Some players especially on top list uncheck that box when you are stuck at the bar to see opponents' moves and wait until last hour to play their turn even they can't move, making the game takes forever just because they are loosing points. This option is not offered at other sites like golden Token. I suggest taking that option off.
i like the option to mess with my friends. it gets under thier skin
Re: Unchecking option at the bar
Message #7292 Replies: 1
posted by heartsvertigo (Bob Bowman) on 03/21 at 05:59
If you're suggesting that a player be forced to pass turns when on the bar, or behind a prime, you're in reality attempting to take away a standard right granted by official rules of backgammon. This can be confirmed by contacting any of the major clubs where both money and tournament play occurs.
There are quite a few instances where passing the turn instead of having the double/roll option would be a disadvantage. When you're on the bar, you retain the right to double, even if you're closed out if the cube is either in the middle, or on your side. Here is a clear example, suppose you have 14 checkers off, and were hit at the last moment. If your opponent has a closed board, obviously you'd want to double and end the game in your favor since your winning chances are roughly 92%. But what if you were forced to pass your turns "until you can move"? Your opponent might get an extremely lucky sequence of rolls an win the game.
I agree that all players have the right to use the cube even when they can't move from the bar. But what is goal of using that option in regular backgammon, nackgammon, longgammon, hypergammon, and all matches with no cubes. This option must only be applied on matches where you can use the cube. It's not needed in all other games since the player can check the history of the game and see all the previous moves.
heartsvertigo was of course speaking of match games with the cube. But even in non-cube games, some players prefer to see the rolls and stay with the "rhythm" of the game. It doesn't mean they're trying to catch their opponents out with time limits.
Some sites make you go through all of the moves (e.g., they don't have the option to automatically pass) -- IYT, for example, when last I played there anyway. I don't recall playing at one where you were forced to automatically pass, but I'm sure there must be some. (I used to play at GoldToken and I don't remember being forced to automatically pass, but it's been a while and I could have forgotten or they could have added that later.)
Perhaps we could all give each other the benefit of the doubt. We're here to have fun. Sure, there are some players who are more concerned with winning -- even by timeout -- than with having fun, but most of us are just looking to enjoy our games. Rather than focussing on those few who are a bit of a pain to play with, let's remember how many of our opponents are good sports, good players, and fun to play with. -- T.J. Crowder First Primate Pocket-Monkey.com
Re: Unchecking option at the bar
Message #7294 Replies: 0
posted by pint of beer (john shields) on 03/21 at 09:41
on IYT there is no passing as they count even blocked positions (in case it is a none paying member, none moves count towards their move quota for the day), Gold Token and yourturnmyturn.com, automatically pass, and Brainking you have to keep submitting every move till you can move, here i think is the better option, if you want to pass even in matches them you can or you are allowed to pass each move. like T.J. says games are fun not for the win at all costs attitude. the people here are some of the best i have played against on the web. enjoy your games and this great site and encourage your other game playing buddies from other sites to give Pocket-Monkey.com a look.
I think Goldtoken and many other sites don't have the option too. But as I replied to heartsvertigo, this option is not needed in games that don't have cubes. It must only be used on matches where players can use the cube. The players can check the history of the game and see all the previous moves so its really not needed at backgammon, nackgammon, hypergammon, longgammon, and all no cubes games.
It's not needed strategically, but that doesn't mean that people don't want it. We're very reluctant to take things away from people. I suspect removing the option from the non-cube games would be quite unpopular. Maybe we'll do a poll on it (like we did for the holidays at the end of last year), see what people say, although it's not going to be a high priority compared to working on a vacations feature, dealing with the DHTML game problems, etc...
The vast majority of people leave the option checked so it automatically passes until they can move again. I don't see that those who -- for whatever reason -- uncheck the option are so numerous that it's a big problem. -- T.J. Crowder First Primate Pocket-Monkey.com
Re: Unchecking option at the bar
Message #7403 Replies: 0
posted by heartsvertigo (Bob Bowman) on 03/29 at 16:38
The only possible need to NOT automatically pass each turn would be to verify that all prior moves are legal. I have never seen a bug that permits illegal moves at Pocket Monkey, so if it were ever put to a vote, I'd say always pass in one point matches(single non cube games)that are unrated, and also in rated tournament games that are at either single or double match point. I'd leave unrated games optional, since they were added as a possible learning method.T.J. (T.J. Crowder) wrote:
It's not needed strategically, but that doesn't mean that people don't want it. We're very reluctant to take things away from people. I suspect removing the option from the non-cube games would be quite unpopular. Maybe we'll do a poll on it (like we did for the holidays at the end of last year), see what people say, although it's not going to be a high priority compared to working on a vacations feature, dealing with the DHTML game problems, etc...
The vast majority of people leave the option checked so it automatically passes until they can move again. I don't see that those who -- for whatever reason -- uncheck the option are so numerous that it's a big problem. -- T.J. Crowder First Primate Pocket-Monkey.com
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