Match Report for Steve Sax
Steve Sax was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1960. He played his first backgammon tournament in 1976 at age 15 and won his first major tournament in Louisville, Kentucky in 1983. He has won 24 titles over the years including ABT main events or consolations, jackpots and club championships. His two most notable victories were his 2000 Grand Crystal Beaver victory over Nack Ballard and his win in the Giants Invitational in 2011 over "Falafel".
He also has had the honour of playing and winning 10 doubles tournaments most notably the World Doubles Championship in 2006 with partner Brian Zembic. In 2002 he won the ABT championship. Steve has also been voted to the "Giants of Backgammon" list seven consecutive times beginning in 2001 and has reached a ranking as high as 6th.
As well as backgammon, Steve enjoys to play bridge, gin rummy and poker all of which to much lesser degrees of success than backgammon. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he competes, teaches and writes about backgammon. You can find him at GridGammon often playing under the name of STEAMSAX.
Summary of Matches Rating 1,661.08 Experience 7340 Number of matches recorded 700 Number of analysed matches 700 PR across analysed matches - overall 3.7022 (World Class) PR across analysed matches - moves 3.2181 (World Class) PR across analysed matches - cube 5.8890 (Expert) Opponent PR across analysed matches (overall) 6.7360 (Expert) Matches won 415 (59.3%) Number of distinct opponents 329 Number of clubs played at 3 Earliest match recorded 2015-02-10 Latest match so far 2026-01-16 Peak rating 1,723.32 Peak rating (>400 exp.) 1,723.32 Average opponent rating 1,514.19
► Charts
Match locations North America:
Matches: 655 (389 won, 266 lost)
Experience: 6777 (4005 points won, 2772 lost)
Win rate: 59.39%
Average opponent rating: 1,513.81
North America:
Matches: 655 (389 won, 266 lost)
Experience: 6777 (4005 points won, 2772 lost)
Win rate: 59.39%
Average opponent rating: 1,513.81
Europe:
Matches: 44 (25 won, 19 lost)
Experience: 554 (323 points won, 231 lost)
Win rate: 56.82%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.80
Europe:
Matches: 44 (25 won, 19 lost)
Experience: 554 (323 points won, 231 lost)
Win rate: 56.82%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.80
Middle East, North Africa, Greater Arabia:
Matches: 1 (1 won, 0 lost)
Experience: 9 (9 points won, 0 lost)
Win rate: 100.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,473.45
Middle East, North Africa, Greater Arabia:
Matches: 1 (1 won, 0 lost)
Experience: 9 (9 points won, 0 lost)
Win rate: 100.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,473.45
win/lose North America:
Matches: 655 (389 won, 266 lost)
Experience: 6777 (4005 points won, 2772 lost)
Win rate: 59.39%
Average opponent rating: 1,513.81
North America:
Matches: 655 (389 won, 266 lost)
Experience: 6777 (4005 points won, 2772 lost)
Win rate: 59.39%
Average opponent rating: 1,513.81
North America (655)
Europe:
Matches: 44 (25 won, 19 lost)
Experience: 554 (323 points won, 231 lost)
Win rate: 56.82%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.80
Europe:
Matches: 44 (25 won, 19 lost)
Experience: 554 (323 points won, 231 lost)
Win rate: 56.82%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.80
Europe (44)
Middle East, North Africa, Greater Arabia:
Matches: 1 (1 won, 0 lost)
Experience: 9 (9 points won, 0 lost)
Win rate: 100.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,473.45
Middle East, North Africa, Greater Arabia:
Matches: 1 (1 won, 0 lost)
Experience: 9 (9 points won, 0 lost)
Win rate: 100.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,473.45
Middle East, North Africa, Greater Arabia (1)
Match lengths 7-point:
Matches: 76 (46 won, 30 lost)
Experience: 532 (322 points won, 210 lost)
Win rate: 60.53%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.47
7-point:
Matches: 76 (46 won, 30 lost)
Experience: 532 (322 points won, 210 lost)
Win rate: 60.53%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.47
9-point:
Matches: 190 (110 won, 80 lost)
Experience: 1710 (990 points won, 720 lost)
Win rate: 57.89%
Average opponent rating: 1,503.05
9-point:
Matches: 190 (110 won, 80 lost)
Experience: 1710 (990 points won, 720 lost)
Win rate: 57.89%
Average opponent rating: 1,503.05
11-point:
Matches: 346 (214 won, 132 lost)
Experience: 3806 (2354 points won, 1452 lost)
Win rate: 61.85%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.21
11-point:
Matches: 346 (214 won, 132 lost)
Experience: 3806 (2354 points won, 1452 lost)
Win rate: 61.85%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.21
13-point:
Matches: 26 (10 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 338 (130 points won, 208 lost)
Win rate: 38.46%
Average opponent rating: 1,548.92
13-point:
Matches: 26 (10 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 338 (130 points won, 208 lost)
Win rate: 38.46%
Average opponent rating: 1,548.92
15-point:
Matches: 50 (27 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 750 (405 points won, 345 lost)
Win rate: 54.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.37
15-point:
Matches: 50 (27 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 750 (405 points won, 345 lost)
Win rate: 54.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.37
17-point:
Matches: 12 (8 won, 4 lost)
Experience: 204 (136 points won, 68 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,510.48
17-point:
Matches: 12 (8 won, 4 lost)
Experience: 204 (136 points won, 68 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,510.48
win/lose 7-point:
Matches: 76 (46 won, 30 lost)
Experience: 532 (322 points won, 210 lost)
Win rate: 60.53%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.47
7-point:
Matches: 76 (46 won, 30 lost)
Experience: 532 (322 points won, 210 lost)
Win rate: 60.53%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.47
7-point (76)
9-point:
Matches: 190 (110 won, 80 lost)
Experience: 1710 (990 points won, 720 lost)
Win rate: 57.89%
Average opponent rating: 1,503.05
9-point:
Matches: 190 (110 won, 80 lost)
Experience: 1710 (990 points won, 720 lost)
Win rate: 57.89%
Average opponent rating: 1,503.05
9-point (190)
11-point:
Matches: 346 (214 won, 132 lost)
Experience: 3806 (2354 points won, 1452 lost)
Win rate: 61.85%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.21
11-point:
Matches: 346 (214 won, 132 lost)
Experience: 3806 (2354 points won, 1452 lost)
Win rate: 61.85%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.21
11-point (346)
13-point:
Matches: 26 (10 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 338 (130 points won, 208 lost)
Win rate: 38.46%
Average opponent rating: 1,548.92
13-point:
Matches: 26 (10 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 338 (130 points won, 208 lost)
Win rate: 38.46%
Average opponent rating: 1,548.92
13-point (26)
15-point:
Matches: 50 (27 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 750 (405 points won, 345 lost)
Win rate: 54.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.37
15-point:
Matches: 50 (27 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 750 (405 points won, 345 lost)
Win rate: 54.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,520.37
15-point (50)
17-point:
Matches: 12 (8 won, 4 lost)
Experience: 204 (136 points won, 68 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,510.48
17-point:
Matches: 12 (8 won, 4 lost)
Experience: 204 (136 points won, 68 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,510.48
17-point (12)
Matches by opponent rating 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 <1000 1050 1000- 1100 1050- 1150 1100- 1200 1150- 1250 1200- 1300 1250- 1350 1300- 1300-1350:
Matches: 4 (2 won, 2 lost)
Experience: 36 (16 points won, 20 lost)
Win rate: 50.00% 1300-1350:
Matches: 4 (2 won, 2 lost)
Experience: 36 (16 points won, 20 lost)
Win rate: 50.00% 1400 1350- 1350-1400:
Matches: 26 (16 won, 10 lost)
Experience: 264 (164 points won, 100 lost)
Win rate: 61.54% 1350-1400:
Matches: 26 (16 won, 10 lost)
Experience: 264 (164 points won, 100 lost)
Win rate: 61.54% 1450 1400- 1400-1450:
Matches: 69 (37 won, 32 lost)
Experience: 681 (377 points won, 304 lost)
Win rate: 53.62% 1400-1450:
Matches: 69 (37 won, 32 lost)
Experience: 681 (377 points won, 304 lost)
Win rate: 53.62% 1500 1450- 1450-1500:
Matches: 137 (80 won, 57 lost)
Experience: 1439 (844 points won, 595 lost)
Win rate: 58.39% 1450-1500:
Matches: 137 (80 won, 57 lost)
Experience: 1439 (844 points won, 595 lost)
Win rate: 58.39% 1550 1500- 1500-1550:
Matches: 285 (184 won, 101 lost)
Experience: 3021 (1956 points won, 1065 lost)
Win rate: 64.56% 1500-1550:
Matches: 285 (184 won, 101 lost)
Experience: 3021 (1956 points won, 1065 lost)
Win rate: 64.56% 1600 1550- 1550-1600:
Matches: 93 (51 won, 42 lost)
Experience: 1007 (547 points won, 460 lost)
Win rate: 54.84% 1550-1600:
Matches: 93 (51 won, 42 lost)
Experience: 1007 (547 points won, 460 lost)
Win rate: 54.84% 1650 1600- 1600-1650:
Matches: 75 (39 won, 36 lost)
Experience: 775 (375 points won, 400 lost)
Win rate: 52.00% 1600-1650:
Matches: 75 (39 won, 36 lost)
Experience: 775 (375 points won, 400 lost)
Win rate: 52.00% 1700 1650- 1650-1700:
Matches: 10 (6 won, 4 lost)
Experience: 106 (58 points won, 48 lost)
Win rate: 60.00% 1650-1700:
Matches: 10 (6 won, 4 lost)
Experience: 106 (58 points won, 48 lost)
Win rate: 60.00% 1750 1700- 1700-1750:
Matches: 1 (0 won, 1 lost)
Experience: 11 (0 points won, 11 lost)
Win rate: 0.00% 1700-1750:
Matches: 1 (0 won, 1 lost)
Experience: 11 (0 points won, 11 lost)
Win rate: 0.00% 1800 1750- 1850 1800- 1900 1850- 1900+ ←1,661.08
When matches were played January:
Matches: 28 (12 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 314 (130 points won, 184 lost)
Win rate: 42.86%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.34
January:
Matches: 28 (12 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 314 (130 points won, 184 lost)
Win rate: 42.86%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.34
February:
Matches: 66 (38 won, 28 lost)
Experience: 656 (376 points won, 280 lost)
Win rate: 57.58%
Average opponent rating: 1,518.23
February:
Matches: 66 (38 won, 28 lost)
Experience: 656 (376 points won, 280 lost)
Win rate: 57.58%
Average opponent rating: 1,518.23
March:
Matches: 20 (11 won, 9 lost)
Experience: 202 (107 points won, 95 lost)
Win rate: 55.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.24
March:
Matches: 20 (11 won, 9 lost)
Experience: 202 (107 points won, 95 lost)
Win rate: 55.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.24
April:
Matches: 42 (26 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 514 (318 points won, 196 lost)
Win rate: 61.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,527.96
April:
Matches: 42 (26 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 514 (318 points won, 196 lost)
Win rate: 61.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,527.96
May:
Matches: 24 (12 won, 12 lost)
Experience: 236 (122 points won, 114 lost)
Win rate: 50.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.28
May:
Matches: 24 (12 won, 12 lost)
Experience: 236 (122 points won, 114 lost)
Win rate: 50.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.28
June:
Matches: 62 (39 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 614 (395 points won, 219 lost)
Win rate: 62.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.15
June:
Matches: 62 (39 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 614 (395 points won, 219 lost)
Win rate: 62.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.15
July:
Matches: 106 (63 won, 43 lost)
Experience: 1146 (679 points won, 467 lost)
Win rate: 59.43%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.45
July:
Matches: 106 (63 won, 43 lost)
Experience: 1146 (679 points won, 467 lost)
Win rate: 59.43%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.45
August:
Matches: 9 (6 won, 3 lost)
Experience: 129 (84 points won, 45 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,515.56
August:
Matches: 9 (6 won, 3 lost)
Experience: 129 (84 points won, 45 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,515.56
September:
Matches: 88 (52 won, 36 lost)
Experience: 882 (530 points won, 352 lost)
Win rate: 59.09%
Average opponent rating: 1,511.00
September:
Matches: 88 (52 won, 36 lost)
Experience: 882 (530 points won, 352 lost)
Win rate: 59.09%
Average opponent rating: 1,511.00
October:
Matches: 89 (58 won, 31 lost)
Experience: 917 (590 points won, 327 lost)
Win rate: 65.17%
Average opponent rating: 1,523.54
October:
Matches: 89 (58 won, 31 lost)
Experience: 917 (590 points won, 327 lost)
Win rate: 65.17%
Average opponent rating: 1,523.54
November:
Matches: 78 (44 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 854 (466 points won, 388 lost)
Win rate: 56.41%
Average opponent rating: 1,508.88
November:
Matches: 78 (44 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 854 (466 points won, 388 lost)
Win rate: 56.41%
Average opponent rating: 1,508.88
December:
Matches: 88 (54 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 876 (540 points won, 336 lost)
Win rate: 61.36%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.75
December:
Matches: 88 (54 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 876 (540 points won, 336 lost)
Win rate: 61.36%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.75
January:
Matches: 28 (12 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 314 (130 points won, 184 lost)
Win rate: 42.86%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.34
January:
Matches: 28 (12 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 314 (130 points won, 184 lost)
Win rate: 42.86%
Average opponent rating: 1,517.34
Jan
February:
Matches: 66 (38 won, 28 lost)
Experience: 656 (376 points won, 280 lost)
Win rate: 57.58%
Average opponent rating: 1,518.23
February:
Matches: 66 (38 won, 28 lost)
Experience: 656 (376 points won, 280 lost)
Win rate: 57.58%
Average opponent rating: 1,518.23
Feb
March:
Matches: 20 (11 won, 9 lost)
Experience: 202 (107 points won, 95 lost)
Win rate: 55.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.24
March:
Matches: 20 (11 won, 9 lost)
Experience: 202 (107 points won, 95 lost)
Win rate: 55.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.24
Mar
April:
Matches: 42 (26 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 514 (318 points won, 196 lost)
Win rate: 61.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,527.96
April:
Matches: 42 (26 won, 16 lost)
Experience: 514 (318 points won, 196 lost)
Win rate: 61.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,527.96
Apr
May:
Matches: 24 (12 won, 12 lost)
Experience: 236 (122 points won, 114 lost)
Win rate: 50.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.28
May:
Matches: 24 (12 won, 12 lost)
Experience: 236 (122 points won, 114 lost)
Win rate: 50.00%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.28
May
June:
Matches: 62 (39 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 614 (395 points won, 219 lost)
Win rate: 62.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.15
June:
Matches: 62 (39 won, 23 lost)
Experience: 614 (395 points won, 219 lost)
Win rate: 62.90%
Average opponent rating: 1,500.15
Jun
July:
Matches: 106 (63 won, 43 lost)
Experience: 1146 (679 points won, 467 lost)
Win rate: 59.43%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.45
July:
Matches: 106 (63 won, 43 lost)
Experience: 1146 (679 points won, 467 lost)
Win rate: 59.43%
Average opponent rating: 1,516.45
Jul
August:
Matches: 9 (6 won, 3 lost)
Experience: 129 (84 points won, 45 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,515.56
August:
Matches: 9 (6 won, 3 lost)
Experience: 129 (84 points won, 45 lost)
Win rate: 66.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,515.56
Aug
September:
Matches: 88 (52 won, 36 lost)
Experience: 882 (530 points won, 352 lost)
Win rate: 59.09%
Average opponent rating: 1,511.00
September:
Matches: 88 (52 won, 36 lost)
Experience: 882 (530 points won, 352 lost)
Win rate: 59.09%
Average opponent rating: 1,511.00
Sep
October:
Matches: 89 (58 won, 31 lost)
Experience: 917 (590 points won, 327 lost)
Win rate: 65.17%
Average opponent rating: 1,523.54
October:
Matches: 89 (58 won, 31 lost)
Experience: 917 (590 points won, 327 lost)
Win rate: 65.17%
Average opponent rating: 1,523.54
Oct
November:
Matches: 78 (44 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 854 (466 points won, 388 lost)
Win rate: 56.41%
Average opponent rating: 1,508.88
November:
Matches: 78 (44 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 854 (466 points won, 388 lost)
Win rate: 56.41%
Average opponent rating: 1,508.88
Nov
December:
Matches: 88 (54 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 876 (540 points won, 336 lost)
Win rate: 61.36%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.75
December:
Matches: 88 (54 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 876 (540 points won, 336 lost)
Win rate: 61.36%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.75
Dec
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015:
Matches: 6 (1 won, 5 lost)
Experience: 56 (9 points won, 47 lost)
Win rate: 16.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,552.16 2015:
Matches: 6 (1 won, 5 lost)
Experience: 56 (9 points won, 47 lost)
Win rate: 16.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,552.16 2016 2016:
Matches: 33 (21 won, 12 lost)
Experience: 325 (205 points won, 120 lost)
Win rate: 63.64%
Average opponent rating: 1,483.86 2016:
Matches: 33 (21 won, 12 lost)
Experience: 325 (205 points won, 120 lost)
Win rate: 63.64%
Average opponent rating: 1,483.86 2017 2017:
Matches: 78 (44 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 782 (446 points won, 336 lost)
Win rate: 56.41%
Average opponent rating: 1,509.69 2017:
Matches: 78 (44 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 782 (446 points won, 336 lost)
Win rate: 56.41%
Average opponent rating: 1,509.69 2018 2018:
Matches: 118 (72 won, 46 lost)
Experience: 1282 (788 points won, 494 lost)
Win rate: 61.02%
Average opponent rating: 1,515.68 2018:
Matches: 118 (72 won, 46 lost)
Experience: 1282 (788 points won, 494 lost)
Win rate: 61.02%
Average opponent rating: 1,515.68 2019 2019:
Matches: 56 (30 won, 26 lost)
Experience: 576 (296 points won, 280 lost)
Win rate: 53.57%
Average opponent rating: 1,506.68 2019:
Matches: 56 (30 won, 26 lost)
Experience: 576 (296 points won, 280 lost)
Win rate: 53.57%
Average opponent rating: 1,506.68 2020 2020:
Matches: 6 (1 won, 5 lost)
Experience: 66 (13 points won, 53 lost)
Win rate: 16.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,546.28 2020:
Matches: 6 (1 won, 5 lost)
Experience: 66 (13 points won, 53 lost)
Win rate: 16.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,546.28 2021 2021:
Matches: 53 (28 won, 25 lost)
Experience: 571 (294 points won, 277 lost)
Win rate: 52.83%
Average opponent rating: 1,526.76 2021:
Matches: 53 (28 won, 25 lost)
Experience: 571 (294 points won, 277 lost)
Win rate: 52.83%
Average opponent rating: 1,526.76 2022 2022:
Matches: 80 (46 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 870 (488 points won, 382 lost)
Win rate: 57.50%
Average opponent rating: 1,506.58 2022:
Matches: 80 (46 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 870 (488 points won, 382 lost)
Win rate: 57.50%
Average opponent rating: 1,506.58 2023 2023:
Matches: 86 (52 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 910 (564 points won, 346 lost)
Win rate: 60.47%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.54 2023:
Matches: 86 (52 won, 34 lost)
Experience: 910 (564 points won, 346 lost)
Win rate: 60.47%
Average opponent rating: 1,512.54 2024 2024:
Matches: 101 (71 won, 30 lost)
Experience: 1061 (743 points won, 318 lost)
Win rate: 70.30%
Average opponent rating: 1,511.69 2024:
Matches: 101 (71 won, 30 lost)
Experience: 1061 (743 points won, 318 lost)
Win rate: 70.30%
Average opponent rating: 1,511.69 2025 2025:
Matches: 75 (44 won, 31 lost)
Experience: 753 (436 points won, 317 lost)
Win rate: 58.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,535.13 2025:
Matches: 75 (44 won, 31 lost)
Experience: 753 (436 points won, 317 lost)
Win rate: 58.67%
Average opponent rating: 1,535.13 2026 2026:
Matches: 8 (5 won, 3 lost)
Experience: 88 (55 points won, 33 lost)
Win rate: 62.50%
Average opponent rating: 1,506.85 2026:
Matches: 8 (5 won, 3 lost)
Experience: 88 (55 points won, 33 lost)
Win rate: 62.50%
Average opponent rating: 1,506.85 ► Match History