Miscellaneous

Forum Archive : Miscellaneous

 
Handicapping

From:   flash
Address:   flash@capital.net
Date:   1 August 1998
Subject:   Re: Handicapping
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   flash-0108981420150001@dialup366.518.capital.net

Laury Chizlett wrote:
> Every night I play BG with my wife. We play three or four one-point
> matches (no cube, I doubled her once and she told me to get stuffed).
> This is splendid thing to do over a glass or two of wine while the
> dinner cooks, but the trouble is that I nearly always beat her. This is
> mainly because I have been playing for 40+ years: she only learnt 6
> months ago.
>
> We will probably continue with this - neither of us minds - and she is
> getting better with checker play, not stacking up too much, or killing
> checkers; and it is likely that she will get as good at BG as she is at
> Bridge - at which game I am glad I am her partner and not an opponent.
>
> But the situation has made me think of the following: does anyone know
> of a handicapping system that gives the learner a chance of winning
> (without leading the learner into bad practices) and the more
> experienced player more of a challange? Like giving a pawn in Chess.

THE CORRECT WAY to Handicap is as follows:

Start at #1 below. If after awhile it is obvious that the starting
advantage is inadequate to level the playing field, proceed to #2, etc.

1. The weaker player gets to always roll first.
2. The weaker player gets to roll first and may play doubles.
3. The weaker player gets to roll first and can optionally re-roll if the
   opening roll is not strong enough.
4. The weaker player starts all games with a good but not great opening
   roll. I suggest 5-3
5. The weaker player starts all games with 4-2
6. The weaker player starts all games with 6-1
7. The weaker player starts all games with 3-1
 
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