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Crawford vs. 3away

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10-08-2014 , 04:20 AM

Donby

enthusiast

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 59

Hi folks,

when I play for example a five pointer and lead 4:2 Crawford (1away 3away), it's obvious that gammon losses are not much more costly than single losses.
In these cases I really like to play backgames or at least very complicated games, if I don't have a good start in the game. I am aware that losing a backgammon loses the match. But is this score something like a 'free score' to mess around if getting a bad position and provoking errors against humans?

Diskussion welcome and if my question is not clear, then plz ask for more explanations.

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10-08-2014 , 06:34 AM

yogiman

adept

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 784

4-0,4-1,4-2 with Crawford, I don't mind playing a backgame at all. As straggler also without Crawford.

When I have fun with playing, things go better.

Last edited by yogiman; 10-08-2014 at 07:01 AM.

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10-08-2014 , 09:12 AM

uberkuber

veteran

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3,032

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogiman

4-0,4-1,4-2 with Crawford, I don't mind playing a backgame at all. As straggler also without Crawford.

When I have fun with playing, things go better.

At 4-1 Crawford, you should avoid gammonish positions.

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10-08-2014 , 09:54 AM

Donby

enthusiast

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 59

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogiman

4-0,4-1,4-2 with Crawford, I don't mind playing a backgame at all. As straggler also without Crawford.

When I have fun with playing, things go better.

That's the way I think!

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10-08-2014 , 10:19 AM

peachpie

centurion

Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 182

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberkuber

At 4-1 Crawford, you should avoid gammonish positions.

Agree, 4 away Crawford is a gammon save situation. Losing a gammon will mean that opponent now only needs one more win, instead of two. A big difference. Same goes for any even number.

Even at 3 away, I would hesitate to intentionally play a backgame. Just play the moves with the highest chance to win. If that turns out to be a backgame, so be it. But that will be a minority of the time.

Now if you just like backgames or want to practice them, and don't care too much about your winning chances, that is fine. Or maybe you think your opponent is especially bad at them, etc. But barring special circumstances like this, I would not go for it intentionally.

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10-08-2014 , 11:27 AM

yogiman

adept

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 784

I don't mean specifically aiming at a backgame. Just a bunch of men behind, and then going for a twoway-game.

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10-08-2014 , 02:55 PM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

I agree with peachpie. Just play what you think is the best move, and see what happens. The fact that gammons don't hurt you is a nice bonus and will make a difference on a few plays. But don't go seeking out backgames unless your opponent is really weak.

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