r/backgammon

Why do some people block you in and then repeatedly hit you on the 1 spot, and repeatedly leave one checker there for you to have to hit when re-entering. Look, I’m already losing, just finish the game.

Hi, I am not really a player but very interested in the theoretical analysis of optimal cube play. I have come across claims that optimal play at the 2-away, 2-away position is to double at the first advantage, or at the first possibility of a market loser. I have read many arguments for these claims. But I still do not understand, so I am hoping someone here can assist.

As far as I understand, the take point defines the threshold for optimal cube play. E.g. in money play the take point is 75% and for the 2-away, 2-away position in question it’s about 70%. I can understand there may be some adjustments for market losers but don’t see how we from 70% to just anything over 50%.

I am looking for a simple mathematical/game theoretic explanation. As I am not a player, I would also appreciate any distinction between theoretical results and practicality - for example maybe the optimal point really is 70% but for practical reasons people adopt another strategy. Thanks!

I have been at a tournament in the UK this weekend. It's a fairly low-key 60 player event, but nevertheless had a few UK top-50 players in attendance. I noticed that, only 10 of the top 20 entrants (on UKBGF ratings), and only 5 of the top 8, made it through Saturday qualifying to the Top 32 Main event on the Sunday. From a quick spot check on BMAB these top 20 players have PRs ranging from about 4.5 to 7.5*. The top BMAB registered player (M1, PR 4.5) did not qualify. The four semi finalists' UKBGF ratings ranked them 18th, 20th, 36th and 44th out of the 60 entrants.

Is this a typical pattern in live tournament play, i.e. high-rated players seem not much more likely to come through than intermediates?

It seems strange than not one of the top 15 entrants (top 25% rated of the field) even got to a SF. This feels like either the mid-tier players have really stepped up, or the luck factor has gone wild this weekend! Interested in any thoughts...

*I suspect some of the BMAB PRs are quite out-of-date - I am certain that most of these folks currently play closer to PR 6.

For those of you who are members of established local clubs in the US, how is your club determining who will represent you at USBGF's Club Tournament of Champions?

I thought we'd just register our strongest regular player (not me by a long shot, lol) but apparently this was an outrageous suggestion so we're going to have a qualifying tournament instead :)

Has anyone else had problems with Backgammon Galaxy customer support?

A few months ago, I had an issue with my Star Membership subscription and support never properly resolved it. Recently they contacted me again after I mentioned it here, but after a few messages I’m once again waiting without any response.

I’m curious if other players have had similar experiences with their customer support, or if I was just unlucky.

I really like the idea of the platform, so it’s disappointing.

Hey everyone, I'm a developer (not a vibe coder) and I'm building a dominoes app cause the existing ones were not great.

I'm curious how satisfied everyone is with the apps to play backgammon on.

Do you think there's space for someone to build a better app/platform for backgammon?

Or is it saturated and a waste of time?

If anyone has any issues with current apps or something they'd use let me know and I might be able to build it.

Also anything I build will be free with no blocking ads. Not trying to make money off of this.