MrGammonGO

wish all readers from this Blog a Merry Chrismas and a Happy New Year.

I am right now very busy but after Chrismas you will find new Articels and Videocasts here.

I hope next year will be a good and successful Backgammon Year for all of you.

MrGammonGo

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 151 Money session Jacoby pip: 139 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=—-cDCCB—c—-Aadbb-AA-:0:0:1:64:0:0:1:0:10
to play 64

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Overview
Its a Moneygame and White on Roll, Cube is centered, so both Players have access to it. White has the Racelead, and we are in Prime Battle. White has already a 4-prime, Black a 3 Prime. Important is that Black has an Advanced Anchor on the 4 Point, which is also at the Edge of the Prime. White cant extend his Prime because of this Anchor. The Gameplan for White is quite easy, bringing his Blots around and winning the Race. Black on the other side has also the Prime plan but he also has the possibilty of Attacking, cause White doesnt have an Anchor.
It should be crystal clear that the best 6 is to hit with 24/18*.

24/18* 17/13

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 169 Money session Jacoby pip: 129 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a—cDCCB—cA—-Adbb-A–:0:0:1:-6-4:0:0:1:0:10
to play -6-4

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

After 17/13 Black has some nice Counter Rolls with hits: 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 1-4, 1-6,  2-2, 2-4, 2-6, 3-3, 3-4, 3-6, 4-4, 4-6 : all these Rolls hits one of the 3 Blots of White and leaving 2 Blots exposed for Black to Attack 22 Rolls. If thinks works bad for White he could be Attacked or Blitzed very fast.

24/18* 18/14

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 169 Money session Jacoby pip: 129 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a—cDCCB—c-A–A-dbb-A–:0:0:1:-6-4:0:0:1:0:10
to play -6-4

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Let´s count the Rehits after 18/14 : 1-1,1-2, 1-4, 1-5, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 3-5, 4-4, 4-5 thats only 19 good Rehit Rolls for Black. 3-3 is also a Rehit, but Black would loose his 5 Point. The less amount of Reshoots for Black makes this move to the best. This Problem is easy to solve if you give yourself Time to count the Rolls.

Rollout:

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 169 Money session Jacoby pip: 129 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a—cDCCB—c-A–A-dbb-A–:0:0:1:-6-4:0:0:1:0:10
to play -6-4

1.	Rollout1	24/18* 18/14	eq: +0,131
	Player: Opponent: 53,58% (G:16,65% B:0,86%) 46,42% (G:13,94% B:0,89%) Conf: ± 0,027 (+0,104…+0,158) Duration: 30 minutes 38 seconds
2.	Rollout1	24/18* 17/13	eq: +0,100 (-0,032)
	Player: Opponent: 52,51% (G:16,96% B:0,86%) 47,49% (G:13,81% B:0,82%) Conf: ± 0,025 (+0,075…+0,125) Duration: 27 minutes 15 seconds
3.	3 ply	23/17 7/3	eq: +0,017 (-0,114)
	Player: Opponent: 51,26% (G:10,74% B:0,30%) 48,74% (G:12,68% B:0,37%)
4.	2 ply	23/17 5/1	eq: +0,017 (-0,114)
	Player: Opponent: 51,69% (G:10,25% B:0,27%) 48,31% (G:13,13% B:0,31%)
5.	2 ply	24/18* 5/1	eq: -0,007 (-0,138)
	Player: Opponent: 50,49% (G:16,16% B:0,67%) 49,51% (G:17,24% B:1,29%)
1 928 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves and cube decisions: 3 ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

In the next Parts we will take a look at Double Points, Take Points, Different Meq´s, Gammon price, examples and so on.

Good Luck and Good Skill all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Position 9

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 151 Money session pip: 139 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=—-cDCCB—c—-Aadbb-AA-:0:0:1:64:0:0:0:0:10
to play 64

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Position 10

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 164 Money session pip: 129 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=—acDCCB—cA—-Acbc-A–:0:0:1:53:0:0:0:0:10
to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Position 11

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 144 Money session pip: 132 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=-b—DCCC—c—-aadbb–AA:0:0:1:42:0:0:0:0:10
to play 42

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Hi,
here is the Solution for Pos 8, later today i will upload the Video Matchequitey Part 1.
Here is a link if you want to learn the Rules of Backgammon http://www.gammonvillage.com/backgammon/magazine/backgammon_rules.cfm

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 146 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ABB-C—bB-Bb–cbbBc–A-:1:-1:1:53:0:0:1:0:10
to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Overview
Black owns a 2 Cube, so White doesnt have any access to it. White is behind in the Race with 7 pips before this Roll, after this Roll its almost even. White has the stronger Board 3 vs 2 Pt-Board, but he has a Blot on 2 Point. Black is on the Bar with one Checker. White has a Holding Game with his 5-PT-Anchor, but he has 3 Runners Back, Black one, which is on the Bar.
Blacks Gameplan is to bring his last Runner Home and hoping to clear his outfield Points without leaving any shoots. White Gameplan is more difficult, cause Black is on the Bar. White would love to play here a Blitz, but he doesnt have enough Attackers close to the Board, so in short term  he needs Builders and Attackers to improve his Board, and specially here he needs to cover the Blot on his 2 Point. If thinks go bad for White, he should try in long term to play a Holding Game.

13/8 6/3

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 138 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ACB-B-A-bB-Ab–cbbBc–A-:1:-1:1:-5-3:0:0:1:0:10
to play -5-3

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

This is the try to bring an extra Builder close to the Board to cover the 2 Point or maybe if White Rolls very well to make the 5 Point. At first view this move doesnt look bad, but it has some disadvantages. First it leaves 4 Blots around, which gives Black also some double hit Rolls, like 2-6, 2-3 and single hits with any 2 and 1-3, 5-3. 1-1. Second, White is loosing his Midpoint, which is much more bad than leaving the Blots. The Midpoint controlls White´s outfield and is controlling Black´s 10-Point here, and it keeps White armee connected, its like a bridge. Once when Black has entered, and White doesnt have the Midpoint, it will be easy for Black to clear his 10 Point here, Black will shift over very soon a very strong redouble to 4. Specially here, cause White doesnt have made his 5 Point, and doesnt have enough Builders for it close to it. White wont be the favourite to contain Blacks last Runner, it will be easy for Black when he enters on the 5 Point to bring around his last Runner and clearing his 10 Point here, when White doesnt have his Midpoint to control his outfield.
We can close out this move, cause it gives up the Midpoint and hence loosing control of the outfield.

13/8 11/8

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 138 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ABB-C-B-bA-Ab–cbbBc–A-:1:-1:1:-5-3:0:0:1:0:10
to play -5-3

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

This move is a little bit better, cause it makes a Blocking Pt on the 8 Point but this is only a good Blocking Point, when Black enters on the 2 Point. White has the same amount of rolls for making his 5 Pt or covering his 2 Pt. This play also leaves 4 Blots.
We can close out this move for the same reasons like the last one.

13/5

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 138 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ABBAC—bB-Ab–cbbBc–A-:1:-1:1:-5-3:0:0:1:0:10
to play -5-3

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

Slotting the 5 Point looks nice, cause of the lack of Builders, It will be hard for White to make the 5 Point naturally. But again White is loosing his Midpoint, hence control and connection. And of course White is leaving 22 hits here.
We can close out this one for the same reasons above.

11/8 11/6

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 138 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ABB-D-A-b–Bb–cbbBc–A-:1:-1:1:-5-3:0:0:1:0:10
to play -5-3

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

This move leaves less Blots, but Black has now less Rolls to make his 5 Point. If Black enters on the 5 Point the 11 Point is a nice Block and it controlls very well the 5 Point and it serves also as Attackers or Builders for the 5 Point. Giving up the 11 Point is also not good, cause White looses again controll like in the moves before. So we can close it out.

20/12

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 138 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ABB-C—bBABb–cbbAc–A-:1:-1:1:-5-3:0:0:1:0:10
to play -5-3

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

First of all this play leaves 4 Blots, like most of the moves we have analysed so far. There is also a nice duplication of 2´s. But most important is that White still has a nice controll of the board, and his armee stay connected. What makes us afraid about this move is that White is loosing his 5 Pt- Anchor, which looks very dangerous. How dangerous is it for White to leave his Anchor?. First of all Black is on the Bar, so White can take now some higher Risks to improve his Position, he has a nice Temp Gain here. Even if Black rehits here, White has the chance to remake the 5 Point. White has the stronger Board, so he is not realy afraid about a hit contest, even with the Blot on the 2 Point. All other Alternatives we have discussed are much more dangerous in the long run, than this Move here, caue White controlls all areas of the Board, thats why this is the best Move. Also to consider is that White already gave away the Cube, usually its right to play more aggressive then.

Rollout

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139 Money session Jacoby pip: 146 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=a-ABB-C—bB-Bb–cbbBc–A-:1:-1:1:53:0:0:1:0:10
to play 53

1.	Rollout1	20/12	eq: -0,381
	Player: Opponent: 43,54% (G:17,14% B:0,85%) 56,46% (G:19,58% B:2,03%) Conf: ± 0,025 (-0,406…-0,356) Duration: 41 minutes 09 seconds
2.	Rollout1	11/8 11/6	eq: -0,427 (-0,046)
	Player: Opponent: 40,94% (G:12,34% B:0,45%) 59,06% (G:12,90% B:0,80%) Conf: ± 0,028 (-0,455…-0,399) Duration: 41 minutes 41 seconds
3.	Rollout1	13/5	eq: -0,448 (-0,066)
	Player: Opponent: 41,48% (G:13,62% B:0,58%) 58,52% (G:16,49% B:1,31%) Conf: ± 0,036 (-0,484…-0,412) Duration: 42 minutes 48 seconds
4.	Rollout1	13/8 11/8	eq: -0,450 (-0,068)
	Player: Opponent: 40,92% (G:13,62% B:0,58%) 59,08% (G:15,71% B:1,23%) Conf: ± 0,029 (-0,479…-0,421) Duration: 38 minutes 12 seconds
5.	Rollout1	13/8 6/3	eq: -0,455 (-0,074)
	Player: Opponent: 40,81% (G:13,01% B:0,44%) 59,19% (G:14,89% B:1,00%) Conf: ± 0,024 (-0,479…-0,431) Duration: 38 minutes 28 seconds
1 648 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves: 3 ply, cube decisions: 1 ply Search interval: Huge

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.10

is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 129

Money session Jacoby Beaver

pip: 156 score: 0 is Player 1

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.04

Overview
White is back in the Race with 27 pips before this Roll, Black has the stronger Board and has a broken 5 Prime from his 8 Pt to his 4 Pt. White is back with 3 Checkers, and is playing a 3 Pt Holding Game, cause of the Runner on Black´s Acepoint he has also a phantom 1-3 Backgame. Black is playing here a mix of a Prime Game and a Holding Game against White. White owns a 2 Cube so only he has access to it.
Black´s Gameplan is clear,  he wants to make his Barpoint, which gives him a strong 5 Prime against White. White Plan is quite easy improving his Board and getting a Shoot on one of Blacks Blots at the right Time. And of course White must try to to keep a good Timing.

8/2 6/5

8/2 6/5 is a safe play, it doesnt leave any shoots for Black, the runner on the Ace Point is also safe here. As in the Overview already described White has here a mix of a 3-Pt Holding Game with a Phantom 1-3 Backgame, and this move has some big positionell disadvantages. First of all White´s Midpoint and 8 Point is stripped, no spares no flexibilty. Most likely White will have to give up one or both of this Points very soon, and leaving more Shoots for Black. White is also giving Black totally freedom to carry out the Thread to make the Barpoint, once when Black has made his Barpoint, White will be in much more trouble than now. Last but not least, White has to use his Spare´s smart, Slotting here the 2 Point cant be right, White wants to make his Points in order, specially cause we have here something like Phantom Backgame.
This move cant be right, cause its to passive, and gives Black freedom to carry out his Thread to make the Barpoint and it looks safe but in long term its much more dangerous, cause White will have to leave more Shoots in his outfield.

24/18 6/5

This move is better than the last one, cause it keeps the spare on the 8 Point and it doesnt slot a deep Homeboard Point, its better because the resulting Position is more flexible, than the last one. But there is big negative Point here, as we know from the Overview, Black´s plan is to Prime White, and for this he needs his Barpoint.  It´s usually not right to slot a point which your Opponent wants to make most. Here you give Black the chance to make 2 good things. He hits the Blot on the Barpoint and putting White on the Bar and maybe covers it (joker) or leave it slotted. This move doesnt improve the chance for White to prevent Black to make his Barpoint, instead it will be now much more easy for Black. So we can close out this Move too.

13/12* 12/6

This move looks much better cause it gives White a tempo gain and it prevents Black of making his Barpoint. But there also some disadvantages here, first of all White is loosing his Midpoint, this Point is very important for White cause it blocks Black Barpoint Anchor and controlls White´s outfield. Without the Midpoint, Black has a very easy game to clear his Barpoint Anchor, and Black is taking complete controll of the outfield. The 3 Runner in Black Homeboard becomes even more disconnected and isolated of the rest of White´s army, which is also a big danger here.
Last but not least, Black has the stronger Board here, so Black likes Hit contests. Black has here 4´s and 6´s to hit and a joker 4-6(double hit). Specially White is giving here Black some nice reshoots with 6´s.
The idea behind this move is right, but maybe there is a better and safer way to carry out the idea behind this Move.

22/15*

The idea behind this move is the same like the last move, it gives White a tempo gain to prevent Black to make his Barpoint. First point to notice is that Black doesnt have any good 6´s, and White still has his Midpoint, hence doesnt loose control of his Outfield. Black needs 1,2,3 to come in, but these numbers are also hitting numbers for the White Blot on the 10 Point and 3 Point, so there is some duplication involved( not a real duplication, but it reduces the good rolls of Black). 4´s are still the same, Black will hit. There are some Double hits here 4-1, 4-3, 4-4, 4-2, 2-2, 4-5 also 1-1.  This move looks dangerous, specially because White is giving up his Anchor, but White is anyway here an underdog, and he has to do something now, cause he just doesnt have the Timing to Wait. Last but not least, Black has 2 Blots around, so on 4 rolls Black will fan, and this could be a possible  turn around for White. You have to take more risks, specially when you are already an big underdog like here, you have to take any chance for a turnaround, even if its very risky, cause you play to win not to loose.

Rollout

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 129 Money session Jacoby Beaver pip: 156 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=—-ABDbC—aBaa-c-bcbB-A-:1:1:1:61:0:0:3:0:10
to play 61

1.	Rollout1	22/15*	eq: -0,350
	Player: Opponent: 35,78% (G:11,53% B:0,92%) 64,22% (G:30,75% B:3,68%) Conf: ± 0,021 (-0,371…-0,329) Duration: 57 minutes 18 seconds
2.	Rollout1	13/12* 12/6	eq: -0,439 (-0,089)
	Player: Opponent: 31,15% (G:8,42% B:0,63%) 68,85% (G:26,61% B:1,86%) Conf: ± 0,020 (-0,459…-0,419) Duration: 59 minutes 07 seconds
3.	Rollout1	24/18 6/5	eq: -0,440 (-0,090)
	Player: Opponent: 28,81% (G:5,90% B:0,33%) 71,19% (G:17,62% B:1,03%) Conf: ± 0,016 (-0,456…-0,424) Duration: 53 minutes 32 seconds
4.	Rollout1	8/2 6/5	eq: -0,465 (-0,115)
	Player: Opponent: 28,13% (G:5,81% B:0,27%) 71,87% (G:17,34% B:0,97%) Conf: ± 0,015 (-0,480…-0,450) Duration: 46 minutes 35 seconds
5.	2 ply	8/2 4/3	eq: -0,488 (-0,138)
	Player: Opponent: 27,06% (G:4,85% B:0,14%) 72,94% (G:16,52% B:0,59%)
1 1440 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves and cube decisions: 3 ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.04

is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 139

Money session Jacoby

pip: 146 score: 0 is Player 1

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.04

this week i will upload the Videocast about Match Equity Tables Part 1 , also i will write the Backgammon Articels – Opening Roll the 1-1 Opening Roll and Replays. And of course there will be some more Positions to solve and their Solutions.

Hope you Enjoy, and keep Learning

Overview

White has the Race a lead of 20 pips before this Roll, and has already split his Runners. Cube is centered, so both Players have access to it.
Board strength of both Players is equal, 2 Pt-Board, but white has here a nice solid 4 Prime with the best Points already made (5pt, 4pt, Barpt). This Position is already a Prime vs Prime battle. Negative Point on White´s Position is, that he already has lost his Midpoint.
Black has here 2 possible Gameplans. First plan is to counter Prime White´s 2 Runners, if he success with it, White is most likely to crunch first, cause of his big Race lead. Second plan for Black is to Attack the Runners from White and going for a closeout, Black can switch his two plans according to the Rolls.
White on the other Side has also the Plan to Prime Black, but he also has to free his Runners, cause of his Racelead. He needs at least one Runner to be free to hold his Prime, and to get some flexibility to move bad Numbers he maybe will Roll.

24/22 23/18

This is the try to move both Runners to either run at least one home or making an Advanced Anchor. First of all White is slotting the Bar Point, this is the Point Black wants to make most, he gives Black the opportunity to make 2 good thinks, hitting on the Bar pt and making it (joker) or at least Slotting it. Additional Black has also a lot of Double Hits, and some Hit and Point Making Numbers on the Blot on the 3 Point. This move from White activates very heavy the Gamplan of Attacking for Black, which is a possible and very effective Gameplan for Black (see Overview).
We can close out this Move, cause its too dangerous and gives Black too many Attacking possibilties, and this is exactly what Blacks want. Also the Gammon looses for White raises with this move.

23/18 7/5

This move looks much better than the last one, cause it doesnt give Black so many Attacking possibilities, and it improves the Offense flexibility for extending the Prime. But the big disadvantage of this Move is the Slotting of the Bar Point. As alreday described in the last move this is the Point Black wants to make most, it equalize the Prime of Black. As described in the Overview a Prime vs Prime battle is also a nice Gameplan for Black, cause White has a high Racelead, and will much likely to Crunch first.
We have to close out this Move, cause the Slotting of the Barpoint is not the right idea here, and White realy dont want to end in a Prime vs Prime Battle with 2 Runners behind Blacks possible 4 Prime here.

23/16

This is the try to run one Runner home. Its critical for White and a must to free at least one Runner, cause if Black can extend his prime, White needs this free Runner to play bad Rolls and improve his Timing in a Prime vs Prime battle.  And if White can bring this Runner in save area, its much easier for him to bring around he second Runners, With this move White is not slotting the Bar point, hence giving Black not so strong Attacking Possibilties. The Runner on the Ace point is quite save here. Black has 4 and 2 to hit here, but there is some Duplication : 6-4 makes Barpoint, 4-1 Barpt or 3 pt.
This is the best move cause it doesnt give Black a lot of Attacking Possibilties, and it gives White some Flexibility, and of course it fits in the Gameplan of White to run, cause he got a high Racelead.

Rollout

	is Player 2 score: 0 pip: 153 Money session Jacoby pip: 133 score: 0 is Player 1
XGID=-b—BDDC—c-a–b-dc–AA-:0:0:1:52:0:0:1:0:10
to play 52

1.	Rollout1	23/16	eq: +0,323
	Player: Opponent: 57,67% (G:20,01% B:1,70%) 42,33% (G:12,71% B:0,61%) Conf: ± 0,036 (+0,287…+0,359) Duration: 52 minutes 10 seconds
2.	Rollout1	23/18 7/5	eq: +0,259 (-0,064)
	Player: Opponent: 56,53% (G:20,06% B:1,85%) 43,47% (G:13,55% B:0,63%) Conf: ± 0,033 (+0,226…+0,292) Duration: 48 minutes 43 seconds
3.	Rollout1	24/22 23/18	eq: +0,160 (-0,162)
	Player: Opponent: 54,08% (G:19,30% B:1,97%) 45,92% (G:15,40% B:0,62%) Conf: ± 0,031 (+0,129…+0,191) Duration: 50 minutes 32 seconds
4.	XG roller	23/18 8/6	eq: +0,201 (-0,122)
	Player: Opponent: 54,36% (G:18,03% B:1,30%) 45,64% (G:13,40% B:0,49%)
5.	XG roller	8/3 7/5	eq: +0,115 (-0,208)
	Player: Opponent: 52,61% (G:17,86% B:1,33%) 47,39% (G:15,34% B:0,73%)
1 1440 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Moves and cube decisions: 3 ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.04