BACKGAMMON - SUCCESS LIES IN YOUR MATHEMATICAL ABILITY

Here we would like to discuss how a tremendous analytical power and the ability to implement them in the game does not only crown Jacoby with the success in backgammon but also in most of the gambling games of today's modern world. Jacoby converted backgammon to almost a mathematical game in spite of the cherished tradition of calling backgammon a game of skill and luck. You will be surprised to know that two stalwarts of backgammon 'Jacoby' and 'Crawford', both started their career in bridge, the famous game of cards, before honors were showered on them for backgammon.

The 82 year span of Jacoby's earthly life has been full of success and rewards in all spheres of the board games as well as in terms of devotion for the country. The games includes Cards, Poker, Backgammon and even gambling games. People still pay homage to the buried body at the Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Mr. Oswald Jacoby was born in Brooklyn on December 8, 1902, and died on June 27, 1984. His personal life had been further glorified by his wife Mary Zita Jacoby. The family used to be known as the backgammon family and as the saying goes; 'blood is thicker than water', their child James has also become a name in the backgammon world in due course.

Achievements of Jacoby

Patriotism

2 months in army during World War I

Awarded Victory Medal

A Lieutenant Commander in the Navy

Again went back during Korean War

Prioritization

It is said that he was in the middle of a competition during World War I, however didn't take even a minute to respond to the call of the nation.

Bridge - Cards Play

Honorary Member ACBL Hall of Fame

Partner of Sidney Lenz in Culbertson-Lenz MatchI

Member of Four Horsemen

Member of Four Aces teams

He won McKenney trophy 4 times in 5 years between 1959 and 1963

He retired in 1967 from active competition after surpassing 10,000-point mark

Jacoby pioneered many bidding ideas

Jacoby was secretary of the United States Bridge Association for nearly 2 years

A regular Bridge columnist in newspapers and articles The Charles H.Goren Award in 1982/ 83

Please note that Jacoby was competent both in auction bridge and contract bridge.

And in the world of Backgammon

Crown of Success

Oswald Jacoby had shown a prolific performance to champion the International Tournament Trophy for three successive years (1966 to 1968) and the feather of World Championships had been added to his cap in 1972.

Beneficial to the playing community

Oswald Jacoby's success should never be measured just in the counting of the titles he had been awarded, but his true contribution in the core concept of playing the game has made him an icon in the field of backgammon.

The key winning strategy in the past in backgammon was to build up advanced points as fast as you can. Building a prime was of secondary importance, where the adjacent points of the advance checkers might be filled up to form a base of the prime.

But The Backgammon Book written by Oswald Jacoby and John Crawford brings up a radical change in the gaming strategy. Jacoby had brought the concept of prime against the opponent's prime. So to encounter the prime of the opponent is to build another prime and the advantage goes to the player who builds the advanced prime. Now, the situation will definitely arise when the players have to break the prime. Even in such a scenario, the winning chance goes to the player who had been able to form the most advanced prime. The probability factor of winning is directly proportionate to the time period the player can hold the prime. It has also been experimented that if the prime can be held for a reasonable longer period, the chances of win goes very high for the player.

Jacoby Rule - still continuing

The Jacoby Rule is named after the late great gamesman Oswald Jacoby. Jacoby rule states that gammon and backgammon will come into effect if and only if the player has announced a double and accepted by the opponent. The Jacoby Rule is mostly applied in Money game to encourage a player for higher points in a game of double. This brings speed in the game where the player never waits for the gammon or backgammon; rather he announces double for faster points. Jacoby rules are applicable essentially for money play but hardly used in Match play.

Some creative thoughts

Jacoby has written many books and articles. Some of them have been published in various newspapers and magazines. Snippets have even been published on various web sites. Here we discuss only two books which we feel can work as the pillars of success for the players.

The Backgammon Book by Jacoby and Crawford ? An ideal book for the beginners. Remember that Jacoby rules and Crawford rules are followed even today in money games and match games respectively. It had delved into the intricacies of the game. There are clear-cut instructions on the rules with a detailed description of its history and development phases. The pros and cons of the double are most elaborate in the book, and provide clear-cut guidelines for beginners.

The New York Times Book of Backgammon by James Oswald Jacoby and Mary Zita Jacoby ? A splendid guide from the most renowned couple James and Mary, the authorities of backgammon, will guide all aspirant players of the backgammon for any level of player. Even the highly proficient players in the game of skill, chance and intrigue will benefit from this book. The critical analytical power and the personal talents have been mixed for teaching the various strategies and techniques for winning over the every odd situation.

To conclude, Jacoby has perhaps been able to establish the cherished fact of life that a successful person should have the power of the correct analysis, right prioritization and above all the decision making ability at the right point of time