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Backgammon News
27 April 2001

Unfortunately, due to funding difficulties, the Mind Sports Zine has not been updated since April 2001. Thank you for your interest.

Two Worlds Collide - Casual, and Formal Backgammon
By Mark Driver
Added 27 April 2001

The Nordic Open 2001
Lars Trabolt is the new champion
Added 18 April 2001

Paul Lamford Seminar - Hit or Bust
Added 12 April 2001

Feature: And the Trailer Doubles
by Anthony PatzAdded 11 April 2001

British Open 2001
Steve Hallet is the British Open Champion!
Added 10 April 2001

Scottish Open 2001
Wayne Auty (left) takes the Main prize in East Kilbride where a disappointing tournout still sparked the usual haggis gags.
Added 13 March 2001

The Pip Count of Monte Christo
Michael Crane with the ultimate guide to pip counting. 16 different methods fully explained. Added 23 February 2001

Paul Lamford Seminar Series
Take it or Leave it: The first seminar looks at difficult doubling decisions. Added 14 February 2001

Jarvis Trophy 2001
Paul Lamford (right) averts his eyes from blinding waistcoats to back up his seminar with a fine win in the February Biba tournament. Added 12 February 2001

Feature Stories

Pip Count - Michael Crane explains 16 methods of pip coounting.
Be a PRAT - Alan Webb on how to avoid doubling errors.
I Was So Unlucky... - How to avoid unlucky rolls in a winning position.
The Nightmare - A chilling tale of late-night backgammon.
Double? Take? - The mathematics involved in doubling and take decisions.
Starting a Backgammon Club - The dos and don'ts about forming a new backgammon club.
One For Robin - Michael Crane's look at the Golden Point.
Cube Formulae - Rick Janowski's ground breaking paper available for download.
History of Backgammon - Michael Crane details the fascinating history of the game.
Match Equities - Nigel Merrigan answers the question of simplification versus accuracy.
Too Good? Too Bad! - Paul Lamford works through a backgammon paradox (using owls?).
Dice Mechanic - Paul Lamford explores the mysteries of dice in road-movie style.
Man v Machine - An exciting MSO3 clash between Jellyfish 3.5 and a top brit.
Bill v Snowie - Roy Hollands takes us through another Man versus Machine scenario.
Shoot the Chouette - Jake Jacobs on the drama and confusion of international chouette.

Be a PRAT
Alan Webb explains a technique to avoid doubling errors. Added 6 February 2001

I Was So Unlucky...
Michael Crane elaborates on how to avoid unlucky rolls in a winning position. Updated 5 February 2001

Thai Open 2001
"Baby" Burkart (Germany) wins in Thailand. Exclusive report and photos from guest writer David Levi.
Updated 16 January 2001

The Nightmare
Paul Lamford recounts a chilling tale of late-night backgammon. Added 15 January 2001

Bright 'n Breezy 2001
Helen Helm-Sagar (left) fights off tough opposition to take home her first Main trophy at Biba's 2001 opener. Full report.
Added 9 January 2001

UK Finals 2000
Mardi Ohannessian wins and sponsor John Gale (right) picks up a trophy as Biba rounds off the year with a great set of Finals.
Added 12 December 2000

Robin Clay
A tribute to Robin Clay, a great backgammon player, writer and friend, who passed away 29 November 2000. Tributes added 13 December 2000

Irish Open 2000
Craic, Rattle & Roll in Dublin where Sean Casey (right) storms to victory. Results, photos and .mat file. Added 31 October 2000

MSO 4 Backgammon
The British Open concludes. Rachel Rhodes sets another record at the record breaking Olympiad. Updated 29 August 2000

World Championships 2000
Full report from the World Championships in Monte Carlo. Results, pictures and historical controversy. Added 25 July 2000

Backgammon: Istanbul 2000 - World Cup VI
The collected articles of the MSO's backgammon correspondent, Michael Crane musing and reporting directly from Istanbul - January 10 to 16. Matches, results, pictures, JellyFish mat and gam files and more are posted here.

Tavla in Turkey - A lively curtain raiser on street backgammon.

FLASH!

Jelly fish file now available for British Open Final

Millennium Poll
Cast your vote for the backgammon player of the millennium.

News:

News in Brief Update!
Results from the Principe Leopoldo Cup, 5th Warsteiner Cup and the Paris Masters & Open.

Previous polls:

Premature Rolls: Biba rules rule!

Feature Series:

Lamford Seminars New!
Paul Lamford's series of lectures to improve your play.

Hard Luck Tales
An invitation to share hair-raising stories about the luck of the dice.

Crane Rules
Michael Crane settles rules disputes and answers queries. Read, learn and argue!

Backgammon Dictionary
How to find out what to do with beavers, raccoons, dead men and vigorish.

Beginners ... Look!
A quick course in Backgammon basics.

Biba Quick Index:

2001

2000