My first post. I played BG heavily from about 1975-1985 and four of those years I played daily. I was a Becker disciple and played tons of backgames. Since then, I played online for about 6 months in the late 90s. That's about it. A couple of months ago, I found an old copy of 501 Essential BG Problems and it brought back the passion for the game. I have since bought several books, old ones and new ones, a decent board, and the XG software. Things are moving right along.

In the math section of most of the books, there are charts. When I look at charts, I try to see trends that would allow me to establish easily memorized rules. Here are a couple that I would like to share. I haven't seen them discussed in other articles.

(1) On page 117 of BG Boot Camp there is a chart that shows, for doubling purposes, the odds to bear off the last 2 men in one roll, depending on which points they are located. It can also apply if you're rushing to move the last 2 checkers into your home court from your outer court. Trice suggests calculating these each time instead of memorizing them. In fact, he spends 2 or 3 pages telling how to do the calculations. There is a simpler way.

From the chart, you are a favorite to bear off both checkers in one roll if, and only if, both of the following apply:
(a) Neither checker is on the 6 point.
(b) At least one checker is on the 1 or 2 point.

(2) The second chart is found on the last page of Magriel's BG, 1976 edition. It gives the ways (rolls) to make a point depending on the number of builders there are. It has 2 columns, with doubles and without doubles.

With Doubles. This is simply the number of builders squared. With 3 builders, this would be 3 x 3 = 9 rolls. With 5 builders, it is 5 x 5 = 25 rolls.

Without Doubles. This is the number of builders squared minus the number of builders. With 4 builders, this is (4)(4)- 4 = 12 rolls. This could also be written 4(4-1)=12

Thanks for allowing me to participate.

Nice stuff itt

In the last chapter of Mr. Robertie's 501 EBGP, the first 7 problems (#470-476) are very similar: In each, you have 2 checkers left to bear-off, on various points, and your opponent has 2 checkers left to bear-off, both of which are on the 1 point. The questions for each are, "Should black double?" and "Should white take if doubled?"

The 1st question is immediately answered by the method I gave earlier. It is a double if neither checker is on the 6 point AND if at least 1 checker is on the 1 or 2 point.

Here again, for the 2nd question, I find that Mr.Trice's chart provides a quick answer: White should Pass if and only if at least 1 of black's two checkers is on the 1 point AND the other checker is on either the 1, 2, 3, or 4 point. In all other cases, White should Take, assuming the 25% take number.