ARISTON BACKGAMMON LESSON PAGE

SOMETHING ABOUT LUCK, RANDOM, DICE AND BAD LUCK.

Many players have certain doubts about the fairness of Ariston BackGammon.
Some people suggest the program actively cheats by manipulating the rolls it needs at critical times.
Others just wonder if the program's roll generator is defective causing it to produce more good rolls for itself than for its opponents.

Luck plays a significant role in Backgammon and you have every right to be suspicious...
But please don't jump to premature conclusions and click here for more information.

SOMETHING ABOUT GOOD MOVES.

Notice that Ariston BackGammon always make the best which its evaluation function "thinks" is best.
But what is the best move...?
Ariston BackGammon used to move in a way that is best for the current situation but...Additionally in a way to ensure it can use most of the upcoming 21 possible rolls for good moves!
To consider these upcoming rolls for your move is extremely important and it is called...

D U P L I C A T I O N
Duplication may sometimes appear to be luck when it is just good playing! It is the key to make your opponent think your rolls are better.
Many people who complain about Ariston's "luck" have never had the experience of playing a truly strong opponent. Those who play well appear lucky because they create positions where more of their own rolls play well, while more of their opponent's rolls play badly.

SOME EXAMPLES ABOUT SERIOUS BACKGAMMON.

Please have a look at this game.

White has to play 2 + 4 ....and he's got hardly a chance to win this game...
But provided Black does not roll: 3+3 or 4+4 or 5+5 or 6+6 then you should move in a way to make the most of your future rolls.
What is your move???
Many players don't care about their chances. ARISTON ALWAYS DOES!
Do you see this move???

SOLUTION:

It is nothing but luck to win this game with 6+6. Any child can do that.
But if you win this game with 4+4 you can be proud of your move!
Only this move allows you to win this game with 4+4 or 5+5 or 6+6!!!
This is only a small chance you will win...but why not take it???
Did you see this move...? It was supposed to be easy.
But this makes a good Backgammon Player!
He is going to win in the long run.
Ariston BackGammon did play this outstanding!

Please have a look at the next game.

White has to play 2 + 5 ...and hasn't any chance at all to win this game.
Black is about to win a gammon (double).
This is like losing two games!!! You should try hard not to lose double!
Provided Black does not roll: 3+3 - 4+4 - 5+5 - 6+6 you will get in any case your very last chance to bear off at least a single checker!
You should move in a way to make the most of your future rolls.
What is your move???
Only one move allows you to bear off with all of your chances.
Do you see this move? It is not as easy as it looks.

SOLUTION:

It was nothing but luck to bear off at least a single checker with 6+6. This would be nothing to be proud of.
But only this move allows you to bear off with 3+3 or 4+4 or 5+5 or 6+6!
This is a small chance but your best chance..so why not take it???
Did you see this move...? It wasn't that easy!
Ariston BackGammon did play this brilliantly!

Now let's have a look at this game.

White is about to win and has to play 3 + 1...
This move seems to be easy and certainly it is but how can you play it best.
You have to move in a way you can use most of your future rolls to cover your blot on point 24 and to escape with your last man from point 2.
What is your move???
Many players don't give a monkey about future rolls...ARISTON ALWAYS DOES!

SOLUTION:

Provided black does not hit your blot on point 24
Only this move allows you as it were...
1.To escape with any 5 or 6 with your last man and....
2.To use any 2 or 4 or even 3 + 1 or 1 + 1 to cover your blot on point 24.
Did you see this move? How did you move?
This is called DUPLICATION and is most important.
To consider all this makes a good Backgammon Player!
Ariston BackGammon did play this supreme!

Message to Ariston

Remember the WorldWideWeb has been created for communication...
Please don´t hesitate and send your personal comment, wish, questions, suggestion, bug-report, order, etc. to Ariston right now. There is no obligation! Thank you.