DailyGammon and the NY Times

This is an "oldie but a goodie." I came across this old NY Times article on backgammon -- that mentions our favorite backgammon site, DailyGammon.com.

Another site, DailyGammon, was founded by Jordan Lampe, a 34-year-old who works at a hedge fund in New York and limited himself to the briefest of e-mail correspondence with me. His mother, Linda Lampe, who helped design the Web site, told me that her son had designed a version of backgammon for hand-held devices.

''I understand how it becomes a bit obsessive,'' she said. I asked her how often she played.

''Oh, every day,'' Mrs. Lampe said.

How many times a day?

''I am too embarrassed to say,'' she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/08/technology/circuits/08back.html?ex=1089864000&en=bab6bce2073ea8b0&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Opening Moves -- Revisited

We've posted on our z-gammon blog about opening moves in the past -- but think it is worth mentioning again. In particular, when you read about a suggested opening move, try and think about the strategy behind the move.

Check out these articles and links on backgammon opening moves.

GNU Rollouts by Tom Keith (Cubeless)

http://www.bkgm.com/openings/rollouts.html

Comments by Kazaross (Cubeful)

http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?view+1325

Snowie Rollouts by R Cerutti

http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?view+650

Kit Woolsey on Opening Moves:

http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?view+682

Phil Simborg on Opening Moves

http://www.bkgm.com/articles/Simborg/Openings/

BG Tips & Lessons

If you would like to receive some free instruction at DailyGammon, please send an "invite" for a "friendly game" to "Carl James." ALL WE ASK in return is that you use our Amazon links (or other affiliate links when you make purchases from Amazon.

If you would like more than just some friendly tips -- and would like lessons -- just communicate with Carl James on DailyGammon who will arrange for lessons at reasonable rates -- where proceeds benefit a non-profit.

You can ask us questions about positions or why we made certain moves along the way. We'll also give comments in interesting positions or key moments in a game along the way. AND if you would like more -- or less -- commentary, just say the word :)

Our staff includes some high-intermediate to advanced players so most players can benefit or at least have fun with this. DG's top players are welcome to give us a lesson :) It's all fun, right?

New Book - "Maximum Backgammon"

One of our contributors, came out with a backgammon book called, "Maximum Backgammon." It is selling well at Amazon (in its category) -- and has good reviews. The author, Carl James, says that he wanted to help people "maximize their backgammon game, in the minimum amount of (study) time."

The book is purposely kept short; the author says that this was done intentionally because he "wanted readers to know they could improve their overall games without committing a ton of time." Many pages have two backgammon board charts -- so that we think the book could have easily been over one hundred pages.

The book seems like it should help players of all levels from the novice to intermediate and even some advanced players. The book is available at Amazon (free shipping over $25 orders) as well as from the publisher -- at BCDadvisor's e- store at a discount (click on "Selected Titles;" shipping charges apply).

More soon

We apologize for the slow blog posts... One of our main backgammon contributors is working on a project close to his heart: a book on backgammon tips that he hopes will help people improve their games (with minimal study)...

In the meantime, please continue to request games at DailyGammon with some of our contributors such as Carl James. He's happy to play friendly games and give friendly advice (or more formal lessons if desired).

Gammon Tip -- Free BG Mini-Lessons

We made a post that mentioned the GNU bot at DG. This can be a great tool to practice and improve in backgammon. However, some people would rather play against a human and/or receive some instruction on how to play.

If you would like to receive some free instruction at DG, please send an "invite" for a "friendly game" to "Carl James." ALL WE ASK in return is that you use our Amazon links (or other affiliate links when you make purchases from Amazon.

If you would like more than just some friendly tips -- and would like lessons -- just communicate with Carl James on DailyGammon who will arrange for lessons at reasonable rates -- where proceeds benefit a non-profit.

You can ask us questions about positions or why we made certain moves along the way. We'll also give comments in interesting positions or key moments in a game along the way. AND if you would like more -- or less -- commentary, just say the word :)

Our staff includes some high-intermediate to advanced players so most players can benefit or at least have fun with this. DG's top players are welcome to give us a lesson :) It's all fun, right?

Opening Moves

We won't reinvent the wheel -- but check out these articles and links.

GNU Rollouts by Tom Keith (Cubeless)

http://www.bkgm.com/openings/rollouts.html

Comments by Kazaross (Cubeful)

http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?view+1325

Snowie Rollouts by R Cerutti

http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?view+650

Kit Woolsey on Opening Moves:

http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?view+682

Phil Simborg on Opening Moves

http://www.bkgm.com/articles/Simborg/Openings/

Summary of Tips

Here is a summary of types of moves that can help you during your checker play:

• Hit-hop -- hitting an opponent's blot is usually a good thing. If you can hit a blot and then continue moving your checker to safety (esepcially as a builder), that's normally a good move.
• "Protect me" -- if you must leave a blot, protect your guy by leaving him within 6 pips from a point you have made. Thus, if your opponent hits you (and leaves a blot there), you have a hit back chance.
• Hit 2 men -- hitting 2 of your opponent's blots is normally a great thing. It handcuffs your opponent because they have to use their 2 dies just to get off the bar (unless they roll doubles).