HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: duelge@schaefer.math.wisc.edu (Jason Duelge)
Subject: Re: Fortress America
Reply-To: duelge@schaefer.UUCP (Jason Duelge)
Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin Dept. of Mathematics
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 92 14:02:00 GMT

In article <geqDo8a00WAu84iJRn@andrew.cmu.edu> "Jonathan T. Moore" <jmci+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
>Anyone ever played it? I am curious--my games always come out with
>America getting beat upon. However, some of my friends claim the game is
>heavily balanced _towards_ America. Any thoughts on the matter?

I remember quitting playing the game for that reason.  The Americans win
most games.
The trick to playing America (and hence the invaders), is to use the cards
and your available pieces to capture back cities.  Vacate cities, but have
lots of forces in range to retake.  With lucky cards (and you will occasionally
get a lucky break in cards), take back the cities.  If you can get a few
cities, the effect is likely to snowball.
Also, make sure to lose a few of each unit at the beginning (with the
exception of the bombers) ... so that you can get reinforcements.

Jason
-- 
 Jason Duelge  'Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?'        
 141 Lakewood  'You better make your face up in your favorite disguise.' 
  Gardens ln   'In the bottom of our hearts we felt the final cut.'       
 Madison, WI   '(I) kept my heart in dark ruins.'
Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992 07:37:09 MST
From: <ICECW@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.games.board
Subject: Re: TITAN: questions about Bo-Yin Variant

In article <1992Oct14.012940.22743@ll.mit.edu>, shoham@ll.mit.edu (Daniel
Shoham) says:
>
>In article <Bw2E2K.MD6@news.cso.uiuc.edu> MULLEN@scorpion.ag.uiuc.edu (Evil
>Twin) writes:
>>Hi there.  I have some questions concerning the Bo-Yin variant of Titan
>posted
>>March of 1991 and September of 1992 (so it took me a while to look at these
>>things).  I would have sent mail, but Bo-Yin Yang hasn't logged into his
>>account since the middle of August.  So here they are.
>

This sounds really interesting!  As I am just getting into Titan and I really
like it could some kind soul out there in netland send me or post this variant?
I would be eternally grateful!

Please email at icecw@bitnet or
icecw@asuvm.inre.asu.edu

Many thanks!
Newsgroups: rec.games.board
From: urban@sideshow.jpl.nasa.gov (Michael Urban)
Subject: Re: Fast Food Franchise
Reply-To: urban@sideshow.jpl.nasa.gov (Michael Urban)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 15:59:45 GMT


FastFoodFranchise is an amusing game, but not a particularly good one.
There is certainly a considerable luck element, but no more than one
might expect from the light-hearted `beer-and-pretzels' (OK, with FFF
it's `pizza and doughnuts') sort of game it is.  More of a problem is
that the victory accrues too often to the player who picks up an early
lead.  There is relatively little cash flowing into the players'
hands, so an early lead in cash is generally at the other players'
expense.  Some tinkering with the event cards (or perhaps some
variations like explicitly allowing strategy cards or even franchise
locations to be traded freely) might improve matters.  Allowing
hostile takeovers to affect only a portion of a chain might also help.

Prism/TimJim was selling sets of franchise hats for (uh, under $5) at
the last gaming convention here in L.A.  If they are still available
from the company, buy them; they help to set an appropriately silly
mood for the game.


	Mike Urban

	urban@cobra.jpl.nasa.gov
From: peewee@infoserv.com (Philip Stromer)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: Re: 5-2 problem
Keywords: Phil Franklin's response to Mika
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 92 09:58:34 PDT
Distribution: world
Organization: Moon Macrosystems

        >Aasmund writes:
        >There are no "right" moves in backgammon.

I'll be flying into Norway this weekend.  I take cash, checks, and
credit cards.  Bring plenty if you really believe that there are
no "right" moves in backgammon.
                               
        >Phil Franklin writes:
        >The question is academic, because X should double regardless
        >of what O does.

I don't think you read all of Mika's original posting.  He stated that
X owned the cube, and X was leading 9-7 in a match up to 11.  If X
doubled back to O, O can now win the match if he wins the game.

By X keeping the cube, even if O gets lucky and wins the game, it's
only 9-9 in the match.

Another example of using DIFFERENT doubling strategy in a money game
vs. tournament play.

--Philip Stromer--

Note to Mika:  If X owns the cube, it CAN'T be on 64.  You have given
us an interesting situation, but a little clarification would help.


Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: tada@athena.mit.edu (Michael J Zehr)
Subject: 64 response to 53 opening
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 04:45:00 GMT

In a recent match, I started with a 5-3, taking the 3 point.  My
opponent rolled a 6-4, and took the 2 point.  Normally I would have
played this 24/18, 13/9, even after a 5-3 opening (which makes leaving
blots less attractive).  However my opponent soundly trounced me in the
match, making me suspect he knew a fair bit of the game....

Do other agree with taking the 2 point? 

-michael j zehr


Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: pbf@inoms.bellcore.com (Phil Franklin)
Subject: Re: 64 response to 53 opening
Organization: Bellcore
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 92 12:35:34 GMT

In article <1992Oct9.093535.17261@cs.ruu.nl>, pascale@cs.ruu.nl (Pascale van der Put) writes:
|> In <1992Oct9.044500.16707@athena.mit.edu> tada@athena.mit.edu (Michael J Zehr) writes:
|> 
|> >In a recent match, I started with a 5-3, taking the 3 point.  My
|> >opponent rolled a 6-4, and took the 2 point. 
	[line muncher was here]
|> >Do other agree with taking the 2 point? 
|> >
|> >-michael j zehr
|> 
|> No, I don't agree.
|> You started with 5-3.
|> - Suppose you took your 3-point.
|>   Your opponent rolled 6-4.
|>   > He/she takes his 2 point.
|>     The 2-point is too far away fron his/her 6-point and 8-point.
|>     It will be difficult to make a 6-prime.
|>     The checkers in his/her 2-point are too far advanced to have any
|>     further use in the game, so they are made useless in this way,
|>     which is a disadvantage.
	[line muncher was here]
|> I think your opponent should play 24/18 18/14.
|> 
|> Pascale

I concur with Pascale's analysis.  I think 24/18, 13/9 is stronger for
an opening 6-4, but once my opponent has a second point I want to
minimize my chances of being hit, so 24/14 is better.

- Phil
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: pascale@cs.ruu.nl (Pascale van der Put)
Subject: Re: 64 response to 53 opening
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 09:35:35 GMT
Organization: Utrecht University, Dept. of Computer Science

In <1992Oct9.044500.16707@athena.mit.edu> tada@athena.mit.edu (Michael J Zehr) writes:

>In a recent match, I started with a 5-3, taking the 3 point.  My
>opponent rolled a 6-4, and took the 2 point.  Normally I would have
>played this 24/18, 13/9, even after a 5-3 opening (which makes leaving
>blots less attractive).  However my opponent soundly trounced me in the
>match, making me suspect he knew a fair bit of the game....
>
>Do other agree with taking the 2 point? 
>
>-michael j zehr

No, I don't agree.
You started with 5-3.
- Suppose you took your 3-point.
  Your opponent rolled 6-4.
  > He/she takes his 2 point.
    The 2-point is too far away fron his/her 6-point and 8-point.
    It will be difficult to make a 6-prime.
    The checkers in his/her 2-point are too far advanced to have any
    further use in the game, so they are made useless in this way,
    which is a disadvantage.
  > He/she plays 24/18 13/9.
    The checker on the 18-place has to face the chance of a double
    direct hit. You are willing to hit even with one checker, because
    you want to make your barpoint and you don't want your opponent to
    make your barpoint.
  > He/she plays 24/18 18/14.
    His/her chance for escaping with a back checker are good. He/she
    risks only a direct 2 roll. If his/her checker escapes, he/she has
    only 1 checker left behind whereas you have 2 checkers behind.
    This is in his/her advantage (at this point in the game).
- Suppose you played 12/17 12/15.
  Your opponent rolled 6-4.
  > He/she takes his 2 point.
  > He/she plays 24/18 13/9.
  > He/she plays 24/18 18/14.
The moves of your opponent may be considered in the same way as above.
I think your opponent should play 24/18 18/14.

Pascale
From: mrubin@RA.CS.UMB.EDU (Mark Rubin)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: <=LDB=> from mark (Long Distance Backgammon)
Date: 7 Oct 92 21:05:04 GMT
Reply-To: "Backgammon strategy" <BKGAMMON@indycms.iupui.edu>

<<<===LDB===>>>
version=100
timestamp=718491902
gameid=mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu|2ad350fe
opcode=START
move0=4/UNUSED
name=mark
addr=mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu
seq=1
colors=rw
direction=down
autodouble=0
end=end
From: peewee@infoserv.com (Philip Stromer)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: Re: 53 then 64 opening
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 12:39:03 PDT
Distribution: world
Organization: Banished CPU

I think 24-18, 13-9 is a terrible move.  I'd move 24-14.

With 24-14, the blot is exposed to a direct 2 (11 hits).
With 24-18, 13-9, the blot on 18 is exposed to 17 hits, plus
the blot on 9 is exposed to 6 hits, for a total of 23 hits.
The only duplicated rolls here are 6-2, 2-6, and 2-2.  That's
20 *different* rolls, out of a possible 36, that hit the blot.
There is no logical reason NOT to play 24-14.

By moving 24-14, the blot on 14 is in excellent position to 
move to safety on the following roll if not hit.  Also, X
has now escaped one of his back men.

--Philip Stromer--

E-mail: peewee@infoserv.com
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: marvin@messua.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Andreas Schneider)
Subject: Re: Ohio server
Organization: Rechnerbetrieb Informatik  /  RWTH Aachen
Date:  8 Oct 92 17:18:16 GMT

erb@world.std.com (ed r baker) writes:

>There is a problem with the Ohio server in that CR/LF sequences are displayed
>as only LF's for some users.  There is no explanation for this, but it seems
>to happen consistently to VAX and CUTCP (PC) users.  If you can first logon to
>a Unix system and then Telnet to the server, you won't have a problem.

There is an explanation for this: The Ohio server sends single LF's instead
of CR/LF's. Most telnet are happy with this and display CR/LF. The telnet
specification says that both CR and LF are required to indicate a new line.
VAX and CUTCP telnet are perfectly right if the display single LF's if they
receive them. I don't know about VAX telnets, but I remember that CUTCP
telnet has an option that tells it to diplay CR/LF. (with Alt-something
you see a screen where you can change the options - ask one of your local
gurus to find out more)

>-Ed

Andreas

-- 
Email: marvin@rog.rwth-aachen.de
       marvin@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de
Mail: Andreas Schneider, Kapuzinergraben 8, 5100 Aachen, Germany
Phone: +49-241-35562
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: aasmund@edb.tih.no (Aasmund Maehle,TIH)
Subject: Re: >64 response to 53 opening
Organization: T I H / T I S I P 
Posting-Front-End: Winix Conference v 92.05.15  1.20 (running under MS-Windows)
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 10:03:46 GMT

In my opinion, this discussion is meaningless. There are no "right" 
moves in backgammon. But there are a lot of different tactics and styles 
of playing. What is a clever tactic depends on the tactic and skills of 
your opponent, which you often know in advance. 

If you change tactic often, and still play good, your playing will be 
less predictive and your opponent will get confused.

AAsmund Maehle
Trondheim
Norway
From: jaydubb@sundiego.Corp.Sun.COM (Jeff Wheelock - Sun San Diego Reseller SE)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: Netgammon Challenge alias
Date: 10 Oct 92 23:02:14 GMT
Distribution: rec.games.backgammon
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: sundiego.west.sun.com


Fellow Netgammoners,

I've set up a simple alias (challenge@sundiego.west.Sun.COM) for
posting challenges on my machine. It's fairly braindead in that it's
just a listing of email addresses of folks who might respond to an
email challenge by logging into one of Gammon servers and play.

Some simple guidelines to follow...

1) send me your internet address and I'll,

	- enter it into the alias
	- send you email when it's active (24 hour turnaround at worst)

2) To challenge - once you're active, email to
challenge@sundiego.west.Sun.COM with the following format:

Subject: CHALLENGE

time - <now, at 4:00 GMT, in 10 minutes, etc> 
who - <your login on the gammon server>


3) To accept the challenge - respond to the email

4) To play - login at the specified time and go for it.


My goal here is twofold...

	1) Have an easy to use procedure for getting a game;
	2) Collect addresses of netgammoners for tourneys, etc.

Obviously, if this alias gets to busy you can do step (5)

5) send me a request to be removed from the alias ;-)

-jeff
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Wheelock         jeff.wheelock@west.sun.COM
Systems Engineer      (619) 622-2950 or ext. 52950
Sun Microsystems      (619) 453-8420 (main line)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: tada@athena.mit.edu (Michael J Zehr)
Subject: 53 then 64 opening
Summary: Posting for someone else
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 15:42:28 GMT

I received this by e-mail with a request to post:

 
24  23  22  21  20  19  |  18  17  16  15  14  13
 X       O           O  |       O               X
 X       O           O  |       O               X
                     O  |                       X
                     O  |                       X
                        |                       X
                        |                             X to play 6-4
                     X  |                       O
                     X  |                       O
                     X  |       X               O
 O                   X  |       X               O
 O                   X  |       X               O
 1   2   3   4   5   6      7   8   9  10  11  12
 
I agree with you. Making 2 is a bad move. The options are 24-18 13-9
and 24-14. Now everyone else (so far) has gone for 24-14 on the grounds
that a man on 14 is only exposed to a single shot, whereas on 18 it's a
double shot. But:
i) with 24-18, 13-9 there are far more possibilities for X next roll if
   missed. 24-14 achieves very little, maybe nothing if the man on 14
   can't be safetied next time. Even then the position is very inflexible.
ii) Being hit on 18 leaves far more return shots (6-1, 6-2, 6-4, 6-5,
    5-2, 4-3) than on 14 (6-5).
iii) O is also unlikely to choose to hit you on 18 with most 1's.
From: LEVY11@snynewvm.bitnet
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: Re: <=LDB=> from mark (Long Distance Backgammon)
Date: 8 Oct 92 22:46:05 GMT
Reply-To: "Backgammon strategy" <BKGAMMON@indycms.iupui.edu>

><<<===LDB===>>>
>version=100
>timestamp=718491902
>gameid=mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu|2ad350fe
>opcode=START
>move0=4/UNUSED
>name=mark
>addr=mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu
>seq=1
>colors=rw
>direction=down
>autodouble=0
>end=end

 i got this sent to me, from mark to play LDB, but i didn't receive a program t
o play.  i appreciate the list of commands, but don't know how to go about usin
g them. if mark, or anyone can help, i'd greatly appreciate it :)
thanx
trista
From: mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu (Mark Rubin)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: ldb starter server
Date: 17 Oct 92 00:28:09 GMT
Organization: University of Massachusetts at Boston

Hi all... for those of you who use ldb or are considering it there is now
a server that automatically matches players according to their skill level.
If you are interested send mail to "ldb-help@cs.umb.edu" for an introduction
to the server and how to get going.

-Mark
-- 
==========================================================================
|| Mark Rubin		|| Don't let your schooling interfere with	||
|| mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu	|| your education.				||
|| UMass/Boston		|| 			-Mark Twain		||
From: mrubin@cs.umb.edu (Mark Rubin)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: LDB Players List
Date: 14 Oct 92 05:55:17 GMT
Organization: University of Massachusetts at Boston

I don't have the time right now to write a "remotestart" server that would
pair ldb players according to their skill level. I am interested though
in compiling a list of e-mail addresses and skill levels of all the ldb
players on the net. I would then periodically post updates of the list
to this newsgroup. This list should be a big help in pairing up ldb players
that would otherwise find it difficult to find an opponent or opponents of
the same or arbitrary skill level.

The skill level is made up of two parts. The categories will be AMATEUR,
INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED. Within these categories there will be a rating
from 1 to 5. 1 being the lowest rating within the category and 5 being the
highest rating within the category. You will be giving yourself a skill level
so be honest. Your status can always be changed, so start slow if you are new
to the game and gradually increase your skill level to play more advanced
opponents.

If you are interested to be put on this list send mail to mrubin@cs.umb.edu
with Subject: "LDB LIST" without the quotes.
To make things easier for me please use the following template as your
message body leaving at least one space between the : and your answer, not
including notes in parenthesis:

---------CUT HERE-----------------CUT-HERE----------------CUT-HERE------------
ADDRESS: who@what.where.edu		(full email address)
NAME: Who Ever				(real name or name you go by)
CATEGORY: AMateur or INtermediate or ADvanced       (first two letters)
RATING: 1..5		(number or range from 1 to 5)  (1 lowest ; 5 highest)
OPPONENT CATEGORY(s) PREFERRED: AM or IN or AD  (separate multiple with space)
OPPONENT RATING PREFERRED: (number or range from 1 to 5) 
MAXIMUM GAMES AT ONE TIME: INF or ~# or #        (infinite or approximate
							number or number)
---------CUT HERE-----------------CUT-HERE----------------CUT-HERE------------

I hope this is everything, but I doubt it. Hope to hear from all the ldb
players or soon to be players out there! If you want to obtain ldb, download
it from a comp.sources.misc ftp site like wuarchive.wustl.edu.

-Mark
--
==========================================================================
|| Mark Rubin		|| Don't let your schooling interfere with	||
|| mrubin@ra.cs.umb.edu	|| your education.				||
|| UMass/Boston		|| 			-Mark Twain		||
==========================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: epstein@rene.ma.utexas.edu (Paul Epstein)
Subject: >64 response to 53 opening
Organization: University of Texas at Austin Mathematics
Distribution: rec
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 05:43:56 GMT

There seems to be a consensus that making the 2 point with 64 is weak
The poster of the original question was impressed by the fact that his oppon
ent won the match impressively.  
Is there not a possibility that he/she was initially deliberately playing 
badly for psychological reasons?




Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: hamzehi@yacht.cis.ohio-state.edu (shan hamzehi)
Subject: backgammon players
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept. of Computer and Info. Science
Distribution: cmh,osu
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 00:40:56 GMT

Are there any serious players around campus?  If so, send me email, we'll play.
From: peewee@infoserv.com (Philip Stromer)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: Re: 5-2 problem
Keywords: Response to Mika
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 92 20:24:35 PDT
Organization: Moon Macrosystems

Mika, I think you're miscalculating something.  I count 17 ways to get
hit with an indirect 6:  The basic 11, plus 2/2, 3/3, 1/5, 5/1, 2/4, 4/2.

I also count 17 ways to get hit by a 1 *and* 8 (which is the case if you
leave the blot on 20 in your diagram.  The basic 11 1's, plus 6 extra
ways to reach 8: 2/2, 4/4, 2/6, 6/2, 3/5, 5/3.

I would move 11/6, 8/6 in your position.  O is behind in a running game,
albeit slightly, and this closes the running game gap, provided that X
does not safely cover his blot on 12.  Remember, you both have 5-point
boards, so X is in danger of losing here, too.  Leave the blot on 20,
and PRAY LIKE HELL that X doesn't roll a 1.

--Philip Stromer--
(peewee@infoserv.com)
From: stonek@rollout.tymnet.com (Ken Stone)
Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
Subject: Re: ignorance
Date: 15 Oct 92 23:30:13 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: btna


help!

i'm not too bright on backgammon.  Was this a legal exit
on backgammon?  I thought tigman had to take 2 fives off?
This was played on the server whatever port 3200...


ken


                tigman [129]    0 points        40 point casual match

         12 11 10  9  8  7        6  5  4  3  2  1 
         -------------------------------------------   [4]
        | X  .  .  .  .  .  |   | .  O  O  O  O  O  |
        |                   |   |    O  O  O  O  O  |
        |                   |   |    O  O  O  O     |
        |                   |   |          O        |
        |                   |   |                   |
        |                   |   |                   |
        |                   |  X|                   |
        |                   |   | X                 |
        |                   |   | X                 |
        |             X     |   | X  X  X     X     |
        | .  .  .  .  X  X  |   | X  X  X  .  X  .  |
         -------------------------------------------
         13 14 15 16 17 18       19 20 21 22 23 24 

 * 
tigman [129] : come on 6
tigman rolls [6] [5]
* 

 * 

                tigman [129]    0 points        40 point casual match

         12 11 10  9  8  7        6  5  4  3  2  1 
         -------------------------------------------   [4]
        | X  .  .  .  .  .  |   | .  O  O  O  O  O  |   OO
        |                   |   |    O  O  O  O  O  |
        |                   |   |       O  O  O     |
        |                   |   |                   |
        |                   |   |                   |
        |                   |   |                   |
        |                   |  X|                   |
        |                   |   | X                 |
        |                   |   | X                 |
        |             X     |   | X  X  X     X     |
        | .  .  .  .  X  X  |   | X  X  X  .  X  .  |
         -------------------------------------------
         13 14 15 16 17 18       19 20 21 22 23 24 

                stonky [128]            3 points
tigman moves 5-off 3-off
stonky's turn.
*  


Newsgroups: rec.games.backgammon
From: baileff@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (robert.a.meese..jr)
Subject: Expert BG for the Mac
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 14:32:51 GMT




About two weeks ago, I submitted an article for the Expert BG program
for the PC.  I stated that it was ported from a mac version and some
people have asked how they can get the mac version.

The information is below.

    Expert Backgammon for the Mac
        Demo Version $5.00
        Full Feature Version $65.00

    You can order from:
        Flint Area BG Club
        % Carol Joy Cole
        3003 Ridgecliffe Drive
        Flint, MI 48532
        (313) 232-9731

    Butch Meese
    Hoosier Backgammon Club
    (317) 845-8435
    inuxy!butch