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PRIMETIME
BACKGAMMON
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE USBGF
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2013
membership
challenge
Bill Riles outlines
his plans to increase
USBGF membership
home field
advantage
Jeremy Bagai & Ed O'Laughlin
battle in the USBGF National
Championship final
U.s. Backgammon federation
gorgeous
georgia
Report from the 7th
Georgian Championship
Video Lesson
Phil Simborg lectures on
tough bear-off decisions
visit us at usbgf.org
7th New York
Metropolitan Open
January
9-12, 2014
Hyatt Regency
on the Hudson
2 Exchange Place
Jersey City, NJ
»» Main Flight, Consolation, &
Last Chance. Re-entries allowed
in both the Championship and
Intermediate Divisions.
»» Reserve by December 20, 2013 to
take advantage of the $119 per night
group rate discount!
»» Contact Lynn Ehrlich, Organizer and
Co-Director, or Jeb Horton, Co-Director,
at [email protected].
»» Tournament Brochure and Entry Form
available online at nybackgammon.com.
4
USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine
PRIMETIME
BACKGAMMON
November december Issue
PrimeTime Backgammon
By Karen Davis, Managing Editor
T
membership
challenge
Bill Riles outlines
USBGF membership
gammon converts, Kevin Helton, who got
introduced to the game in its birthplace
during his tour of duty in Iraq with the
Army Corps of Engineers.
Also check out the latest live and online
Leader Boards. Get your name on the marquee by playing in the many USBGF online
American Backgammon Tour live events
“
listed in the magazine.
You’ll find that PrimeTime Backgammon
USBGF President
Bill Riles outlines his
December 1, 2013 and February 28, 2014.
the Third Anniversary issue of
He has set a goal of attracting 100 new
Priorities and Plans
PrimeTime Backgammon. We’re
members through this initiative, and will
glad you share our enthusiasm for the new
upgrade his Founding Sponsorship to the
and announces a new
design and enhanced content. Many thanks
Gold level if we meet the challenge he
President’s Member-
to Tara Mendicino, the USBGF Director
has set. If you didn’t see it, check out the
of Communications, for all she has done
great article on Bill that ran recently in the
ship Challenge. He
to bring a fresh new look to the magazine.
Houston Chronicle.
gorgeous
georgia
home field
Report from the 7th
Championship final
advantage
Video Lesson
has features attuned to the interests of our
entire membership, offering more and more
ways to enhance your playing experience.
You won’t want to miss out on all the great
action. 
- KAREN DAVIS
will give a new USBGF
Crisloid backgammon
Sabri Büyüksoy, who just joined as a regular
focused on local clubs with an article by
board valued at $300
contributor to PrimeTime Backgammon
Ken Larsen, director of the Durham-Chapel
in the last issue, follows up with highlights
Hill Backgammon Club, founded in 2008.
from the Georgia Open. This feature is
Let us know if you’d like for us to put the
tailored to the interests of the growing
spotlight on your local club next.
At your suggestion, we are continuing to
This issue features an article, “Home Field
attract new authors – including Ken Larsen,
Advantage: The Comic Book, Episode II,”
Mike Mannon, and Linda Rockwell in this
by USBGF Editor Bob Wachtel featur-
to the member who
issue, and to offer articles of interest to our
ing Jeremy Bagai’s capture of the 2012
diverse membership. We welcome your
USBGF National Championship over Ed
signs up the most new
feedback and suggestions on how to make
O’Laughlin. The fickle finger of fate is often
it even better.
a determining factor when two top-rated
USBGF President Bill Riles outlines his
well as a profile of one of the newest back-
tournament offerings, or the upcoming
hank you for your kind words on
players face off.
5
members...
international membership of the U.S. Backgammon Federation.
Phil Simborg, USBGF Education Adviser
and lecturer extraordinaire, shares a sample
And from the heartland, Linda Rockwell
of his USBGF teaching videos. Phil has cre-
reports on the 2013 Illinois State Cham-
ated over 100 videos thus far, and all can
be viewed on the USBGF website.
Priorities and Plans and announces a new
Mike Mannon’s column on “Using the
pionships, with an all-female staff that
President’s Membership Challenge. He will
Opening Move to Figure Out a Reply” illus-
knows how to Take Time for Fun at this
give a new USBGF Crisloid backgammon
trates how much failing to get the opening
Halloween-themed tournament.
board valued at $300 to the member who
move affects play. We look forward to more
signs up the most new members between
interesting columns from Mike.
There’s much more – profiles of online
monthly circuit tournament winners
With this issue, we’ve started a new feature
Charles Raichle and Gerard Jendras, as
KAREN DAVIS
Karen Davis is chairman of the USBGF
Board of Directors and Managing Editor of PrimeTime Backgammon.
6
In This Issue
7
November
December 2013
FEATURED
15 USBGF MASTER POINTS SYSTEM
22
An in-depth study and description of the USBGF
Master Points System approved by the U.S. Backgammon Federation Board of Directors.
BY RICHARD MUNITZ & JOE RUSSELL
MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE
President and Executive Director Bill Riles
details his plans to increase membership
in the USBGF and expand resources for
our current members.
26
22 PRESIDENT'S MEMBERSHIP
CHALLENGE INITIATIVE
Executive Director Bill Riles announces his President's Membership Challenge initiative. A win-win
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
A study of the 2012 USBGF National Championship final between Bagai and O'Laughlin.
for both the USBGF and its membership!
BY BILL RILES
26 HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
KEN LARSEN
Bob Wachtel analyzes key positions from the 2012
71
68
Ken Larsen, Director of the Durham/Chapel Hill Backgammon Club in North Carolina, highlights the extra
effort he puts in to make his club a thriving success.
Director Marco Fornasir hosted 92 players from 13
countries -- including four World Champions and
many of backgammon's most stellar celebrities.
Helton learned to play backgammon while
serving in the Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq.
USBGF National Championship final played between Jeremy Bagai and Ed O'Laughlin.
BY BOB WACHTEL
47 USING THE OPENING MOVE TO
FIGURE OUT A REPLY
DURHAM/CHAPEL HILL CLUB
7TH GEORGIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
KEVIN HELTON
Mike Mannon writes a fascinating case study on the
methodology of determining the correct reply to an
opening 54-split.
BY MIKE MANNON
52
52 GORGEOUS GEORGIA
Sabri Büyüksoy brings us another fabulous tournament report from the 7th Georgian Backgammon
Championship, hosted by Marco Fornasir.
Questions or comments about PrimeTime
Backgammon? We want to hear from you!
Contact us via e-mail at [email protected].
BY SABRI BÜYÜKSOY
8
In This Issue
November
December 2013
PRIMETIME
BACKGAMMON
membership
challenge
ON THE COVER
Thanks to Patrick Gibson for allowing
us to use this great shot of Jeremy
holding the USBGF Grand Championship trophy in front of a Jon Vietor
painting taken in Jon's home at the
Vietor Cup tournament he graciously
hosts each year.
Bill Riles outlines
USBGF membership
60 WHEN IN DOUBT
An excellent video lesson by USBGF Education
Adviser Phil Simborg great for all skill levels.
BY PHIL SIMBORG
PLAYER PROFILES
TURN BACK NOW!
62 CHARLIE RAICHLE
Meet Charlie Raichle of Colorado, winner of the
2013 USBGF Circuit Monthly for April.
BY KAREN DAVIS
65 GERARD JENDRAS
Gerard Jendras details the suprising parallels of
competitive curling and backgammon!
gorgeous
georgia
home field
Report from the 7th
Championship final
advantage
Fair warning at the Halloweenthemed Illinois State Championship
directed by Linda Rockwell and Peoria
Backgammon Club Director, Sue Will.
Video Lesson
BY KAREN DAVIS
68 KEVIN HELTON
An extraordinary interview with Kevin Helton, who
learned to play backgammon while serving in Iraq.
USBGF NEWS
79 OHIO-MICHIGAN CHALLENGE
The 8-player Michigan team takes the title for the
12 PRIORITIES & PLANS FOR USBGF
3rd straight year in Ohio!
USBGF President and Executive Director Bill Riles
BY KAREN DAVIS
outlines his goals for the USBGF.
BY KAREN DAVIS
71 DURHAM / CHAPEL HILL CLUB
Director Ken Larsen details the success of his thriving Durham / Chapel Hill Backgammon Club.
BY KAREN DAVIS
TOURNAMENT NEWS
74 ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rod Covlin wins the Championship in Peoria at the
fun and festive Halloween-themed event!
BY LINDA ROCKWELL
80 LIVE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
See all the results from ABT tournaments in Illinois,
24 FOUNDING SPONSORS
Florida, and Connecticut.
Become a Founding Sponsor and play in the USBGF
83 ONLINE CIRCUIT WINNERS
View recent winners of USBGF Online Circuit tournaments since January 2013.
Internet Championship starting December 15th!
BY TARA MENDICINO
losses, and tournaments won.
BY TARA MENDICINO
U.S. BACKGAMMON TOUR
92 UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Championships in San Antonio Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
and USBGF online events.
Check out the Open, Advanced, and Novice top
Get ready for the launch of the 2013-2014 National
tournaments cumulative Elo ratings as well as wins,
Mark your calendar for upcoming ABT tournaments
85 LIVE LEADER BOARD
87 NATL INTERNET CHAMPIONSHIP
See the latest leaders based on USBGF online
Tournament of Stars at the Texas Backgammon
USBGF LIVE & ONLINE RATINGS
BY TARA MENDICINO
BILL DAVIS
LOCAL CLUB NEWS
BY BILL RILES
86 ONLINE LEADER BOARD
ten leaders in USBGF cumulative Elo ratings in live
events since 2009 and 2013 ABT Points.
BY BARRY SILLIMAN—RATINGS EDITOR
10
PRIMETIME
BACKGAMMON
Staff &
Volunteers
editor
Bob Wachtel
Founding Editor
Matt Cohn-Geier
Managing Editor
Karen Davis
Production Editors
Gus Contos & Tara Mendicino
William Riles
Assistant Editor
and Design Analyst
Treasurer; Board Chair;
Co-Chair, Membership and
Marketing Committee
Mark Antranikian
Lisa Rockwell
Karen Davis
USBGF Photographer
Vice-Chair, Membership and
Marketing committee
Rankings Editor
Barry Silliman
Feature Editor,
Annotated Matches
Marty Storer
Editorial Advisery Board
Karen Davis (Chair), Chuck Bower,
Matt Cohn-Geier, Carol Joy Cole,
Gus Contos, Mike Corbett,
Perry Gartner, Justin Nunez,
Bob Wachtel, Kit Woolsey
information
Tara Mendicino and Stephen Collins
having a great time at the 10th
Carolina Invitational in Charlotte.
President;
Executive Director
Assistant Editor
Steve Sax
TARA MENDICINO
& STEPHEN COLLINS
USBGF Board
of Directors
PrimeTime Backgammon is the
official magazine of the U.S.
Backgammon Federation.
contact us
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: usbgf.org
Volume 4, Issue 6
© 2013 U.S. Backgammon
Federation
Lynn Ehrlich
President emeritus
Chief Technology Officer;
Executive Committee;
Chair, Ratings and Stats
Committee
Richard Munitz
Director, Local Club
Initiative
Justin Nunez
Chair, Education
Committee
Perry Gartner
Joseph Russell
Chair, Tournament
Directors liaison
Special Adviser to Board
of Directors
Patrick Gibson
Co-Chair, Membership and
Marketing Committee
Jeb Horton
Chair, Legislative
Committee
Alfred Mamlet
Secretary
Steve Mellen
Vice-Chair, Membership and
Marketing Committee
Tara Mendicino
Carol Joy Cole
Special Adviser to Board
of Directors
Neil Kazaross
Education Adviser
Phil Simborg
Accounting Manager
Sheryl R. Lennon
Director of
Communications;
Webmaster
Tara Mendicino
11
12
usbgf news
Priorities & Plans for the
U.S. Backgammon Federation
By Bill Riles, President and Executive Director
as its citizens and shareholders. We need to
the game. There are any number of avenues
continue providing valuable benefits; how-
of visibility, exposure, and introduction —
ever, we need to do a better job of making
from local and national print media to a
members feel a part of the organization.
wide range of social media — that we can
Membership and membership dues should
tap to accomplish this. If we do not reach
be regarded not as a purchase of services,
out and attract these players, we will fail in
but as an investment in the great, historic
our mission. I am announcing a President’s
game we all love. We must attract more
Membership Challenge initiative to encour-
members and retain more members. We
age members to recruit new members,
must do a better job.
offering incentives to do so. We must do
a better job.
“
Remember the four
tenets of our mission
statement: awareness,
participation, education, and enjoyment.
I
’ve assumed the office of President
Remember the conditions necessary to accomplish these tenets:
exposure, visibility,
inclusiveness, service,
contribution, and
growth.
game of backgammon.
and Executive Director of the U.S.
Backgammon Federation at a critical
In a statement upon my election by the
time in our history; however, I relish the
Board of Directors I named increased
challenges. The USBGF, as I envision the
membership and ‘stakeholder’ participa-
organization, is moving from an initial
tion by all members as two of my priorities.
establishment phase to a more mature,
These goals remain; however, after a few
Our initial membership efforts justifiably
I have deemed our existing by-laws outdated
growth phase — one that seeks membership
weeks in office I have also identified other
focused on tournament players: they are
and inadequate. I have therefore commis-
critical mass and the consequent sustain-
areas towards which we should direct our
visible, enthusiastic, active, and invested
sioned a comprehensive review of them
ability of services and resources which that
attention.
in the game. We must, however, recognize
with the aim of creating a more suitable,
that tournament players are but a small
functional document, which will provide
will afford our members. I enter the office
with enthusiasm, desire, and dynamism;
I have decided that our membership goals
segment of the backgammon-playing com-
members and the Board of Directors with
armed with many ideas, aspirations, and
ought to be pursued by offering our mem-
munity. We cannot — we will not — neglect
a better guide for governance and opera-
goals; surrounded by capable, dedicated
bers ‘stakeholder’ status: a vested interest
the tournament players; however, many
tions. I have assigned this effort a critical
individuals sharing the common vision of
in the direction, efforts, governance, and
thousands of others play casually, socially,
priority and have established an aggressive
fulfilling our mission statement: advancing
success of the Federation. I believe that the
and recreationally — at home, online, and
schedule to accomplish it by the end of this
the public’s awareness, participation in,
Federation has, at times, regarded members
among friends. We must access and address
calendar year. This revision of the by-laws
education, and enjoyment of the skill-based
as mere consumers of services rather than
these players, for they are the lifeblood of
must, of course, first be approved as submit-
14
Priorities & Plans for the USBGF
ted by committee to the Board of Directors
federations. We must continue to provide
and then approved by the membership at
and enhance these services to attract and
large. The by-laws will contain election
retain members.
procedures and rules for the composition of the Board of Directors. We plan to
We have developed procedures associated
restructure all of our voting procedures to
with earned master points and ratings
maximize membership participation. I hope
systems for both live and on-line play.
to make our membership more inclusive
These will soon be implemented. We think
by displaying transparency in my executive
it necessary that the USBGF and all ABT
decision making.
Tournament Directors agree upon standard
rules. We are working to achieve this end.
I have also initiated outreach programs
I would also like to include other national
toward all ABT tournament directors and
federations in this project so that we can
local club directors to establish a coop-
establish an internationally accepted set
erative synergy between the USBGF and
of rules.
our principal constituencies. We all have
usbgf
master points system
By Richard Munitz and Joe Russell
common goals. We should work more
We are working on many other projects.
efficiently and respectfully to achieve those
We encourage all members to contribute
goals. There are many ways the USBGF
as they may. A large number already do. I
can — and should — assist tournament
am accessible to all: please call or e-mail me
directors and club directors. Similarly,
with ideas, suggestions, critiques, or to see
tournament directors and club directors
how you may participate in the Federation.
T
can — and should — assist the USBGF in
Every member is important.
the accomplishment of our mission. We
must encourage dialogue while respecting
Remember the four tenets of our mission
our independent interests.
statement: awareness, participation, education, and enjoyment.
We provide a number of valuable tools and
resources to members — the PrimeTime
Remember the conditions necessary to
Backgammon online magazine, archived
accomplish these tenets: exposure, vis-
matches, video lessons and much more.
ibility, inclusiveness, service, contribution,
We are actively promoting and subsidiz-
and growth.
ing online streaming of matches at ABT
tournaments. We have an active and very
This is an exciting time for the USBGF.
popular portfolio of online tournaments.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to
We have affiliations and communications
participate and to contribute. I want every
with many other national backgammon
member to share the same feeling. 
he U.S. Backgammon Federation
Danny Kleinman, and Kit Woolsey, and
to compute master points starting with all
Board of Directors has approved
ourselves, among others. It is a work in
tournament events in the USBGF live and
a USBGF Master Points System.
progress, and we seek feedback. We are
online databases, including ratings and stats
The system described below was prepared
proposing this as a starting point with the
on American Backgammon Tournaments
in consultation with leading theoreticians
intention to enhance and expand it over
beginning in 2009 and our online system
and experts including Art Benjamin, Dorn
time, but let us know if you have any com-
starting in October 2012.
Bishop, Kent Goulding, Neil Kazaross,
ments and suggestions. It is our intention
Master Points are Awarded in 2 Types:
»» Match Win Master Points
»» Placement Master Points
Match Win Master Points = Event Weight * Division Weight * Match Win Points
Placement Master Points = Event Weight * Division Weight * Rank Points
Event Weight = Normalized to 1.0 for ABT Main Event
(See Appendix A: Event Weight Table)
- BILL RILES
16
USBGF Master Points System
Division Weight
Div. Rank
Div. Weight
1
2
3
1.0
0.5
0.25
17
how the number of points will be computed.
below). If an event class is not listed in the
Players receive Master Points for the eligible
The classes of events that award Master
Event Weight Table, that class of event is
events in which they participate.
Typical Division Names
Points, “Master Points Eligible Events”, shall
not Master Points Eligible.
Open, Championship, Masters
Advanced, Intermediate, Limited
Novice, Beginner
be defined by the Event Weight Table (see
Master Points are Awarded in 2 Types:
Match Win Points = SQRT( Match Length ) / 3
»» Match Win Master Points
»» Placement Master Points
Rank Points = Event Size Factor * Player’s Rank Factor
Match Win Master Points are awarded to
in an eligible event that advance sufficiently
The following values combine to determine
players each time they win a match in an
far to claim one of the designated placement
the number of points a player is awarded.
eligible event. Placement Master Points are
ranks. For example: the event winner.
Event Size Factor = Log2( Number of Players )
awarded to the small subset of participants
Player’s Rank Factor
Bonus
Rank Factor
1
2
3
4
5
6
3 or more
1.000
0.700
0.500
0.333
0.250
0.200
1 / (R – 1)
What are Master Points?
Match Win Master Points = Event Weight * Division Weight * Match Win Points
Placement Master Points = Event Weight * Division Weight * Rank Points
Event Weight = A measure of the relative value of this event as compared with other events.
Division Weight = If the entrants are segregated into separate skill divisions, a skill level factor is applied so that more
points are awarded for events having stronger fields of players.
event.
Master Points are awarded to players based
Personal recognition implies that there are
Match Win Points = Points awarded to players each time they win a tournament match.
recognition levels that people can achieve
upon their achievements in designated
Recognition
on their own, through active participation
Rank Points = The number of points awarded based upon a person’s rank of finish in the tournament. Only a small
events in which they play. Once Master
Recognition based on Master Points should
and results, but they are not competing with
percentage of participants finish in ranked positions as determined by the event organizers. Other participants do not
Points are earned, they are never lost.
be of two types: Competitive and Personal.
others for a single award. A Life Master
receive Rank Points regardless of how far they progressed.
Master Points enable players to achieve
level that someone can work towards by
personal goals and to be recognized for their
Competitive recognition implies some form
reaching published lifetime point thresholds
accumulated achievements over various
of ranking amongst the players, such that
is an example.
timeframes. A goal of this Master Points
players seek to outperform others in order
system is to encourage regular participation
to move to the top of the list. These rank-
Master Point Awards
and create additional excitement by giving
ings can be limited to a specific timeframe
Events that award Master Points must be
players goals to achieve and extending the
(like the annual ABT points race), or can
documented so that it is clear to everyone
spirit of competition beyond the current
be open-ended (similar to Elo).
whether an event will award points and if so
18
Event Weight
Type of Event: Main events may warrant
The Event Weight Table (see Appendix)
a higher (or lower) multiple than various
defines the various classes of Master Points
side events. Any kind of event in which
Eligible Events, along with the Event Weight
to be applied for each class.
Skill in backgammon dominates as the
expected number of match win points per
square root of the match length increases.
player will typically be proportional to the
If an event organizer defines multiple skill
This relationship forms the basis of the Elo
number of times a player must lose in order
the USBGF believes participation does
divisions, but decides at the time of the event
rating formula commonly used for back-
to be eliminated from the event.
more to further its mission might warrant
to combine two or more skill divisions into
gammon. Longer matches also require more
a premium.
a single event bracket, the Division Weight
time and energy. Thus, longer matches are
Rank Points
of that combined event shall be the Division
awarded more points than shorter matches.
Players who win the event or advance far
Various factors will influence how much
stronger skill division.
weight a particular tournament should
Restrictions: Events whose entry criteria
Weight that would have been assigned to
have in the awarding of master points.
restrict or otherwise impose general barri-
the highest of the combined skill divisions.
Event Weight may be a multiple or fraction
ers to participation for reasons other than
of 1 and are subject to change. Some of
skill level, or USBGF membership status.
Importance: Events like the National Cham-
enough to finish in a position designated
Since Match Win Points vary with match
by the event organizer as a ranked fin-
length, main flight matches will typically
ish position, whether ranked by number
Division Weight is based on the number
be worth more than Consolation matches,
or by name (e.g. Consolation Semifinal-
of skill levels defined, not the number of
which are typically worth more than Last
ist) receive bonus master points for their
Division Weight
skill divisions actually run. So if an event
Chance matches.
accomplishment.
When a tournament’s criteria for entry
was run that defined top level players to
categorizes the player population based
be ineligible, but no separate division was
Some events may have two players face off
For events where the event organizer has
in a best W of S series of L-point matches.
not specified which finish positions are
Match Win points are awarded for each
ranked, the top 1/8 of the players who
individual match won in the series. Thus
advanced the furthest in the event shall be
both players can receive points in such a
considered as ranked finishers. In standard
the factors that will be considered when
assigning Event Weight are:
19
pionships might warrant a higher master
on skill level, providing independent event
run for those top level players, this event
points multiple. National events are more
brackets for each skill division, a Division
would still have a Division Factor of 0.5.
important than regional, sectional or local
Weight factor will be applied.
events. National Events that require people
Some common examples of tournaments
RICHARD MUNITZ
Richard Munitz is a member of the USBGF
Board of Directors and Executive Committee, chairs the USBGF Ratings and Stats
Committee, and serves as USBGF Chief
Technology Officer.
to earn spots (qualify) may warrant a higher
The top skill division shall have a Division
having multiple skill levels are: Main events
contest. However, if the records of the
elimination brackets, these positions shall
weight because there are fewer players, but
Weight of 1.0. Each subsequent skill divi-
having Open, Intermediate and Beginner
contest only note the winner, but do not
comprise all players advancing to whatever
they have already achieved something by
sion shall have a Division Weight equal to
skill divisions; and major jackpots having
clearly indicate how many matches were
round that leaves the number of players
being there.
0.5 times the Division Weight of the next
Masters and Limited skill divisions.
won by each player in the series, then only
remaining closest to 1/8 of the total number
the winner of the series will receive Match
of players in the event. For example, a 110
Win points by equating the series to a single
player single elimination online event may
match of length: (L+1)*W
produce a winner without specifically des-
Div. Rank
Div. Weight
1
2
3
1.0
0.5
0.25
Typical Division Names
ignating any other players as top finishers;
Open, Championship, Masters
Advanced, Intermediate, Limited
Novice, Beginner
For team events, players will receive match
in such an event, 110/8 = 13.75, so the 16
win points entirely based upon their match
players who advanced to the round of 16
wins against other players, without regard
and beyond will receive rank points (13.75
to whether or not their team advanced in
being closer to 16 than to 8).
the tournament.
Match Win Points
Ranks are numbered from 1..R, where R is
A player receives Match Win Points for each match that he wins in the tournament as follows:
Match Win Points = SQRT( Match Length ) / 3
Thus, a 9 point match win earns 1 point.
JOE RUSSELL
Joseph Russell is a member of the USBGF
Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and chairs the Education Committee.
Mathematical analysis:
the number of players that finish in ranked
Because the number of matches in an
positions as designated by the director for
elimination tournament of size N is (N-1),
the event. If players are exclusively assigned
the total number of Match Win Points
a final rank, they will receive the points for
awarded in an event is proportional to
that rank. If players finish tied for rank
the number of players. Furthermore, the
with one or more other players, then those
20
21
(2,3 split) Main finalist; Consolation winner
Rank Factor
players will equally split the total points for
has a distance of 1. Winning the next flight
the set of ranks that they have tied. For
down also has a distance of 1 from the
event formats having multiple flights such
winner of the flight above. For example, a
(4,5,6,7 split) Main semifinalists(2); Con-
tied ranks as described above. The Player’s Rank Factor for the 1st place finisher = 1. All other ranks are awarded points as a fraction
that elimination from a flight places a player
3-flight event that awards ranks to the top
solation finalist; Last Chance Winner
of the points awarded to first place.
into the next flight down, distance from
4 in the main flight, 2 in the Consolation
first place is used to determine equivalence
flight and 1 in the Last Chance flight will
The number of Rank Points awarded is
between finishers in different flights of the
rank the finishers as follows:
calculated as follows:
All players that finish in a ranked position receive bonus master points according to the rank of their finish , splitting the points for
same event. Finishing within the same
flight one round behind the flight winner
(1) Main winner
Rank
Rank Factor
1
2
3 or more
1.0
0.7
1 / (R – 1)
Alternatively:
Rank Points = Event Size Factor * Player’s Rank Factor
The formula has the property that the same number of Rank Points are awarded to the first place finisher (or any other
specific rank) in any two events of the same size.
Appendix A — Event Weights
For team events, all team members will receive the full number of Rank Points computed based upon the team’s finish
Live Events
rank and the number of teams competing.
Event Class
Event Size Factor
The Event Size Factor is the number of Rank Points awarded to the winner of the highest skill division. It is based upon the number
of unique players that entered the event.
Event Size Factor = Log2( Number of Players )
# Players (P)
Event Size Factor (Log2(P))
16
32
64
128
256
4
5
6
7
8
ABT Main Event
ABT Major Jackpot (e.g. Masters, Limited)
USBGF National Championship
USBGF Blitz
Event Weight
1.0
1.2
1.2
0.7
USBGF Online Events
Event Class
National Championship
IBC
Nations Cup
Club and Team Tournaments
Directors Cup
Monthly Circuit
Mathematical analysis:
winner is awarded a bonus in proportion
neither Master Point type dominates over
The expected number of rounds through
to the distance travelled. Since the Match
the other in any hybrid statistic that may
which a player must advance to prevail
Win Points earned by the winner grow at
be developed.
over a field of size P in a standard elimina-
the same rate with number of players, this
- RICHARD MUNITZ
tion event is Log2(P). Thus, a tournament
formula for Event Size Factor ensures that
& JOE RUSSELL

Event Weight
1.2
1.0
1.0
0.7
0.7
0.3
Rank
Rank Factor
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1.000
0.700
0.500
0.333
0.250
0.200
0.167
0.143
0.125
0.111
22
usbgf president's
membership challenge
Help Us Grow the USBGF
By Bill Riles, President and Executive Director
I
n assuming the office of President/
want to establish initiatives to significantly
Executive Director, I said:
increase membership in the USBGF through
23
of their own.
grass-roots efforts directed toward the
From December 1, 2013 through Febru-
“Representing the Federation, with the
local, casual, recreational, online, and other
ary 28, 2014, the member who is credited
assistance of the Board of Directors and of
players found in abundance throughout the
with signing up the most new members
all the members, I am confident together
United States. Our visibility and exposure
will receive a new USBGF Crisloid back-
we can advance our mission. Foremost, I
must be enhanced to reach out to these play-
gammon board. All other members who
ers and to introduce them to the benefits
are credited with signing up at least one
and resources provided by the Federation.
new member or getting a lapsed member
Only through increased membership from
to renew will enter a random drawing for
a broader base may we continue to provide
another USBGF Crisloid backgammon
and to expand resources for our members.
board. Members of the Board of Directors
I encourage every member of the USBGF
are not eligible for the prizes; however, they
to become an integral ‘stakeholder’ in the
are also challenged to recruit one or more
Federation and to contribute their skills,
new members.
efforts, time, and/or ideas, as they may, to
assist in the advancement of our mission.
To show my commitment and appreciation
I will be accessible to all in the promotion
for your efforts, I will upgrade my Founding
of these efforts.”
Sponsor level to the Gold level if members
sign up at least one hundred new members
To those ends, I want to announce the
during the initiative. This should be quite
President’s Membership Challenge initia-
easy to do – if every member signs up only
tive. To increase membership I encourage
one new member we would gain in excess
every member to take the time and to make
of six hundred new members. 
the bit of effort to recruit at least one new
member. You may find new members
“Get Into the Game – Become a Member”
everywhere: family, friends, local clubs,
on-line servers you may frequent, and more.
Newly recruited members should register
their ‘recruiter’ in the registration process.
New members may then also participate in
this initiative by recruiting new members
CUSTOM USBGF BOARD BY CRISLOID
USBGF Crisloid Tournament Attaché boards are laser-imprinted with the USBGF
logo. These gorgeous custom boards come in Anchor Blue cases, with red and blue
checkers, red and blue dice, and USBGF-inscribed leather cups.
24
Founding Sponsors
Diamond
Malcolm Davis
Alan and Joan Grunwald
Hugh Sconyers
Mike Svobodny
platinum
Karen Davis
Morten Holm
gold
usbgf founding sponsors
Outstanding Supporters
of our Organization
T
FOUNDERS' CUBES BY
LAWRENCE SONNÉ
he U.S. Backgammon Federation’s
and organizations who have generously
Founding Sponsors initiative has
supported our organization by becoming
attracted 88 donors who share
a Founder. We hope you will join this elite
its vision of drawing thousands of people
group by going to our website usbgf.org or
throughout the country to the exciting,
contacting Bill Riles at [email protected] for
skill-based game of backgammon through a
more information.
Founding Sponsors are presented
with an exquisite, personalized,
engraved doubling cube, specially
designed for the USBGF by Lawrence
Sonné of Backgammon Elegance.
ers, young and young-at-heart alike. The
Become a Founding Sponsor and play in
on their level of Sponsorship and order of
support of our Founding Sponsors during
the 2014 USBGF Tournament of Stars to
becoming Founding Sponsors.
this critical period will be appreciated for
be held in connection with the Texas Back-
years to come and includes recognition on
gammon Championships in San Antonio
More information on the benefits of becom-
our website in perpetuity and benefits not
January 30-February 2, 2014. Founding
ing a Founding Sponsor may be found at
available to any other class of Membership.
Sponsors select Giants of Backgammon and
USBGF Founding Sponsor Benefits.
rich array of activities appealing to all play-
other backgammon legends and experts
The Federation salutes the individuals
as partners in this doubles event based
silver
Lynn Ehrlich
Chiva Tafazzoli
Alex Gerding
Bruce Newberg
Larry Liebster
Ben Friesen
Jim Stutz
bronze
Anna Covlin
Myles Covlin
Rod Covlin
Patrick and Carla Gibson
Harvey Gillis
Perry Gartner
Larry Taylor
Alfred Mamlet
Edward B. Bennett
Richard Munitz
Joseph Russell
Jeffrey Acierno
Masayuki Mochizuki
Falafel Natanzon
Jim Pasko
David Leibowitz
Jason Lee
Michael Louis Rosen
Jamie Erin Rosen
Art Benjamin
Lloyd E. Webber (LEW)
Pat McCormick
Carol Joy Cole
Neal and Kathy Weiner
Neil Kazaross
Kit Woolsey
Michael Weinberger
Chuck Bower
Preston Guidry
Jake Jacobs
Sean Cearley
Kristina Vig
Play65 Backgammon
Judy Field
Rory Pascar
Greg Cottle
Bill Finneran
James G. Allen
Sean Williams
Pat Geoffroy
Mark Gordon
Rochelle Hasson
Dennis Culpepper
Andrew Martinez
bronze cont.
Drew Giovanis
James E. Roland
Bill Riles
Josh Racko
Russell Sands
Steve Schreiber
Bob Glass
John Calcott
Jeff Burdsall
Justin and Rynell Nunez
Steve Sax
Dorn Bishop
Scott Kelland
Arthur Stein
Stepan Nuniyants
Powhatan French
Robert E. Stoller
Joe Potts
Arkadiy Tsinis
Carla Gibson
David Kettler
Michael Flohr
Mario Savan
Jeb Horton
Cloyd LaPorte
Secil Baysal
David Rennie
Alan Pruce
youth
István Éger
Within each level, names are presented in the order of becoming Founding Sponsors.
25
26
“
Yes, we may win because of our astute play;
even. As in life, success
The Comic Book
Episode II
can give us an inflated
By Bob Wachtel
but only when the luck
breaks almost exactly
put off until this edition. In this 7-point
battle, while acknowledging the excellence
double? Well, perhaps not, by some small
match, held in August 2012 in San Francisco,
of both players, emphasizes, as in Part I,
margin; but this is a decision with no right
West Coast champion Bagai again faced off
the primacy of chance over skill.
answer, a virtual coin flip. Ed chose to
against O’Laughlin, this time in his role
Home Field Advantage
double, and Jeremy correctly took.
as East Coast champion, to determine the
By the third move of the first game, Ed had
national title holder. My treatment of the
achieved a distinct advantage. Should he
Position 1
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Pip: 194
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
sense of our own power,
an illusion of control.
L
ast December, reporting on the 2012
USBGF Championship, I presented
12
the West Coast final, contested
novel format: as an illustrated backgammon story – or, if you like, a backgammon
comic book. In departing from the usual
let’s-look-at-a-few-interesting-positionsfrom-the-match paradigm, I wanted to
offer the reader a less technically-oriented
perspective on the contest: one which would
we are dealt—is often the true arbiter of
the result. Yes, we may win because of our
JEREMY BAGAI
Backgammon Giant #40, Jeremy Bagai, is "letting the numbers flow". Jeremy holds
the impressive title of 2012 USBGF National Champion.
astute play; but only when the luck breaks
almost exactly even. As in life, success can
The second part of this article, which covers
in the next PrimeTime magazine; but due to
give us an inflated sense of our own power,
the final of that National Championship, was
a welcome surfeit of high-quality member
an illusion of control.
originally supposed to have been published
submissions to the magazine, it has been
KAREN DAVIS
illustrate how fate – in the form of the dice
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Game 1, Move 3: Black (O'Laughlin) doubles. Correct cube action?
by Jeremy Bagai and Ed O’Laughlin, in a
27
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 159
28
Position 2
13
12
Position 3
14
15
11 10
16
9
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
Game 1, Move 4: Black (O'Laughlin) to play 62
Ed rolled one of his best numbers, a 6-2, but played it inaccurately. Hitting twice is better
than the move he chose, 21/15, with the six.
Pip: 194
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 159
12
13
11 10
14
15
9
16
8
7
17 18
6
19
5
20
4
21
3
22
2
23
1
24
Game 1, Move 9: White (Bagai) to play 43
Ed nonetheless retained a nice advantage,
Jeremy that it was time to abandon Ed’s 24
though Jeremy established two points in Ed’s
point. He correctly played 24/20, 11/8 with
board. But then, at move 9, the dice told
this 4-3 and was immediately punished!
Pip: 200
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 148
29
30
Position 4
13
12
31
Position 5
14
15
11 10
16
9
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
Pip: 193
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 148
13
12
14
15
11 10
16
9
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
Pip: 191
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 112
Ed rolled a double five, made the ace point from the 11 point, and Jeremy danced.
Ed continued attacking. He established a
He played 23/18, 13/10. This move looks
competition, you would have to consider it
five-point board, keeping Jeremy on the
normal and reasonable, but the bot says it
bad luck that Ed reached this position and
roof. But (probably because we don’t get
is a gross error, close to a blunder, prefer-
was confronted with this roll. As the game
into them often) no one plays positions like
ring 23/20, 13/8. Indeed, if Jeremy and
developed, his play worked out well enough;
this very well. On move 13, Ed rolled a 5-3.
Ed were engaged in a performance rating
but in this match both Jeremy and Ed had
32
much higher PRs than they did in their
dependent upon the choices with which
Jeremy came in quickly. Then, on move
LA match. As this example demonstrates,
the dice present us!
20, Ed rolled a bad number. But he made
these fluctuations in “skill level” may often
be luck-based as well, for they are strongly
Position 7
12
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
an excellent play.
Ed hit Jeremy’s blot on the next roll, but
Pip: 164
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
Position 6
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Pip: 170
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Game 1, Move 21: White (Bagai) on roll. Cube action?
12
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 71
Many of us would have moved 6/1, 3/2, but
hitting and covering. Ed fanned, and now
With an outside prime forming and another
XG’s lower level evaluations advise holding
Ed played the brave and correct 13/7. And
Jeremy had to decide what, if anything, to
blot at which to shoot, the redouble looks
onto the cube.
now he, in turn, was punished for doing
do with the cube.
on – and indeed it is, even though many of
the right thing. Jeremy rolled a 5-1 himself,
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 77
33
34
Position 8
12
Position 9
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pip: 138
Jeremy Bagai
7-Away
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Pip: 143
Jeremy Bagai
5-Away
6
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 83
Game 1, Move 24: White (Bagai) redoubles. Take or pass?
12
11 10
9
8
7
the dice allowed him to skate. He missed
small pass. Ed passed this very efficient
Jeremy’s double six. Now Ed had to decide
and sometimes wrong. In this case the bot
Ed’s blot, but he did succeed in making a
redouble, and Jeremy went up 2-0.
what to from the bar with a 3-1.
Although the lower-level XG evaluations
thrown into a difficult position. He split
2
1
making the 10 point.
always tough. Splitting is sometimes right,
liar kind of bad luck of being immediately
3
does not like natural move that Ed chose,
with an opening six, and was splatted by
In game 2, Ed once again suffered the pecu-
4
These plays against an early double six are
deem this a clear take, it rolls out to be a
with control of the outfield, redoubled.
5
Though Jeremy missed the earlier redouble,
five prime. Ed got to the edge, but Jeremy,
6
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 165
35
36
Position 10
13
12
14
37
Position 11
15
11 10
16
9
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
The 6-4 that Ed was dealt on his next roll
And then the dice put the question to Ed
posed him a similar challenge. But this
for a third time. With his next roll, a 4-2,
time, when it was right to run, he stayed
he faced another split-or-not choice.
Pip: 132
Jeremy Bagai
5-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 161
13
12
14
15
11 10
16
9
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
Pip: 127
Jeremy Bagai
5-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 151
home and made the 2 point.
Now that Jeremy had a four prime, Ed felt
it is too late to split. While he would have
only a lousy ace point game for his valor.
a more urgent need to escape. So he split
an easy take after making his four point,
Luckily he hit the 15th checker to escape
and came down to the 9 point. But once
Ed was now faced with a pass!
the gammon. Jeremy led 4-0.
again XG says that this natural-looking
play is a big blunder. By now, apparently,
But only a small one. Ed took, but got
38
The third game of the match followed a
quickly enough. Before he knew it, he had
template with which most of us are all too
missed a double.
Position 13
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
familiar. Ed did not adapt to his 0-4 deficit
Position 12
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Pip: 144
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
12
12
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pip: 144
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 139
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Game 3, Move 6: Black (O'Laughlin) on roll. Cube action?
One roll later he was too good, and correctly played on.
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 115
39
40
But then Jeremy rolled a good number.
to adapt, passed a very easy take!
Now Ed had to abandon the gammon hunt
and double -- but Jeremy, himself unable
missed doubles (when down in matches)
and bad passes (when leading).
Position 15
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
My tournament files are littered with these
Position 14
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pip: 135
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
Pip: 134
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
12
12
41
7-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 126
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
6-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 178
Game 3, Move 7: Black (O'Laughlin) doubles. Take or pass?
In game 4 Ed, now down 1-4, was once
money game (see diagram on next page,
remotely gammonish is a potential bonanza.
again a little slow on the draw. His position
Position 15 for Money) or in the beginning
The bot says it’s a clear double. But Ed
at move 12 would hardly merit a look in a
of a long match. But at this score anything
refrained.
42
Position 15 for Money
13
12
14
15
11 10
16
9
Position 16
17 18
8
43
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
24
2
Money Game: Black (O'Laughlin) on roll. Cube action?
1
Pip: 135
Jeremy Bagai
Unlimited Games
Unlimited Games
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 178
13
12
14
15
11 10
16
9
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
Pip: 134
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
6-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 166
Game 4, Prior to Move 13: Black (O'Laughlin) doubles. Take or pass?
Ed rolled a nice double three, and Jeremy
Jeremy trusted him. Now that Ed’s position
is a big pass! The moral: don’t trust your
answered with a 6-1, bringing one checker
has improved, but not drastically, it makes
opponent – he may be more clueless than
in from the bar. And now Ed doubled.
sense to Jeremy that we are in double/take
you are! Try to think for yourself.
Even at the highest levels of backgammon,
territory. This would, by the way, be all
it happens more often than we would like
very true and accurate were this a money
to acknowledge: the blind lead the blind.
game (see next page); but the match score
Ed did not double on the prior roll, and
warps our conventional yardsticks. This
44
Position 16 for Money
13
12
14
15
11 10
16
9
Position 17
17 18
8
7
19
6
20
5
21
4
22
3
23
2
24
1
Money Game: Black (O'Laughlin) doubles. Take or pass?
Pip: 134
Jeremy Bagai
Unlimited Games
Unlimited Games
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 166
12
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pip: 72
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
6-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 114
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Game 4, Move 19: White (Bagai) redoubles. Take or pass?
The rest of the story: despite his bad take,
should not have (he needs about 11% win-
Jeremy easily survived, and finally redoubled
ning chances, but has only about 8%), but
Ed for the match. That is, if Ed took. He
perhaps he just wanted to end the drama.
45
46
Using the Opening Move
to Figure Out a Reply
Position 18
12
11 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pip: 52
Jeremy Bagai
3-Away
Case Study by Mike Mannon
13
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Pip: 158
Unlimited Games
6-Away
Ed O'Laughlin
Pip: 97
Game 4, Move 22: White (Bagai) to play 62
Not so soon. Just a few moves later, Jeremy
rolled his only anti-joker.
12
The cube was on 8; and if Ed could only
11 10
9
8
7
H
have hit the deuce shot, he would have
been a big favorite to win the match. But
he missed, drawing the curtain on this brief
but highly wrought final. 
6
5
4
3
2
1
Unlimited Games
Pip: 167
ow do you play 64 in reply
plays that have almost the same equity in
Book yourself at http://extremegammon.
to your opponent’s opening
unlimited games.
com/ob, or else just run an eval in XG.
»» P = Point = 8/2, 6/2
Although most of us play S, any one of these
It’s easy to figure this one out if you know
»» R = Run = 24/14
three plays is fine on the opening move. I
your opening rolls. I’m not talking about
»» S = Split = 24/18, 13/9
know of one giant who has been playing P
54-split?
- BOB WACHTEL
ED O'LAUGHLIN & LYNN EHRLICH
A smiling runner-up: Ed O'Laughlin receives his trophy as
the winner of the 2012 USBGF National Championship East,
presented to him by director Lynn Ehrlich.
KAREN DAVIS
how you prefer to play a specific open-
for over 20 years, and swears by it. Rolling
ing—hopefully you’ve got that down by
The very strong 46k rollout by Neil Kazaross
64 on the second roll is a different story.
now—but rather the alternatives that are
in the XG Opening Book shows equities
In cases where you cannot hit, one of the
available for each different roll. When you
that are all within 0.004 of each other. Neil’s
three plays above will still be correct. The
study the opening move, it is important to
result is particularly strong because instead
equities of the others, however, may have
memorize all the plays that are tied with
of using 3-ply or 4-ply analysis during the
shifted. By noting which plays have gained
the ones you usually make yourself.
rollout, he uses XG Roller+ at each step. S
or lost equity compared with the opening
comes out on top, with P trailing by 0.0017,
move, you can often determine which play
and R by 0.0042. You can check the Opening
is correct in a reply.
In the case of opening 64, there are three
48
In the diagram above, where your opponent
on the 2pt will be misplaced. Thus, for play
There is a general principle at play here.
R trails P by 0.046. S did so poorly in evals
has opened 54-split (24/20 13/8), play S
P, there are both pros and cons.
Running on the first roll is much different
that David did not even bother rolling it out.
is no longer an option. That’s because the
than running on the second. On the opening
It should be easy. 
blot it leaves on the 9pt is subject to a direct
For running play R, however, there are
roll, running can be effective because you
Now that you’ve got the hang of it, see if
shot from the 5pt. When you split your
only cons.
will be ahead in the race. On the second
you can work out the correct reply for 64
roll, running will usually only get you a tie.
when your opponent opens 43-split (24/20
64 on the opening move, the opponent
hits on the 9pt when he rolls 62, 53, 44, or
The probability of completing an escape
22. That’s just 6 shots. Give him a checker
after running out to 14pt is decidedly dimin-
A classic example is 64 in reply to opening
on the 5pt, and the shot count rises to 16.
ished by the opponent’s blot on your 5pt.
65. Running with 64 on the first roll is an
Considering the many additional shots
The fly shots that hit from there when he
acceptable play. In reply to 65, however, it
splitting presents on the other side of the
rolls 63 or 54 increase the chance of your
is not. Rollouts show both P and S beat R
board, that is too much risk.
runner winding up on the bar from 31% to
by a fair amount.
13/10) or 43-up (24/21 24/20).
- MIKE MANNON
42%. That’s on the next roll alone. In case
S, therefore, can be eliminated, and the
you are missed, you are still not out of the
Returning to the question of how to play
choice is reduced to selecting P or R. Has
woods. Finding a safe landing space in your
64 in reply to an opening 54-split, we now
the equity of either one fallen compared to
outer board may be impossible with your
have all the information necessary to make
the opening move?
opponent planted on the 5pt.
a decision. In comparison to the opening
move, where P, R, and S are all tied, both R
The attacking play P still has many of the
Even more significant is the race.
same advantages. Indeed, with the oppo-
and S have unambiguously fallen in equity.
With P, it’s a mixed bag. Although we might
nent’s rear checkers split, blitzing chances
When you run with 64 on the opening
not be excited by P, a process of elimination
have increased. In an attack, having made
move—and get away with it—you are up 10
reveals it to be the best of the three.
the 2pt could turn out to be a big plus. On
pips. When your opponent opens 54 first,
the other hand, should the opponent suc-
and you run in reply, your net gain is only
This result comes as a surprise to many
cessfully anchor on your 5pt, a point he
1 pip. If you factor in the 4-pip advantage
players who still play R, but the rollout by
already has slotted, any attack will have
your opponent will have by virtue of being
David Rockwell confirms the conclusion.
been thwarted. If that happens, checkers
on roll, you won’t even be ahead.
MIKE MANNON
Mike Mannon is an inveterate backgammon player from the San Francisco Bay
Area. He has been playing and studying assiduously since 2010. Occasionally, he
does some backgammon as well.
Copyright © 2013 Michael J. Mannon • All rights reserved.
49
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gorgeous georgia
7th Georgian Backgammon
Championship
The weather was surprisingly good con-
By Sabri Büyüksoy
all the time. This year it only rained half
T
sidering that the tournament was held in
September, one month later than usual. Two
years ago, when I first attended, it rained
the time. The sea was still swimmable and
he 7th Georgian Backgammon
that many other world-class players would
Championship, hosted by Marco
attend. And I was right. Although the main
Fornasir’s organization, the WBF,
tournament would not start for two days, the
The hotel has improved. Actually everything
was held this year from September 4-8 in
venue was already packed. With 92 players
in Georgia is improving. It is a very fast-
the thriving resort town of Chakvi. This was
from 13 countries -- including four World
changing and growing country. Two years
my third consecutive Georgian champion-
Champions –this was one of the biggest
ago some parts of the hotel looked almost
ship, and I was wondering what surprise
tournaments in the neighborhood. Players
thirty years old. Last year they finished the
this year was going to bring. When I met
from Georgia and nearby countries were
critical parts of the renovation. By this year,
Tobias Hellwag at the airport, I surmised
proud to enter such a strong field.
most of the details had been attended to,
MONTE CARLO OF THE BLACK SEA
the sun was nice and warm.
The tournament venue borders the Black Sea, near Batumi.
Batumi is also known as "the Monte Carlo of the Black Sea".
and the hotel looked very modern.
The country offers delicious food and wine.
The strength of this tournament, which
Batumi is called the Monte Carlo of Black
included a number of accomplished local
People can also change. Two years ago I
Sea (great if you like casinos) or sometimes
players, was unusually high. Marco Fornasir
found Georgian driving habits very star-
the Cuba of the region, to emphasize its tall,
skillfully directed events, adjusting to Geor-
tling. But that, with the development of
modern-looking buildings, great authentic-
gia’s authentic culture to find a compromise
the culture and the help of new roads, is
ity and natural landscape.
in situations where inflexibility could have
also improving.
GOGI BUKIA MEMORIAL
Goderdzi Bukia (far right), a member of Georgia parliament, sponsored
the tournament to celebrate his late brother Gogi Bukia’s birthday.
led to unfortunate results.
Continued on page 55
54
Gorgeous Georgia
55
Gorgeous Georgia
Continued from page 53
High stakes khachapuri involving famous
players also changed the ambiance. Khachapuri is not only a version of backgammon
played in Georgia, but also a famous Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread.
In the Masters division, Najib Salamzy
(Afghanistan) won, with Avetis Rostomyan
(Armenia) coming in second. Four of the six
prize winners were from nearby countries.
This shows there is a great backgammon
potential in that region. Doubles Consulting
was won by Ricardo Malas (Lebanon/Spain)
& Abdullah Sorgüven (Turkey) against
BACKGAMMON BY THE SEA
Zoom out and zoom in to backgammon by the sea. The tournament room
was sometimes crowded to urge players to find creative places to play.
OCTOGAMMON & OTHER GAMES
We played many types of games and had fun! The game, “octogammon”, at left is played with eight pips at each quadrant and
three dice — each die having eight sides. On the right we can see that backgammon players are also skilled at other games.
TEVZADZE & FORNASIR
Our tournament angel, Ninikuna Tevzadze, helped so much to organize the
tournament. Together with Marco Fornasir, they ran the tournament smoothly.
CELEBRITY PLAYERS
Gus Hansen, Mochy Mochizuki, Michihito Kageyama, and others at dinner.
57
Gorgeous Georgia
NAJIB SALAMZY
In Georgia, backgammon is the center of life as much as food and wine. Winner,
Najib Salamzy, talked about how important is to continue such good events.
Sergey Chertkov (Russia) & Alexander
Krasov (Ukraine). Ricardo Malas also
got a special award as the most valuable
player. A former world champion David
Ben-Zion (Israel) beat another champion
Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan) in the Super
Jackpot final.
A tradition – a match between Georgia and
“the World”-- was repeated this year. Since
the tournament was so well attended, the
teams were composed of nine players each.
The format was simply five point matches.
This year the World team, led by Captain
Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan), triumphed
over the Georgian team led by Captain
Simon Pankvelashvili (score: 6-3). I hope
this tradition develops into something like
that held each spring in Copenhagen at
the Nordic Open, where Denmark plays
a series of challenge matches against “the
Rest of the World.” Mochy also gave an
interesting lecture about the intricacies of
when to leave an anchor.
I would like to thank Arda Fındıkoğlu and
Ricardo Malas for providing some of the
photos. And finally, here are the complete
results of 7th Georgian Backgammon Championship / Gogi Bukia Memorial:
Masters (54): 1-Najib Salamzy (Afghanistan), 2-Avetis Rostomyan (Armenia),
3/4-Vazgen Matevosyan (Armenia) / Michihito Kageyama (Japan); 1LC-Leonid Riskin
SPECTACULAR WOODEN CUPS & HORN TROPHIES
The creativity of the organizers of the Georgian Backgammon
Championship is evident in these magnificent trophies.
(Ukraine), 2LC-Aleksei Askurava (Russia).
Intermediate (36): 1-Gocha Chokhonelidze
58
Gorgeous Georgia
59
Gorgeous Georgia
(Turkey).
Doubles Consulting (18 teams): 1-Ricardo
Malas (Lebanon/Spain) & Abdullah
Sorgüven (Turkey), 2-Sergey Chertkov
(Russia) & Alexander Krasov (Ukraine),
3/4-Sergey Grinev (Russia) & Khvicha
Kurtanidze (Georgia) / Artur Muradyan
(Armenia) & Gor Nikoghosyan (Armenia).
Georgian Nardi Team Vs. The World
Challenge: The World Team won 6-3.
1-Rest of the World Team: Captain Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan), David Ben-Zion
(Israel), John Broomfield (England), Sabri
Büyüksoy (Turkey), Sergey Erokhin (Russia), Jakob Garal (Ukraine), Tobias Hellwag
(Germany), Michihito Kageyama (Japan),
Artur Muradyan (Armenia); 2-Georgian
Nardi Team: Captain Simon Pankhvelashvili, Jemal Chachua, Boris Danelja, Nodar
Gagua, Vladimir Iashvili, Oleg Kopyev,
Teimoraz Kurtsikidze, Kakhaber Natchkebia, David Tevdoraze. 
- SABRI BÜYÜKSOY
SPECIAL PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Ricardo Malas with a very special player, Gus Hansen. Gus' results in high
stakes Khachapuri while in Georgia, were almost as outstanding as his poker
accomplishments!
RICARDO MALAS & ARDA FINDIKOĞLU
Ricardo Malas (L) of Spain and Arda Fındıkoğlu of Turkey clowning around at the
7th Georgian Backgammon Championship.
869Bg (27+13): 1-Tamaz Nanitashvili
(Georgia), 2-Andrey Nesterov (Ukraine),
(Georgia), 2-Christian Liebe-Harkort
3/4-Martin Sagradian (Ukraine) / Andranik
(Germany).
Harutyunyan (Armenia); 1LC-Abraham
Azshakyan (Armenia), 2-Eduard Nazaryan
Warm-Up (53+18): 1-Jakob Garal (Ukraine/
(Georgia).
Germany), 2-Avetis Rostomyan (Armenia).
Super Jackpot (8): 1-David Ben-Zion
One-Point President's Tournament: 1-Sabri
(Israel), 2-Masayuki Mochizuki (Japan).
Büyüksoy (Turkey), 2-Arda Findikoglu
60
Video Lesson
when in doubt
Exclusive USBGF Teaching Video
U
61
SBGF resident Teaching Pro,
by going to usbgf.org/category/bg-prob-
at elementary, high schools, and colleges
Phil Simborg, has been creat-
lems/video/. Most of Phil’s videos are from
throughout the country, and he donates free
ing videos covering just about
10 to 25 minutes long, but here is a short,
lessons and seminars to students on behalf
every aspect of the game you can imagine.
3 minute sample of the kind of wonderful
of the USBGF. Phil encourages members
He does anywhere from 1 to 3 a week, and
insights you can gain from these videos.
to become sponsors of clubs and mentors
is often joined by guest lecturers to offer
of children locally and he will help you
their insights into these checker and cube
Phil is a full-time, professional backgammon
get started, provide backgammon boards
decisions.
teacher and lecturer and has given private
on consignment, and help with teaching
lessons to over 300 students all over the
materials. For more information contact
Phil has created over
world via the internet. In addition, Phil
Phil at [email protected]. 
100 videos thus far,
is an adviser to our Education Commit-
and all can be viewed
tee and has started backgammon clubs
- PHIL SIMBORG
KAREN DAVIS
By Phil Simborg, USBGF Teaching Pro
 To be able to view this video, you must have Adobe Acrobat installed and set as the default PDF viewer in your browser.
Internet Explorer does this by default, however, Chrome and Firefox users should see Adobe Acrobat Help for complete Adobe
Acrobat plug-in configuration instructions.
PHIL SIMBORG
Phil Simborg was honored at the 2013 London Open for being the No. 1 contributor to the game worldwide. He is the USBGF Teaching Pro and Manager of the USBGF Facebook page, as well as being a highlyranked tournament player and the leading lecturer on the US Tour.
62
Charlie Raichle
63
retired from the post office. After about a
shaking and rattling his dice instead of
decade spent starting a family and a busi-
watching computer generated dice on the
ness, he made a few backgammon friends,
computer screen. But mostly he likes meet-
and for the last 20 years meets weekly with
ing other players whom he finds friendly
Lawrence Wilson in Colorado Springs for a
and intelligent. He likes being part of a
friendly game. He appreciates all the hard
backgammon community with a shared
He prefers live tourna-
work Lynda Clay puts into organizing local
common interest, and seeing players in
ment play to online play
tournaments in Denver, and enjoys going
person whom he has “met” online. He also
up to play once in a while and playing
likes seeing the big-name players like Paul
with his side-kick Tom Christner. Lynda
Magriel in action. He watched Masayuki
recently put together two Colorado teams
“Mochy” Mochizuki win the Las Vegas
for the USBGF Club Team Championship,
Open in 2012, defeating Ray Fogerlund
and Charlie plays with Tom and Michael
in the finals — very cool.
“
Winner of the 2013 USBGF
Circuit Monthly for April
By Karen Davis
– enjoying the feel and
sounds of shaking and
rattling his dice instead
of watching computer
Ginat on the Colorado Prime Mates team.
His biggest online win was the USBGF
generated dice on the
computer screen.
F
He has had some nice successes at ABT
April monthly circuit — and looks forward
tournaments in Vegas and Colorado. In
to participating in those regularly. He has
1998 he came in first in the Consolation in
worked on his game over the years, and plays
the Intermediate division of the Las Vegas
a lot, probably too much he says, online,
Open — with 122 entrants. He followed that
as much as a couple of hours every day.
up by winning the Blitz with 384 entrants
He analyzes his games on eXtremeGam-
(including re-entries) at the Las Vegas Open
mon, goes over his errors, and finds it a
in November of 2003, with a memorable
great learning tool. He’s enjoyed reading
win over Ray Fogerlund in the semi-finals.
a few books, like Walter Trice’s Bootcamp
years in the mid-1970s on a submarine ten-
where he grew up, he was introduced to
In 2010 he was a finalist in the Intermediate
book, and reads Carol Cole’s Flint Area
likes the quiet life in Colorado
der, supplying and supporting submarines
backgammon by a friend. It was a heady
Main event, losing to Dorothy Lee from
Backgammon Newsletter, as well as the
Springs, broken up with annual
that are too small to carry large amounts
time, and no sleepy backwater village. Back-
England in a field of 120 entrants including
USBGF PrimeTime Backgammon magazine.
trips to the bright lights and attractions
of food, fuel, torpedoes, and other main-
gammon was popular, and the local weekly
re-buys, and in 2011 he tied for 3rd in the
of Las Vegas, for Howard Markowitz’ Las
tenance equipment and personnel. With
tournament regularly drew over 50 people,
Intermediate field at the Las Vegas Open
He’d love to see more younger players take
Vegas Open Backgammon Tournament.
nuclear power, tenders are no longer as
playing in a huge room, with a microphone
with 84 entrants. He’s played with the top
up the game. The Vegas crowd is getting
Summers are his busy time, with his ice
necessary and the Navy now has only two
to keep everyone organized and the play
players at the smaller Colorado State ABT
older and the tournaments don’t have quite
cream business, but come winter it’s off to
submarine tender ships. But for a young
moving. Drew Giovanis was the top local
event which has a single division for Open
the same luster as in earlier years. Instead,
the sunnier climes of Vegas for competitive
Navy seaman, the excitement of travel and
talent, although the local organizer also
and Intermediate players, placing first in
more players are turning to online play.
play and the fun of watching some of the
opportunity to do occasional duty on a
made a name for himself by skipping out
the Consolation in 2007, with Richard
big name players in action.
submarine were heady stuff. He played a
on paying at a major tournament.
Munitz and Neil Kazaross taking the top
He does have a couple of suggestions for the
finishing spots.
US Backgammon Federation. He’d like to
little chess in high school and in the Navy,
Charlie has had a spirit of adventure since
and always liked games.
Colorado Springs, where his sister Cathy
an early age. He joined the Navy to see the
world right out of high school, serving four
Charlie left Florida in 1985 and resettled in
When he returned to Clearwater, Florida,
Milano lives with her husband, both recently
KAREN DAVIS
or most of the year Charlie Raichle
see a weekly match between two top players
He prefers live tournament play to online
at a scheduled time, with commentary on
play — enjoying the feel and sounds of
their moves and people watching. He also
64
65
Charlie Raichle
thinks the USBGF should try sponsoring
“
a tournament once a year with low entry
fees to attract a lot of players. He likes the
Qualifying brackets of 8 format the USBGF
uses for its National Championship event.
He’s also unusual in that
He balances backgammon with other inter-
he came to backgam-
ests — fishing, camping, walking trails with
mon through books
his Pomeranian and poodle, being outdoors
in the beautiful state of Colorado, taking
— not bots. He started
in the tourist sights — Pikes Peak, Royal
by reading Paul Lam-
Gorge (which had a horrendous fire recently
ford’s Starting Out in
destroying the wooden planks on the rail
bed), Garden of the Gods, the Air Force
Backgammon and Chris
Academy. And he enjoys the occasional
Bray’s Backgammon to
get-together with his far-flung family —
Win.
daughter Marie Knapp in Michigan, father
in Athens Georgia, mother in Dunedin
and sister Sue in South Carolina who’s
organizing a family reunion for next year.
But it’s backgammon that keeps his mind
engaged, learning, and stoking his sense
of adventure. 
- KAREN DAVIS
Simborg Baffle Box
Baffle Box: $65.00 each. USBGF
Premium members receive a 10%
discount! Mention this ad!
Shipping within the continental
United States: $11.00.
Baffle Box Carrying Bag: $10.00
each. Custom engraving by
request at extra charge.
E-mail Phil Simborg at pjsimborg@
gmail.com or call (312) 543-0522.
CHARLIE RAICHLE
Charlie Raichle loves the great outdoors in Colorado.
USBGFBGSHOP
Florida, sister Julie in North Carolina,
GERARD JENDRAS
Competitive curling champion Gerard
Jendras has added backgammon to
his repertoire of enthusiastic pursuits.
Gerard jendras
Winner of the 2013 USBGF
Circuit Monthly for August
By Karen Davis
G
Phil Simborg Baffle Box
erard Jendras is a relative new-
Group” at his office that meets at least once
Curling, a highly strategic sport, is known
comer to backgammon, having
a week, attended by a dozen or so players.
as “chess on ice.” Gerard competes in at least
discovered its joys after playing
He also keeps a backgammon set at his
four curling tournaments per winter season
200 tournaments as a chess player. But now
curling club – a Crisloid board treated with
in Canada where these athletes outnumber
he’s committed to sharing his love of his
polyurethane to withstand beer spills! The
U.S. players 100 to 1.
adopted game with friends and colleagues.
tradition is that the winning curling team
He has started a “High Noon Backgammon
buys the first round of drinks at the club bar.
He’s also unusual in that he came to back-
66
Gerard Jendras
67
Gerard Jendras
gammon through books — not bots. He
newspaper columns by Chris Bray or Paul
is now. He notes modestly that he outplayed
mon and curling. He says, “The primary
without the hammer. Bulk analysis of results
started by reading Paul Lamford’s Start-
Magriel articles from the 1970s.
only 2 of his 7 opponents. His opponents
parallels I see are these: (1) in both games,
of curling games played at a very high level
averaged a 7 PR, with his toughest match
considerations of risk-reward ratios are
ought to give us clear, quantifiable answers
ing Out in Backgammon and Chris Bray’s
Backgammon to Win. He’s read Improve Your
He mostly plays online, at Daily Gammon
being against Doug Amenda who had a 4
paramount: decisions about cubes, checker
to this, and to other score situations. Once
Backgammon by Lamford and Gasquoine
or on the USBGF Online Circuit, with
PR. The luck factor, however, favored him
plays, and which curling shots to attempt
we have these answers in hand, we’ll have
at least a half-dozen times, and still uses it
occasional forays to live tournaments in
in 6 of his 7 matches – which shows how
are all made with a keen eye on both the
a better grasp of proper strategy in prior
regularly as a reference tool. He’s bought
Flint, Michigan and ABT events in Novi,
important getting the better dice is in a
estimated probability of success AND THE
ends—knowing which situation ought to
10-12 copies of Bray’s book to loan to
Pittsburgh and Chicago. He placed third in
field where everyone is a tough, competi-
CURRENT SCORE; (2) both games involve
be aimed for in the last end. I think those
beginner and intermediate players, and
the Intermediate division at the 2009 Michi-
tive player.
both offense and defense, decisions whether
tabulated results could wind up looking
even when those copies aren’t returned
gan Summer Championships and third in
to hit or not, whether to aim for simplified
very much like a Match Equity Table.”
he thinks of it as just another way to share
the intermediate consolation at the 2011
his love for the game. And he’s proud of
Pittsburgh tournament. He plans to work
Gerard enjoys his USBGF membership and
his backgammon book collection, which
on his game and take in more tournaments
likes the ease of scheduling matches on the
includes an original hardbound copy of Paul
– including Las Vegas, Florida, Texas, and
USBGF Online Tournament Circuit. He
Magriel’s Backgammon and books by Kit
trips to the Nordic Open, Cannes, Monte
knows he should be studying more, and
Woolsey, Bill Robertie, Marty Storer, and
Carlo, and possibly even the Japan Open
watches Phil Simborg’s video lessons on the
Mary Hickey — among others.
when he retires in a few years.
USBGF website and Facebook site, as well
His backgammon game, however, has
or complex positions, etc.; (3) I think that
as Phil’s 40-minute video on how to get the
It’s not surprising that Gerard loves books.
Gerard prefers live play to online play,
most out of eXtremeGammon. He always
After college, he worked at The Newberry
but finds both appealing. In contrast to
attends lectures at ABT tournaments, and
(Chicago’s independent research library,
chess, where tournaments use standard-
he won the USBGF Quiz for the intermedi-
founded in 1867) just as libraries were
ized boards, backgammon tournaments
ate division at Phil Simborg’s lecture at the
becoming digital information reposito-
allow players to bring their own. He owns
2013 Michigan Summer Championship.
ries and were incorporating electronic
about 15 chess boards of various designs
retrieval systems. He entered the University
for his personal enjoyment, and is likewise
And he believes in contributing as well
of Michigan School of Information and
fascinated by the many gorgeous boards he
as enjoying the benefits of membership.
Library Science with a full tuition schol-
sees at backgammon tournaments. He also
Motivated by the desire to share his sheer
arship and stipend, receiving a Masters
enjoys meeting people in person whom he
love of the game with others, he reaches
degree in Information and Library Science
has played online at live tournaments. And
in 1991. His familiarity with library tech-
he loves watching top open players play in
nology and sophisticated data searching
doubles events, particularly when there’s
techniques prepared him for the perfect
fun trash-talking going on. He would even
job with ProQuest (formerly University
Microfilms International, founded in 1938).
out to introduce new players to the game.
GERARD JENDRAS
The USBGF is honored that Gerard has
Gerard Jendras won the 2013 USBGF "How they became Giants" Quiz, Intermediate
Division, given by USBGF Education Adviser Phil Simborg in Novi, MI, July 6, 2013.
included a bequest to the U.S. Backgam-
watch long videos of matches if he could
come a long way quickly, given his other,
curling would benefit from developing and
the U.S. Chess Trust and the University of
hear the dialogue.
varied interests – which include hiking and
sharing something akin to backgammon
Michigan School of Information. Many
backpacking. Curling is a major preoccu-
match equity tables; even today, curlers
thanks for your generosity and support! 
That job requires him to find better ways
to encode/store/convey/display special
In winning the 128-entry August Online
pation: our lunch at a Thai restaurant in
argue as to whether it’s preferable to begin
characters and symbols used in math and
Circuit he analyzed his games on eXtreme-
Ann Arbor had to be juggled around one
playing the last “end” of the game trailing
the sciences. Gerard delights in searching
Gammon, and found he played at about a 9
of the first matches of the curling season.
by 1 point but having “the hammer” (last
his firm’s databases to find backgammon
PR – which is about where his level of play
But he sees similarities between backgam-
rock), or to be leading by 1 point but playing
mon Federation in his estate, along with
- KAREN DAVIS
68
Kevin Helton
Learning Backgammon
a t the Source
IRAQI HOLDS GUN
KEVIN HELTON
Kevin convinced his Iraqi friend to
try holding his gun.
Kevin spent 8 years with the Army
Corps of Engineers to learn new
skills & find a direction for his life,
69
B
y Karen Davis
K
evin Helton, one of the newest
afternoon and with his buddy every night
After three years in construction, he tired
members of the U.S. Backgam-
back at the army base. It was a great way
of the daily grind and low pay and decided
mon Federation, learned to play
to relax, hang out, let down his guard, and
to try the military to find some direction
backgammon while serving in the Army
make Iraqi friends. They were awesome
for his life. His grandfather had served in
Corps of Engineers in Iraq (in ancient
players, he says, and “mopped” him and
World War II and his father had been in
times: Mesopotamia, with its storied capital,
his buddy off the floor. For quite a while he
the National Guard during Vietnam. He
Babylon) – where, he was surprised to learn,
thought they were just lucky, and it wasn’t
chose the Army Corps of Engineers rather
scholars believe that the game originated.
until he was stateside that he discovered
than the infantry, because in the Corps he
He had always assumed that the British had
the math, probability, and strategy that
would receive training and emerge with
invented backgammon, and thought it was
it takes to play a good game. In Iraq he
skills that he could bring back to civilian
really cool to be learning it in its birthplace,
also acquired a nice Persian board made
life. After basic training, he received 12-13
the cradle of civilization. He got hooked
of Khātam: art forms made by decorat-
weeks of Advanced Individualized Train-
when he saw two older merchants playing
ing the surface of wooden articles with
ing: for example, detonating explosives in
the game and drinking tea while waiting for
delicate pieces of wood, bone and metal in
controlled environments and operating
customers in their shanty shops. He didn’t
precisely-cut geometrical shapes. Of course
heavy-duty construction equipment.
know how to play, but got them to teach
the doubling cube was unknown. He was
him despite the language barrier, helped
surprised when he discovered a cube in an
by lots of pointing and gestures.
attaché-style backgammon board donated
to the army recreational center.
Bill Riles, President of the U.S. Backgammon
“
Federation, encouraged him to share his
Kevin’s eight years of military service have
story after Kevin e-mailed Bill in response
opened up new opportunities for him.
Kevin bought a Turkish
to an article in the Houston Chronicle. Bill
He grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, north of
thanked him for his military service and
Akron. He was good at math in high school,
Yenigun backgammon
told him, “It is a great backgammon story, a
but didn’t take to reading and studying,
board from his new-
great personal story, a great human interest
and decided not to pursue college. After
story, and an even greater story of values,
high school, he went into the construc-
found friends for about
culture, and our shared humanity.”
tion business. He worked for The Shelly
$50 and enjoyed many
Company, the leading supplier of asphalt
hours playing on it —
Kevin bought a Turkish Yenigun backgam-
paving materials in Ohio, where he received
mon board from his newfound friends for
state certification in testing soil samples
with the older Iraqi guys
about $50 and enjoyed many hours playing
using a nuclear gauge to test for moisture
on it — with the older Iraqi guys in the
and density.
in the afternoon...
KEVIN ON THE LOOKOUT
Kevin saw a lot of action, particularly
in his first of two tours of duty in Iraq.
70
local club profile
Kevin Helton
Durham / Chapel Hill
Backgammon Club
By Ken Larsen
EXQUISITE BACKGAMMON BOARD
Kevin purchased two beautiful backgammon boards in Iraq
which came without doubling cubes!
He spent eight years with the Corps from
did some research and discovered some
And it looks like his Army Corps of Engi-
2003 to 2011, including two tours of duty
online backgammon sites, such as Safe
neers training will soon pay off as he starts
in Iraq, one from 2004-2005 and one from
Harbor Games. He’s encountered mostly
a new job doing geological consulting for
2009-2010. He was involved in both build-
nice players there, although some have little
the oil industry with a firm based in West
ing and blowing up bridges, and repairing
patience with his slow pace as an online
Virginia and Canton, Ohio. We wish him
damage from Improvised Explosive Devices.
beginner. He’s joined the U.S. Backgammon
well – on the job, playing backgammon,
He saw a lot of conflict, particularly in his
Federation and learned about the local club
and pursuing his dreams. 
first tour in Iraq, where the tactic of strap-
in Akron through the USBGF website. He’s
ping explosives to donkeys and sending
enjoyed Phil Simborg’s teaching videos, but
them walking up to army bases was not
would welcome getting some hands-on
uncommon.
assistance from a mentor or experienced
When Kevin arrived back in the States, he
the USBGF November Online Circuit.
KEN LARSEN
player. He’s looking forward to playing in
- KAREN DAVIS
I
Hill are two neighboring towns in
2008 I received a cold call from a prospec-
central North Carolina which are famous
tive member (David Hamill) of that former
for college basketball: Duke in Durham
club, and he was disappointed to learn that
and UNC in Chapel Hill.
it had folded. I agreed to play some one-
direct the Durham/Chapel Hill Back-
It arose from the ashes of a previous club
gammon Club. Durham and Chapel
that was run by another person. In April of
on-one backgammon with him at a local
Our club has been in existence since 2008.
café. That one-on-one play became a once/
LINDA BRADLEY
Linda Bradley is the social force behind
the Durham/Chapel Hill Club, making
sure that everyone has a good time.
72
Durham / Chapel Hill Club
Durham / Chapel Hill Club
73
week meeting. Slowly we picked up a few
over 13 years to 308 contestants. It didn’t
tournament with $5.00 entry fee with $10.00
Notable members of our club are: Ben
I feel it won’t be long before that’s broken,
other backgammon aficionados, and voila!
take long for me to add some regimentation
optional side pool. If we have 10 or more,
Elliott, John Snyder, David Davis, David
because I have 31 on my distribution list.
We had a club.
to our Durham/Chapel Hill club. We now
we have two divisions. If we ever get 18
Hamill, Linda Bradley, Sheldon Hayer, Mark
Eight of our members belong to the USBGF.
meet every Monday 6-10 PM at Jason’s Deli
people, we’ll have three divisions. Breakout
Woodruff, and recently Steve Kinney. Ben
I’m working to grow that number. My
I’ve directed various clubs and events since
in Durham’s New Hope Commons Mall
is by skill level.
Elliott is our # 1 player (aka resident shark)
original intentions in joining the USBGF
I was 10 years old … once running an IBM
just off Interstate 40 exit 270. Format is the
based on my preferred metric, points won
were to provide more visibility for my club
employee-only golf tournament that grew
same every week: 5/3/3 double elimination
per tournament. He’s also cashed over a
and share what I’ve done to help others
dozen times in the ABT Advanced Division.
develop their own clubs. I’m also hoping
John Snyder has been our Player of the Year
to work with the USBGF to develop a long
the past two years. David Davis recently
overdue world ranking system, but that’s
played in his first ever ABT tournament
a subject for another PrimeTime article.
(Charlotte) and won the Advanced Division.
Since joining the USBGF I was cheered to
As previously mentioned, David Hamill was
learn about Phil Simborg’s video lessons.
the catalyst who began our club. He’s also
They’re excellent, and I’ve used them to
played in more of our weekly tournaments
motivate others to join.
than anyone else besides me. Linda Bradley
is our club’s unofficial social chairperson.
If any of you reading this article aspire to
She’s hosted numerous chouettes at her
start your own club, feel free to contact
lakefront home. Sheldon, Mark, and Steve
me at [email protected] or 919-942-
are the newbies in our club. Sheldon Hayer
8635. I’ll be glad to help you copy some
learned how to play in March of 2009. This
of the things we’ve done. The basics are
year he owns five wins against me and two
documented here: How to Start a Local
against 1996 ABT Player of the Year Den-
Backgammon Club.
nis Culpepper (who was visiting our club).
Mark Woodruff learned how to play in June
If any of you intend to travel to Durham
of this year. He bought a copy of eXtreme-
or Chapel Hill, be sure to join our Monday
Gammon and has already played over 250
tournament. We’d love to have you. 
matches against it … steadily lowering his
WEEKLY TOURNAMENT DRAWSHEET
PR. Steve Kinney learned backgammon 30
Ken Larsen promptly sends out updated year-to-date stats of players after each weekly tournament, including a photo of the
winner on the drawsheet. This extra effort is certain to keep his players happy and proud of their accomplishments.
years ago while playing in the NFL, but has
recently resumed play. To ensure that he
learns it right, he’s been taking lessons with
When I return from a meeting, I post the
are posted. Above is an example.
results in a weekly PDF format newsletter
our club members improve their game. I
Phil Simborg. With dedicated members
view the fundamental objective of our club
like these, our club likely will be around
for a long time.
… which I email out within one hour. The
Our club has a web site, Durham/Chapel
as being to prepare members for ABT tour-
newsletter includes a position of the week
Hill Backgammon Club , which is a subset
naments … give them a mini-ABT event to
along with the answer from the previous
of my own personal web site, Ken Larsen's
play in at each of our meetings and to help
Average attendance at our club has been 8
newsletter. The coolest thing about the
website. On our club’s web site I list club
direct them to tools which can accelerate
to 9 the last few years … slowly up from our
newsletter is how the tournament results
stats, rules, and links to various sites to help
their backgammon learning curve.
first years. Highest attendance has been 14.
- KEN LARSEN
74
“
illinois state championships
Take Time for Fun!
A special feature of this
year’s Illinois State tour-
By Linda Rockwell
W
nament was a premier
itches flew and Giants roared
Hosted by the ABT’s only all-female staff,
The action began on Thursday night as
at the Illinois State Cham-
comprised of Tournament Director Linda
the Peoria Backgammon Club welcomed
initiative to acknowl-
Rockwell, Peoria Backgammon Club
all comers in both divisions of the local
edge the Giants of Back-
pionships October
4 – 6 in Peoria, Illinois. From
Director Sue Will, and BG staff-
tournament for free appetizers.
gammon. Six of the
75
by central Illinois boardmaker Vinton Knarr
A special feature of this year’s Illinois State
filled quickly: Jim Curtis of Indianapolis
tournament was a premier initiative to
was thrilled with his victory.
acknowledge the Giants of Backgammon.
Six of the top 32 Giants “played in Peoria”
Saturday morning began with a well-
and were provided with their own personal
attended lecture featuring David Rockwell
reserved table for the weekend and were
titled “Match Equity Without the Num-
kept supplied with score sheets and pens.
bers.” At the Saturday morning Calcutta,
Attending the event were Giants #3 Neil
door prize winners could choose their
Kazaross, #13 John O’Hagan, #16 Ray
own prizes, and winning Calcutta bidders
Fogerlund, #18 Ed O’Laughlin, #20 Petko
could create their own “Dream Teams” by
Kostadinov and #21 Malcolm Davis. As
selecting Championship Division players
a part of the “star treatment”, any player
from the “Tricks” and “Treats” columns.
paired with a Giant was required to play at
Auctioneers Phil Simborg (Chicago) and
the Giant’s table. If two Giants were paired,
as far away as Australia and the
ers extraordinaire Mary Ann
Bahamas, players converged
Meese and Dru Heggen, this
Friday’s Prairie Classic tournament, a central
top 32 Giants “played
Michael Plog (central IL) have worked as
the lower-ranked Giant had to move to the
at The Grand Hotel to “play
annual Halloween-themed
Illinois tradition with a 40+ year history,
a team at this tournament for the past 6
table of the higher-ranked Giant. Some
event is the most festive on the
filled to 32 with a waiting list weeks before
in Peoria” and were
years, with Phil providing the “color” and
good-natured ribbing went on between
Michael – a professionally trained auction-
#16 Ray and #18 Ed, who were paired in
eer – handling the bidding.
an early round. Several young players said
in Peoria”.
circuit.
the tournament. It was Chicago
Bar Point Club Director Bill
Davis over Minneapolis Club
provided with their
own personal reserved
table...
that they hoped someday to “be at that
Players generously opened their hearts
table.” The deferential treatment shown
the fabulous flying eagle
and their pocketbooks by contributing
to these masters of our game had clearly
trophy. A special 8-player
more than $1,900 to support Mary Ann
made its mark.
tournament for a gorgeous
Meese’s medical mission to Haiti, spon-
walnut board handcrafted
sored by her church, St. Thomas Aquinas
Because the ballots for the 2013 Giants of
of Indianapolis. Charming fleece blankets
Backgammon recognition were released
featuring dice and monsters, handmade
just a few days before the Peoria tourna-
by tournament staffer Dru Heggen, and a
ment, a special effort was made to encour-
stunning backgammon board quilt made
age Championship level players to vote.
by Karen Drexel of Michigan to support the
Carol Joy Cole, one of the coordinators
cause all earned generous bids, but players
of the competition, distributed ballots to
also donated hundreds of dollars on their
eligible players.
Director David Minikus for
ROD COVLIN
& LINDA ROCKWELL
Rod Covlin accepted one of three
trophies from director Linda
Rockwell including this specially
designed doubling cube created
by Lawrence Sonne of Nova Enterprises in Michigan.
own. Renowned backgammon teacher Phil
Simborg spurred the charge to support the
The big winner for the weekend was the blis-
Haiti mission: he generously donated an
tering hot Rod Covlin (NY). Rod has been
online lesson, for which raffle tickets were
unstoppable since winning the Michigan
sold, and he organized a special overflow
State Championships in July, and he took
tournament with the winner bagging a
home three trophies from Peoria, finish-
brand new FM board from Turkey.
76
Illinios State Championships
77
07
03
01
01 Phil Simborg, USBGF Education
Adviser, helped make the fund-raiser
for Mary Ann Meese's Haiti mission a
success.
02 Intermediate Consolation finalist
Nancy Elliott and Consolation winner
Vinton Knarr pose with director Linda
Rockwell.
02
03 The Giants of Backgammon got
their own special table, complete with
custom-printed place cards.
04 Rod Covlin defeated Ramez
Abi-Akar in finals of the Championship
Division.
05 Vadim Nuniyants got into the
Halloween costume spirit in his pink
and green mega-shades.
04
06 David Presser, recent masters
06
degree graduate of Northwestern
University School of Management, and
veteran Lucky Nelson won the doubles.
07 This big black spider found Mark
Murray's beard irresistible during the
Illinois State Champoinships.
08 Bill Davis won the Prairie Classic
05
08
tournament and a fabulous flying eagle
trophy.
78
ohio - michigan challenge
ing 1st in the Championship Division over
(IL) over Nancy Elliott (WI), with Oleg
Illinois State tournament attendance tied
Finalist Ramex Abi-Akar (IL), 3 / 4 Neil
Raygorodsky (IL) capturing Last Chance
an all-time record for the Championship
Kazaross (IL) and Rory Pascar (IL); 1st in
by besting Larry Liebster (NV).
Division, an increase from 38 in 2012 to
Michigan Wins 3rd Title!
By Karen Davis
the competition. Linda and her staffmates
M
45 this year. Darren O’Shaughnessey from
the Midstate Microblitz over Phil Simborg
(IL); and 1st in the Peoria Quickies over
The Novice Division involved only 2 players:
Australia travelled the farthest to be a part
David Settles (IL) . Fortunately, two of Rod’s
the winner of the best 2 of 3 matches was
of the festivities, and he and Bahamian Ray
trophies were specially designed doubling
Frank Victoria (IL) over Greg Rudd (IL).
Lightbourn gave an international flavor to
cube trophies created by Lawrence Sonne
ichigan won the 2013 OhioMichigan Challenge for the
third straight year!
of Michigan -- so he managed to return to
In the Lincoln-Douglas Doubles, the
would like to express their gratitude for the
The Michigan team (Paul Berg, Bill Calton,
New York without exceeding baggage weight
dynamic Chicago duo of Lucky Nelson
wonderful support from players all over the
Carol Joy Cole, Dmitriy Obukhov, John
limits! Consolation winners included John
and David Presser was victorious over
US – and beyond! – and hope all attendees
Quinn, Jim Slomkoski, Frank Talbot, and
O’Hagan (IN) over David Rockwell (IL)
Wisconsin State Championships Director
will return to “Take Time for Fun!” at the
Rick Todd) bested the Ohio team (Alireza
and Last Chance winner Tak Morioka (IL)
Keene Marin and Madison’s Vadim Nuni-
2014 Illinois State Championships in Peoria
Saatchi, Karen Davis, Bob Hickey, Mary
over Steve Blanchard (IL).
yants. The bronze Abraham Lincoln trophy
on October 10 – 12, 2014. 
Hickey, Joe Miller, Howard Shirey, Mike
for the Land of Lincoln Masters was won
Winner of the Intermediate Division was
by Gerry Tansey (MO) over Capital Classic
Lucas Bauer (IL) over Charles Haley (IN).
Director Ed O’Laughlin (VA).
79
Vasilatos, and Chris Yep) 34-29 in the
- LINDA ROCKWELL
round-robin team event, held annually at
the home of Karen Davis, USBGF Chairman
Consolation winners were Vinton Knarr
of the Board of Directors, in Toledo, Ohio.
One-year extension of USBGF membership
went to Bill Calton with the best individual
MICHIGAN TEAM WINS AT OHIO
Michigan team (clockwise from left) of Bill Calton, Frank Talbot, Dmitriy Obukhov,
John Quinn, Rick Todd, Jim Slomkoski, Carol Joy Cole, and Paul Berg wins 3 straight!
record at 7-1. Winners of the Saturday
evening Warm-Up tournament (8) directed
by Joe Miller included: 1—Alireza Saatchi
(OH); 1C—Mike Vasilatos (OH). 
CHARLES HALEY, LINDA ROCKWELL, & LUCAS BAUER
Lucas Bauer, who joined USBGF as a Youth member just two years ago, captured the Intermediate Division.
Charles Haley was the Intermediate finalist.
MICHIGAN TEAM: SUSAN BERSON; KAREN DAVIS
- KAREN DAVIS.
MARY HICKEY
BILL CALTON
Bill Calton won the individual event
with a 7-1 record, winning a one-year
extension of his USBGF Premium
membership.
Noted author and two-time winner of
the US Open, Mary Hickey boosted the
results for the Ohio team with a 5-3
record in the event.
FRANK, JOHN, & DMITRIY
Frank Talbot, John Quinn, and Dmitriy Obukhov on the Michigan team discuss
strategy.
80
live abt tournament results
From October 4 - October 27
Complete tournament results may be found at chicagopoint.com
Live ABT Tournament Results
(FL); 1LC-David Presser (IL).
PANTHER ADVANCED (16): 1-Roland Leutert (FL), 2-Jerry Ungar (FL); 1C-Ronald Loero (Venezuela); 1LCDan Gruby (FL).
October 2013
MANATEE SOCIAL (7): 1-Dimitur Alipiev (FL); 1C-Max Gruby (FL).
ABT - ILLINOIS STATE BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
October 4-6, 2013; Peoria, Illinois
FLAMINGO LIMITED JACKPOT (13): 1-Bob Howayeck (FL), 2-Eugen Moebius (FL).
CHAMPIONSHIP (45): 1-Rod Covlin (NY), 2-Ramez Abi-Akar (IL), 3/4-Neil Kazaross (IL) / Rory Pascar (IL);
1C-John O'Hagan (IN), 2C-David Rockwell (IL); 1LC-Tak Morioka (IL).
81
GATOR MASTERS JACKPOT (6): 1-Malcolm Davis (TX), 2-Stacy Turner (FL).
DOLPHIN DOUBLES (13 teams): 1-Ronald Loero (Venezuela) & Juan Rospiglioso (FL), 2-Ray Fogerlund
(NV) & Terri Weiner (FL).
BLUE HERON SENIORS (32): 1-Lucky Nelson (IL), 2-Jerry Ungar (FL).
INTERMEDIATE (29): 1-Lucas Bauer (IL), 2-Charles Haley (IN); 1C-Vinton Knarr (IL), 2C-Nancy Elliott
(WI); 1LC-Oleg Raygorodsky (IL).
PRE-TOURNAMENT (16): 1-J.P. McGirr (FL), 2-Joseph Jemal (NJ).
NOVICE (2): 1-Frank Victoria (IL).
WOLF WELCOME WARM-UP (32): 1-Rod Covlin (NY), 2-LEW Webber (VA).
LAND OF LINCOLN MASTERS (16): 1-Gerry Tansey (MO), 2-Ed O'Laughlin (VA).
SLAY A GIANT: 1-Rod Covlin (NY). Rod beat the most Giants throughout the weekend.
PRAIRIE CLASSIC (32): 1-Bill Davis (IL), 2-David Minikus (MN); 1C-Ken Tyszko (IL), 2C-Steve Brown (MN).
BEAT THE PROS: 1-Rod Covlin (NY). Rod beat the most PRO Team players.
LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DOUBLES (16 teams): 1-Lucky Nelson (IL) & David Presser (IL), 2-Keene Marin (WI)
& Vadim Nuniyants (WI).
HIGH 5 PRO: 1-Frank Raposa (VA). Frank was the PRO Team player who won the most matches.
PEORIA QUICKIES (32): 1-Rod Covlin (NY).
MIDSTATE MICROBLITZ (32): 1-Rod Covlin (NY), 2-Phil Simborg (IL).
$50 JACKPOT #1 (8): 1-Frank Raposa (VA).
$50 JACKPOT #2 (8): 1-Roland Leutert (FL).
ABT - 1st CONNECTICUT STATE BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
October 24-27, 2013; Hartford, Connecticut
VINTON KNARR BOARD TOURNEY (8): 1-Jim Curtis (IN).
FM BOARD CHARITY TOURNEY (4): 1-Phil Simborg (IL).
NUTMEG OPEN (22): 1-Alex Zamanian (MA), 2-Herb Gurland (MA); 1C-Bill Robertie (MA), 2C-Mary
Hickey (OH); 1LC-Michael Senkiewicz (NY).
ABT - FLORIDA STATE BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP
October 17-20, 2013; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
OYSTER ADVANCED (16): 1-Scotty Kelland (CT), 2-Debra Campbell (NC); 1C-Feliks Goykhman (NJ),
2C-Chen-Fu Yu (MD); 1LC-Milton Chin (CT).
SHARK OPEN (19): 1-Malcolm Davis (TX), 2-Ed O'Laughlin (VA); 1C-Jeb Horton (NC), 2C-Harry Brown
MINUTEMAN LIMITED (6): 1-Rochelle Hasson (NY), 2-Jin Hu (CT). Medal of Honor to Charlie Lieson (MA).
82
u sbgf online circuit winners
Live ABT Tournament Results
Updated: 11/24/2013
B
y Tara Mendicino
YANKEE MASTERS (8): 1-Sasha Bennett (NY), 2-Ed O'Laughlin (VA).
PATRIOT DOUBLES (16 teams):1-Garry Kallos (Canada) & Marcy Kossar (MD), 2-Feliks Goykhman
(NJ) & Richard Munitz (NY).
FAIRFIELD BLITZ (8): 1-Rod Covlin (NY), 2-Feliks Goykhman (NJ).
FRANK VICTORIA WINS
ILLINIOS STATE NOVICE
Frank Victoria accepted his Novice
winner trophy from Linda Rockwell
and then scooted off to the nearby
riverboat casino to spend his winnings.
SMILING MALCOLM DAVIS
WINS AT FLORIDA
The sun shines on Malcolm Davis in
the Sunshine State. He captured both
the Gator Masters Jackpot and the
Shark Open at the 2013 Florida State
Championship, repeating his double
win of the Florida Masters and Florida
Open Championship at the 2011
Florida Backgammon Championships.
83
Recent Online Circuit Tournament Winners
Start Date
Status
Tournament
Winner
Sep 30, 2013
Sep 27, 2013
Sep 04, 2013
Aug 31, 2013
Aug 21, 2013
Aug 14, 2013
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Circuit Monthly for October
Club Team Championship Qualifier 6
Circuit Monthly for September
Harvey Gillis
Jersey Boys
Bruce Newberg
They Might Not Be Giants
Crash and Burn
Ready For Prime Time
Aug 02, 2013
Aug 01, 2013
Jul 24, 2013
Jul 01, 2013
Jun 24, 2013
Jun 01, 2013
May 22, 2013
May 10, 2013
May 01, 2013
May 01, 2013
Apr 19, 2013
Apr 01, 2013
Apr 01, 2013
Apr 01, 2013
Mar 01, 2013
Feb 01, 2013
Jan 06, 2013
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Circuit Monthly for August
Circuit Monthly for July
Online Team Championship Playoff
Circuit Monthly for June
Online Team Championship Qualifier 4
Circuit Monthly for May
Circuit Monthly for April
International Collegiate Championship
US Collegiate Championship
Circuit Monthly for March
Circuit Monthly for February
Director’s Cup I
Franklee Unflappable
Gerard Jendras
JustBg
Alfred Mamlet
Scared Hitless
Eva Zizkova
Arthur Sutton
Scared Hitless
The Executioners
Benjamin Friesen
PRO Elite
Charles Raichle
Agamir Gevorkyan
Benjamin Friesen
Mario Savan
Bruce Farquhar
Jim Stutz
2013 USBGF Online Circuit
Tournament of Champions
All 2013 Online Circuit tournament winners will be invited to participate in the 2013
USBGF Online Circuit Tournament of Champions. This exclusive event will start in midJanuary 2014. Don't miss it!
84
u sbgf live leaderboard
Open / Championship
Top-Ranked Players
In USBGF Rated Events
Novice / Beginners
Top-Ranked Players In
American Backgammon Tour Events
#
Name
Rating
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Arkadiy Tsinis
Matt Cohn-Geier
Neil Kazaross
Mochy Mochizuki
Stuart Thomson
Rod Covlin
Joe Russell
Falafel Natanzon
Frank Raposa
Ed O'Laughlin
1716.34
1703.45
1693.06
1691.94
1687.74
1679.98
1673.10
1668.27
1667.27
1665.37
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name
Rod Covlin
Neil Kazaross
Ed O'Laughlin
Malcolm Davis
Frank Raposa
John O'Hagan
Matt Cohn-Geier
Masayuki Mochizuki
Bill Robertie
Bob Koca
Top-Ranked Players
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name
#
42.50
42.14
39.57
30.81
27.34
21.91
20.33
17.57
17.48
17.37
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Chen Fu Yu
Arthur Sutton
Michael Edge
John Manning
Richard Weaver
Charlie Raichle
Josh Racko
Marv Porten
Dan Smith
Lawrence Wilson
#
1776.55
1719.15
1688.43
1684.75
1683.58
1678.50
1676.25
1675.47
1664.93
1644.01
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name
Kathy Weiner
Dominic Johnson
Nick Dawe
Mike Clapsadle
Vlad Eydelman
Jenna Longman
Fouad Maroun
Bill Harpell
Calin Popescu
Kenneth Andonisio
Rating
#
1688.76
1631.63
1621.32
1619.97
1619.07
1613.90
1608.56
1602.18
1600.85
1600.47
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name
Nick Dawe
Julia Sommer
Dominic Johnson
Vlad Eydelman
Calin Popescu
Matt Rogers
Frank Taylor
Andrew Seputis
Charlene Britton
Sheldon Richter
Qualifications for inclusion in USBGF Rated Events
Rating
Top-Ranked Players
Points
Intermediate / Advanced
#
u sbgf live leaderboard
Updated: 10/15/2013
B
y Barry Silliman - Rankings Editor
Name
John Manning
Alex Owen
Larry Liebster
Chen Fu Yu
Richard Weaver
Paul Baraz
Jim Kennis
Rob Ring
Ken Meng
Lorenzo Morales
Points
11.50
9.45
9.40
8.73
8.38
7.75
7.70
7.43
7.40
6.00
85
The numbers following the player names show their Elo ratings, cumulative since 2009. Open and Advanced
player listings are restricted to USBGF members. To be listed, a player must have played in the listed division
of a live USBGF-rated tournament in the past thirteen months.
Qualifications for inclusion in American Backgammon Tour Events
The numbers following the player names show the total ABT Points earned in 2013 competing in the specified
division.
Points
2.67
1.86
1.44
1.38
1.33
1.33
1.17
1.00
1.00
1.00
86
u sbgf online leaderboard
Updated: 11/24/2013
B
y Tara Mendicino
Online Circuit Top 10
#
Name
87
GG ID
Rating
Win - Loss
Win %
Trnys Won
High Rating
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Adam Versaw
Jim Stutz
Alfred Mamlet
Petko Kostadinov
Chris Yep
Jeffrey Acierno
adamV
NaturalDog
amamlet
bulgari
cyep
Execshark
1951.34
1946.95
1943.29
1942.13
1931.61
1928.72
12 - 3
14 - 2
35 -14
14-3
7-1
5-0
80%
88%
71%
82%
88%
100%
2
1
4
1
1
1
1951.34
1958.73
1958.70
1953.24
1932.88
1928.72
7.
8.
9.
10.
Bill Phipps
Dorn Bishop
Neil Kazaross
Steve Mellen
bjp
dorn
neilkaz
fnurt
1919.49
1916.88
1915.89
1905.86
5-0
5-2
6-1
3-1
100%
71%
86%
75%
1
1
0
0
1919.49
1933.13
1927.99
1905.86
Up-to-date ratings may be found at: usbgf.org/trny/leaderboard/
Qualifications for inclusion in USBGF Online Circuit Events
2013-2014
usbgf national
internet championship
by Joe Russell and Tara Mendicino
T
he U.S. Backgammon Federation
the Online Circuit section of our website.
is pleased to announce the launch
The tournament is co-directed by Joe Rus-
of the 2013-2014 USBGF Internet
sell [email protected] and Tara Mendicino
Championship. This free entry tourna-
[email protected].
ment for all USBGF Premium, Youth, and
Basic members – including both U.S. and
Format
international members – is the biggest and
Entry is free to all USBGF members (Pre-
most exciting USBGF online tournament.
mium, Youth, Basic).
The 2012-2013 Internet Championship
There will be three Divisions: Intermediate,
winners were Adam Versaw, Open Divi-
Advanced, and Championship.
The numbers following the player names show their Elo ratings, cumulative since September 2012 in the USBGF
Online Tournament Circuit. To be listed, a player must be a current or past member of the USBGF.
Upcoming Online Circuit
Tournaments
Circuit Monthly for December
Start Date: December 1, 2013
Registration Link: usbgf.org/trny/registration/?trny=97
sion; Scott Kelland, Advanced Division,
and Kat Denison, Intermediate Division. All
This year the Division will be based on play-
three winners were profiled in the USBGF
ers’ USBGF online Elo rating at the time of
PrimeTime Backgammon magazine, and
registration. Players with an Elo of less than
Adam Versaw qualified for a spot on the
1500 in the USBGF Online Tournament
Team USA in the International Backgam-
System will enter the Intermediate Division,
mon Championship III. The winner of the
players with an Elo rating between 1500-
2013-2014 Championship Division and the
1649 will enter the Advanced Division, and
finalist who are U.S. citizens (or two highest
players with Elo rating of 1650 or above will
finishing U.S. citizens) likewise will earn
enter the Championship Division.
spots on Team USA in the IBC IV.
The opening rounds consist of a rolling
Registration will open on December 15
series of 8-person brackets for each Divi-
with opening brackets of 8 players in each
sion, the random draw for each of which
Division. Register and follow the action at
will begin as soon as eight members in that
88
National Internet Championship
Division have registered.
Two weeks will be allowed for arranging
National Internet Championship
and drawsheets.
and completing each round for all divisions.
USBGF Online Rating System
Each player gets two chances to qualify and
89
System, please see Rating System. Should
All winners will be noted on the USBGF
you have any questions or are unsure of what
website Hall of Fame and USBGF Face-
to submit, please use our Support Form.
book page
may qualify twice, but must wait until they
Registration for all Divisions closes on or
Initial Elo Rating for New Players
complete their matches in the first bracket
before April 10, subject to Director's dis-
Players who are new to the USBGF Tour-
Initial Elo Rating Guidelines
The top two Championship winners will
before re-entering (i.e. a total of two entries
cretion. Pairings for the single elimination
nament System are asked to select their
»»
Players with GridGammon ratings <=
receive a qualifying spot in the 2014 USBGF
per member is allowed, regardless of the
playoffs will be posted the following day.
initial Elo rating. We will accept ratings
1549 should select 1500.
National Championship to be held in con-
result of the first entry).
from GridGammon and will verify your
The number of brackets will depend on
After qualifying rounds end, the single-
number of interested entrants. Last year
elimination playoffs will begin. The winners
there were 8 Intermediate brackets of 8
of the 8-person rounds will be randomly
players each; 10 Advanced brackets; and
paired in the remaining rounds.
23 Championship brackets. Let’s beat that
submission.
junction with the 2014 Carolina Invitational
»»
»»
Players with GridGammon ratings >
in Charlotte, NC Labor Day weekend,
1549 and < 1650 should select 1600.
bypassing the qualifying brackets of 8.
The top two U.S. Championship winners
will receive places on the U.S. team in the
this year!
IBC IV, co-sponsored by the U.S. Backgam-
The Championship Division consists of the
»»
best two of three 11 point matches in the
USBGF Online Tournament System
opening rounds. The Advanced Division is
Players register online. Members must be
the best two of three 9 point matches in the
logged in to register. If needed, USBGF
opening rounds. The Intermediate Division
usernames may be requested from info@
is the best two of three 7 point matches in
usbgf.org. If not currently an active member
the opening rounds. Match lengths will be
please join.
The tournament directors reserve the right
»»
»»
Players separately need a GridGammon
Giants of Backgammon and expert players
(i.e. to 13 and 15 points in the Championship
account/nickname to play online matches.
who do not have a GridGammon account
Players will be automatically notified of
in the Intermediate Division).
their opponent and e-mail their opponent
to make modifications to the tournament
1849 should select 1900.
design as well as the right to exclude participation with no reason required. 
round and by four points in the final round
Advanced Division, and to 9 and 11 points
Unknown players without GridGammon ratings should select Start With
- JOE RUSSELL
New Statistics.
& TARA MENDICINO
may submit an initial rating selection of
Online Leader Board
1900.
A USBGF Online Circuit Leader Board
includes Elo rating and Win/Loss record
to arrange a playing time using the USBGF
Players who are new to online backgam-
of all players in USBGF-sponsored online
Venue and Schedule
Tournament System. Several possible play-
mon may select “Start With New Statistics.”
events who are active members. The Elo
All matches will be played on GridGam-
ing times should be offered.
Those players will start fresh with an Elo of
rating and Win/Loss Record of the top
1500, Experience Points set to zero. Play-
ten ranked players for each Division will
mon. Nicknames will be arranged through
a special service free of charge to USBGF
Winners of the best two-of-three matches
ers should expect substantial volatility in
be publicized on the USBGF Facebook
members who are not already registered at
report their result using the USBGF Tour-
their ratings until at least 400 Experience
site and included in bi-monthly issues of
GridGammon. If you do not have a Grid-
nament System. Matches should be saved
Points are gained.
PrimeTime Backgammon.
Gammon nickname, complete the form on
and attached when the winner reports his
our website http://usbgf.org/trny/gg-acct/
or her win.
All other players will start with 400 Experi-
Recognition
ence Points.
Recognition certificates will be awarded
to apply for a GridGammon account. A
Mac interface will be provided to interested
The USBGF Tournament System provides
individuals.
lists of registered players for open brackets
mon Federation.
increased by two points in the semi-final
Division respectively, to 11 and 13 in the
to the top four winners for each Division
For more information regarding our Rating
(Intermediate, Advanced, Championship)
90
91
Backgammon Board Wraps
Call the USBGF BG Shop at (210) 884-6265
A USBGF BG Shop exclusive! Protect
and we would be happy to help you. Board
your cherished investment with a light-
Wraps will also be available for sale during
USBGF Membership Gift Certificates will
weight Board Wrap. Our Board Wrap fits
the Texas Backgammon Championships,
be available soon at the USBGF BG Shop.
most popular tournament-sized backgam-
held from January 30th to February 2nd,
mon boards, ranging from Taki boards to
2014 at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio,
Be sure to visit the USBGF BG Shop for
chouette-styled Brahma boards.
Texas.
more great gift ideas!
Each Board Wrap measures approximately
Give the Gift of Membership!
22.5" in width by 38" in length (including
A USBGF Basic, Premium, 3-Year Premium,
brand new look and exclusive
the Velcro closures). Board Wraps are made
or even a Founding Sponsor membership
backgammon equipment and
from thick and durable high quality rubber
makes an excellent holiday gift for friends
accessories will be coming soon
mat material, and are available in various
and family!
usbgf bg shop
Great Ideas for
Holiday Gift Giving!
A
to the USBGF BG Shop!
colors, including some reversible designs.
Simply send an e-mail to [email protected]
Crisloid Tournament Attaché
Unsure whether our Board Wraps will fit
Specially designed Crisloid Tournament
your backgammon board?
Attaché custom boards with laser-imprinted
USBGF logo available for the first time.
Light anchor blue case, red and blue checkers, red and blue dice, leather cups with
USBGF inscribed.
Being one of Crisloid’s top-line items, this
stylish board comes with newly-designed
leather dice cups that fit snugly inside the
case. The fields of this backgammon board
are made from high quality cork that not
only looks great but also allows the gorgeous weighty checkers to move gracefully
across its surface.
Crisloid Tournament Board
Custom USBGF Board: $300.00 each.
15% discount for USBGF Premium
and Youth members on all Crisloid
backgammon equipment.
Order online from crisloid.com or call
(800) 343-3449.
Backgammon Board Wrap
Board Wrap: $68.00 each.
Manufactured in San Antonio, Texas.
Shipping within the continental United
States: $13.00.
E-mail Pierre Mendicino at pierre@
usbgf.org or call (210) 884-6265.
and our membership volunteers can assist
you with all the details.
92
upcoming tournaments
Upcoming ABT Tournaments and
USBGF Sponsored Live & Online Events
Be sure to mark your calendar and attend these exciting ABT tournaments
& USBGF events. For complete tournament listings, see chicagopoint.com.
ABT: CALIFORNIA STATE
CHAMPIONSHIPS
DEC
Dates: December 6 - 8, 2013
Place: Hilton LAX, Los Angeles, CA
Details: Website & Brochure
Phone: 818/901-0464
ABT: SUNSHINE STATE CLASSIC
Dates: January 9 - 12, 2014
Place: Hyatt Regency, Jersey City, NJ
Phone: 408/529-6769
JAN
Dates: January 30 - February 2, 2014
Place: Menger Hotel , San Antonio, TX
Phone: 281/703-9304
ABT: CENTRAL STATES
INVITATIONAL/ABT AWARDS
MAR
Dates: March 14 - 16, 2014
Place: Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Details: Website
Phone: 773/583-6464
DEC
ABT: 20th OHIO STATE
MAR
Dates: March 28 - 30, 2014
Place: Airport Marriott, Cleveland, OH
Details: Email
Phone: 330/268-4610
Dates: December 13 - 15, 2013
Place: Ramada, Tampa, FL
Phone: 727/786-9133
ABT: 7th NEW YORK
METROPOLITAN OPEN
ABT: TEXAS BACKGAMMON
CHAMPIONSHIPS
JAN
ABT: ATLANTA SPRING CLASSIC
Dates: April 4 - 6, 2014
Place: Sheraton, Atlanta Airport
Details: Email
Phone: 770/633-0001
APR
93
94
Upcoming Tournaments
ABT: NEVADA STATE
California State
Championship
APR
Dates: April 23 - 27, 2014
Place: Flamingo Hotel , Las Vegas, NV
Details: Email
Phone: 702/218-8238
ABT: 34th CHICAGO OPEN
DECEMBER 6 - 8, 2013
MAY
Dates: May 22 - 26, 2014
Place: Holiday Inn, Rosemont, IL
Details: Email
Phone: 702/218-8238
ABT: LOS ANGELES OPEN
JUN
Dates: June 20 - 22, 2014
Place: Hilton LAX, Los Angeles, CA
Details: Email
Phone: 818/901-0464
ABT: MICHIGAN SUMMER
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dates: July 3 - 6, 2014
Place: Sheraton, Novi, MI
Details: Website
Phone: 810/232-9731
Hilton LAX
5711 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Double Elimination Format
Super-32 and Paul Dingwell Amateur
Open and Super-32 will be clocked
Side Events galore: Seniors, Doubles, Blitzes, Quickies, Jackpots
Tournament is video friendly
Hospitality-mornings and snacks
Free 5-minute Airport Shuttle
Contact Patrick Gibson at [email protected]
Tournament Brochure available at gammonassociates.com
JUL
95
Watch championship
backgammon & learn from the
Giants! View over 200 videotaped
matches of the world's leading
backgammon players filmed at
American Backgammon Tour
events over the last year.
youtube.com/user/USBGFbroadcast
FROM LEFT: ANDREAS HUMKE; BILL RILES
LIVE
STREAM
ARCHIVE

home field - USBGF - US Backgammon Federation

Transcription

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