Backgammon: The Post-Crawford Trick (Lesson 121)

[@backyammonyams]

Enjoying all of your weekly lessons. Appreciate you!

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

Thank you

[@bad0beef]

Excellent content. Thanks mate!😊

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

You're welcome

[@norfolknchance657]

Worth noting that if White has a ninth checker in the zone - say on the 9-point (as per one of Dan's previous lessons - The Ninth Checker), it is a big drop because of White's gammons which increase to 37% with Green wins of 34%. This bears out what Dan is saying about wins v gammons. Put a 10th checker in the zone - say on the 8-point (to make the 8-point) - and it's a massive pass as you would expect (D/T = +1.31; D/P = +1.00). Green wins are just 31% v White gammons of 43%. Also, if you adjust the score of the main position so that the trailer (White) is an EVEN number away ie 2a 1a then White is Too Good to double and should play on for the gammon. As Dan says, it's worth using XG to change positions and scores to see how they affect the cube decision.

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

Thanks you, here's the 'Ninth Checker' video you refer to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fojQmq1opZuFgMk

[@stevekirby6619]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

Welcome

[@grumpytortoise3868]

At 2:16 if green drops, don't you mean white would now need to win one doubled game to win the match? A single game would make it 4-4. It's a small detail but I just watched it and thought I was losing my marbles 😂 or maybe I am and you're about to explain why 😉

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

Sure, but the opponent will be doubling regardless. Best wishes.

[@danielsrensen1837]

If a player waits too long before doubling and his opponent simply passes, he loses value. Many players have outsmarted themselves with this trick, including Mochy. Semifinal versus Thomas Myhr, 2016 Gilbraltar Championships: XGID=-a-a--EaC-AAdC--ac-dA---A-:0:0:1:00:14:16:0:17:8

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

Thank you for the video link. Yes, there is an option of overshooting your market. Of course, you may get your opponent also to take a pass, as well as pass a take

[@niveo123]

At 1a3a pc gammon value is nearly 1, that is true. But at other scores, especially 1a5a pc gammon value is much lower, somewhere between 0,55 to 0,66 (gnubg), definitly the lowest gammon value at all odd away. From 1a9a pc to 1a >9(odd) gammon value will be around 0,65 (odds from gnubg). Gammon values will change dramatically when players have different skills, but here it becomes very wild. So be carefull with the rule of thumb with gammon value =1 on odd scores. Try different odd scores, the second example will be good.

[@BackgammonisBeautiful]

Good point. Yes, I agree with your point. This video is a simplification of one post crawford score so people get an idea of how the trick works. Thanks for your input :)