OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-21

April 21, 2018 by Online Match Editor 4 Comments

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Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 36

11 point match

pip: 110
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB---------AA---c-cfB-:1:1:1:53:2:1:0:11:10

to play 53

Rollout¹

16/11 15/12

eq: -1.111

Player:
Opponent:

14.55% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
85.45% (G:40.54% B:2.75%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.115...-1.107) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 48 seconds

Rollout¹

16/13 15/10

eq: -1.145 (-0.034)

Player:
Opponent:

13.60% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
86.40% (G:41.56% B:2.69%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.148...-1.141) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 46 seconds

Rollout¹

16/8

eq: -1.148 (-0.037)

Player:
Opponent:

13.45% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
86.55% (G:41.49% B:2.72%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.152...-1.145) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 33 seconds

Rollout¹

15/7

eq: -1.162 (-0.051)

Player:
Opponent:

13.09% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
86.91% (G:41.68% B:2.83%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-1.165...-1.159) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 29 seconds

Rollout¹

24/21 16/11

eq: -1.203 (-0.092)

Player:
Opponent:

14.99% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
85.01% (G:51.44% B:1.43%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.206...-1.199) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 13 seconds

Rollout¹

24/21 15/10

eq: -1.210 (-0.099)

Player:
Opponent:

14.78% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
85.22% (G:51.63% B:1.44%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.214...-1.207) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 11 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 8256227
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [31] 16/11 15/12 [ 3] 24/21 16/11 [ 2] 15/7 [ 1] 16/13 15/10

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 16/11 15/12

We want our 6 point and will slot it if I get the chance. If we want to slot it, then we want to put both checkers within a direct range of it to be able to slot it with the most rolls, so we should play 16/11 15/12



Neil Kazaross:  65 5/0(2)

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 26

11 point match

pip: 102
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB-----AA-------a-cfB-:1:1:1:54:2:1:0:11:10

to play 54

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Voting to close no earlier than Sun 4/22 1030a Eastern time.

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-20

April 20, 2018 by Online Match Editor 2 Comments

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Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 39

11 point match

pip: 118
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB---------A----c-dfC-:1:1:1:62:2:1:0:11:10

to play 62

Rollout¹

24/18 15/13

eq: -1.175

Player:
Opponent:

14.66% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
85.34% (G:45.38% B:3.53%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-1.177...-1.173) - [68.5%]
Duration: 13 minutes 38 seconds

Rollout¹

24/16

eq: -1.176 (-0.001)

Player:
Opponent:

14.64% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
85.36% (G:45.39% B:3.53%)

Conf.: ± 0.001 (-1.177...-1.174) - [31.5%]
Duration: 12 minutes 42 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 8256227
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [22] 24/16 [17] 24/18 15/13 [ 1] 15/7

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 24/18 15/13

The most important thing here is to get the third checker on our 24 point off the 24 point by playing 24/18. This reduces our chances of getting Backgammoned.

After that, between 18/16 and 15/13 there will be not much difference; I do prefer 15/13 so that if we hit a checker, we have a checker close to where Neil will enter from the bar. But how we play the 2 is a minor issue.

Steve Sax recommends: 24/18 15/13

The six is straightforward (24/18) so why is the deuce any big deal at all?

Well, one of the primary choices in backgammon is to make numbers that are bad on one side of the board good in another part of the board.

For this reason, we should move 15/13 so that if we roll 44 on the following roll we, can slot our six-point.

If we had played 24/16 instead then 44 would cause us to either play a checker past the six point and waste pips in our effort to save the gammon, or we would have to play 16/8 15/7, causing some inefficiency in both in our attempt to save the gammon and win the game as it doesn’t allow us to slot our six point.

In truth, there’s a very small difference between both plays, but if someone could give me a reason why 24/16 is best, I would be interested in hearing why.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 39

11 point match

pip: 110
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB---------AA---c-dfB-:1:1:-1:43:2:1:0:11:10

to play 43

Rollout¹

3/Off

eq: +1.124

Player:
Opponent:

85.83% (G:40.32% B:2.72%)
14.17% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (+1.121...+1.127) - [100.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 02 seconds

Rollout¹

5/2

eq: +1.033 (-0.091)

Player:
Opponent:

84.26% (G:36.06% B:2.24%)
15.74% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+1.030...+1.037) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 49 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 8256227
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 3/0.

The race for the gammon is close, so every checker I bear off helps. This should be more important than any double jeopardy issues from leaving 3 checkers on the 5 point. Also, by having more checkers off, I am more likely to survive being hit later.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 36

11 point match

pip: 110
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB---------AA---c-cfB-:1:1:1:53:2:1:0:11:10

to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Voting to close no earlier than Sat 4/21 645p Eastern time.

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-19

April 19, 2018 by Online Match Editor 3 Comments

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Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 54

11 point match

pip: 121
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB----------a---dBeeB-:1:1:1:31:2:1:0:11:10

to play 31

Rollout¹

21/17

eq: -1.027

Player:
Opponent:

17.04% (G:0.06% B:0.00%)
82.96% (G:37.67% B:2.86%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-1.031...-1.022) - [100.0%]
Duration: 5 minutes 33 seconds

Rollout¹

5/1

eq: -1.217 (-0.191)

Player:
Opponent:

9.97% (G:0.02% B:0.00%)
90.03% (G:39.53% B:2.67%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-1.221...-1.214) - [0.0%]
Duration: 5 minutes 40 seconds

Rollout¹

21/18 2/1

eq: -1.228 (-0.202)

Player:
Opponent:

10.70% (G:0.04% B:0.00%)
89.30% (G:41.80% B:3.11%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-1.233...-1.224) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 minutes 20 seconds

Rollout¹

21/18 3/2

eq: -1.233 (-0.206)

Player:
Opponent:

10.76% (G:0.09% B:0.00%)
89.24% (G:42.36% B:3.20%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.236...-1.229) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 minutes 02 seconds

Rollout¹

21/18 5/4

eq: -1.237 (-0.211)

Player:
Opponent:

10.75% (G:0.09% B:0.00%)
89.25% (G:42.55% B:3.24%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.241...-1.234) - [0.0%]
Duration: 6 minutes 00 second

Rollout¹

21/18 4/3

eq: -1.240 (-0.213)

Player:
Opponent:

10.75% (G:0.10% B:0.00%)
89.25% (G:42.94% B:3.20%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-1.244...-1.236) - [0.0%]
Duration: 6 minutes 12 seconds

Rollout¹

5/4 5/2

eq: -1.254 (-0.227)

Player:
Opponent:

8.05% (G:0.02% B:0.00%)
91.95% (G:38.83% B:2.42%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-1.257...-1.250) - [0.0%]
Duration: 5 minutes 57 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 40086916
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [46] 21/17 [ 2] 5/4 5/2

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 21/17

We have to keep a 5 point board, weakening it makes it too hard to win if we hit a blot. The 31 plays well by moving 21/17 as this also duplicates 1’s, so 21/17 for me.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 54

11 point match

pip: 117
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB----------aA--dAeeB-:1:1:-1:54:2:1:0:11:10

to play 54

Rollout¹

9/4* 4/Off

eq: +1.247

Player:
Opponent:

87.75% (G:46.33% B:3.90%)
12.25% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+1.242...+1.251) - [100.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 48 seconds

Rollout¹

9/Off

eq: +1.140 (-0.106)

Player:
Opponent:

87.75% (G:37.81% B:2.46%)
12.25% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+1.136...+1.144) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 44 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 40086916
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 9/4*/off.

I am delighted to be able to pick and pass with this roll. This will increase my gammon chances, and if the hit checker cannot soon reenter on my 4 point, I may only have to leave a single shot if I later blot on my 5 point.



USBGF Members:  21 b/24 17/15

Neil Kazaross:  61 5/0 3/2

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 39

11 point match

pip: 118
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB---------A----c-dfC-:1:1:1:62:2:1:0:11:10

to play 62

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-18

April 18, 2018 by Online Match Editor 10 Comments

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Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 61

11 point match

pip: 129
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABCBB-A--------b---dBedB-:1:1:1:62:2:1:0:11:10

to play 62

Rollout¹

21/15 3/1

eq: -0.529

Player:
Opponent:

31.19% (G:1.73% B:0.04%)
68.81% (G:24.96% B:1.70%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.535...-0.523) - [100.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 31 seconds

Rollout¹

7/1 3/1

eq: -0.584 (-0.055)

Player:
Opponent:

28.11% (G:0.95% B:0.02%)
71.89% (G:23.56% B:1.42%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.590...-0.579) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 51 seconds

Rollout¹

24/18 3/1

eq: -0.621 (-0.091)

Player:
Opponent:

29.80% (G:1.93% B:0.05%)
70.20% (G:32.09% B:0.55%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.626...-0.615) - [0.0%]
Duration: 13 minutes 16 seconds

Rollout¹

21/19 21/15

eq: -0.622 (-0.092)

Player:
Opponent:

26.97% (G:1.35% B:0.03%)
73.03% (G:24.52% B:1.61%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.627...-0.616) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 43 seconds

Rollout¹

21/13

eq: -0.623 (-0.093)

Player:
Opponent:

27.77% (G:1.53% B:0.05%)
72.23% (G:25.93% B:1.96%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.628...-0.617) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 55 seconds

Rollout¹

21/19 7/1

eq: -0.644 (-0.114)

Player:
Opponent:

28.68% (G:2.48% B:0.06%)
71.32% (G:30.13% B:2.41%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.650...-0.637) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 05 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 40086916
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [20] 7/1 3/1 [18] 21/15 3/1 [ 1] 21/19 21/15 [ 1] 21/13 [ 1] 21/19 7/1

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 21/15 3/1

Our semi-dead checker on our 3 point belongs on our 1 point. This brings it back to life.

Next, we want to make a 6 point board so the last thing we want to do is play 7/1 creating a truly dead (there is no returning from the dead being the third checker on the 1 point) checker. That means we have to play 21/15, giving Neil 51, 52 and 21 as pick and pass numbers and 55 and 11 as great numbers. From the pick and pass numbers, we do have 54 and 43 as return shots from the bar — and a 5 point board.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 61

11 point match

pip: 121
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB----------b---dBedB-:1:1:-1:61:2:1:0:11:10

to play 61

Rollout¹

9/2

eq: +0.425

Player:
Opponent:

66.93% (G:20.20% B:1.07%)
33.07% (G:0.96% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.423...+0.427) - [100.0%]
Duration: 46 minutes 43 seconds

Rollout¹

9/8 9/3

eq: +0.414 (-0.011)

Player:
Opponent:

66.74% (G:19.74% B:0.98%)
33.26% (G:1.05% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.412...+0.417) - [0.0%]
Duration: 47 minutes 46 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 40086916
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 9/2.

When you don’t want to be hit, the first thing to look at is to leave fewer shots. If I play 9/8 9/3, I am hit with 14 4’s (11 blocked) plus 61 and 52 to total 18 shots. If I play 9/2, all 15 5’s hit me as none are blocked but then as 53 is duplicated and 44 and 22 blocked, only 62 hits me. So that means 17 shots.

9/2 leaves 1 fewer shot, and while it looks to be slightly harder to clean up next turn, I suspect that the time to worry about next turn is next turn, as most rolls play OK when missed.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 54

11 point match

pip: 121
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-CBBBB----------a---dBeeB-:1:1:1:31:2:1:0:11:10

to play 31

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-16

April 16, 2018 by Online Match Editor 7 Comments

[Previous]

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Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 66

11 point match

pip: 136
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBBCAA--------b--bcBecB-:1:1:1:52:2:1:0:11:10

to play 52

Rollout¹

7/2 5/3

eq: -0.628

Player:
Opponent:

28.37% (G:1.31% B:0.04%)
71.63% (G:27.55% B:2.24%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.635...-0.622) - [100.0%]
Duration: 12 minutes 25 seconds

Rollout¹

6/1 5/3

eq: -0.650 (-0.022)

Player:
Opponent:

27.89% (G:1.03% B:0.03%)
72.11% (G:28.07% B:2.28%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.656...-0.644) - [0.0%]
Duration: 11 minutes 49 seconds

Rollout¹

6/1 3/1

eq: -0.694 (-0.065)

Player:
Opponent:

26.83% (G:0.67% B:0.01%)
73.17% (G:29.21% B:2.41%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.700...-0.688) - [0.0%]
Duration: 10 minutes 18 seconds

Rollout¹

7/2 6/4

eq: -0.710 (-0.081)

Player:
Opponent:

24.11% (G:1.08% B:0.03%)
75.89% (G:25.89% B:1.70%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.715...-0.704) - [0.0%]
Duration: 11 minutes 41 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [31] 6/1 5/3 [ 3] 7/2 6/4 [ 2] 7/2 5/3 [ 2] 7/5 6/1 [ 1] 7/1 [ 1] 6/1 3/1

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 6/1 5/3

We want the strongest board we can get so, so we should move 6/1 then I like 5/3 so that 6’s and 2’s will give us a 5 point board. There are arguments for 7/2 5/3 but if I have to put checkers to my 1 point eventually, then I want those checkers to be covering a blot and making a 5 point board.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 66

11 point match

pip: 129
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABCBB-A--------b--bcBecB-:1:1:-1:41:2:1:0:11:10

to play 41

Rollout¹

6/5 6/2

eq: +0.585

Player:
Opponent:

71.66% (G:23.90% B:1.47%)
28.34% (G:1.38% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.579...+0.590) - [100.0%]
Duration: 11 minutes 29 seconds

Rollout¹

9/8 9/5

eq: +0.551 (-0.034)

Player:
Opponent:

69.40% (G:25.89% B:1.96%)
30.60% (G:1.29% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.544...+0.557) - [0.0%]
Duration: 13 minutes 17 seconds

Rollout¹

9/5 3/2

eq: +0.522 (-0.063)

Player:
Opponent:

68.13% (G:26.03% B:2.13%)
31.87% (G:1.45% B:0.05%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.516...+0.528) - [0.0%]
Duration: 13 minutes 06 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 40086916
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 6/5 6/2.

This is a difficult choice, but 15 shots is a lot, and I am far from home free if missed. But if I wait and clear the 6 point, I may have serious problems against a 5 point board next turn. But two more things to consider are: (1) I need to clear my 6 point at some point and (2) Perhaps they will roll something bad and have to break something.

I’ll wimp it with 6/5 6/2.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 61

11 point match

pip: 129
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABCBB-A--------b---dBedB-:1:1:1:62:2:1:0:11:10

to play 62

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-14

April 14, 2018 by Online Match Editor 4 Comments

[Previous]

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Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 81

11 point match

pip: 142
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-CBAA-------bc-bcBbcB-:1:1:1:42:2:1:0:11:10

to play 42

Rollout¹

8/4 6/4

eq: -0.532

Player:
Opponent:

30.00% (G:2.05% B:0.06%)
70.00% (G:22.85% B:1.76%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.534...-0.529) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 32 minutes

Rollout¹

8/4 7/5

eq: -0.541 (-0.009)

Player:
Opponent:

29.48% (G:1.89% B:0.06%)
70.52% (G:22.64% B:1.68%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.543...-0.539) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes

Rollout²

8/4 5/3

eq: -0.564 (-0.032)

Player:
Opponent:

29.09% (G:1.85% B:0.06%)
70.91% (G:23.61% B:1.90%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.569...-0.559) - [0.0%]
Duration: 15 minutes 03 seconds

Rollout²

8/6 5/1

eq: -0.578 (-0.046)

Player:
Opponent:

28.57% (G:1.62% B:0.04%)
71.43% (G:23.62% B:1.74%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.583...-0.573) - [0.0%]
Duration: 13 minutes 58 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

² 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [15] 8/4 6/4 [10] 8/4 7/5 [ 8] 8/4 5/3 [ 6] 8/6 5/1 [ 2] 5/1 3/1 [ 1] 8/2

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 8/4 6/4

There are only 2 real choices here 8/4 7/5 or 8/4 6/4. As both involved 8/4, over the board I would play 8/4 then try to decide how to play the 2.

We know we want to keep my anchors as long as possible, so saving a 6 on our side of the board looks like the way to go, so I think we should break the 6 point and play 6/4. I also hate creating stacks like the ones 7/5 would create.



Neil Kazaross:  8/3(3)

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 66

11 point match

pip: 136
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBBCAA--------b--bcBecB-:1:1:1:52:2:1:0:11:10

to play 52

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-13

April 13, 2018 by Online Match Editor 6 Comments

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[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 88

11 point match

pip: 149
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-BBAA---A---cc-bcBbbB-:1:1:1:52:2:1:0:11:10

to play 52

Rollout¹

12/7 6/4

eq: -0.578

Player:
Opponent:

28.30% (G:1.86% B:0.06%)
71.70% (G:23.34% B:1.88%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.580...-0.576) - [52.9%]
Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes

Rollout¹

12/5

eq: -0.578 (0.000)

Player:
Opponent:

27.94% (G:1.83% B:0.06%)
72.06% (G:22.63% B:1.67%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.580...-0.576) - [47.1%]
Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes

Rollout²

12/7 8/6

eq: -0.599 (-0.021)

Player:
Opponent:

27.33% (G:1.55% B:0.04%)
72.67% (G:23.18% B:1.82%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.605...-0.594) - [0.0%]
Duration: 15 minutes 48 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [39] 12/5 [ 7] 12/7 8/6 [ 1] 8/3 7/5

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 12/5

We really want and need our 4 point in order to contain the checker we will hopefully hit. Therefore I would play 12/5 maximizing the number of builders aimed at it.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 88

11 point match

pip: 142
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-CBAA-------cc-bcBbbB-:1:1:-1:43:2:1:0:11:10

to play 43

Rollout¹

9/2

eq: +0.558

Player:
Opponent:

71.61% (G:21.73% B:1.58%)
28.39% (G:1.92% B:0.06%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.556...+0.560) - [99.9%]
Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes

Rollout¹

9/5 8/5

eq: +0.554 (-0.005)

Player:
Opponent:

71.37% (G:22.25% B:1.66%)
28.63% (G:2.09% B:0.07%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.551...+0.556) - [0.1%]
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 9/2.

Two choices here, as I can either make a 5 stack on my 5 point or play 9/2. I’ve had some bad results making big stacks during the bearin when there’s this much contact and although placing a checker on the 2 point is not a good spot, I slightly prefer 9/2, as big stacks can be really inflexible.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 81

11 point match

pip: 142
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-CBAA-------bc-bcBbcB-:1:1:1:42:2:1:0:11:10

to play 42

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-12

April 12, 2018 by Online Match Editor 5 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 100

11 point match

pip: 163
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BA--BBB---B-b-bc-cbBbaB-:1:1:1:53:2:1:0:11:10

to play 53

Rollout¹

8/3 7/4

eq: -0.552

Player:
Opponent:

28.92% (G:2.18% B:0.07%)
71.08% (G:22.57% B:1.80%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.554...-0.550) - [97.4%]
Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes

Rollout¹

12/9 8/3

eq: -0.555 (-0.003)

Player:
Opponent:

28.97% (G:2.35% B:0.08%)
71.03% (G:23.06% B:1.92%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.558...-0.553) - [2.6%]
Duration: 2 hours 23 minutes

Rollout¹

8/5 8/3

eq: -0.558 (-0.006)

Player:
Opponent:

28.97% (G:2.37% B:0.08%)
71.03% (G:23.42% B:1.88%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.561...-0.556) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 34 minutes

Rollout²

12/7 8/5

eq: -0.580 (-0.028)

Player:
Opponent:

28.24% (G:2.10% B:0.07%)
71.76% (G:23.44% B:1.99%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.587...-0.574) - [0.0%]
Duration: 20 minutes 38 seconds

Rollout²

12/4

eq: -0.585 (-0.033)

Player:
Opponent:

27.96% (G:1.93% B:0.07%)
72.04% (G:23.10% B:1.91%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.591...-0.579) - [0.0%]
Duration: 21 minutes 27 seconds

Rollout²

12/9 12/7

eq: -0.598 (-0.046)

Player:
Opponent:

27.72% (G:2.01% B:0.07%)
72.28% (G:23.66% B:2.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.603...-0.592) - [0.0%]
Duration: 25 minutes 22 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [24] 8/5 8/3 [13] 12/9 8/3 [ 2] 12/9 12/7 [ 2] 8/3 7/4 [ 1] 24/21 8/3 [ 1] 21/13

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 8/3 7/4

We rolled a 5, so we need to cover the blot on our 3 point with 8/3.

Next, the quickest way to make another point is to slot the point we want to make. The best point is the 5 point with 8/5, unfortunately this leaves only 2’s as direct covers. If I slot the 4 point with 7/4, we can cover with direct 4’s and 3’s. As we could be getting a shot in a couple of turns, I will go with 8/3 7/4 to maximise our covers.

Steve Sax recommends: 8/3 7/4

We’re certainly going to play 8/3 to make our three point, but how to play the three?

I personally like 7/4 with the three because it slots an inside point and gives us extra covers to fill that point in.

And while we would rather make the five point than the four point at this time, the mere fact that we already have two deep points makes making the higher point less of a priority.

A question also might be asked if leaving all those blots will impair our ability to contain Neil, and while that is true, note that most of Neil’s numbers should consolidate his position by either making the two point or breaking the 11 point.

But more importantly since we are hard pressed at this time to contain Neil, he can be a little more liberal in how he plays his checkers. It’s a bit of a conundrum but to be honest, we should really shore up our home board position before thinking about hitting and attempting to contain Neil.

And while our timing isn’t great, it’s not too bad either so as Neil is down to bringing in the nine and eight points, we should have filled in the four point and probably have slotted or even make the five point by that time.

Other plays such as slotting the five or not even slotting and playing 12/9 with the three are reasonable and close in equity so it’s not a big deal but 8/3 7/4 is the play I slightly favor.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 100

11 point match

pip: 155
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-ABB----B-b-bc-cbBbaB-:1:1:-1:31:2:1:0:11:10

to play 31

Rollout¹

6/2

eq: +0.591

Player:
Opponent:

72.83% (G:21.90% B:1.86%)
27.17% (G:1.94% B:0.07%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.585...+0.596) - [100.0%]
Duration: 23 minutes 54 seconds

Rollout¹

8/5 3/2

eq: +0.545 (-0.046)

Player:
Opponent:

70.96% (G:22.69% B:1.93%)
29.04% (G:2.79% B:0.10%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.539...+0.551) - [0.0%]
Duration: 24 minutes 54 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 6/2.

6/2 makes my 2 point and leaves no blots.



USBGF Members:  42 12/8 7/5

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 96

11 point match

pip: 149
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-BBAA---A-b-bc-bbBbbB-:1:1:-1:62:2:1:0:11:10

to play 62

Rollout¹

11/9 11/5

eq: +0.558

Player:
Opponent:

71.78% (G:21.40% B:1.56%)
28.22% (G:1.98% B:0.06%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.556...+0.560) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 53 minutes

Rollout¹

11/5 8/6

eq: +0.551 (-0.007)

Player:
Opponent:

70.56% (G:23.59% B:2.32%)
29.44% (G:2.51% B:0.08%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.549...+0.554) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 05 minutes

Rollout²

11/3

eq: +0.486 (-0.072)

Player:
Opponent:

69.03% (G:21.74% B:1.97%)
30.97% (G:2.92% B:0.08%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.480...+0.492) - [0.0%]
Duration: 20 minutes 30 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 11/9 11/5.

Nothing fancy here, as the USBGF Members have a good 4 point board for the moment. So I prefer the blotless 11/9 11/5 vs. leaving 6 shots for the more flexible 11/5 8/6.

If they had just a 3 point board with a slotted point, I’d probably make the more flexible play since their chances to lose a gammon after hitting an indirect shot would be high due to many blots and just holding one point in my board. But here vs. a 4 point board, prudence seems clear.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 88

11 point match

pip: 149
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BB-BBAA---A---cc-bcBbbB-:1:1:1:52:2:1:0:11:10

to play 52

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-11

April 11, 2018 by Online Match Editor 5 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 107

11 point match

pip: 187
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BA--B-B----Bb-ccBcbBb-B-:1:1:1:66:2:1:0:11:10

to play 66

Rollout¹

18/12 18/6 13/7

eq: -0.531

Player:
Opponent:

29.73% (G:2.62% B:0.10%)
70.27% (G:22.70% B:1.86%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.534...-0.529) - [98.5%]
Duration: 3 hours 38 minutes

Rollout¹

18/6(2)

eq: -0.535 (-0.004)

Player:
Opponent:

29.48% (G:2.50% B:0.09%)
70.52% (G:22.54% B:1.81%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.537...-0.533) - [1.5%]
Duration: 3 hours 19 minutes

Rollout¹

18/12(2) 13/7(2)

eq: -0.540 (-0.009)

Player:
Opponent:

29.35% (G:2.65% B:0.09%)
70.65% (G:22.84% B:1.82%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.543...-0.538) - [0.0%]
Duration: 3 hours 14 minutes

Rollout²

18/6 13/7(2)

eq: -0.573 (-0.042)

Player:
Opponent:

30.58% (G:2.66% B:0.10%)
69.42% (G:28.53% B:2.59%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.580...-0.567) - [0.0%]
Duration: 42 minutes 36 seconds

Rollout²

18/12(2) 13/1

eq: -0.649 (-0.118)

Player:
Opponent:

26.15% (G:1.66% B:0.04%)
73.85% (G:24.88% B:2.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.655...-0.642) - [0.0%]
Duration: 40 minutes 55 seconds

Rollout²

18/12 18/6 8/2

eq: -0.658 (-0.127)

Player:
Opponent:

25.86% (G:1.71% B:0.06%)
74.14% (G:25.00% B:1.91%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.664...-0.652) - [0.0%]
Duration: 38 minutes 06 seconds

Rollout²

18/12(2) 13/7 8/2

eq: -0.664 (-0.132)

Player:
Opponent:

25.65% (G:1.60% B:0.07%)
74.35% (G:24.93% B:1.99%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.669...-0.658) - [0.0%]
Duration: 33 minutes 25 seconds

Rollout²

21/9(2)

eq: -0.672 (-0.141)

Player:
Opponent:

24.61% (G:2.07% B:0.11%)
75.39% (G:24.27% B:2.05%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.679...-0.666) - [0.0%]
Duration: 46 minutes 41 seconds

Rollout²

21/15(2) 13/7(2)

eq: -0.684 (-0.153)

Player:
Opponent:

24.40% (G:2.00% B:0.07%)
75.60% (G:24.70% B:2.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.690...-0.678) - [0.0%]
Duration: 43 minutes 31 seconds

10.

Rollout²

18/6 13/1

eq: -0.687 (-0.156)

Player:
Opponent:

27.72% (G:1.85% B:0.06%)
72.28% (G:31.18% B:3.15%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.694...-0.680) - [0.0%]
Duration: 40 minutes 36 seconds

11.

Rollout²

13/1(2)

eq: -0.693 (-0.162)

Player:
Opponent:

26.43% (G:1.93% B:0.04%)
73.57% (G:29.23% B:2.68%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.700...-0.687) - [0.0%]
Duration: 35 minutes 59 seconds

12.

Rollout²

18/12 13/7 13/1

eq: -0.699 (-0.168)

Player:
Opponent:

27.81% (G:1.85% B:0.05%)
72.19% (G:32.18% B:3.51%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.706...-0.691) - [0.0%]
Duration: 41 minutes 13 seconds

13.

Rollout²

21/15 21/3

eq: -0.712 (-0.181)

Player:
Opponent:

24.76% (G:1.84% B:0.08%)
75.24% (G:27.16% B:2.65%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.718...-0.706) - [0.0%]
Duration: 36 minutes 35 seconds

14.

Rollout²

18/6 13/7 8/2

eq: -0.715 (-0.183)

Player:
Opponent:

26.53% (G:1.62% B:0.04%)
73.47% (G:31.25% B:2.97%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.721...-0.709) - [0.0%]
Duration: 38 minutes 32 seconds

15.

Rollout²

18/12 13/7(2) 8/2

eq: -0.723 (-0.191)

Player:
Opponent:

26.48% (G:1.78% B:0.06%)
73.52% (G:31.61% B:3.10%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.729...-0.716) - [0.0%]
Duration: 38 minutes 44 seconds

16.

Rollout²

21/15 21/9 13/7

eq: -0.730 (-0.198)

Player:
Opponent:

24.22% (G:1.74% B:0.08%)
75.78% (G:27.75% B:2.97%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.736...-0.723) - [0.0%]
Duration: 34 minutes 06 seconds

17.

Rollout²

13/7 13/1 8/2

eq: -0.744 (-0.213)

Player:
Opponent:

25.07% (G:1.61% B:0.04%)
74.93% (G:30.44% B:2.88%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.750...-0.737) - [0.0%]
Duration: 30 minutes 48 seconds

18.

Rollout²

21/3 13/7

eq: -0.751 (-0.220)

Player:
Opponent:

24.63% (G:1.90% B:0.06%)
75.37% (G:30.26% B:3.30%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.758...-0.745) - [0.0%]
Duration: 35 minutes 43 seconds

19.

Rollout²

24/12 13/7(2)

eq: -0.752 (-0.221)

Player:
Opponent:

21.85% (G:2.51% B:0.08%)
78.15% (G:27.06% B:0.50%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.758...-0.747) - [0.0%]
Duration: 47 minutes 13 seconds

20.

Rollout²

24/6 13/7

eq: -0.753 (-0.222)

Player:
Opponent:

22.00% (G:2.63% B:0.08%)
78.00% (G:27.37% B:0.61%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.759...-0.747) - [0.0%]
Duration: 51 minutes 43 seconds

21.

Rollout²

21/9 13/7(2)

eq: -0.767 (-0.236)

Player:
Opponent:

24.80% (G:2.15% B:0.12%)
75.20% (G:31.91% B:3.74%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.773...-0.761) - [0.0%]
Duration: 36 minutes 43 seconds

22.

Rollout²

18/12(2) 8/2(2)

eq: -0.769 (-0.238)

Player:
Opponent:

22.55% (G:0.95% B:0.03%)
77.45% (G:27.01% B:2.09%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.775...-0.763) - [0.0%]
Duration: 40 minutes 18 seconds

23.

Rollout²

24/18 24/12 13/7

eq: -0.782 (-0.251)

Player:
Opponent:

17.09% (G:1.46% B:0.05%)
82.91% (G:18.07% B:0.17%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.786...-0.778) - [0.0%]
Duration: 57 minutes 48 seconds

24.

Rollout²

24/12(2)

eq: -0.782 (-0.251)

Player:
Opponent:

17.21% (G:1.46% B:0.05%)
82.79% (G:18.54% B:0.22%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.787...-0.778) - [0.0%]
Duration: 57 minutes 26 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [13] 18/12(2) 13/7(2) [10] 18/12 18/6 13/7 [ 5] 13/1(2) [ 4] 21/15(2) 13/7(2) [ 2] 18/6 13/7(2) [ 2] 24/12(2) [ 1] 24/18(2) 13/7(2)

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 18/12 18/6 13/7

I want to make my points in order, so I need to get diversified checkers into the zone. So I would play 18/12 18/6 13/7. This leaves no shots, and gives us lots of point making potential.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 107

11 point match

pip: 163
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BA--BBB---B-b-cc-cbBb-B-:1:1:-1:61:2:1:0:11:10

to play 61

Rollout¹

8/2 3/2

eq: +0.552

Player:
Opponent:

71.10% (G:23.04% B:1.82%)
28.90% (G:2.67% B:0.10%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.550...+0.555) - [99.8%]
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes

Rollout¹

9/2

eq: +0.547 (-0.005)

Player:
Opponent:

71.11% (G:22.53% B:1.77%)
28.89% (G:2.56% B:0.08%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (+0.545...+0.550) - [0.2%]
Duration: 3 hours 01 minute

Rollout²

8/2 6/5

eq: +0.542 (-0.011)

Player:
Opponent:

70.71% (G:22.94% B:1.79%)
29.29% (G:2.62% B:0.09%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.535...+0.548) - [0.1%]
Duration: 28 minutes 45 seconds

Rollout²

11/5 9/8

eq: +0.523 (-0.030)

Player:
Opponent:

70.16% (G:22.48% B:1.75%)
29.84% (G:2.67% B:0.11%)

Conf.: ± 0.006 (+0.516...+0.529) - [0.0%]
Duration: 27 minutes 28 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 9/2.

If I play 11/5 9/8, I am rather stacked and may have issues with my open 2 point later when my opp’s board is stronger. So I will play 8/2 and then look for the best ace. 9/8 looks more natural than 6/5.

There’s a 3rd ace I can play, and that is 3/2 giving me more builders to make my 3 point. But this has a bit more downside when it doesn’t work and the USBGF Members’ 22 is good for them.

I’ll go with the simple slot 9/2.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 100

11 point match

pip: 163
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BA--BBB---B-b-bc-cbBbaB-:1:1:1:53:2:1:0:11:10

to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-10

April 10, 2018 by Online Match Editor 7 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 136

11 point match

pip: 205
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--B-aaB-C---bB--ca-cbBb-CA:1:1:1:54:2:1:0:11:10

to play 54

Rollout¹

Bar/21 8/3

eq: -0.569

Player:
Opponent:

32.71% (G:4.62% B:0.29%)
67.29% (G:33.46% B:3.85%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.578...-0.561) - [99.6%]
Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/21 13/8

eq: -0.588 (-0.019)

Player:
Opponent:

32.64% (G:4.27% B:0.23%)
67.36% (G:34.92% B:4.09%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (-0.599...-0.578) - [0.4%]
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [33] b/21 8/3 [ 7] b/21 13/8

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: b/21 8/3

First, I like to classify what sort of game I am playing. This is what I would call a back game where my opponent does not have a prime. This means that we will be easily able to recirculate our checkers.

Kit Woolsey wrote an article a long time ago called “Lifeline of a Backgame.” The article was all about how important it was for timing to keep your midpoint or a point close to your midpoint. So here there is no way we should give up our midpoint, so the only move available is 8/3.

Steve Sax recommends: b/21 8/3

We don’t have a pleasant five, however I would rather play 8/3 than give up the midpoint, as we at least maintain some semblance of outfield control.

It will be some bit of work to get spare checkers on the 24 and 21 points out to the midpoint and then to our eight or six points, however at the moment that’s the best we have to hope for.

We don’t have to fight too hard to contain Neil here with the blot and gap in his board, but we can try to slowly leak checkers out of Neil’s home to develop our own home board.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 136

11 point match

pip: 196
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BAaaB-B---bB--ca-cbCb-C-:1:1:-1:63:2:1:0:11:10

to play 63

Rollout¹

20/11

eq: +0.513

Player:
Opponent:

66.20% (G:31.62% B:3.48%)
33.80% (G:5.16% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.509...+0.517) - [100.0%]
Duration: 8 hours 14 minutes

Rollout¹

21/15 8/5

eq: +0.497 (-0.016)

Player:
Opponent:

65.21% (G:31.89% B:3.75%)
34.79% (G:4.92% B:0.26%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.493...+0.501) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 hours 17 minutes

Rollout¹

20/14 8/5

eq: +0.495 (-0.018)

Player:
Opponent:

64.91% (G:32.44% B:3.86%)
35.09% (G:4.89% B:0.23%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.491...+0.499) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 hours 29 minutes

Rollout¹

21/18 20/14

eq: +0.491 (-0.022)

Player:
Opponent:

65.58% (G:31.62% B:3.67%)
34.42% (G:6.36% B:0.46%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.487...+0.495) - [0.0%]
Duration: 8 hours 12 minutes

Rollout²

21/18 8/2

eq: +0.484 (-0.029)

Player:
Opponent:

64.74% (G:32.71% B:3.95%)
35.26% (G:6.55% B:0.42%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.474...+0.493) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes

Rollout²

20/14 9/6

eq: +0.462 (-0.051)

Player:
Opponent:

64.28% (G:31.41% B:3.51%)
35.72% (G:5.88% B:0.34%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.453...+0.470) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes

Rollout²

21/15 9/6

eq: +0.459 (-0.054)

Player:
Opponent:

64.29% (G:31.33% B:3.58%)
35.71% (G:5.90% B:0.29%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.450...+0.469) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 20/11.

Lots of plays here, but the first thing that comes to mind is 20/11, keeping my checkers in front of my opponents more forward anchor and hoping to build good blocking points, while their homeboard is a shambles that presents little threat if I am hit. Perhaps I can end up with a 5 prime soon if missed.

I don’t think 8/5 and hopping out a 6 is the best play here, as I want to make my 8 point. I also would like to make my 2 point but don’t think I should slot it and allow them to hit it with their spare on my ace point that needs to get moving.

20/11 seems clear to me.



USBGF Members:  63 24/18 21/18

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 127

11 point match

pip: 187
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BAa-B-B---bBa-caBcbBb-B-:1:1:-1:55:2:1:0:11:10

to play 55

Rollout¹

21/11 13/8(2)

eq: +0.419

Player:
Opponent:

63.27% (G:28.60% B:3.15%)
36.73% (G:3.38% B:0.12%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.416...+0.422) - [99.9%]
Duration: 4 hours 41 minutes

Rollout¹

21/16 13/8(2) 11/6

eq: +0.412 (-0.008)

Player:
Opponent:

62.63% (G:29.44% B:3.42%)
37.37% (G:3.88% B:0.14%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.408...+0.415) - [0.1%]
Duration: 4 hours 55 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 21/11 13/8(2).

This looks routine, although the USBGF Members will have reasonable timing for their 41 game. I should just run home. I see no reason to volunteer a shot, as I can blot on the 11 point next time if I cannot clear it safely.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 107

11 point match

pip: 187
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BA--B-B----Bb-ccBcbBb-B-:1:1:1:66:2:1:0:11:10

to play 66

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-08

April 8, 2018 by Online Match Editor 7 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 128

11 point match

pip: 205
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--B--aB-C---cB--ca-cbBb-CA:1:1:1:62:2:1:0:11:10

to play 62

Rollout¹

Bar/17*

eq: -0.465

Player:
Opponent:

34.73% (G:5.57% B:0.31%)
65.27% (G:29.59% B:2.94%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.474...-0.456) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 32 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/23 24/18

eq: -0.499 (-0.034)

Player:
Opponent:

35.85% (G:4.25% B:0.21%)
64.15% (G:33.91% B:4.40%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (-0.509...-0.489) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 23 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [32] b/17* [11] b/23 24/18

Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Steve Sax recommends: b/17*

Seems like a pretty simple decision for me. I hit and slow down Neil’s attempt to block us in. And while it’s true that since we have split anchors and being primed in isn’t that relevant, it does restrict our mobility to some extent.

With our deuce point made, the long term prospects of making a prime and blocking Neil in are remote, but regardless of whether we hit or not it will be our long term goal.

Thus, hitting at least gives us better chances of putting a piece back into play by escaping with tempo and attempting to get a piece free.

It doesn’t hurt too much that Neil has 5’s and 1’s to enter and hit so we have a good chance to free that back checker.

The alternative (bar/23 24/18) isn’t unreasonable and after a rollout was less than .05 wrong, but I just thought it gave Neil too much freedom to do what he wants to do, as Neil has 1’s, 2’s, 4’s and 6’s to hit.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 145

11 point match

pip: 197
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=a-B--aB-C---cB--cA-cbBb-C-:1:1:-1:54:2:1:0:11:10

to play 54

Rollout¹

Bar/21 13/8*

eq: +0.501

Player:
Opponent:

65.22% (G:32.41% B:3.84%)
34.78% (G:5.01% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (+0.491...+0.510) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 28 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/21 20/15

eq: +0.447 (-0.053)

Player:
Opponent:

65.28% (G:28.52% B:2.82%)
34.72% (G:5.46% B:0.26%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.438...+0.456) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/16

eq: +0.436 (-0.064)

Player:
Opponent:

64.79% (G:28.83% B:2.88%)
35.21% (G:5.90% B:0.26%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.427...+0.445) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/20 9/5

eq: +0.432 (-0.068)

Player:
Opponent:

64.35% (G:28.67% B:2.80%)
35.65% (G:5.46% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.424...+0.440) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/20 6/2

eq: +0.427 (-0.073)

Player:
Opponent:

65.09% (G:27.15% B:2.42%)
34.91% (G:6.06% B:0.30%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.419...+0.435) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/20 13/9

eq: +0.421 (-0.080)

Player:
Opponent:

64.37% (G:28.24% B:2.76%)
35.63% (G:5.67% B:0.25%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.413...+0.429) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 21 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays b/21 13/8*.

I found the hit/no hit decision to be difficult here! There’s a few things to notice. (1) I don’t really need an advanced anchor when my opponents have no offense. (2) By hitting, I only dislike their 44 return and their 11 and 21 making a 3rd point in my board. (3) If I don’t hit, I seriously doubt that they would give up my 4 point to make my 8 point. (4) Hitting should clearly win more gammons. (5) Hitting slots my 8 point with tempo and I’d be happy to make my 8 point, as then I’d block 4’s and 5’s and my opponents would have some awkward root numbers. (6) By hitting, I may end up with a 5 prime if I roll well, and that should bust their already tenuous timing.

It seems that I should hit, which goes against general principles of playing vs a backgame, but note, that my opps aren’t completely forced into a backgame if I don’t hit.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 136

11 point match

pip: 205
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--B-aaB-C---bB--ca-cbBb-CA:1:1:1:54:2:1:0:11:10

to play 54

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-07

April 7, 2018 by Online Match Editor 5 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 134

11 point match

pip: 186
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--Ba--C-C---cB--cb-d-Bb-C-:1:1:1:61:2:1:0:11:10

to play 61

Rollout¹

24/18 6/5

eq: -0.346

Player:
Opponent:

36.98% (G:6.68% B:0.25%)
63.02% (G:25.61% B:2.12%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.354...-0.339) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes

Rollout¹

24/18 8/7

eq: -0.369 (-0.022)

Player:
Opponent:

36.43% (G:6.33% B:0.24%)
63.57% (G:25.52% B:2.35%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.377...-0.361) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes

Rollout¹

24/23 24/18

eq: -0.402 (-0.056)

Player:
Opponent:

34.88% (G:7.16% B:0.32%)
65.12% (G:26.91% B:1.24%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.410...-0.395) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes

Rollout¹

13/7 8/7

eq: -0.420 (-0.074)

Player:
Opponent:

34.34% (G:6.30% B:0.23%)
65.66% (G:25.33% B:2.29%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.428...-0.412) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 08 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [25] 24/18 6/5 [11] 24/18 24/23 [ 9] 13/7 8/7 [ 3] 24/18 8/7

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 24/18 6/5

We need to keep our midpoint, so we should play 24/18. The question then is how to play the 1. Over the board, I would play purely and try to build my board as quickly as possible with 6/5. If I am hit, my timing will improve and I may be able to upgrade my back anchor to another one.

Steve Sax recommends: 24/18 6/5

The six seems clear to me. The USBGF Members have two anchors in Neil’s board but the third checker on the 24 point isn’t doing us any favors.

Moving out to the 18 point gives us the opportunity to either escape that checker for home board development, making the 18 point, or getting hit and improving our timing. All are acceptable results.

As far as the ace is concerned, I slightly favor slotting the five point duplicating two’s although 8/7 does give us a slightly better checker distribution for development.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 134

11 point match

pip: 179
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--Ba-AB-C---cB--cbAd-Bb-B-:1:1:-1:21:2:1:0:11:10

to play 21

Rollout¹

22/20* 8/7*

eq: +0.403

Player:
Opponent:

62.45% (G:30.82% B:3.27%)
37.55% (G:5.75% B:0.28%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.394...+0.412) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 28 minutes

Rollout¹

22/20* 9/8

eq: +0.355 (-0.048)

Player:
Opponent:

62.24% (G:27.49% B:2.50%)
37.76% (G:6.33% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.346...+0.364) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Rollout¹

9/7* 8/7

eq: +0.341 (-0.062)

Player:
Opponent:

62.68% (G:25.89% B:2.46%)
37.32% (G:7.56% B:0.38%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.332...+0.350) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Rollout¹

22/20* 6/5

eq: +0.333 (-0.071)

Player:
Opponent:

62.60% (G:25.05% B:2.10%)
37.40% (G:7.11% B:0.25%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.324...+0.341) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 22/20* 8/7*.

The routine play is to hit the checkers off of points my opponent would like to make, so that means 22/20* 8/7*. I am a bit concerned about breaking up my forward structure, but only a 44 joker from the roof hits back.

These checkers should be able to serve as builders for me to make my 5 point and then hopefully 2 point, pinning the USBGF Members into a 41 backgame while they have 6 checkers back and their 2 point made. Their 2 point is not good at all for an early backgame.



USBGF Members:  61 b/24

Neil Kazaross:  21 7/5 6/5

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 128

11 point match

pip: 205
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--B--aB-C---cB--ca-cbBb-CA:1:1:1:26:2:1:0:11:10

to play 26

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-05

April 5, 2018 by Online Match Editor 13 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 141

11 point match

pip: 192
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB---C-C--acB--bb-d--bACA:1:1:1:42:2:1:0:11:10

to play 42

Rollout¹

Bar/21 23/21

eq: -0.364

Player:
Opponent:

35.60% (G:7.04% B:0.29%)
64.40% (G:24.11% B:2.17%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.372...-0.356) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 21 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/23 24/20

eq: -0.457 (-0.093)

Player:
Opponent:

34.03% (G:6.75% B:0.32%)
65.97% (G:27.89% B:3.11%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.465...-0.449) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/21 13/11*

eq: -0.467 (-0.103)

Player:
Opponent:

34.55% (G:8.05% B:0.57%)
65.45% (G:30.08% B:4.15%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.476...-0.457) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 29 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [32] b/21 23/21 [ 4] b/21 13/11* [ 2] b/23 24/20 [ 1] b/23 6/2

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: b/21 23/21

It looks tempting to make the 23 anchor and then play 24/20 but we will only be behind in the race by 45 pips after the roll. Mochy once wrote that you need 84 pips of timing to play a 12 backgame. So we do not have enough timing for a deep backgame.

How about Bar/21 23/21? This is more of a holding game, and a holding type of game is more appropriate here because of our lack of timing, so I will go with Bar/21 23/21.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 141

11 point match

pip: 186
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB---C-C--acB--bb-d-Bb-C-:1:1:-1:52:2:1:0:11:10

to play 52

Rollout¹

24/22 14/9

eq: +0.338

Player:
Opponent:

63.89% (G:22.76% B:1.93%)
36.11% (G:7.03% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.330...+0.347) - [99.9%]
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Rollout¹

14/9 13/11

eq: +0.319 (-0.019)

Player:
Opponent:

62.94% (G:23.97% B:2.05%)
37.06% (G:7.63% B:0.37%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.311...+0.328) - [0.1%]
Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 24/22 14/9.

My 5 is clearly 14/9, and then I prefer 24/22 rather than leaving a few shots and stripping the midpoint with 13/11.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 134

11 point match

pip: 186
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=--Ba--C-C---cB--cb-d-Bb-C-:1:1:1:61:2:1:0:11:10

to play 61

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-04

April 4, 2018 by Online Match Editor 10 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 149

11 point match

pip: 188
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB---C-C--acB--bc-e-A-AC-:0:0:-1:00:2:1:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout	No double	Double/Take
Player Winning Chances:	66.64% (G:26.35% B:2.70%)	66.24% (G:26.50% B:2.83%)
Opponent Winning Chances:	33.36% (G:7.14% B:0.30%)	33.76% (G:7.23% B:0.35%)
Cubeless Equities	+0.562	+1.162
Cubeful Equities
No double:	+0.858 (-0.065)	±0.013 (+0.845..+0.871)
Double/Take:	+0.923	±0.018 (+0.905..+0.941)
Double/Pass:	+1.000 (+0.077)

Best Cube action: Double / Take
Rollout details
1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 38688479 Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

Double Decision confidence:		100.0%
Take Decision confidence:		100.0%
Duration: 2 hours 59 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [30] Take [ 9] Pass

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends:

Let’s use the Value Equation here from the Doublers point of view:

V = Prime + Blitz + Race + Contact
V = 3 + 2 + 2 – 2
V = 5

This is a strong double for Neil, but we do have an anchor, hopefully the ability to make another anchor, a slightly better board, and if Neil makes a point — he cannot safety the checker on his 14 point.

This is no bargain, but we have to take. If you have one element of the value equation, and the others are not overwhelming, then you have a take.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 149

11 point match

pip: 188
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB---C-C--acB--bc-e-A-AC-:1:1:-1:53:2:1:0:11:10

to play 53

Rollout¹

8/3 6/3

eq: +0.351

Player:
Opponent:

64.03% (G:24.12% B:2.10%)
35.97% (G:7.98% B:0.39%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.347...+0.354) - [100.0%]
Duration: 8 hours 11 minutes

Rollout¹

24/21 14/9

eq: +0.343 (-0.008)

Player:
Opponent:

64.84% (G:21.61% B:1.61%)
35.16% (G:7.72% B:0.29%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.339...+0.346) - [0.0%]
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 8/3 6/3.

One of the reasons I cubed was to play a complicated game. Making my 3 point seems like the most complicated play and if not correct, cannot be far wrong. I need to start making points in my board and can hope, after some sequences, to roll an attacking joker next turn. This also does something at least somewhat useful with a stacked spare checker on my 6 point.



USBGF Members:  64 21/11*

Neil Kazaross:  65 b/14*

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 141

11 point match

pip: 192
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB---C-C--acB--bb-d--bACA:1:1:1:42:2:1:0:11:10

to play 42

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-03

April 3, 2018 by Online Match Editor 6 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 155

11 point match

pip: 165
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB--aD-B--AcC--bc-e---AB-:0:0:1:51:2:1:0:11:10

to play 51

Rollout¹

13/8 6/5*

eq: -0.257

Player:
Opponent:

44.86% (G:15.40% B:0.61%)
55.14% (G:18.01% B:1.50%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.262...-0.252) - [99.9%]
Duration: 13 hours 48 minutes

Rollout¹

11/5*

eq: -0.269 (-0.012)

Player:
Opponent:

44.14% (G:14.79% B:0.52%)
55.86% (G:16.92% B:1.11%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.274...-0.264) - [0.1%]
Duration: 13 hours 28 minutes

Rollout²

23/18 6/5*

eq: -0.345 (-0.088)

Player:
Opponent:

43.60% (G:13.84% B:0.70%)
56.40% (G:20.16% B:1.80%)

Conf.: ± 0.013 (-0.358...-0.332) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [29] 13/8 6/5* [ 6] 23/18 6/5* [ 3] 11/5* [ 1] 6/1* 2/1 [ 1] 24/23 11/6 [ 1] 24/18 [ 1] 23/22 13/8

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 13/8 6/5*

We have an attacking game plan so let’s attack. We will either hit with 11/5* or 13/8 6/5*.

I prefer 13/8 6/5* because:

it brings another checker into the zone,
it gives us good 6’s to carry on attacking if hit and a good 6 to cover if we are missed.

It does strip the mid point, but we have a spare on the 8 point, so we do not have to give up the 8 point if we cover or hit from it, which is important.



Neil Kazaross:  65 b/20*/14*

USBGF Members:  41 b/24 b/21

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 149

11 point match

pip: 188
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB---C-C--acB--bc-e-A-AC-:0:0:-1:00:2:1:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Neil Kazaross doubles to 2.

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-02

April 2, 2018 by Online Match Editor 5 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 160

11 point match

pip: 157
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-bB---D-B---cE-aac-e----B-:0:0:1:21:2:1:0:11:10

to play 21

Rollout¹

24/23 13/11

eq: -0.153

Player:
Opponent:

47.20% (G:15.44% B:0.93%)
52.80% (G:17.47% B:0.86%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.158...-0.148) - [100.0%]
Duration: 12 hours 10 minutes

Rollout¹

13/11 6/5

eq: -0.175 (-0.022)

Player:
Opponent:

46.93% (G:15.46% B:0.94%)
53.07% (G:17.83% B:1.26%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.180...-0.170) - [0.0%]
Duration: 12 hours 52 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [33] 24/23 13/11 [10] 13/11 6/5 [ 1] 6/3

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 24/23 13/11

We have made our 2 point, therefore we are playing an attacking or racing game.

Neil has made the correct reply and is aiming for a Priming game plan, therefore we have to split to either:

try for an advanced anchor to counter his priming game plan, or
give ourselves more shots at Neil’s outfield, making it harder for him to bring more checkers into the zone.

Either way we are splitting and the safest way to do so is 24/23 13/11.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 160

11 point match

pip: 154
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-bB---D-B--AcD-aac-e---AA-:0:0:-1:64:2:1:0:11:10

to play 64

Rollout¹

24/14*

eq: +0.128

Player:
Opponent:

53.19% (G:15.10% B:0.86%)
46.81% (G:16.49% B:1.05%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.123...+0.133) - [100.0%]
Duration: 13 hours 58 minutes

Rollout¹

8/2* 6/2

eq: +0.109 (-0.018)

Player:
Opponent:

51.37% (G:18.95% B:1.04%)
48.63% (G:16.17% B:1.21%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.104...+0.114) - [0.0%]
Duration: 10 hours 54 minutes

Rollout²

10/4 8/4

eq: +0.056 (-0.072)

Player:
Opponent:

50.41% (G:16.80% B:0.88%)
49.59% (G:16.39% B:1.10%)

Conf.: ± 0.011 (+0.045...+0.067) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 53 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 24/14*.

There are 3 possible plays to consider. (1) Making the 4 point. (2) Pointing on the 2 point. (3)Hitting on the 14 point.

First of all, pointing on the 2 point should be better than making the 4 point since it hits and takes away half a roll and retains builders to hopefully continue the attack. So now there’s only 2 plays to compare.

In response to an opening 21 split, hitting 24/14* is clear. While I don’t think it’s 100% clear here, it still gains pips and removes a builder and gets a back checker out with tempo. The drawback here is the return shots, but quite a few rolls do miss and then I can hopefully continue to improve.



USBGF Members:  21 b/24 13/11*

Neil Kazaross:  51 b/20 10/9

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 155

11 point match

pip: 165
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-aB--aD-B--AcC--bc-e---AB-:0:0:1:51:2:1:0:11:10

to play 51

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-04-01

April 1, 2018 by Online Match Editor 9 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 63

11 point match

pip: 50
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--AB-FB--------aa--baccbb-:1:-1:1:44:0:1:0:11:10

to play 44

Rollout¹

6/2 5/1(3)

eq: +0.943

Player:
Opponent:

97.37% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
2.63% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (+0.943...+0.943) - [100.0%]
Duration: 3 minutes 10 seconds

Rollout¹

6/2(2) 5/1(2)

eq: +0.941 (-0.002)

Player:
Opponent:

97.27% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
2.73% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (+0.941...+0.941) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 40 seconds

Rollout¹

5/1(4)

eq: +0.937 (-0.006)

Player:
Opponent:

97.11% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
2.89% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (+0.936...+0.937) - [0.0%]
Duration: 3 minutes 34 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [28] 6/2(2) 5/1(2) [15] 6/2 5/1(3) [ 1] 5/1(4)

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 6/2 5/1(3)

For these types of bear off questions, first I try to fill a gap if possible, then I compare the difference between the from and to points for each of the candidate plays.

So for the first 4, we should play 5/1, filling the gap.

For the second 4, the difference between the number of checkers on the 5 point and 1 point is now four checkers, while the difference between the 6 point and 2 point is one checker. So we should play 5/1 with the second 4, as that reduces the biggest difference.

For the third 4, the difference between the number of checkers on the 5 point and 1 point is now two checkers, while the difference between the 6 point and 2 point is one checker. So we should play 5/1 with the third 4, as that reduces the biggest difference.

For the fourth 4, the difference between the number of checkers on the 5 point and 1 point is now zero checkers, while the difference between the 6 point and 2 point is one checker. So we should play 6/2, reducing the biggest difference.

Putting it altogether, I would play 6/2 5/1(3). Does this always work? Most of the time, yes. The real advantage of this method is it is fast, and does not require a lot of thought.

In this particular case, whatever you choose will probably be quite close, but in other cases the method above can be correct by a significant amount.



Neil Kazaross:  33 10/4 9/6 3/0

USBGF Members:  52 5/0 2/0

Neil Kazaross:  55 6/1(3) 5/0

USBGF Members:  21 2/0 1/0

Neil Kazaross:  65 4/0(2)

USBGF Members:  53 5/0 3/0

Neil Kazaross:  65 4/0(2)

USBGF Members:  11 5/4 2/0 1/0

Neil Kazaross:  63 3/0(2)

USBGF Members:  53 5/0 3/0

Neil Kazaross:  53

USBGF Members win two points, and lead 9-away/10-away.



Neil Kazaross:  41 24/23 13/9

USBGF Members:  64 8/2* 6/2

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 164

11 point match

pip: 157
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=aaB---D-B---dE--ac-e----B-:0:0:-1:31:2:1:0:11:10

to play 31

Rollout¹

Bar/24 13/10

eq: -0.070

Player:
Opponent:

48.14% (G:14.69% B:0.68%)
51.86% (G:17.61% B:1.32%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.074...-0.065) - [98.2%]
Duration: 13 hours 19 minutes

Rollout¹

Bar/22 9/8

eq: -0.077 (-0.007)

Player:
Opponent:

47.98% (G:12.96% B:0.58%)
52.02% (G:17.09% B:0.64%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.081...-0.072) - [1.8%]
Duration: 13 hours 17 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays b/24 13/10.

I think I remember much of the XG opening database on how to respond to an opening 64 8/2 6/2, and maybe that can help guide me here.

If I compare B/21 to B/24 13/10, this is the same decision as when one rolls 43 after your opponent opens with 64 8/2 6/2. 43 13/10 13/9 bringing down two builders is clearly best then.

But wait, I can also play B/22 9/8 here, and that transposes into a 52 response to 64 8/2 6/2. There I know that playing 52 13/11 13/8 is slightly better than splitting and that it is very close.

So now I ask myself if I’d rather roll 43 or 52 after my opponent opens 64 8/2 6/2, and I’d somewhat prefer the more ambitious 43. So based on reasoning and database memory here, 43 13/10 13/9 is better than 52 13/11 13/8, which in turn is better than 52 24/22 13/8, so I play B/24 13/10.

As far as theory goes, we usually should be less happy to split after 64 8/2 6/2 than some other point making rolls since there’s still the danger of getting attacked and blitzed. But now this is more offset by trying to make points on your side of the board with builders,
with the idea being to steer towards a prime vs. prime game where the opponent’s 2 point isn’t very useful. Note also that I trail in the race by 3 pips and that tends to push decisions like this towards making good blocking points.

Of course, splitting can work out great when my opponents roll mediocre and I either return hit or make an anchor in front of that 2 point. But I think building is slightly better, and steers towards a game plan I prefer after 64 8/2 6/2.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 160

11 point match

pip: 157
score: 2

is USBGF Members

XGID=-bB---D-B---cE-aac-e----B-:0:0:1:21:2:1:0:11:10

to play 21

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-31

March 31, 2018 by Online Match Editor 9 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 67

11 point match

pip: 57
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-AAB-FC-----a--a---baccbb-:1:-1:1:61:0:1:0:11:10

to play 61

Rollout¹

6/Off 1/Off

eq: +0.711

Player:
Opponent:

87.16% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
12.84% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (+0.711...+0.712) - [97.0%]
Duration: 12 minutes 04 seconds

Rollout¹

6/Off 5/4

eq: +0.711 (-0.001)

Player:
Opponent:

87.13% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
12.87% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (+0.710...+0.711) - [3.0%]
Duration: 12 minutes 03 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 14413173
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [39] 6/0 1/0 [ 8] 6/0 5/4

Jason Lee recommends: 6/0 1/0

There is a maxim known as “Magriel’s Conjecture” which states that in a non-contact position, it is never wrong to bear off with an ace. No counterexample has been found, so it’s safe to take this as a rule with which to play by. However, no formal mathematical proof has been found of this fact. Bob Koca has spent a lot of time trying to answer this question. I just talked to Bob a few days ago, and he says it’s still an open problem.

Here’s a very old rec.games.backgammon thread about the conjecture.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 67

11 point match

pip: 50
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--AB-FB-----a--a---baccbb-:1:-1:-1:31:0:1:0:11:10

to play 31

Rollout¹

13/9

eq: -0.856

Player:
Opponent:

6.54% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
93.46% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (-0.856...-0.855) - [90.3%]
Duration: 10 minutes 01 second

Rollout¹

13/10 6/5

eq: -0.856 (0.000)

Player:
Opponent:

6.52% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
93.48% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (-0.856...-0.856) - [9.7%]
Duration: 9 minutes 30 seconds

Rollout¹

10/6

eq: -0.862 (-0.007)

Player:
Opponent:

6.25% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
93.75% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (-0.863...-0.862) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 07 seconds

Rollout¹

13/12 10/7

eq: -0.866 (-0.011)

Player:
Opponent:

6.06% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
93.94% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (-0.867...-0.866) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 minutes 45 seconds

Rollout¹

10/7 6/5

eq: -0.867 (-0.012)

Player:
Opponent:

6.02% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
93.98% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (-0.868...-0.867) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 minutes 07 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 38688479
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 13/9.

After this string of small rolls, my chances are very small. I think the diversification of 13/9 gives me the best chance. Big doubles play well and I’ll need a couple of them.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 63

11 point match

pip: 50
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--AB-FB--------aa--baccbb-:1:-1:1:44:0:1:0:11:10

to play 44

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-28

March 28, 2018 by Online Match Editor 12 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 70

11 point match

pip: 65
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABB-FD---a----a---c-ccbb-:1:-1:1:62:0:1:0:11:10

to play 62

Rollout¹

6/Off 2/Off

eq: +0.495

Player:
Opponent:

78.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
22.00% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.001 (+0.495...+0.496) - [100.0%]
Duration: 20 minutes 39 seconds

Rollout¹

6/4 6/Off

eq: +0.481 (-0.014)

Player:
Opponent:

77.38% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
22.62% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.001 (+0.480...+0.482) - [0.0%]
Duration: 20 minutes 22 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 16459617
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [38] 6/0 2/0 [ 3] 6/0 6/4

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 6/0 2/0

In order for me to make a move other than taking a checker off, I need a very good reason.

So we have a gap on our 4 point, but our 4’s play ok by going to our bare 1 point. Therefore, I would just take 2 checkers off with 6/off 2/off.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 70

11 point match

pip: 57
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-AAB-FC---a----a---c-ccbb-:1:-1:-1:21:0:1:0:11:10

to play 21

Rollout¹

15/13 6/5

eq: -0.713

Player:
Opponent:

12.72% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
87.28% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.001 (-0.713...-0.712) - [100.0%]
Duration: 16 minutes 56 seconds

Rollout¹

10/8 6/5

eq: -0.718 (-0.005)

Player:
Opponent:

12.49% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
87.51% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.001 (-0.718...-0.717) - [0.0%]
Duration: 15 minutes 52 seconds

Rollout¹

15/12

eq: -0.731 (-0.018)

Player:
Opponent:

11.91% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
88.09% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.000 (-0.732...-0.731) - [0.0%]
Duration: 13 minutes 10 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 14413173
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 15/13 6/5.

I’ll play 6/5 to fill that gap and then 15/13 will allow my next 5 to play 10/5 putting another checker on my 5 point.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 67

11 point match

pip: 57
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-AAB-FC-----a--a---baccbb-:1:-1:1:61:0:1:0:11:10

to play 61

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-26

March 26, 2018 by Online Match Editor 9 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 88

11 point match

pip: 83
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABBbBC-C-B-------ab-ccbb-:1:-1:1:42:0:1:0:11:10

to play 42

Rollout¹

8/2

eq: +0.398

Player:
Opponent:

73.29% (G:2.56% B:0.04%)
26.71% (G:0.58% B:0.01%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.394...+0.402) - [100.0%]
Duration: 6 minutes 00 second

Rollout¹

10/8 10/6

eq: +0.382 (-0.016)

Player:
Opponent:

72.77% (G:2.02% B:0.02%)
27.23% (G:0.29% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.378...+0.385) - [0.0%]
Duration: 4 minutes 18 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 16459617
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [42] 10/8 10/6 [ 8] 8/2

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 8/2

We have the choice of 2 plays:

8/2 keeping contact, which is best with us only having a small race lead,
10/8 10/6 minimising contact, which is best when we have a good race lead.

After this roll we will be ahead by only 11 pips. This is almost enough to break contact, but not quite enough. Here I would play 8/2 but if we move Neil’s checker on his 7 point back to his 8 point giving us a 12 pip lead after the roll, I would then play 10/8 10/6.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 88

11 point match

pip: 77
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABBbBD-D---------ab-ccbb-:1:-1:-1:33:0:1:0:11:10

to play 33

Rollout¹

21/15(2)

eq: -0.090

Player:
Opponent:

38.85% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)
61.15% (G:0.00% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.002 (-0.093...-0.088) - [100.0%]
Duration: 11 minutes 53 seconds

Rollout¹

21/18(2) 7/4 6/3

eq: -0.215 (-0.124)

Player:
Opponent:

33.55% (G:0.03% B:0.00%)
66.45% (G:0.16% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.219...-0.210) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 50 seconds

Rollout¹

21/18(2) 7/1

eq: -0.231 (-0.141)

Player:
Opponent:

32.80% (G:0.05% B:0.00%)
67.20% (G:0.11% B:0.00%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.235...-0.227) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 minute 49 seconds

Rollout¹

21/18 21/12

eq: -0.255 (-0.164)

Player:
Opponent:

32.09% (G:0.55% B:0.01%)
67.91% (G:1.09% B:0.01%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.259...-0.251) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 minutes 32 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 16459617
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 21/15(2).

If I don’t run, I have to waste pips and wreck my board and am likely to be forced to run next turn and unlikely to get a shot as well. So everything points to 21/15(2).

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 76

11 point match

pip: 77
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABB-BD-D-b-------ab-ccbb-:1:-1:1:33:0:1:0:11:10

to play 33

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-25

March 25, 2018 by Online Match Editor 5 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 104

11 point match

pip: 89
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbCC-B-C------aacbbca--:1:-1:1:42:0:1:0:11:10

to play 42

Rollout¹

10/8 5/1

eq: +0.442

Player:
Opponent:

74.94% (G:1.56% B:0.02%)
25.06% (G:1.03% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.438...+0.445) - [100.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 58 seconds

Rollout¹

10/6 3/1

eq: +0.407 (-0.035)

Player:
Opponent:

73.41% (G:1.78% B:0.03%)
26.59% (G:1.46% B:0.05%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.403...+0.410) - [0.0%]
Duration: 10 minutes 13 seconds

Rollout¹

5/1 3/1

eq: +0.404 (-0.038)

Player:
Opponent:

73.22% (G:1.77% B:0.02%)
26.78% (G:1.30% B:0.03%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.400...+0.407) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 01 second

Rollout¹

10/6 5/3

eq: +0.399 (-0.043)

Player:
Opponent:

72.99% (G:1.52% B:0.02%)
27.01% (G:1.17% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (+0.395...+0.402) - [0.0%]
Duration: 9 minutes 00 second

Rollout¹

10/8 6/2

eq: +0.388 (-0.054)

Player:
Opponent:

72.49% (G:1.43% B:0.02%)
27.51% (G:1.32% B:0.03%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.384...+0.391) - [0.0%]
Duration: 8 minutes 23 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [22] 10/8 5/1 [11] 10/6 5/3 [ 6] 10/6 3/1 [ 4] 10/8 6/2 [ 1] 6/2 5/3 [ 1] 5/1 3/1

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 10/6 3/1

I got this wrong as I went with 10/6 3/1. But this leaves an immediate shot with 64 and 61. I liked the fact that you came down to an even number of checkers in the outfield.

However, playing 10/8 5/1 means that 61 and 64 no longer leave a shot. Therefore 10/8 5/1 is a much safer alternative. It looks ugly having a third checker of the 8 point, but we need to see the extra builder as giving us more flexibility.

Steve Sax recommends: 10/8 5/1

With a 21 pip lead, our objective is to clear the outside point. By playing 10/8, we have 11 numbers to clear the ten point and no bad rolls on our next shake.

Slotting isn’t a problem, as Neil will not run off the anchor with that large a race deficit. So if we can’t clear too easily but can make our ace point, a time in the not too distant future may exist where Neil will be forced off the anchor and with our five point board, we have a good chance to contain Neil.

That in addition, the USBGF Members’ large race lead will give us a pretty good chance to win the game.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 104

11 point match

pip: 83
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABBbBC-C-B------aacbbca--:1:-1:-1:44:0:1:0:11:10

to play 44

Rollout¹

8/4 6/2 5/1(2)

eq: -0.438

Player:
Opponent:

24.94% (G:0.55% B:0.01%)
75.06% (G:2.37% B:0.03%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.442...-0.435) - [100.0%]
Duration: 6 minutes 55 seconds

Rollout¹

7/3 6/2 5/1(2)

eq: -0.450 (-0.011)

Player:
Opponent:

24.50% (G:0.53% B:0.01%)
75.50% (G:2.57% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.453...-0.446) - [0.0%]
Duration: 6 minutes 27 seconds

Rollout¹

8/4 6/2(2) 5/1

eq: -0.452 (-0.013)

Player:
Opponent:

25.14% (G:0.57% B:0.01%)
74.86% (G:4.18% B:0.20%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.455...-0.448) - [0.0%]
Duration: 6 minutes 21 seconds

Rollout¹

6/2(2) 5/1(2)

eq: -0.453 (-0.015)

Player:
Opponent:

24.43% (G:0.47% B:0.01%)
75.57% (G:2.64% B:0.05%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.457...-0.449) - [0.0%]
Duration: 5 minutes 08 seconds

Rollout¹

8/4 7/3 6/2(2)

eq: -0.455 (-0.016)

Player:
Opponent:

24.38% (G:0.66% B:0.01%)
75.62% (G:2.97% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.458...-0.451) - [0.0%]
Duration: 5 minutes 56 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 16459617
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 8/4 6/2 5/1(2).

It’s crash time, but I can still retain a 5 point board. So I’ll play 5/1(2), then 6/2 and 8/4. I could try a play killing my 6’s by bringing both checkers in from the outfield, but then I may not like being forced out with a 65 or 63.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 88

11 point match

pip: 83
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-ABBbBC-C-B-------ab-ccbb-:1:-1:1:42:0:1:0:11:10

to play 42

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-22

March 22, 2018 by Online Match Editor 9 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 104

11 point match

pip: 89
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbCC-B-C------aacbbca--:0:0:1:00:0:1:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout	No double	Double/Take
Player Winning Chances:	75.28% (G:1.74% B:0.05%)	75.35% (G:1.72% B:0.05%)
Opponent Winning Chances:	24.72% (G:0.95% B:0.02%)	24.65% (G:0.94% B:0.02%)
Cubeless Equities	+0.514	+1.036
Cubeful Equities
No double:	+0.879 (-0.019)	±0.007 (+0.872..+0.886)
Double/Take:	+0.898	±0.007 (+0.890..+0.905)
Double/Pass:	+1.000 (+0.102)

Best Cube action: Double / Take
Rollout details
1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 34097821 Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

Double Decision confidence:		100.0%
Take Decision confidence:		100.0%
Duration: 23 minutes 26 seconds

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [38] Double [ 4] No Double

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: Double

First I as would ask myself if I would double this for money? The answer would be yes as I have a 15% race lead. If I round my score to 90 then 10% of 90 is 9 and so another 5% must be half of 9 or 4.5. 9 + 4.5 = 13.5 which added to 89 is 102.5 and Neil’s pip count is 104. Therefore I have a double for money so I must have a double trailing by 1 point.

The 15% comes from the Rule of 4.

Neil Kazaross takes.

A fine double, but one I have to take in this rather basic position. If I trailed by 11 pips in a pure race I’d have a flip a coin decision. Here I trail by 4 more pips than that, but there are enough added hitting chances to take. A 64 leaves me an immediate shot and there’s significant chances for more shots. The real difficultly for my opponents is to clear their 10 point, and even if they do, there’s still that 8 point to clear.

My rear checkers are restrained and this could cause me to waste some pips on my side of the board or even get squeezed into leaving a vulnerable blot. But this is mostly mitigated by the wasted pips my anchor will often cause and the fact that the USBGF Members will often be bearing off with a dearth of checkers on their 4 point.

I’d pass if the pip count was the same, but they had the easier to clear 9 point rather than their 10 point.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 104

11 point match

pip: 89
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbCC-B-C------aacbbca--:1:-1:1:42:0:1:0:11:10

to play 42

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-21

March 21, 2018 by Online Match Editor 7 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 110

11 point match

pip: 101
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBC-C----C-a-aabbcc---:0:0:1:33:0:1:0:11:10

to play 33

Rollout¹

13/10(3) 8/5

eq: +0.855

Player:
Opponent:

74.30% (G:1.72% B:0.04%)
25.70% (G:0.89% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.847...+0.862) - [100.0%]
Duration: 17 minutes 01 second

Rollout¹

13/10(3) 6/3

eq: +0.809 (-0.045)

Player:
Opponent:

73.30% (G:1.56% B:0.02%)
26.70% (G:1.11% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.802...+0.817) - [0.0%]
Duration: 16 minutes 03 seconds

Rollout¹

13/7(2)

eq: +0.800 (-0.055)

Player:
Opponent:

72.73% (G:3.65% B:0.28%)
27.27% (G:1.67% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.796...+0.803) - [0.0%]
Duration: 7 minutes 33 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [25] 13/10(3) 8/5 [17] 13/7(2) [ 1] 13/10(3) 6/3

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 13/10(3) 8/5

We could play 13/7(2), but that leaves 63 and 54 as hitting numbers for Neil.

We want to keep our spares in front of Neil’s anchor, so 13/10(3) 6/3 burying a checker is wrong.

The only play left is 13/10(3) 8/5 which is safe. This would be my play.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 110

11 point match

pip: 89
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbCC-B-C----a-aabbcc---:0:0:-1:42:0:1:0:11:10

to play 42

Rollout¹

10/6 4/2

eq: -0.904

Player:
Opponent:

24.67% (G:0.93% B:0.02%)
75.33% (G:1.75% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.907...-0.901) - [16.7%]
Duration: 1 hour 04 minutes

Rollout¹

10/6 3/1

eq: -0.904 (-0.001)

Player:
Opponent:

24.61% (G:0.91% B:0.02%)
75.39% (G:1.82% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.907...-0.902) - [16.7%]
Duration: 1 hour 05 minutes

Rollout¹

8/2

eq: -0.908 (-0.004)

Player:
Opponent:

24.54% (G:0.94% B:0.02%)
75.46% (G:1.82% B:0.04%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.911...-0.905) - [16.7%]
Duration: 58 minutes 53 seconds

Rollout¹

10/6 7/5

eq: -0.913 (-0.009)

Player:
Opponent:

24.33% (G:0.91% B:0.02%)
75.67% (G:1.72% B:0.02%)

Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.916...-0.910) - [16.7%]
Duration: 55 minutes 03 seconds

Rollout²

7/1

eq: -0.926 (-0.022)

Player:
Opponent:

24.11% (G:0.86% B:0.01%)
75.89% (G:1.97% B:0.06%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.932...-0.919) - [16.7%]
Duration: 7 minutes 49 seconds

Rollout²

10/6 8/6

eq: -0.927 (-0.023)

Player:
Opponent:

24.02% (G:0.88% B:0.02%)
75.98% (G:1.79% B:0.03%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.933...-0.920) - [16.7%]
Duration: 8 minutes 46 seconds

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

² 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 10/6 4/2.

10/6 4/2 brings in a checker to a good spot and prepares to make a 5 point board.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 104

11 point match

pip: 89
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbCC-B-C------aacbbca--:0:0:1:00:0:1:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-20

March 20, 2018 by Online Match Editor 16 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 119

11 point match

pip: 110
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBB-C---bC-A-a-bbcc---:0:0:1:00:0:1:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout	No double	Double/Take
Player Winning Chances:	63.87% (G:3.07% B:0.09%)	64.10% (G:2.97% B:0.10%)
Opponent Winning Chances:	36.13% (G:3.33% B:0.07%)	35.90% (G:3.36% B:0.07%)
Cubeless Equities	+0.274	+0.552
Cubeful Equities
No double:	+0.478	±0.007 (+0.471..+0.485)
Double/Take:	+0.344 (-0.134)	±0.009 (+0.335..+0.353)
Double/Pass:	+1.000 (+0.522)

Best Cube action: No double / Take
Percentage of wrong pass needed to make the double decision right: 17.0%
Rollout details
1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 34097821 Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

Double Decision confidence:		100.0%
Take Decision confidence:		100.0%
Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [29] No Double [10] Double

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: No Double

As a baseline in these positions, I think about whether I would double if our checker on the 15 point was on our midpoint and the pipcount was the same, say by moving a checker from our 3 point to our 5 point. Using the Rule of 4 which states that you need 4 or fewer checkers on the midpoint plus a 15% race lead to double, this means the altered position is not a double. We would need a 16 pip lead, not just the 9 pip lead we have. So if this safer altered position is not a double, then this position is not a double.

Steve Sax recommends: No Double

I certainly wouldn’t double here for quite a few reasons.

First of all, we have very few market losers. Upon closer inspection, the only market losing sequence is 44 by the USBGF Members and Neil’s 22 worst numbers based on “dice distribution.” That’s 22/1296, or less than 2%, and when you consider that the most significant market loss reaches an equity for us at 1.071, that is hardly a reason to cube.

Secondly, not only is it not a cube based on market losers, you put yourself at risk if you don’t safety the checker from the 15 point as you can find yourself losing the game rather quickly.

That occurs 96/1296 or nearly 7.4% of the time. And if we leave the shot and Neil hits and then we fail to enter, Neil will be able to cash 100% of the time (but not be strong enough to play for the gammon).

If we can’t safety and are hit, but reenters not hitting, Neil will be a favorite, but generally not be strong enough to re-double.

And even under most circumstances where we safety with a mid value dice distribution number (43 for example) and then Neil rolls an average of eight pips (62 for example), we are still a full .07 short of a cube.

That is for obvious reasons that our race lead simply isn’t large enough to warrant a cube and Neil will have plenty of shot equity as we struggle to bring our outfield pieces home.



USBGF Members:  63 15/6

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 119

11 point match

pip: 101
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBC-C---bC---a-bbcc---:0:0:-1:63:0:1:0:11:10

to play 63

Rollout¹

13/10 13/7

eq: -0.623

Player:
Opponent:

31.84% (G:1.38% B:0.03%)
68.16% (G:2.12% B:0.06%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.630...-0.617) - [100.0%]
Duration: 40 minutes 22 seconds

Rollout¹

8/2 4/1

eq: -0.654 (-0.031)

Player:
Opponent:

31.21% (G:1.59% B:0.03%)
68.79% (G:3.21% B:0.21%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.661...-0.647) - [0.0%]
Duration: 37 minutes 55 seconds

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 13/10 13/7.

Good backgammon play involves trying to use all 15 checkers as best as possible and also looking ahead a couple of turns. If I retain the mid point now, I have to leave two blots in my board and will almost always have to break either my board or midpoint next turn. My midpoint currently isn’t helping me to get a shot since the USBGF Members have spare checkers to move. Therefore, since it seems that there’s almost no chance for me to retain both board and midpoint for long enough, I should break the midpoint now.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 110

11 point match

pip: 101
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBC-C----C-a-aabbcc---:0:0:1:33:0:1:0:11:10

to play 33

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-19

March 19, 2018 by Online Match Editor 10 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 125

11 point match

pip: 118
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBB-C---bB---bBcacb---:0:0:1:53:0:1:0:11:10

to play 53

Rollout¹

13/5

eq: +0.199

Player:
Opponent:

55.74% (G:10.63% B:0.30%)
44.26% (G:8.68% B:0.26%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.191...+0.208) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 12 minutes

Rollout¹

18/15 18/13

eq: +0.142 (-0.058)

Player:
Opponent:

55.24% (G:7.75% B:0.34%)
44.76% (G:9.33% B:0.15%)

Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.135...+0.149) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 11 minutes

Rollout¹

13/10 13/8

eq: +0.099 (-0.100)

Player:
Opponent:

52.91% (G:11.27% B:0.36%)
47.09% (G:9.70% B:0.28%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.091...+0.107) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 09 minutes

Rollout¹

8/5 8/3

eq: -0.053 (-0.253)

Player:
Opponent:

48.99% (G:11.55% B:0.39%)
51.01% (G:14.51% B:0.49%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.063...-0.044) - [0.0%]
Duration: 58 minutes 58 seconds

Rollout¹

13/10 8/3

eq: -0.099 (-0.298)

Player:
Opponent:

48.25% (G:13.70% B:0.51%)
51.75% (G:18.73% B:0.67%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (-0.108...-0.089) - [0.0%]
Duration: 59 minutes 12 seconds

Rollout¹

18/13 8/5

eq: -0.122 (-0.322)

Player:
Opponent:

48.71% (G:8.77% B:0.30%)
51.29% (G:14.17% B:0.25%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.130...-0.114) - [0.0%]
Duration: 51 minutes 49 seconds

Rollout¹

6/3 6/1

eq: -0.166 (-0.366)

Player:
Opponent:

46.53% (G:7.25% B:0.17%)
53.47% (G:15.80% B:0.42%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.175...-0.157) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 08 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [25] 18/15 18/13 [ 8] 13/5 [ 3] 6/3 6/1 [ 2] 13/10 13/8 [ 1] 18/13 8/5

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
teaches at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 13/5

We have to leave a blot so we need to ask ourselves ‘Which point does Neil least want to hit us from?’ Here that is the midpoint, so if we play 13/5, and Neil will be giving us return shots and we will have duplicated 1’s for him to hit and cover the blot on his 5 point. We will also still have the 18 point as a point to escape to with 61 and 52.

If however, we play 18/15 18/13, we will have let Neil hit with 3’s then cover with 1’s and 5’s. Although 3’s will be duplicated, he will have more hit and cover numbers.

13/10 13/8 gives Neil good 6’s which he does not currently have, and will allow Neil to hit from his rearmost anchor which he would like to do.

My gut instinct was to play 13/5 and going through all the options convinces me that this is the correct play.



Neil Kazaross:  51 8/3 6/5

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 119

11 point match

pip: 110
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBB-C---bC-A-a-bbcc---:0:0:1:00:0:1:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-18

March 18, 2018 by Online Match Editor 8 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 135

11 point match

pip: 137
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---AbBCAC---cC---bBd-bb---:0:0:1:54:0:1:0:11:10

to play 54

Rollout¹

13/8 7/3

eq: +0.175

Player:
Opponent:

54.60% (G:8.50% B:0.28%)
45.40% (G:7.43% B:0.19%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.167...+0.183) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes

Rollout¹

8/3 7/3

eq: +0.119 (-0.056)

Player:
Opponent:

52.92% (G:8.79% B:0.28%)
47.08% (G:8.84% B:0.23%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.110...+0.127) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 37 minutes

Rollout¹

7/2 6/2

eq: +0.096 (-0.079)

Player:
Opponent:

52.67% (G:9.15% B:0.30%)
47.33% (G:9.76% B:0.25%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.087...+0.105) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 37 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [37] 13/8 7/3 [ 2] 8/3 7/3 [ 1] 18/14 18/13

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 13/8 7/3

After the roll we will be ahead in the race by 7 pips.

We want to keep as many spares as possible in front of Neil’s anchor on our 21 point, so I would reject 8/3 7/3.

So it looks like we have to play 13/8 7/3. This takes the spare off the midpoint and improves our board while moving only one spare behind Neil’s anchor.

Steve Sax recommends: 13/8 7/3

While we would have liked to make our bar point, the USBGF Members can still make our three point with the four and play 13/8 with the five.

Making the four point with the four is the most constructive move available for this roll, and playing a five down from the mid point is safe and somewhat constructive as it allows us to play sixes comfortably to our two point.

Any other move either leaves a shot or at a minimum puts pieces out of play or at least in uncomfortable places.

Sometimes the obvious play is really obvious. In this case no surprises, just play 13/8 7/3 and as Stick says, “call it a day”.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 135

11 point match

pip: 128
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---BbBC-D---cB---bBd-bb---:0:0:-1:41:0:1:0:11:10

to play 41

Rollout¹

13/8

eq: -0.214

Player:
Opponent:

44.01% (G:7.45% B:0.22%)
55.99% (G:8.25% B:0.26%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.222...-0.206) - [99.6%]
Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes

Rollout¹

6/5 6/2

eq: -0.230 (-0.015)

Player:
Opponent:

43.64% (G:7.75% B:0.20%)
56.36% (G:8.32% B:0.25%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.238...-0.222) - [0.4%]
Duration: 1 hour 33 minutes

Rollout¹

6/1

eq: -0.261 (-0.047)

Player:
Opponent:

42.78% (G:6.96% B:0.16%)
57.22% (G:8.77% B:0.28%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.269...-0.253) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes

Rollout¹

6/2 3/2

eq: -0.266 (-0.052)

Player:
Opponent:

42.89% (G:7.05% B:0.17%)
57.11% (G:8.74% B:0.29%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.274...-0.258) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 24 minutes

Rollout¹

13/9 6/5

eq: -0.294 (-0.080)

Player:
Opponent:

41.61% (G:8.77% B:0.27%)
58.39% (G:9.74% B:0.34%)

Conf.: ± 0.011 (-0.306...-0.283) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 13/8.

Holding games are often waiting games. With the USBGF Members having a fine 3 point board, playing 13/9 6/5 looks wrong, as I don’t want to be hit and if they do hit me, they often gain tempo to help escape from their anchor. If I slot both inside points, I leave a stripped position that isn’t always easy to clean up. So I’ll just play the mundane 13/8.



USBGF Members:  64 8/2 6/2

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 130

11 point match

pip: 118
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBB-C---bB---cBd-bb---:0:0:-1:32:0:1:0:11:10

to play 32

Rollout¹

8/5 6/4

eq: -0.209

Player:
Opponent:

44.01% (G:9.19% B:0.27%)
55.99% (G:10.22% B:0.32%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.217...-0.201) - [100.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 13 minutes

Rollout¹

8/3

eq: -0.262 (-0.053)

Player:
Opponent:

42.68% (G:7.52% B:0.23%)
57.32% (G:9.54% B:0.28%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.270...-0.253) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 12 minutes

Rollout¹

6/1

eq: -0.269 (-0.060)

Player:
Opponent:

42.43% (G:7.63% B:0.19%)
57.57% (G:10.00% B:0.34%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.277...-0.261) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 11 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 8/5 6/4.

Shots are hopefully coming, so I want my 5 point and the best board possible. Therefore, I slot my 5 point and don’t worry much about being stripped. 6/1 doesn’t look correct for the long term.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 125

11 point match

pip: 118
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=--BBbBB-C---bB---bBcacb---:0:0:1:53:0:1:0:11:10

to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-17

March 17, 2018 by Online Match Editor 3 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 142

11 point match

pip: 141
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---Ab-DAD---cC---cBe-aa---:0:0:1:31:0:1:0:11:10

to play 31

Rollout¹

8/5 6/5

eq: +0.173

Player:
Opponent:

54.63% (G:8.45% B:0.30%)
45.37% (G:7.56% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.164...+0.181) - [100.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 03 minutes

Rollout¹

8/7 6/3

eq: +0.086 (-0.087)

Player:
Opponent:

52.48% (G:7.22% B:0.27%)
47.52% (G:8.12% B:0.24%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.078...+0.095) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 00 minute

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [28] 8/5 6/5 [15] 8/7 6/3

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 8/5 6/5

Neil’s 2 inner board blots give us a lot of freedom to just improve our board without too many worries, therefore we should make the 5 point with 8/5 6/5.

If we use those 2 blots to make Neil’s 4 point, we should still make our 5 point, but if you used the blots to make Neil’s 5 point then I would probably play safe with 8/7 6/3 — Neil’s 5 point is too strong for us to make the looser play.

Steve Sax recommends: 8/5 6/5

While it is a consideration to make two points (8/7 6/3) how can we pass up making our five point?

It’s the point on the board we most want to make and we can do it with little risk.

Neil is double slotted in his board, so being hit on the 7 point isn’t much of a concern, and as an added bonus, if Neil doesn’t hit there, the USBGF Members have an opportunity to roll a six or one and make a four prime.

The three point is icing on the cake, and that can be done with leisure.

Additionally, by making the five point, it makes breaking away from the 18 point that much easier if Neil doesn’t develop his home board too quickly.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 142

11 point match

pip: 137
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---AbBCAC---cC---cBe-aa---:0:0:-1:52:0:1:0:11:10

to play 52

Rollout¹

8/3 6/4

eq: -0.212

Player:
Opponent:

43.96% (G:7.20% B:0.22%)
56.04% (G:8.08% B:0.23%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.220...-0.203) - [99.2%]
Duration: 1 hour 47 minutes

Rollout¹

13/8 6/4

eq: -0.226 (-0.015)

Player:
Opponent:

43.78% (G:7.19% B:0.21%)
56.22% (G:8.44% B:0.30%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.235...-0.217) - [0.8%]
Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 34097821
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 8/3 6/4.

It seems time to make up my board even though I risk a bad 61.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 135

11 point match

pip: 137
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---AbBCAC---cC---bBd-bb---:0:0:1:54:0:1:0:11:10

to play 54

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-15

March 15, 2018 by Online Match Editor 7 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 151

11 point match

pip: 150
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=----b-E-D---dD---cBe--a---:0:0:1:63:0:1:0:11:10

to play 63

Rollout¹

13/7 6/3

eq: +0.085

Player:
Opponent:

52.27% (G:9.17% B:0.38%)
47.73% (G:9.19% B:0.34%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (+0.076...+0.095) - [100.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 21 minutes

Rollout¹

8/2 6/3

eq: +0.042 (-0.043)

Player:
Opponent:

51.33% (G:7.29% B:0.17%)
48.67% (G:9.36% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.034...+0.051) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 08 minutes

Rollout¹

13/7 8/5

eq: +0.011 (-0.074)

Player:
Opponent:

50.48% (G:10.67% B:0.39%)
49.52% (G:11.14% B:0.40%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (+0.001...+0.021) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 24 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [19] 13/7 6/3 [18] 8/2 6/3 [ 2] 13/7 8/5

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 13/7 6/3

I looked at playing both checkers behind Neil’s anchor, but thought it was to damaging to our position.

I then though it is probably ok to leave one blot in front of Neil’s anchor so looked at 8/5 8/2, but stripping the 8 point is terrible.

Then I considered 13/7 6/3. This duplicates 3’s to hit and cover for Neil and the checker on the 3 point is not too deep. Lastly I looked at 13/7 8/5 the double slot, which was just a bridge too far for me. So I went with 13/7 6/3 but am far from confident about it being correct.

Steve Sax recommends: 13/7 6/3

After rolling 63, we are ahead 10 pips, so the inclination might be to play two pieces past the anchor and hope to roll a double to get our two checkers off Neil’s bar point. However, that would be missing an opportunity to develop at minimal cost.

We can play 13/7 6/3, starting our bar point and slotting a point in our board.

When deciding to make any play, we have to make a determination as to the gains and drawbacks of each decision.

In this case, the gain is that a majority of the time Neil will miss us here and if that occurs, we will have an opportunity to make our bar point with any six, ace or combination adding to six.

In addition to that, if we are not hit on our bar point, 3 2 will make the five point, so that’s just another added benefit for slotting the bar point.

It’s also important to note, that beyond the fact that Neil only hits with 13 numbers, is that even if Neil does hit, there are four factors which make the risk worthwhile.

The first one is that Neil only has a one point board, and the second reason is that he has a blot in that board.

The third reason is that the 3’s that hit are also duplicated with 3’s that cover the blot in Neil’s board.

And the fourth reason is that we have an anchor on our bar point. Because of that, even if Neil hits on our bar point, we are far from having to worry about being trapped back in Neil’s board because of the weaknesses indicated in the “four factors”.

If one or two of those factors weren’t in play then playing safe could easily be correct, but in this instance I’m slotting our bar and our three point.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 151

11 point match

pip: 141
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---Ab-DAD---dC---cBe--a---:0:0:-1:54:0:1:0:11:10

to play 54

Rollout¹

13/4

eq: -0.154

Player:
Opponent:

45.64% (G:7.90% B:0.27%)
54.36% (G:7.78% B:0.29%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.157...-0.150) - [99.9%]
Duration: 13 hours 32 minutes

Rollout¹

8/3 6/2

eq: -0.165 (-0.011)

Player:
Opponent:

45.34% (G:7.93% B:0.24%)
54.66% (G:8.17% B:0.31%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.168...-0.161) - [0.0%]
Duration: 13 hours 03 minutes

Rollout²

13/8 6/2

eq: -0.168 (-0.014)

Player:
Opponent:

45.21% (G:7.51% B:0.33%)
54.79% (G:8.13% B:0.33%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.177...-0.160) - [0.1%]
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Rollout²

13/9 8/3

eq: -0.174 (-0.020)

Player:
Opponent:

44.92% (G:8.16% B:0.25%)
55.08% (G:7.85% B:0.30%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.183...-0.165) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes

Rollout²

8/4 8/3

eq: -0.211 (-0.057)

Player:
Opponent:

43.99% (G:9.40% B:0.32%)
56.01% (G:9.43% B:0.35%)

Conf.: ± 0.009 (-0.220...-0.202) - [0.0%]
Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

² 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 13/4.

Three plays look to be close here. If I play 8/3, neither 4 that follows seems that good. 6/2 leaves me a blotting 61 and goes after an inferior point, whereas 13/9 leaves a 2 shot but one that my opponents will often think twice about hitting.

However, 13/4 looks more natural and goes after a better point and tries to use my builders on the 6 point next turn. The drawback is that with two blots in my board I may allow my opponents to take liberties by blotting to try to make key points, but I will have quite a few hit and cover rolls if they do.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 142

11 point match

pip: 141
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=---Ab-DAD---cC---cBe-aa---:0:0:1:31:0:1:0:11:10

to play 31

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-13

March 13, 2018 by Online Match Editor 5 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 160

11 point match

pip: 157
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-a--a-E-CA--dD--acAe----A-:0:0:1:61:0:1:0:11:10

to play 61

Rollout¹

24/18 9/8

eq: +0.159

Player:
Opponent:

54.04% (G:10.84% B:0.36%)
45.96% (G:9.77% B:0.31%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (+0.150...+0.169) - [100.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 34 minutes

Rollout¹

24/18 6/5

eq: -0.053 (-0.213)

Player:
Opponent:

49.06% (G:11.40% B:0.48%)
50.94% (G:13.50% B:0.50%)

Conf.: ± 0.012 (-0.065...-0.041) - [0.0%]
Duration: 3 hours 03 minutes

Rollout¹

13/7 8/7

eq: -0.112 (-0.271)

Player:
Opponent:

47.48% (G:12.75% B:0.57%)
52.52% (G:15.42% B:0.78%)

Conf.: ± 0.011 (-0.123...-0.101) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 36 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [42] 24/18 9/8 [ 3] 13/7 8/7 [ 1] 24/18 6/5

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 24/18 9/8

I see players try to do more with the dice than the roll gave them. We need to take what the dice have given us, and make the appropriate move.

Here we should just play 24/18 making the advanced anchor, then 9/8. There is no need to take a risk. We are on roll, with no blots and we are up in the race by 10 pips after the roll.

Steve Sax recommends: 24/18 9/8

In my oft spoken mantra of, “Can you make a point, can you escape a checker, can you hit a piece,” I advocate making the selected play not only based on how many of these tasks can you achieve on the move in question.

However, not only must your move adhere to the goals indicated above but they must be constructive. And not only must they be constructive, but they must also not be destructive.

Regarding this roll, there are several possible choices, but the one that I like the most not only is constructive, but it is also not destructive as I would advise in any situation.

By playing 24/18 9/8, we can make Neil’s bar point, but also safety the checker on our nine point.

If for some reason we had decided to make our own bar point, we would have three blots in jeopardy which can be hit with 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 6’s. And that gives Neil too much leeway in his effort to improve his position.

You might ask me, but if we make the barpoint and safety the blot, won’t most of our moves on the next roll be unproductive?

Well a way to test this is to go to “dice distribution” under the “analyze” tab in XG and find a number that is in the middle of the graph as far as productiveness.

In this case, I chose 54 and had Neil make his four point and then went to look at how many numbers for White would be constructive, destructive or neutral.

I find 16 numbers which make a new point (11, 31, 61, 22, 42, 33, 53, 44, 64, 55 and 66). And that’s nearly half of the numbers in a position that seems rather static.

In addition to that, 41, 32, 52 and 43 are rather neutral not gaining that much and not being terribly destructive either.

That brings us to destructive numbers, which is somewhat of a subjective term as the following numbers aren’t destructive per se, but rather they don’t add much to our winning chances and actually expose one or two additional blots when we are outboarded. These 12 numbers include 21, 51, 62, 63, 54 and 65.

So with a ratio of 16/6/12, that speaks in favor of the USBGF Members being able to improve our position after a neutral number for Neil.

Not bad odds when you take into account the alternative of making our bar point with 61, which leaves us wide open for a counter attack.

So for this move, I make the 18 point, lift and hope for the best.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 160

11 point match

pip: 150
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-a--a-E-D---dD--acBe------:0:0:-1:63:0:1:0:11:10

to play 63

Rollout¹

24/21 9/3

eq: -0.121

Player:
Opponent:

46.58% (G:8.08% B:0.30%)
53.42% (G:7.76% B:0.28%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.125...-0.117) - [93.5%]
Duration: 15 hours 12 minutes

Rollout¹

24/18 21/18

eq: -0.126 (-0.004)

Player:
Opponent:

46.09% (G:7.42% B:0.25%)
53.91% (G:7.59% B:0.27%)

Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.130...-0.122) - [6.5%]
Duration: 16 hours 29 minutes

Rollout²

9/3 6/3

eq: -0.175 (-0.053)

Player:
Opponent:

45.88% (G:10.70% B:0.38%)
54.12% (G:12.35% B:0.41%)

Conf.: ± 0.011 (-0.186...-0.164) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 09 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 24/21 9/3.

I see no reason to leave a 2 shot when I have no board to threaten an effective counter attack, and the race is close. By simply playing 24/21 9/3, I result in a safe position that is only a slightly inferior mutual holding game. It is also good to anchor somewhere so my back checkers aren’t at risk of being attacked.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 151

11 point match

pip: 150
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=----b-E-D---dD---cBe--a---:0:0:1:63:0:1:0:11:10

to play 63

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM

USBGF OLM 2018-03-12

March 12, 2018 by Online Match Editor 6 Comments

[Previous]

[Next]

Last vote on the OLM:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 167

11 point match

pip: 167
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-b----E-C---eE---c-e----B-:0:0:1:64:0:1:0:11:10

to play 64

Rollout¹

24/18 13/9

eq: +0.023

Player:
Opponent:

50.39% (G:13.95% B:0.66%)
49.61% (G:14.00% B:0.63%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.018...+0.028) - [77.7%]
Duration: 19 hours 34 minutes

Rollout¹

8/2 6/2

eq: +0.020 (-0.003)

Player:
Opponent:

49.73% (G:16.03% B:0.89%)
50.27% (G:14.59% B:0.70%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.016...+0.025) - [22.2%]
Duration: 16 hours 10 minutes

Rollout¹

24/14

eq: +0.014 (-0.009)

Player:
Opponent:

50.54% (G:12.45% B:0.58%)
49.46% (G:13.56% B:0.52%)

Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.009...+0.018) - [0.1%]
Duration: 19 hours 09 minutes

¹ 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote: [24] 24/18 13/9 [13] 8/2 6/2 [ 3] 24/14 [ 1] 13/9 13/7 [ 1] 24/20 13/7

Grant Hoffman (grant@hoffman.kiwi)
and
Steve Sax (backgammonplayer@msn.com)
teach at the Backgammon Learning Center, and can be contacted for lessons via email.

Grant Hoffman recommends: 8/2 6/2

For Money the play of 64 is too close to call. I prefer 8/2 6/2, but lots of good players play 24/18 13/9. You should be comfortable with the top 3 ways to play 64 including 24/14.

As I prefer 8/2 6/2 (which wins more Gammons but less games) for a normal match score, then here where we are trailing, I would definitely play 8/2 6/2.

Steve Sax:

The opening 64 has been an often debated opening move with the three candidate plays being fairly close in equity. Those candidate plays are to run, make the two point or split.

My decision when to employ any of these moves in a match depends on the score. If I’m far down in the match I make the two point as a way of getting into games that include more gammons for both sides.

And while I obviously don’t want to be gammoned, I’m willing to risk additional gammon losses as compared to gammon wins since when trailing, a gammon and especially a doubled gammon has more impact for the trailer than the leader.

Conversely, if I’m ahead in the match, I would like to avoid those gammon scenarios so I choose to run and attempt a simple game rather than a game with more contact.

In a neutral score situation I’ll often split the opening 64 (24/18 13/9) because it makes an attempt to develop on both sides of the board.

And at DMP it’s right to run. Interestingly I spoke to Mads Andersen many years ago about his opening 64 at DMP in the finals of the world championship in Monte Carlo, and he said for some reason he chose to make the two point which wins about 1% less often.

He said with chagrin however that as the numbers played out he probably would have lost and not become world champion in 2002.

Well it’s unlikely that most of us will be in that situation but just in case, we go over these problems so that in case we are lucky enough to win a big tournament we give ourselves the best chance by making the best moves, and what better way to start than with the opening moves.

Trailing 11-away/10-away is hardly a score relevant situation, and there is little difference between that score and the start of the match so XG has us making the two point which is ever so slightly better than splitting or running.

As a matter of note, the first time xG has running better than either other play by more than .02 when leading 7-0 to 11, which is quite a lead to first make the conservative running move.

There is another factor to consider though and that is player differential.

Since Neil is one of the all time greats, you might want to play a simpler game rather than a complex game to give yourself the best chance to win.

Not to dismiss the USBGF Members, as they include some accomplished players, but if the objective is to win then why not try to simplify the game and avoid tough decisions later on which will further diminish our winning chances if mistakes are made.

However another way to look at it is, this is a long term lesson, so why not make some plays that are not only technically correct, but give us an opportunity to learn from Neil, Grant, myself and each other the finer points of the game.

In the end I would say this move is fairly optional depending on what your priorities and motivations are.

Neil Kazaross to play:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 167

11 point match

pip: 157
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-b----E-CA--eD---cAe----A-:0:0:-1:43:0:1:0:11:10

to play 43

Rollout¹

24/21 13/9

eq: -0.292

Player:
Opponent:

43.55% (G:10.76% B:0.46%)
56.45% (G:15.68% B:0.78%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (-0.302...-0.281) - [99.2%]
Duration: 2 hours 28 minutes

Rollout¹

24/20 13/10

eq: -0.311 (-0.019)

Player:
Opponent:

43.30% (G:10.18% B:0.45%)
56.70% (G:16.01% B:0.80%)

Conf.: ± 0.012 (-0.323...-0.299) - [0.8%]
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Rollout¹

24/20 8/5

eq: -0.319 (-0.028)

Player:
Opponent:

42.89% (G:10.65% B:0.48%)
57.11% (G:16.40% B:0.86%)

Conf.: ± 0.011 (-0.331...-0.308) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 29 minutes

Rollout¹

24/21 24/20

eq: -0.325 (-0.033)

Player:
Opponent:

42.66% (G:9.29% B:0.45%)
57.34% (G:15.23% B:0.64%)

Conf.: ± 0.010 (-0.335...-0.315) - [0.0%]
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

¹ 1296 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 18980794
Moves: 4-ply, cube decisions: XG Roller+

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 24/21 13/9.

43 isn’t a good response to 64 24/18 13/9. It is important to know the proper responses to commonly played opening rolls. Here I know that 43 24/21 13/9 is the best play. It would be nice to be able to duplicate more rolls, but all plays leave me hoping for a fortunate sequence to get closer to an even game by next turn.

Today’s vote:

is Neil Kazaross

score: 1
pip: 160

11 point match

pip: 157
score: 0

is USBGF Members

XGID=-a--a-E-CA--dD--acAe----A-:0:0:1:61:0:1:0:11:10

to play 61

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Filed Under: Match #8, OLM