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September 10, 2016

Reply Rolls Revisited - Aces

I wanted to share some old notes I made on reply rolls.   The content will be similar to my historical posts on my blog, but are organized a bit differently.  Note it is possible a few of the replies may not actually be best.  Reason is some plays were close and I picked the one that made the most sense to me at the time.  Also, these notes are several years old and the technically best play may have changed recently. 

My main purpose was in constructing a narrative or reason why I was making the various plays, as well as simply trying to just remember them.  Hopefully you will find them useful.

The first batch regards how to play your reply rolls with ace (except 31). 

Enjoy

Bill




Reply Rolls – Aces (1-1, 2-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1)

1-1.

Normal reply is 8/7(2), 6/5(2)

a) 6/4(2)*. Point on head if splits to your four point with 32S or 43Z.

b) 24/22, 6/5(2) If opponent splits with an ace or deuce. Don’t leave a direct shot on the 8-point.

c) 24/20* hitting is correct against 41 Slot (but not 21 Slot). 21$ - 24/20* at GS


is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 164
Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1
XGID=-b----E-C---dEa--c-da---B-:0:0:1:11:0:0:3:0:10
to play 11

1.Book18/7(2) 6/5(2)eq: +0.147
Player:
Opponent:		53.51% (G:16.00% B:1.04%)
46.49% (G:14.20% B:0.85%)		Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.139...+0.155) - [100.0%]
2.Book124/20* eq: +0.106 (-0.042)
Player:
Opponent:		51.96% (G:15.78% B:1.13%)
48.04% (G:12.26% B:0.62%)		Conf.: ± 0.010 (+0.095...+0.116) - [0.0%]
3.Book224/22 6/5(2)eq: +0.104 (-0.043)
Player:
Opponent:		52.75% (G:15.00% B:0.83%)
47.25% (G:14.25% B:0.58%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.097...+0.112) - [0.0%]
1 Generated by Neil Kazaross on 3/26/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 1.13
5184 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: Random
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

2 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10



The plays are close in both cases. The difference has to do with how opponent's sixes play.

If we hit after 21 Slot, then the opponent's entering sixes from the bar play well. (He will hit back on his 5-point and continue to fight for this key point).

If we hit after 41 Slot, then the opponent's entering sixes from the bar are now bad rolls.

So it turns out that hitting with 24/20* is correct by a small margin against 41 Slot.

And 8/7(2), 6/5(2) is correct by a small margin against 21 Slot.

d) 24/22, 6/5(2)* against 54 split and 43 split. (good to split when opponent on bar or when loose blot in outfield)
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 158
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a---aE-C---dE---d-e----B-:0:0:1:11:0:0:3:0:10
to play 11

1.Book124/22 6/5*(2) eq: +0.358

Player:
Opponent:		58.16% (G:17.15% B:0.90%)
41.84% (G:10.05% B:0.53%)		Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.354...+0.363) - [99.3%]
2.Book18/7(2) 6/5*(2) eq: +0.351 (-0.008)

Player:
Opponent:		57.86% (G:17.80% B:0.94%)
42.14% (G:10.84% B:0.64%)		Conf.: ± 0.004 (+0.346...+0.355) - [0.7%]
3.Book224/23 6/5*(3) eq: +0.318 (-0.040)

Player:
Opponent:		57.28% (G:17.21% B:0.74%)
42.72% (G:10.89% B:0.47%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.311...+0.325) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by Ken Bame on 10/20/2009 using eXtreme Gammon 1.04
36288 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
using 21 dice rotation
Dice Seed: 1
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply

2 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10


24/22. 6/5(2)* came out on top.

Most significant was I learned some more early game guidelines ....

MOTIVATION to split is less with a fourth guy on the 8-point.
MOTIVATION to split is more with a loose blot on the outfield.
It is a great time to split when opponent is on the bar.

e) 24/22, 6/5(2) against 31 point to fight against gathering prime (but not 42 point).
Against 42 Point, Making two points with 8/7(2), 6/5(2) is the better play but it's close.
Against 31 Point, Splitting with 24/22, 6/5(2) is the better play.

The reason is the priming threat.
After 4-2 point, the priming threat is real but not quite dangerous enough to necessitate a split. (There is a gap on the 5-point after all)
After 3-1 point, the priming threat needs to be immediately respected and splitting is correct.
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 161
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-b----E-C---eE---b-d-b--B-:0:0:1:11:0:0:3:0:10
to play 11

1.Book18/7(2) 6/5(2)eq: +0.063

Player:
Opponent:		51.83% (G:15.27% B:0.90%)
48.17% (G:15.24% B:1.00%)		Conf.: ± 0.009 (+0.054...+0.072) - [99.6%]
2.Book124/22 6/5(2)eq: +0.046 (-0.017)

Player:
Opponent:		51.49% (G:14.07% B:0.76%)
48.51% (G:14.11% B:0.73%)		Conf.: ± 0.008 (+0.038...+0.055) - [0.4%]
3.Book224/23 6/5(3)eq: +0.018 (-0.045)

Player:
Opponent:		50.79% (G:14.50% B:0.67%)
49.21% (G:15.34% B:0.68%)		Conf.: ± 0.010 (+0.008...+0.028) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by Ken Bame on 10/20/2009 using eXtreme Gammon 1.04
9072 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
using 21 dice rotation
Dice Seed: 1
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply

2 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10




2-1:

Slot on first roll with 13/11, 6/5. Generally slot when behind and split when ahead at most match scores.

Preferred reply is also to slot, but there are many exceptions. Note the preferred play may not be the most common.

David Rockwell explains the logic behind 21$ as follows: general principle - slot when behind in race, split when ahead. You are always behind with 2-1 reply roll. So, generally right to slot unless:

1. your opponent has split the back checkers (too many shots)
2. your opponent has made an inner board point.(adverse to a hitting contest while out-boarded and need to get the back checkers moving to counter the priming threat)

·       Preferred reply 13/11, 6/5 applies in these situations.
o   Opponent makes bad point. 61P or 64P
o   Opponent brings two checkers down. 32D, 52D, 43D, 54D
o   Counterslot if don’t hit on 21$, 41$, 51$, 62$
o   Slot versus 65R.

·       Hit if you can when opponent runs:
o   13/10* in response to 6-3 run
o   24/23, 13/11* in response to 6-4 run

·       Hit when opponent splits to an advanced anchor:
o   13/11, 8/7* when opponent splits to bar with 62S or 63S. Kit Woolsey principle. If hit with the ace, bring another checker down from the midpoint to strengthen he midpoint. Also, the 8-point is stripped and you don’t really want to cover with the next ace.
 




is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 158
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a----EaC---dE-a-c-e----B-:0:0:1:21:0:0:3:0:10
to play 21

1.Book113/11 8/7* eq: -0.122

Player:
Opponent:		47.41% (G:13.50% B:0.66%)
52.59% (G:16.16% B:1.05%)		Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.126...-0.117) - [100.0%]
2.Book124/22 8/7* eq: -0.132 (-0.010)

Player:
Opponent:		46.94% (G:12.65% B:0.57%)
53.06% (G:15.26% B:0.74%)		Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.136...-0.128) - [0.0%]
3.Book28/7* 7/5eq: -0.195 (-0.073)

Player:
Opponent:		45.62% (G:12.42% B:0.56%)
54.38% (G:16.46% B:0.98%)		Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.201...-0.189) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by Christopher Yep on 5/3/2012 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
20736 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 31206198
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply

2 Generated by Christopher Yep on 5/3/2012 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 31206198
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10


·       24/22, 8/7* when opponent splits to bar with 6-4. I think the reason for 24/22 is to force a confrontation with the six-away blot on the 9-point
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 157
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a----EaC---dE--ac-e----B-:0:0:1:21:0:0:3:0:10
to play 21

1.Book113/11 8/7* eq: -0.131

Player:
Opponent:		47.25% (G:13.17% B:0.64%)
52.75% (G:16.48% B:1.04%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.134...-0.127) - [55.9%]
2.Book124/22 8/7* eq: -0.131 (0.000)

Player:
Opponent:		47.04% (G:12.43% B:0.57%)
52.96% (G:15.38% B:0.73%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.134...-0.128) - [44.1%]
3.Book28/7* 7/5eq: -0.196 (-0.066)

Player:
Opponent:		45.53% (G:11.98% B:0.50%)
54.47% (G:16.70% B:1.02%)
 
1 Generated by Neil Kazaross on 8/25/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 1.21
46656 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 59298619
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

2 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
Analyzed in XG Roller++
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10




·       Other
o   13/11, 6/5* when opponent splits to 5-point with 43S or 54S. Note 13/11 gives you direct 6’s to cover.
o   24/23, 6/4*when opponent splits to 4 point with 32S or 43Z
o   24/22, 6/5* when opponent plays the unusual slot and spli 4-1S
 
·       Split with 24/23, 13/11 against several rolls.
o   Opponent makes a good inner point. 31P, 42P, 53P
o   Opponent splits and you can’t hit. 41S, 51S, 52S, 21S

·        21U (Extended split 24/21) is best against the rarely played 62R
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 159
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a----E-Ca--eE---c-e----B-:0:0:1:21:0:0:3:0:10
to play 21

1.Book124/21eq: -0.209

Player:
Opponent:		44.67% (G:10.97% B:0.40%)
55.33% (G:13.03% B:0.58%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.216...-0.202) - [100.0%]
2.Book124/22 6/5eq: -0.234 (-0.025)

Player:
Opponent:		44.52% (G:11.38% B:0.44%)
55.48% (G:15.65% B:0.77%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.241...-0.227) - [0.0%]
3.Book124/23 24/22eq: -0.236 (-0.028)

Player:
Opponent:		43.90% (G:10.70% B:0.38%)
56.10% (G:13.12% B:0.55%)		Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.243...-0.230) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10




4-1:

Split on the Opening Roll (41S).

Splitting is rarely correct as a reply roll. Lots of variations on this play.

a) Split with 24/23, 13/9
1. when opponent makes a point. 31P, 42P, 53P, 61P. (impossible against 64P)
2. when opponent reverse splits with 32Z
b) Slot with 13/9, 6/5 when:
1. Opponent brings two down. 32D, 43D, 52D, 54D (Reference Rockwell principle)
 
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 160
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-b----E-C---cEa--d-e----B-:0:0:1:41:0:0:3:0:10
to play 41

1.Book113/9 6/5eq: -0.126

Player:
Opponent:		47.69% (G:13.60% B:0.65%)
52.31% (G:17.39% B:1.28%)		Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.134...-0.118) - [100.0%]
2.Book124/23 13/9eq: -0.169 (-0.042)

Player:
Opponent:		46.28% (G:13.16% B:0.64%)
53.72% (G:16.73% B:0.83%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.176...-0.162) - [0.0%]
3.Book213/8eq: -0.205 (-0.078)

Player:
Opponent:		45.35% (G:12.02% B:0.49%)
54.65% (G:16.33% B:0.86%)
 
1 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red

2 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
Analyzed in XG Roller++
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10



2. Opponent runs and you miss. 63R, 64R, 65R. (Reference Rockwell principle)
3. Split is impossible (against 64P)
 



c) Hit when you can:

1. 24/23, 13/9*when opponent runs to outfield (62R)
2. 24/20*, 24/23 when opponent slots 5-point and you hit.(21$, 41$, 51$, 62$)

d) Hit loose and come down from midpoint when opponent splits to the 5-point or the bar

1. 13/9, 6/5* against 43S, 54S
2. 13/9, 8/7* against 62S, 63S, 64S (Reference Woolsey principle) (Money game, GS, DMP nem!?)

e) Hit and Split with 8/4*, 24/23 when opponent splits to the 4-point (32S, 43Z)

f) Hit two checkers when opponent splits with an ace. (There is nothing better)

1. 6/2*/1* versus 21S
2. 6/5*/1* versus 41S and 51S

g) Also hit two (8/5*, 8/4*) against European split (24/20, 24/21)

h) the beginner play 13/8 is correct against 52S
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 160
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a-a--E-C---dE---d-e----B-:0:0:1:41:0:0:3:0:10
to play 41

1.Book113/8eq: -0.182

Player:
Opponent:		45.77% (G:11.56% B:0.44%)
54.23% (G:15.04% B:0.74%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.185...-0.180) - [100.0%]
2.Book124/23 24/20eq: -0.191 (-0.008)

Player:
Opponent:		45.62% (G:10.60% B:0.45%)
54.38% (G:14.56% B:0.57%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.193...-0.188) - [0.0%]
3.Book28/3* eq: -0.233 (-0.051)

Player:
Opponent:		44.94% (G:12.21% B:0.47%)
55.06% (G:17.00% B:1.10%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.241...-0.226) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by Neil Kazaross on 10/6/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 1.21
46656 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 60532124
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

2 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10




5-1:
 
Split on Opening Roll, 13/8, 24/23.

Split is also the most common opening reply. Note that Running (24/18) and hitting two(8/7*, 6/1*) is never right.

a) Split with 24/23, 13/8 under these circumstances
1. Opponent Makes a point. 31P, 42P, 53P, 61P. (Impossible to split against 64P)
2. Opponent splits and you miss. 21S, 41S, 51S, 32Z, 52S, 32S, 43Z
3. Opponent slots with 21$ and you miss.
4. Opponent runs with 62R and you miss

b) Slot with 13/8, 6/5 in these cases
1. Counterslot when you miss these slots. 41$, 51$, 62$ (idea is you can play big on your side of the board when opponent has work to do on his side of the board)
2. Slot when opponent brings two down. 32D, 43D, 52D, 54D (Rockwell principle)
 






is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 160
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-b----E-C---cE-aac-e----B-:0:0:1:51:0:0:3:0:10
to play 51

1.Book113/8 6/5eq: -0.203

Player:
Opponent:		45.88% (G:12.70% B:0.68%)
54.12% (G:18.35% B:1.16%)		Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.211...-0.195) - [100.0%]
2.Book124/23 13/8eq: -0.224 (-0.021)

Player:
Opponent:		45.09% (G:12.10% B:0.63%)
54.91% (G:18.15% B:0.78%)		Conf.: ± 0.007 (-0.231...-0.217) - [0.0%]
3.Book124/18eq: -0.239 (-0.036)

Player:
Opponent:		45.23% (G:11.75% B:0.64%)
54.77% (G:19.28% B:0.76%)		Conf.: ± 0.008 (-0.246...-0.231) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by GameSite 2000, Ltd on 2/26/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 2.00
10368 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 77390818
Moves: 2-ply, cube decisions: 3-ply Red
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10





3. Slot on 64P since there is nothing better.




4. Slot when opponent runs and you miss. 63R, 64R, 65R. (When behind in the race, less to lose from slotting. Note slotting is more right versus 64R than 63R because you are further behind)






is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 158
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a----E-C-a-eE---c-e----B-:0:0:1:51:0:0:3:0:10
to play 51

1.Book124/23 13/8eq: -0.191

Player:
Opponent:		44.93% (G:11.41% B:0.50%)
55.07% (G:12.93% B:0.70%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.194...-0.188) - [100.0%]
2.Book113/8 6/5eq: -0.206 (-0.015)

Player:
Opponent:		44.85% (G:11.59% B:0.54%)
55.15% (G:14.02% B:0.93%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.209...-0.202) - [0.0%]
3.Book224/18eq: -0.219 (-0.028)

Player:
Opponent:		44.59% (G:9.54% B:0.44%)
55.41% (G:12.89% B:0.67%)		Conf.: ± 0.006 (-0.225...-0.213) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by Ken Bame on 3/4/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 1.12
62208 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: Random
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply

2 Generated by Ken Bame on 3/4/2010 using eXtreme Gammon 1.12
15552 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: Random
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10


** sidenote ** apparently my advice to slot against 63R and 65R is wrong.  Perhaps is better to always split when opponent runs and you miss?
 
c) Hit with 13/8, 6/5* when opponent splits to the 5-point and you hit. 43S, 54S, 43U,

d) Hit with 13/7* when opponent splits to the bar and you hit. 62S, 63S, 64S. 
6-1

Make a point in the opening roll with 13/7, 8/7. 

This is also the preferred play on the reply roll, with only two exceptions.



a) Hit and split (24/18, 6/5*) is best against 43S – split at DMP; point at GS, attack at GG
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 160
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=-a---aE-C---dE-a-c-e----B-:0:0:1:61:0:0:3:0:10
to play 61

1.Book124/18 6/5* eq: -0.153

Player:
Opponent:		47.24% (G:11.54% B:0.71%)
52.76% (G:16.94% B:1.04%)		Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.157...-0.148) - [84.9%]
2.Book113/7 8/7eq: -0.156 (-0.003)

Player:
Opponent:		46.48% (G:11.15% B:0.56%)
53.52% (G:14.29% B:0.79%)		Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.160...-0.152) - [15.0%]
3.Book113/7 6/5* eq: -0.162 (-0.009)

Player:
Opponent:		46.72% (G:12.52% B:0.72%)
53.28% (G:16.74% B:1.36%)		Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.167...-0.157) - [0.1%]
 
1 Generated by Ken Bame on 10/12/2009 using eXtreme Gammon 1.04
36288 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
using 21 dice rotation
Dice Seed: 1
Moves and cube decisions: 3-ply
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10



b) Hit and attack (13/7, 6/5*) is best against the European split 43U.  point at GS
is Player 2

score: 0
pip: 160
                         


Unlimited Game
Jacoby Beaver
                         
pip: 167
score: 0

is Player 1

XGID=----aaE-C---eE---c-e----B-:0:0:1:61:0:0:3:0:10
to play 61

1.Book113/7 6/5* eq: -0.116

Player:
Opponent:		47.44% (G:12.33% B:0.50%)
52.56% (G:14.70% B:0.89%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.119...-0.113) - [96.7%]
2.Book113/7 8/7eq: -0.120 (-0.004)

Player:
Opponent:		46.82% (G:11.69% B:0.43%)
53.18% (G:12.14% B:0.54%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.122...-0.117) - [3.3%]
3.Book224/18 6/5* eq: -0.128 (-0.012)

Player:
Opponent:		47.48% (G:10.62% B:0.45%)
52.52% (G:14.83% B:0.68%)		Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.132...-0.125) - [0.0%]
 
1 Generated by Claude Landry on 1/2/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 1.21
46656 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 84409609
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

2 Generated by Claude Landry on 1/2/2011 using eXtreme Gammon 1.21
37584 Games rolled with Variance Reduction.
Dice Seed: 84409609
Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10








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August 15, 2016

Detroit Chouettes

I have enjoyed playing backgammon on a regular basis with a small group of friends for low stakes over a period of about ten years.  Now, like Dmitriy Obhukov before me, and probably Frank Talbot and others before that, I may be on the verge of being eliminated from the local backgammon scene.  

Why?  Mainly due to the efforts of one man, John Quinn, who views me as a shark stealing his money.  I do understand his position to a point.  His argument would have some merit if this was a high-stakes game, but it isn’t.  I find the idea that I am a professional making a living playing five dollar chouette at John’s expense ludicrous and offensive.  Moreover, it upsets me greatly that I have to defend myself to my friends as if I am some sort of bad actor.

Below is an open letter I sent to the Detroit backgammon community, followed by John’s response, and my response to that.  These are unedited.  

Please let me refute a claim John made that I didn’t specifically address in my short response.  John did in fact push Emil hard to disinvite me from Emil’s weekly game.  Clearly if Emil had agreed John would still be attending while I would be sitting at home.  Only when Emil refused did John decide to quit the game.  Another example is the recent Novi tournament where John repeatedly schemed to exclude me from the five dollar chouette.  I understood I was not welcome and stayed away to respect his wishes and avoid confrontation.  In one instance, John recruited players from a game I was in to his own game, then refused to let me join him.

A couple related issues.

Why should good players be chased away from a friendly low stakes game?
This whole incident is a major reason I am against ratings and publicizing PR’s.  Let’s focus on playing the game we enjoy rather than determining who the best and worst players are.

Will my public statement here do more harm than good?  I don’t know.  I understand I risk losing some long-term friendships by posting this.  So be it.  I want to at least present my take on events, and let people decide for themselves.

Finally, thank you to the many of you who have supported me either privately or publicly in this matter. I am encourages that even if John succeeds, other will let me into alternative games.   I intend for this blog entry to be my last public statement on the subject.
 
=====My Open Letter to Detroit area backgammon players =======

I am writing to bring to your attention efforts by John Quinn to block me from non-tournament backgammon activities and seek your help.  I believe you all know me.  I am not a troublemaker, am honest, loyal and generally a good guy.

You may know John is the main organizer of our social play.  Recently he has dropped me from the invite list.  John is also lobbying the hosts of games he doesn’t organize to exclude me from the group.  Since our community is so small this would effectively ban me from any chouette play.

Why have I been uninvited?  Simply because in his judgment I am too good a player.  I am sure you will agree this is small and unfair for a number of reasons.

·        If you work hard and improve your game will you by rewarded by being banned next?
·        This is a friendly low stakes games (fives or lower)
o   No one is getting hurt financially at this level
o   Even as a plus player any net winnings I may have are modest
·        If you are John’s first call every week ask yourself what he thinks about your game?
·        It seems John does in fact want a best player in the game –him!

All I want is to play.  I first caught the backgammon bug about 2006.  Over the past ten years we have spent a significant amount of time together in tournaments or social play.  I go back about thirty years with some of you when you include the old chess days.  I consider you all friends in our common pursuit of this wonderful game we all love so much.

If you agree John’s actions are unfair, please tell John so!  I am not asking for a boycott nor am I looking to start a rival game to exclude John.  I would just like to continue to play this great game we love with my friends.

Please feel welcome to share this letter with anyone I might have missed.  Thank you.

Bill

 ======= John's Response ========

Hello Bill Calton and all of our mutual friends out there in the Michigan Backgammon community,
First of all let me answer Bill's question in the simplest and most straightforward way that I can:  I have never asked anyone to exclude Bill Calton from any Chouette that they were hosting or planning to have. 

Bill, I wish that you would have asked me either in person or by email or by telephone conversation before putting this out in an email to all of our friends, but what is done is done and so therefore I will now respond to your question in the same way so that all in our group can draw their own conclusions.

This all started about 3 weeks ago when I made a personal decision to drop out of playing in what is known as the Emil Chouette on Saturdays of which I had been a member of and a regular attendee of for many years. Of course I was asked my reason for dropping out and I simply answered that I no longer could, in good conscience, continue to go there every Saturday to lose money on a weekly basis to you, Bill Calton. 

My opinion of your backgammon abilities, Bill is that you are a far better Backgammon Player than I am and I commend you on the progress that you have made in a few short years in learning the game and becoming one of the top players in the State of Michigan.   So I made a simple decision that I would no longer go to the Emil Chouette on Saturdays. 

As a second part to that action, I decided that I would create a weekly Chouette on Saturdays and I began inviting people who are interested to come out and play. My intention with this Saturday Chou is to invite players who are comfortable in playing with each other and feel that on any given day that they have a fair chance to win or lose and that they are not just showing up to make a weekly monetary contribution to a player or players whose skills are far greater than their own. 

Consequently there are actually several Michigan Players who I do not invite to this Chouette that I organize and, without naming names, they know who they are because they do not receive text messages from me to invite them.  Hopefully they do not feel as badly about this lack of an invitation from me as you do Bill, and in fact  I believe that they should consider it a compliment to their superior skills as Backgammon Players.

You know, Bill I figured out a long time ago that I was never going to make any real money  playing Backgammon and I have often said that when I counted up the hours that I have spent on this game that on an annual basis I am probably making or losing about 50 cents an hour,  But I love the game and I love playing Chouette so I continue to play.  I just don't want to play in a situation where I feel that I will consistently contribute to players who are so far above my skill level that I do not have an equal opportunity. Nor do I feel that any other player should play in a Chouette where they do not have an equal opportunity to win or lose without feeling that that they are consistently contributing week after week in a losing cause. 

So let me make this statement and put it out there to all of our Backgammon friends - I have not asked anyone to exclude you from any Chouette that they are hosting or planning on hosting. And if anyone has somehow made that interpretation from my actions, then please understand that it is not my intent to conspire with you to bar Bill Calton, or prevent you from inviting Bill Calton to your Chouette, or in any way influence you as to any action that you wish to take with Bill Calton.  Quite frankly I don't believe that I would hold such power and sway over your decisions about who you invite to the chouettes that you organize. 

As for me I only ask the same right to make my decision as to who I wish to invite to the Chouettes that I organize and to not to be questioned repeatedly as to why I am not inviting Bill.

So there, I have given my explanation to everyone and now everyone can draw their own conclusions.  
I have been asked repeatedly for the past three weeks about this subject by several of our mutual friends, so hopefully this written answer that I give today will suffice as this is the last time that I intend to discuss this subject.

I will ask you all at this time to do whatever you will and think whatever you want, I will simply ask you as a courtesy to please leave me out of any further discussion about this matter. 

I consider you my friend, Bill and I am sorry if you feel that my personal decisions have had this negative impact on you, that is not my intention. So hopefully someday you will realize that there is no big conspiracy here against you - it's just one guy (me) making the decision that he feels is right for him.   

JQ

 ======= My Response ========
I don’t intend on going back and forth on this either.  John’s decision to blackball me was obviously considered and I respect his right to do so.  While I would be pleased if John changed his mind, I didn’t really expect that to happen.  

But I didn’t want to take this lying down either.  I would like our mutual friends to know what kind of person John is.

Bill
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