VoB News – Page 8 – Voice of Backgammon

December 19, 2017

What BG Stats Would You Like to See?

Imagine for a moment that all backgammon directors – at both local and major tournaments – used the same app to award points. Let’s call them GammonPoints.

Players earn GammonPoints based on their finish, the # of players in the event (minimum of 8), and the strength of the field. For example, in a field of 8 beginners, the winner would earn, say, 1.00 GammonPoints and the runner-up 0.50 GammonPoints.

Clearly, players would love to see how they’re doing against other players in the same club – and nationally/internationally.

As a player or director what other stats or reports would you like to see?

What levels, Master, LifeMaster, etc. would you like to see and how many GammonPoints should be required?

Please leave your comments below because this app can help promote the game. And of course it will be free.

For more information on app FAQs and release date you may register at voiceofbackgammon.com.

December 16, 2017December 28, 2017

Why You Should Play Backgammon Saturday January 20, 2018

If you’ve never played backgammon competitively, even if you’ve just learned the game, you’ve got quite a treat coming your way.

Five minutes to learn, and a lifetime to master, backgammon is a great way to keep sharp, make new friends, and have more fun than you ever dreamed.

In what other sport or game can you just show up and get autographs and your picture taken with the best players in the world?

Where else as a beginner can you get free lessons, spend just $30 to enter a real tournament with real prizes, and witness live streaming commentary with the Voice of Backgammon?

It’s all happening at the 2018 NY Metropolitan Open at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, NJ.

Called “The USA’s Best Tournament” by Victor Ashkenazi, #1 USA Player, beginner registration happens 9 – 10:30 am on Saturday January 20, 2018 with play starting at noon and continuing 11:30 am Sunday if the dice cooperate.

If you’re free Wednesday through Friday, you’ll have the opportunity to watch world class competition – and it’s free to watch.

No beginner pre-tourney registration necessary: Just show up! Or if you’re the planner type, contact tournament director Lynn Ehrlich [408-529-6769 – lynnmargo@aol.com – nybackgammon.com] with any questions and for more details. She’d love to hear from you.

I hope to see you on Saturday!

December 7, 2017

Giving Thanks

The California State Championship wrapped up late Sunday night, with Steve Sax as the Open Winner for the 2nd year in a row.

Special thanks to:

John Pirner of GammonStuff.com for sponsoring Voice of Backgammon
Candace Mayeron, Ergin Bayrak, and staff for running an excellent tournament
USBGF for their help in streaming
Ben Friesen for live XG transcription
Mochy / BMAB and Phil Simborg / BLC for live commentary

Video and XG downloads are available at voiceofbackgammon.com.

Take a peak at some of the many backgammon lovers who were there:

December 2, 2017

The Case of the Missing Checker

It all happened earlier today at the California State Championship.

In the middle of a game with the score 10-8 (post-Crawford) in a match to 11, Ed O’Laughlin and Matt Cohn-Geier discovered that Ed O’Laughlin only had 14 checkers. And Ed had not yet had the chance to begin his bear off.

Uh-oh. Now what? What would you have done?

Cue co-tournament director Ergin Bayrak to the rescue.

After review of the video from the stream, Ergin discovered that only four checkers where on Ed’s midpoint at the start of the game. There should have been five.

Ergin made his ruling: The missing checker gets put back onto action on the midpoint. Both players accepted the ruling., resolving the Case of the Missing Checker.

See the action here.

Would you rather start with 14 checkers? Do you think that’s an advantage or disadvantage? Let us know in the comments below.

December 1, 2017December 2, 2017

California Streamin’

It’s the new twist on the Mamas and the Papas 🙂

Don’t miss out on live streaming and commentary tonight, Friday, December 1, 2017, through Sunday, December 3 from the California State Championship at the LAX Hilton.

Join Larry Shiller, Voice of Backgammon, and BMAB co-hosts, with Ben Friesen on live XG transcription.

Catch the action live at twitch.tv/voiceofbackgammon. Subscribe for notification when live streaming/commentary begins.