🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <9208041559.AA12657@news.cis.ohio-state.edu> Marc.Ringuette@daisy.learning.cs.cmu.edu writes:
>rueping@fzi.de (Andreas Rueping) writes,
>> The Crawford rule says that, in an n point match, doubling
>> is not allowed if one of the players has reached n-1 points.
>
>Not quite right.  The Crawford rule says that doubling is not allowed
>in the FIRST GAME after one of the players reaches n-1 points.
>
>In general, however, it's perfectly OK to have the cube value exceed the
>points remaining for one or both players.  As the leader, you must be
>very careful not to throw the cube unless you're willing to get it back
>in your face immediately.  
>
>Your generalized Crawford rule would make it easier for the leader to
>finish off the trailer, by giving him a profitable double more often.
>I couldn't really say whether this is good or bad.
>
>M.
A generalization of the Crawford rule can be devised that lacks some
of the irrationality of the current rules for matches.  I call it
pot-limit backgammon, by analogy with pot-limit poker.  In pot-limit
backgammon, if it is your turn and you have access to the cube, you
may increase the stake of the current game by an amount which is at
least one, at most the current stake, SUBJECT TO THE CONSTRAINT THAT
THE CURRENT STAKE NEVER BE MORE THAN EITHER PLAYER NEEDS TO WIN THE
MATCH.  Doubling as usual gives up to the opponent future access to
the "cube".

For example, say I lead 6 to 2 in an 11-point match, holding the "cube"
at two.  The stake can not be raised to more than 2 times 2 = 4, or less than
2+1=3.  I raise to 3.  My opponent takes, and may reraise to 4 or 5,
but not 6. He reraises to 5, I take and he wins.  Now I trail 6 to 7.
He raises to 2 (only option) and I can reraise to 3 or 4.  Or I raise to 2, he
reraises to 4, and the "cube " is dead for the rest of the game.

I have not worked out the theoretical consequences, but I suspect that
pot-limit is closer to money BG than current match rules are.