAIMS TO HAVE SOME KIND OF MONEY I hope your profits were sufficient My friends and I enjoy your mag MAKING IDEA WHICH HE REFUSES TO Dlsc·uss UNLESS THE MONEY IS UP FIRST. to try again. A suggestion: When you azine and usually go over the prob SO, WE DOUBLED SIXED HIM. try again, before the brochures are lem situations together. We don't printed, let's talk. I got some feed want to belittle your efforts but the BOOKS back from novices that could prove magazine would be a lot more inter· We need a copy of a backgammon book authoreo by Philip Martin. Who has a copy? Call (702, highly beneficial. esting if you had more technical 361-3910. Martin Miller material and less newsy articles. Campbell, California MONEY SAVERS Otherwise, keep up the good work. I P. S. With such professional manage Verne Andrews Next issue of Backgammon Magazine reveals how Land-O-Lakes, Wisconsin compulsive backgammon player made an extra ment, you can count on my support. $10,000 last year - His wife and kids left him.
backgammon has also become big tract. The client exchanges a percen business. Exclusive private clubs, tage of his win money over $1,000 in BACKGAMMONcondominium communities and the Amateur Backgammon Cham social groups are being taught to play pionships for several instruction BIZ by teachers for hire. seminars. The contract is five pages Frank Petty Jr., director of the long and covers such diverse ques Everyone knows the usual way to Beginner's Backgammon Assn. was tions as who has the right to use a make money from backgammon is to signed by Bristol-Myers to teach players 's name and likeness in the run tournaments or sell equipment. backgammon to employees wishing event he wins. If the student fails to But, one is surprised at how many to learn. This program is part of the play in the tournament, he then new ways enterprising promoters are company's efforts to humanize the owes a fixed fee for the seminars. It finding. Cruise ships and resorts working experience. Mr. Petty found is rumored that last year's champion of ten hire backgammon directors. that high achievers were attracted to was a graduate of this "learn to win" Department stores and manufactur backgammon. clinic. This year the promoter ers employ demonstrators for in The most fascinating make-a-buck expects to have a full 10% of the store promotions. There is a market angle was developed in Southern Cal participants going for him in the for private writings on advanced ifornia. A smart operator in L.A. has Dunes tournament. How is that for backgammon theories. Teaching come up with a future earnings con- equity? ** LVBM 38 " 1980 •~t:'e~ POKR~
German inlaid ivory and ebony chess and backgam mon board, c. 1630, 18¼ in. closed, 29,000. (Detail of center inlay.)
Chess sets and game boards brought total bids of $464,110 to set a world auction record total for any chess set sale at /J~ Sotheby Parke Bernet's October auction of the Harbeson collection in New York. The collection, considered to be one ROBSESBOEHOTELand CASINO of the world's largest, attracted bidders from around the DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS. NEVADA 89101 world. Competition was strong for the best items, with prices PHONE (702) 382-1600 as much as five to ten times above estimate on some pieces. Many of the game boards were reversible and could be Please place my name on your mailing list used for both chess and backgammon; some of the more inter so that I may receive information esting backgammon sides are illustrated. on future World Series of Poker events.
Name ______
Address------
City
State ______
Zip ______A Spanish inlaid ivory, horn, burrwood and hardstone chess and backgammon board, mid 17th c., 161/8 in., $17,000. PREVIOUS WINNERS OF WORLD SERIES OF POKER
YEAR WINNER '"OF Pl.AYERS PRIZE MONEY
1970 John Moss Voted by Peers 1971 John Moss 6 S 30,000 1972 "Amarillo Slim" Preston 8 80,000 1973 "Puggy" Pearson 13 130.000 1974 John Moss 16 160,000 1975 "Sailor" Roberts 21 210.000 1976 "Texas Dolly" Doyle Brunson 22 220,000 1977 "Texas Dolly" Doyle Indian inlaid ivory chess and back Brunson 34 340.000 gammon board-form box, underside Jacobean inlaid hardwood 1978 Bobby Bak!win 42 420,000' inlaid with chess board, interior chess and backgammon board, 1979 Hal Fowler 54 540,000' with backgammon board, white and English, c. 1610, 14¾ in., '1978 was the first year prize money was disbibuted between first green ivory, 19th c., 22 in. I., $650. five finishers. $2,800.
LVBM 39 THE ULTIMATEDRAW SHEET
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L.aUW ,.. ::m>J I I u K I I '" & I/ - I I - h1z£ l>IYISION I I ,._"- c-..orr• : ,._.-_ ff I ,. .., •·- "' I ,.. ••r I I I.CC... - ,:_ *Conceived and de igned by Jim Howe and Frank Lichtenstein and u ed in TBA tournaments. Works best in two day format tournaments. One lo s doesn't eliminate the player. He is fed back into the main event since consolation is built into the single draw sheet. Thi unique network allows a player with a los to still come in as far a 3rd. It maintains a high level of interest and avoids the usual second round let down. - LVBM 40 BACKGAMMON ETIQUETTE "Good etil1ue11e makes for good back.ga111111011and good ji111.Poor etiq11ene leads to arg11111e11rs.bacl 1Jackga111111on and 110Ji111 at all ... OSW LO J COBY I. Make all play very carefully. Use but make sure to remove it opponent. Don't flip, roll or toss ju t one hand to move the men. before the actual roll. it to him. Leave your dice trictly alone until all moves have been made. 6. It doesn't do a bit of good to 13. Keep dual scores and compare Don't move two men at the same bang down your dice cup or them often. time. throw the dice. The best you can do about your own bad dice is to 14. Keep elbows, drinks. a htrays 2. Play end when you tart to pick shake them hard and extra long. and other debris well away from up your dice. Don't touch the It doesn't really do any good, playing area. dice until move is completed or but it isn't bad manner and it you might be forbidden to com does give you a chance to blow 15. Breaks should be taken at end plete the move. off steam and cool down. of game.
3. l11 s;ome complicated positions 7. Conversation should be kept to a 16. Dice changes should be made at <, may actually move your minimum. as it may upset an end of game. player should ask m n w·th the intention of study opponent. Kibitzer friends watch for (not grab) opponent's dice ing the position. In such case ing the game should not make and shake all four in one cup. your opponent should not roll comments. First choice goes to the player until you start to pick up your not asking for the change. dice, but good etiquette al o 8. Backgammon is mo t enjoyable demands that when you make a when played quickly. A game 17. All di putes over direction and tentative move you announce that hould last between six and eight color hould be amicably you are thinking it over. If you minutes. resolved by a roll of the dice. announce in advance tha_t this move i tentative, your opponent 9. When bearing off, do not stack 18. Cynicism, ridicule and vulgarities will concentrate on the original your men in one tall pile. Men are not part of good backgam po ition and there will be far less that accidently fall back into mon. risk of argument. play cau e arguments. 19. Good etiquette and common 4. A moved man should be care 10. Do not rattle your dice when it's ense dictate that you don't blow fully placed squarely on the not your turn to play. smoke into opponents face. point in order to avoid later argu engage in overt displays of affec ment as to his proper location. 11. Do not slam the men onto the tion or perform grooming :1ctivi playing field while making a ties during play. 5. Sliake the dice well on each roll. move. Hold your hand over the mouth 20. Good sportmanship include. set of the dice cup while baking. 12. Slide the doubling cube to your tling your obligation promptly.
• Socrates played backgammon not only to entertain himself but to measure the OBODY HAS EVER ~ncn n intelligence of his students. SAID IT BETTER: Ill FUN FACTS • Lee Genud 's Backga111111011Book i not "There'· an aesthetic lU the ga111e,a DID YOU K OW THAT: the only book on backgammon written by a woman. Mary Zita Jacoby has co jloll'. People think the iame consists • Sir Winston Churchill sugge ted to the authored the Book of Backgam111011. /Jri111arilyof math calculating oclcls admiralty that "Backgammon would be with hu band O wald. and so forth. Thar '.s 1101 true. Ir s a good game to amu e the ailors. Back essentially a game of panerns. a • Murat Pasha was a Turkish backgammon gammon is a better game than cards, visual game, like chess. Certain pat because it whiles away twenty minutes, hero in the 17th century. He played in wherea cards are a much longer busi the Topkapi game room overlooking the terns J7r together harmoniously, ness." Bospoui . He was known as the Cham make ense in a ll'C/)' that is 1101ilri pion of Champions having defeated viaI. " • o one knows who invented the doub- many challengers, including the Persian Paul Magriel ling cube. Grand Master, Talim Han. LVBM 41 THE ROBERTIEMASTER POINT SYSTEM 10 TIPS Conrinuecl from pg. 3/ ON WINNING ELIMI ATIO TOUR AME T (33 to 64 players) by Robert Howayeck SF QF SFC' SFLC' I st 2nd (2) (4) IC 2C (2) ILC 2LC' (2) There are many prerequi ites to Advant:ed I 40 30 20 10 30 20 10 20 10 5 adopting a winning style of play. Advam:cd II 30 20 10 5 20 10 5 10 5 3 Let's examine how you can acquire a lntcrmcdiatc 20 12 6 3 12 6 3 6 3 2 more productive and successful style Beginner 10 6 3 2 6 3 2 3 2 of play.
ELIMINATIO TOUR AME T I. OBSERVE successful backgam (65 to 128 playo:rs) mon players keep a do e eye on SI· QF RD SFC' QFC SFLC' QFLC' their cube decisions. 1st 2nd (2) (4) ( I 6) IC' 2C (2) (4) ILC' 2LC' (2) (4) 2. PLAY IN CHOUETTES with Advann·d I 60 40 30 20 10 40 30 20 10 30 20 10 5 Advanced II 40 30 20 10 5 30 20 10 5 20 10 5 3 skillful player and ask que tions lntcrrnc•diatc 30 20 12 6 3 20 12 6 3 12 6 3 2 in critical situations. Bt•ginner 20 10 6 3 2 10 6 3 2 6 3 2 3. TEACH the game. Teaching hir Douhlcs To11ma111c111each player 1,·011/dreceil'e the same 1111111/Jerof poi111s usually reinforces and expand as he 11·011/din a rexular 1011nw111en1. knowledge. 4. PLAY AT A CONSISTENT 'ii'HlElf»IUJ111LlE * * A SWt'R: "Hot Dice and rhe Pips"
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