Z-Gammon: Backgammon Tips & Info

DailyGammon New Server Tourneys -- Update

2012-01-20T15:43:00.002-05:00

We are still waiting for a winner in the Novice Division, but other tournament winners have been -- or are being -- contacted to select their prizes. We held four tournaments to help celebrate (and raise funds/awareness of) DailyGammon's New Servers. We supplied several prizes -- and were able to obtain a few other prizes. Please click here for more information about the Tournaments and Prizes.

Below are the categories for each of the four tournaments. The tournaments were five-point matches except for the Beginner Level -- which were one-point matches.

Beginner (< 1400) -- Champion: "house of dogs." Finalist: "Jo King."
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31853

Novice (< 1600)
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31852

Intermediate (< 1950) -- Champion: "brodster." Finalist: "blue-duke"
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31851

Advanced -- Champion: "stratton." Finalist: "bomale"
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31850

"Maximum Backgammon" at Discount

2011-08-01T06:10:00.000-04:00

The book, "Maximum Backgammon," by one of our contributors, Carl James, can be purchased at his publisher's e-store at 25% off the list price. Please click here to visit the BCDadvisors e-store -- and use the listed discount code (nominal shipping cost).

The book is also available at Amazon (free shipping).

DailyGammon New Server Tourneys -- Update

2011-07-27T14:03:00.000-04:00

The DG Advanced Tournament (New Server Tourneys) has a winner. Congratulations to: "stratton" -- who defeated "bomale" in the Advanced Tournament. We held four tournaments to help celebrate (and raise funds/awareness of) DailyGammon's New Servers. We supplied several prizes -- and were able to obtain a few other prizes. Please click here for more information about the Tournaments and Prizes.

Below are the categories for each of the four tournaments. The tournaments were five-point matches except for the Beginner Level -- which were one-point matches.

Beginner (< 1400) -- Champion: "house of dogs." Finalist: "Jo King."
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31853

Novice (< 1600)
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31852

Intermediate (< 1950)
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31851

Advanced -- Champion: "stratton." Finalist: "bomale"
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31850

DailyGammon New Server Tourneys -- Update

2011-07-13T08:28:00.000-04:00

We have our first winner. Congratulations to: "house of dogs" -- who defeated "Jo King" in the Beginner Tournament. We held four tournaments to help celebrate (and raise funds/awareness of) DailyGammon's New Servers. We supplied several prizes -- and were able to obtain a few other prizes. Please click here for more information about the Tournaments and Prizes.

Below are the categories for each of the four tournaments. The tournaments were five-point matches except for the Beginner Level -- which were one-point matches.

Beginner (< 1400) -- Champion: "house of dogs." Finalist: "Jo King."
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31853

Novice (< 1600)
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31852

Intermediate (< 1950)
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31851

Advanced
http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31850

A Mention about our DG Tournaments

2011-05-21T21:46:00.002-04:00

One of our contributors, Carl James, and his book, Maximum Backgammon, was mentioned at the BCDadvisors blog.

NOTE that you may purchase discounted copies of Carl James' book at the BCDadvisors.com website. The book is also available at Amazon:

Backgammon Power Ratings: Zuperlist

2011-02-10T13:46:00.006-05:00

We have updated our Zuperlist: a list that merges backgammon ratings from websites & clubs around the world. We attempt to normalize for skill at various sites -- and try to take a player's "peak" skill at various times.

Please visit Zroundtable.com's Backgammon area.

We have included ratings and statistics from the sources below. Please let us know if you would like to add (or delete) your club's ratings.

DailyGammon
Fibs
Giants of Backgammon
Flint Area Club
NYC Backgammon

DailyGammon New Server Tourney Prizes (Updated)

2011-01-29T06:41:00.001-05:00

We're happy that the DailyGammon New Server Tournaments have been well-received. We hope you will contribute to the drive for DG's new server - but this is not necessary. Just spread the word about the tournaments and enjoy the backgammon community that Jordan, Glen, "Mom," Char - and all of us - have built!

As we mentioned, our list of prizes is growing.

List of Prizes:

DailyGammon caps (some t-shirts, based on sizes available)
$30 in gift certificates to Carol Joy Cole's Backgammon Boutique
Copies of Maximum Backgammon book.
One-hour lesson with DG's own Bob Koca, A Giant of Backgammon.
Unique hand-made Doubling Cube by 2Good2Double.com (DG's Flocki).
Entry to Miran's BG Tournament in Rijeka, October 7-9, 2011.

Rijeka Open 2010 - Links, Photos

2011-01-29T05:09:00.000-05:00

Some links to Miran's Tournament in Rijeka (Croatia), October 7-9, 2011. The winner of the DG New Server Tournaments' Sidepool will win Free Entry to Miran's tournament.

http://backgammon-rijeka.com/english/

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240394&id=314422742604 Photos of 2010 Tournament

DG New Server Tourney Prize: from DG's Miran

2011-01-28T11:08:00.000-05:00

We are pleased to announce another prize contributed to the DG New Server Tournaments:

Entry Fee to Miran's tournament to be held in Rijeka (City in Croatia) in early October, 2011.

Below are some links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Backgammon-klub-Rijeka/314422742604?v=wall

http://backgammon-rijeka.com/english/

DG New Server Tourney Prize: from Bob Koca

2011-01-25T17:15:00.004-05:00

We have an additional prize, graciously donated by DG's own Bob Koca:

A One-hour lesson with Bob Koca, a Giant of Backgammon.

For a complete list of prizes for the DG New Server Tournaments, please click here.

DailyGammon New Server Tourney Prizes

2011-01-25T07:06:00.006-05:00

As we mentioned, our list of prizes is growing.

List of Prizes:

DailyGammon caps (some t-shirts, based on sizes available)
$30 in gift certificates to Carol Joy Cole's Backgammon Boutique
Copies of Maximum Backgammon book.
One-hour lesson with DG's own Bob Koca, A Giant of Backgammon.

DG New Server Tourney Prize: from Carol Joy Cole

2011-01-25T06:46:00.006-05:00

I've mentioned the DG New Server Tournaments to friends and the list of prizes is growing. A friend of mine, Carol Joy Cole, who is sometimes called the "first lady (or Queen) of American Backgammon" - has graciously offered $30 in gift certificates (for her backgammon shop).

She says she likes what Jordan has done with DailyGammon; we hope she will play at DG some time! :) Please visit her backgammon boutique.

Full link to Carol Joy Cole's boutique:

http://www.flintbg.com/boutique.html

Carol has also made the Giants of Backgammon list!

DailyGammon New Server Tourneys: links, notes

2011-01-25T06:33:00.004-05:00

Here are links to the DailyGammon New Server Tournaments. The Advanced & Intermediate tournaments filled up rather quickly. We have additional prizes that we will blog about -- and perhaps we will open up one more tournament...

http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31850 Advanced (open ratings)

http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31851 Intermediate (suggested rating less than 1950)

http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31852 Novice (less than 1600)

http://dailygammon.com/bg/event/31853 Beginner (less than 1400)

Notes to self (Re: DG tournaments)

These tournaments were all set up for 6 rounds (64 players).
The Advanced and Intermediate tournaments filled up rather quickly.
The Novice & Beginner tournaments currently have 31 and 13 signups respectively (1 day).
Thus, we can probably either expand the Advanced/Intermediate ratings or make those tournaments larger in the future.

DailyGammon New Server Tournaments - by Level

2011-01-22T14:13:00.017-05:00

Be on the lookout for DailyGammon New Server tournaments -- with prizes!

We would like entrants to donate to the DailyGammon New Server fund -- but it's not necessary. We just want to get the word out about the new server -- and celebrate DailyGammon as one of the best backgammon websites around!

Tournament entry (both for the new server donation and the level of tournament you enter (this may be automated)) is on the "honor system." Please enter just one tournament.

Prizes: "DailyGammon baseball cap" for each of the 3 (maybe 4) tournament winners.

Four tournament levels (suggested levels for each tournament):

Advanced (greater than 1950)
Intermediate (1600-1950)
Novice (less than 1600)
Beginner (less than 1400).

Tournament details:

5-point matches (Beginner tourney may be one-pointers)
Time -- 200+4; 48 hr grace
Number of entries: 128 or 256 (TBD)

Please also visit http://www.zroundtable.com/

More info soon.

6-4 Opening Roll

2011-01-08T14:24:00.004-05:00

One interesting tidbit and tip -- is the opening move of 6-4. Some players will prefer different moves -- and depending on the match score and match equity -- other opening moves may be preferred. However, for many cases, Carl James, the author of, "Maximum Backgammon" prefers to make the two-point.

The two-point (8-2, 6-2) makes a point in your home board, albeit a bit far forward. "Home points," or points in your home board are very valuable (they help block your opponent from coming of the bar). This play is preferred in many cases.
Running the back runner (24-14) is not preferred; it gives your opponent a "hit shot" which can put you immediately behind in the race.
Moving a runner 6 and dropping a builder from the mid-point is a solid play as well. (24-18, 13-9). The "blot" is only open to an "indirect shot."

DailyGammon and the NY Times

2010-12-26T07:15:00.000-05:00

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

2010-11-25T07:51:00.000-05:00

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

2010-10-25T16:51:00.000-04:00

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"

2010-09-04T13:08:00.000-04:00

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

2010-06-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-15T15:16:00.003-04:00

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.

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

2010-03-08T09:18:00.004-05:00

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

2010-01-02T06:48:00.001-05:00

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).

Backgammon Power Ratings

2009-11-21T16:51:00.000-05:00

A while back, we corresponded with some friends and backgammon contacts around the world to put together a "Power Rating" list of the best backgammon players. We're going to re-visit that project and would love your input. Please add comments below and give us your input.

Sources of ratings and rankings from various websites, backgammon "giants," and locations would be very helpful. We'll then try to mesh the data in a quantitative and sensible manner to see where everyone fits in. Fun stuff!

Favorite Backgammon Books

2009-10-25T01:51:00.000-04:00

Here's a list of favorite backgammon books that we put together with some friends from DG -- as well as a "Poll Area" we used to have set up at http://www.zroundtable.com .

Backgammon - 2004 Edition by Paul Magriel - truly a classic and considered to be a "bible" of one of our favorite games. By Magriel, one of the biggest names in the game.
501 Essential Backgammon Problems by Bill Robertie - this is a nice format. You can study the problems -- and soon you get a feel for how you should be thinking in various situations.
Classic Backgammon Revisited by Jeremy Bagai - A well-received book with good reviews. Jeremy looks at some "classic" thought in the game (when the game was popular in the 70's/80's) and brings the game into the 21st century with good analysis aided by Snowie, GNU, Jellyfish -- and other software/analytical tools.
Backgammon for Blood by Chris Bray - Great for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced players. A quick and juicy read, as the title suggests. Packed with info!

Gammon Tip -- Doubling Cube

2009-06-28T23:18:00.000-04:00

After I played at DailyGammon for a while, I was stuck in the 1800 range. I "chatted" with a good player who said the vast majority of players could improve their game by being more aggressive with the doubling cube.

Novices should learn more about how the doubling cube works. Most intermediate and some advanced players will see a big jump in their game by being more aggressive and doubling when they have a "material advantage" and especially if there's a "gammon possibility."

My DG friend was correct. Within a few months, I saw my rating increase by almost 200 points! The cube can help you lock in the 1 point for sure, or double the value when you have the advantage.

More technical details on the doubling cube are beyond the scope of this blog -- but here's a great article with more details about the doubling cube.

Gammon Tip: DG and the GNU Bot

2009-04-21T14:51:00.000-04:00

DailyGammon is really a great site to play backgammon. But you probably know that already if you are reading this. One great feature that most people don't know about -- is that you can play the GNU bot right at DailyGammon!

Just go to the Game Lounge and go to the bottom of the page (where you can "Find a player whose name starts with:." Just enter "gb001" -- and you can set up matches against the GNU Backgammon software. GNU plays backgammon as well as any human -- so it's great practice. The DailyGammon server allows you to play up to five matches against the bot.

You can see how GNU plays and get a sense for some winning strategy.

Welcome

2009-03-20T13:45:00.001-04:00

We'll add tips for backgammon players soon. We'll also update our favorite backgammon books. Over time, we hope that some of our friends from http://www.DailyGammon.com will add their own tips.