Backgammon Online

13-Sep-2013
15:02 PST

It is a quirk of the system, and obviously a 'resign' against #1 would be as tactical as holding onto a 'cash-in' roll in other circumstances.

Personally I don't see a problem with either. There are worse things such as slow players and no forced move players.

15-Sep-2013
06:24 PST

the top of the ladder should be subject to same rules as everyone else. the challenge isnt to get to the top it's to get there and defend yourself.

Let's take this hypothetical... Person at top. Has a maximum of 10 challengable games. Playing 10. Beating a player, but stalling that last move. Well if they win they hit 9 games, giving someone else a chance to play them and potentially beat them, or a chance for the loser of the game thats being stalled to challenge them again.


How about another. A player at the top same thing, any number of games going, winning a handful with only a move or 2 left.. Waits until immediately after losing a game to push the win. Call it "storing" wins or whatever.

There are people who do this often. They get to the top and only make moves that benefit them. You can call it playing the ladder but I call it what it is. Stalling. It may not apply to everyone in this situation, but it does apply for sure on the people who do it consistently, whether the ones who "store" wins, or the ones who do it to avoid losses. sure you can say it's strategy and blah blah.. but you're not defending your spot, your trying to game the system. Everyone inevitably games the system on occasion, but those that do it all the time are just taking away other peoples fair shot at the top. If you cant defend the top with skill alone then in my opinion you dont deserve to stay up there.

16-Sep-2013
01:47 PST

The true ladder player wants to beat as many of the other players as he/she can. To defend the top spot you should be playing regularly all or most of the top 20 players. Not just a select few who you think you can beat. If you slow play a game or two to regain a loss, no big deal. If you are trying to game the system, you will eventually lose and lose respect of others. Play as much as you can and just enjoy the game. There aren't any monetary rewards here.

16-Sep-2013
09:22 PST

I agree 100%

23-Sep-2013
12:39 PST

A player in the number one spot should be able to store wins until a time when they drop down to 2nd etc because in this situation the opposition always has the option of resigning if they don't like your stalling. I'm talking about the example when #1 is guaranteed victory and eventually they should run out of stored wins unless they are that good in which case they deserve to be at #1. I have never understood those that stop playing the games they are losing. You can be playing a fast close game and then wham, you trap them or take the advantage and their moves dry up even though they are still online. We will all have differing opinions but my issue is when only one player can control the speed or timing of the games conclusion.

23-Sep-2013
23:43 PST

I read all of these, stunned at the amount of time some will devote to retaining their position on the ladder. Would not have even thought to look at who other opponents are playing..actually didn't realize it was possible. I do not do any of these things, just get on the site, start at the top of my list of 100 games and play each one in quick succession until all are caught up. Maybe this is why my ranking and ladder position vary so wildly.

It is also why I say "Shit!" so often as I realize I should have made a much better play as I move to the next game. So, while I do not put as much effort into the game, I imagine our monetary rewards will be about the same....  

09-Oct-2013
12:12 PST

...I just started the ladder again today so have a long way to go. I suppose that as long as you aren't breaking any of ZE's rules and guidelines all is fair in BG. But I am with TawnayH in that I never gave much thought about looking to see who others are playing to take advantage of the sling shot effect. Wow! Anyway, the important thing to keep in mind is to have fun and remember it is only a game.  

09-Oct-2013
18:53 PST

Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz!!!!!!!

I saw Achilles57 was in winning positions against 3 much higher ranked players and got the challenge in before you could blink. I trapped one of Achilles57's checkers behind a full 6 prime, picked up another blot as insurance, then sat back and braced myself for the rocket ride up the table in Achilles's slipstream. Big mistake, Achilles anchored, then struck as I rolled the dreaded 56. Next time I saw the board I was deader than corduroy. Hours later patjeb made Lazarus look like they'd merely shaken off a head cold with a 66 66 66 blast from the bar to kill me off too.

The point is, these defeats ruined my entire evening. You cannot go through these experiences without knowing with certainty the universe is conspiring against you.

10-Oct-2013
05:20 PST

...that 's backgammon. Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes you are the bug. The rolls have a way of eventually evening out. Hang in there!