Strategy--Backgames

Forum Archive : Strategy--Backgames

 
Which anchors are best?

From:   Marc Gray
Address:   datacat@globalone.net
Date:   21 November 1995
Subject:   Re: 1,3 or 2,3 pt backgames??
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   datacat-2111952143530001@ppp3.global1.net

Bill, what I think that you need to know is the linear ORDER of
effectiveness of a backgame. It is, in my humble opinion, as follows:

2-3 ...  the best
1-3 ...  almost as good
1-4 ...  very good
2-4 ...  pretty good
1-2 ...  weak
3-4 ...  poor
2-5 ...  poor

Other dual-point combinations are not considered.

The reason that a 1-2 backgame is so weak is that the defender can pile
all of his spares on the 6 and 7 points "killing" his rolls containing 5's
and 6's. This in turn destroys the timing of the backgame player.
In general the back game player may have a potent game when he trails by a
great deal, e.g. 110 - 150 pips. A perfectly timed backgame supplies the
backgame player with approx. 60% wins! The losses are nearly all gammons.
Thus, in games where gammons are irrelevant, e.g. double match point one
may consider voluntarily playing a backgame. Otherwise, backgames have
been described as the "goal line stands" of backgammon. They are to be
avoided when possible.
--
no a me alienum puto
 
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Strategy--Backgames

After an early blitz attempt  (Daniel Murphy, Apr 1997) 
But they're so much fun!  (Laury Chizlett+, Oct 2000) 
Checker problem  (David Montgomery+, May 1995) 
Defending against a backgame  (KL Gerber+, Jan 2003)  [Long message]
Defending against a backgame  (Michael J. Zehr, Jan 1995) 
How many men back?  (Brian Sheppard, July 1997) 
Play for a backgame from the start?  (Alan Webb+, Dec 1998) 
What is a backgame?  (Daniel Murphy, Apr 2001) 
When to double  (David Montgomery, May 1995) 
Which anchor is best?  (Kit Woolsey, July 1996) 
Which anchor to break  (Brian Sheppard, May 1997) 
Which anchors are best?  (sebalotek+, Jan 2012) 
Which anchors are best?  (Adam Stocks, Apr 2002) 
Which anchors are best?  (Mary Hickey, Mar 2001) 
Which anchors are best?  (Jerry Weaver+, Apr 1998) 
Which anchors are best?  (Chuck Bower, Jan 1997) 
Which anchors are best?  (Marc Gray, Nov 1995) 

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