WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT PIPHIT

John Clark very kindly was the first to give his opinion on Piphit. John is the U K’s top rated  backgammon player. His views are expert, considered and carry a lot of weight.    

To have your say, positive and negative views are equally welcome, email: david@piphit.com

Here is a summary of what John said:-

John has played both poker and backgammon for over thirty years and firmly believes that backgammon is more exciting, more challenging and will, in time outlast poker. There are signs already that the poker bubble is bursting.   Backgammon on the other hand is still steadily growing. More sites - more live   tournaments and more T.V.coverage.   A slow burn for sure but acorns and oak trees etc..  

John believes that the skill factor in is not a problem in backgammon. Bill Robertie's conclusions in a study of his were that backgammon has a skill co-efficent of eight, poker nine, chess sixteen, and GO fourty.   John's own opinion is   that backgammon may well be more skilled than the simplest poker games but less skilled than than the more complex ones such as Omaha - hi - lo for instance.

Statistics tend to make John believe that the average online ranking is around 1700. This means that the majority of matches will be close fought contests.

In conclusion John said that he does not see any online future for Piphit (or for any other backgammon variant for that matter). It is hard enough getting people to sing from the same hymn sheet as it is without making the rules even more complex.   He thinks I am barking up the wrong tree ( ahem - the only tree). Nevertheless,  John wishes Piphit every success and says he will be more than delighted if he has to eat his own words.  

John Clark,  January 08 

David 

Simple, brilliant…respect. I‘ve played it, a fascinating game. You are right about the skill level no idea what I am doing. So much to learn. Actually, so much for other people to learn and then tell me! 

Cube action - Am I right in thinking that, in this extremely volatile game, you should take almost any double and beaver and be very cautious about giving the cube?  

Julie Rice,  March 08 

Hi David 

Sorry mate this game has got no chance. John Clark was right in everything he said. Backgammon players have spent a lot of time perfecting their skill. They won’t play this. 

Archie, March 08 

Hi David 

Go for gold! I will play it. Anything that stops sharks hustlers and cheats from dominating the online game is a good thing. 

Peter Noble, March 08

Hi David

This is not the best idea anyone ever thought of although you make it seem as if it is.  We have to give credit for that to Einstien. On a scale of ten I will give your idea a six.  Therefore as it is above average I will play it.

John Richardson, March 08   

Hi David 

Bravo I  liked your hunters desciption of backgammon very much indeed. That accurately portrays online backgammon. Well I suppose count me in .... more time wasted! 

Peter Henderson, March 08  

Go to news next update mid August.