What are rollouts?

LippedCup · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 9

I keep reading about “rollouts” and I have no idea what they are. Can someone please explain? This game is full of terms that I don’t understand at all… argh!!

leonardo · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

Sure! Rollouts are the results of playing out a position from the same point many times to see which option is best. These are used, most commonly, to determine the best way to move in the opening roll of a game. If, for instance, you roll a 4-2 to open the game the rollouts will tell you the best way to move them. This has been determined by a test that has shown the results of moving 4-2 by every possible option and then testing to see which option has the best results and game equity.

Before computers rollouts used to be done mathematically and by hand. However, now computer programs like Snowie can be used to figure out rollouts and have actually found that many of the calculations done in the past were actually not the best option!

You should be able to find lists of rollouts on the Internet. Learning opening rollouts can actually be an excellent game strategy.

Rail · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 24

Aside from the topic of rollouts, there is no need to be so frustrated about the terms of backgammon. It’s true that backgammon jargon can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be so frustrated. There are all kinds of backgammon glossaries available online that will explain anything you don’t understand. They are available on most of the backgammon websites so check it out.